Koh Phaluai Eco Resort

Uncle Khai's charming garden house on his coconut plantation welcomes diners on a wood-decked veranda. Choose from three simple Southern Thai set menus that showcase top-notch ingredients sourced from local fishermen and friends. Seasonal, home-style dishes, including blue swimming crab or grilled prawns served with jasmine or pandan-coconut rice, arrive from the open kitchen on woven trays with net covers. Save room for the local dessert! Reservation required.

This unpretentious, open-air eatery is a local gem on the island, offering an affordable opportunity to enjoy simple, local dishes in a knockout beach location. The portions are hearty, modestly priced and lip-smacking. One of the highlights is crab coconut milk curry with shrubby basil — rich with the aroma of curry spices and herbs. If you’re not a fan of shrubby basil, you can ask to substitute it with wild betel leaves instead. Each dish is cooked to order, so there may be a wait, but the upside is that everything arrives freshly made, straight from the kitchen. Alfresco dining in a blissf

Surrounded by a small garden of papaya, banana, tamarind and fresh herbs, this tranquil open-air eatery feels a world away from full-moon clichés. Booking is essential, as the chef prepares only the exact number of portions each day. The blind menu changes with fresh finds from the local market and pier, alongside seasonal fruits and edible flowers grown in the garden. Highlights include crisp yet juicy deep-fried fermented catfish, while the squid stir-fried with ink and shrimp paste shows off just how fresh the ingredients are.

This well-established, low-key local favourite serves Southern Thai food in a relaxed setting. As well as seafood and freshwater fish, the Thai-Chinese-leaning menu features several pork dishes and a few with chicken or beef. Bold Southern curries sit alongside wok-fried classics; begin with a spicy yum salad and ask for local fish prepared to your liking. Enquire about the daily specials – the kitchen's confident touch ensures vibrant, comforting fare.

This locally renowned noodle shop first opened in 1959. The homemade fish dumplings with celery and the umami-rich fish balls invariably attract long queues. Tom Yum and Yen Ta Fo soup options are also available for those seeking something more savoury and full-flavoured.

This modest favourite draws queues, but your patience will be rewarded! The phak bung tai rao – crispy shrimp, morning glory and fine-sliced pork skin tossed in a sweet-tangy sauce – is superb with rice noodles. Generous portions and wallet-friendly prices make it a great value.

At this relaxed spot in a traditional Thai house 20 minutes from town, the cordial service makes you feel like you are at a friend's place. The chef-owner shops each morning, picking mostly local produce; pastes are pounded fresh, and every dish is cooked à la minute so second orders take time. Lon is favoured over chilli paste, and the tamarind-scented kung phat sauce makham perfectly balances sweet and sour.