Journey Hostel Suratthani

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.

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.

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.

This enchanting, almost English-looking country pub draws tourists like bees to honey. Boasting a bright, breezy vibe, it serves international favourites, from steak to pizzas and light snacks, with a tempting array of cocktails and craft beers. The fresh watermelon topped with dry salmon and served with a spicy salad dressing is sweet and juicy, while another popular local delicacy, bingsu, salted egg yolk, offers a creamy scent and texture. Smooth live music in the evenings.

This simple eatery is always bustling at lunchtime with queues for both dine-in and takeout. The owner's inviting and chatty demeanour sets the scene. His signature barbeque pork comes with crispy pork and sweet sausage inside and a large portion only costs 40 baht.

The veteran stall-owner has been making her delicious dumplings for decades in this famous food cart in Na San Jao market. The thin steamed rice dumplings combine a sweet, gooey texture with a savoury filling, made with minced pork, crushed peanuts and herbs in creamy coconut milk.

Standing atop a picturesque hill, the restaurant commands splendid views of the Tapi River winding through a green landscape of palm tree plantations and mountains. They serve tasty Southern Thai fare, including salted duck egg and local river prawns. A spicy seafood sauce and chargrill aroma add depth and complexity to the natural umami of prawns, while a spicy Southern Thai curry soup with pork cartilage features intense peppery and spicy flavours.