The Kite Hotel Bangsaen by Koko

This local kitchen serves bold Thai flavours with fresh seafood and some wild meats in generous portions. The menu is based on the day's catch supplied by local fishers. Expect spicy, good-quality and honestly executed dishes, with curry pastes pounded by hand. They are renowned for their jungle curry soups: choose from a selection of wild meats and then sit back and embrace the intensity of the dark aromatic broth with ginger roots and Thai aubergines.

Attracting younger diners, this eatery has a reputation for fresh, affordable Thai seafood of uncompromising quality. The generous portions with sweet seasonings are good for sharing; the deep-fried mackerel with fish sauce is a must for its crispy skin and tender meat.

This place near Bang Saen beach has been popular with tourists for decades. The signature is, of course, pla tu (Thai mackerel), but the menu extends from seafood options such as sillago, sea bass and local scallops – all cooked in classic Thai style – to crispy deep-fried mackerel cheek with a chilli-garlic aroma that's addictive. If you prefer a milder taste, the staff are happy to adjust the spice level to suit your palate.