Hat Yai Food and Restaurants - Page 6

Address: Airport Road, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110
Map: Off the map
Mobile: +66 (0)98 462 8090
Email: mark.orton1@gmail.com

Latitude: N 06° 58' 00.9" (N 06° 58.015')

Longitude: E 100° 25' 41.2" (E 100° 25.687')

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Comments: Some expats in Thailand open restaurants. This is a good thing because as an expat myself the thing I miss the most in Thailand is authentic Western food. Unless Thais have lived abroad or have been taught properly, Thai versions of Western food aren't generally that good.

Hat Yai isn't the same as Phuket or Pattaya where there are big populations of expats and lots of restaurants run by foreigners, however, the town does have a few.

This one, run by Dutch expats, opened some time in 2015. The Blue Tea Room coffee shop next door is run by the same people and opened for business before the restaurant.

The interior decor is very pleasant, the food good, and the menu offers a few dishes that are difficult to find elsewhere in Hat Yai. There are Thai dishes, Western dishes, and the burgers deserve a mention because they are quite large and quite good.

Maison De Monet is located on the Airport Road in front of the Premium House housing development. As you go towards the airport you will pass Palm Springs village on the left and the restaurant is a little further, also on the left.

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Address: 109 Soi Khum-Uthit, Thungsao 2 Road, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110
Map: Map 4
Telephone: +66 (0)74 230636, +66 (0)81 368 8827
Email: mariko_hatyai@hotmail.com

Latitude: N 06° 59' 43.2" (N 06° 59.720')

Longitude: E 100° 28' 43.8" (E 100° 28.730')

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Comments: The English language rendition of the name is Mariko but, as you can see from the Thai sign, it is Maligo to the locals. Never mind, Ls and Rs are easily interchangeable in Asia. Ror Rua or Lor Ling? Who cares?

The Fuji chain of Japanese restaurants in Thailand (of which Hat Yai has two) sell great food in ultra-hygienic surroundings. You can't really go wrong - apart from the fact they aren't all that cheap relative to the local economy.

In Hat Yai, Mariko gives people an option to eat cheap Japanese food. The area it's in isn't that great but you can't have everything. You're not going to see any rats scurrying around while eating at a branch of Fuji but it's quite possible that you will while eating at Mariko, especially if seated at one of the tables outside.

The food is fine and the set meals are good value.

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Branch 1

Address: Lee Gardens Plaza, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110
Map: Map 3

Latitude: N 07° 00' 20.1" (N 07° 00.335')

Longitude: E 100° 28' 16.8" (E 100° 28.280')

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Comments: While thinking about restaurants in Hat Yai it never occurred to me that McDonalds is a restaurant, which is surprising because it's actually the world's largest restaurant chain. Even after realising it was a restaurant I wasn't sure if I should bother adding it here.

However, McDonalds is still great to have when you can't face another plate of rice or noodles. A Canadian guy I met living in rural Nakhon Sri Thammarat made occasional trips to Hat Yai and one of the highlights of his trips was eating at McDonalds. I also need an occasional burger fix and McDonalds hits the spot for not a lot of money (even chepaer if you buy a Rabbit card, which will give you a 10% discount).

Many visiting Malaysian tourists eat at McDonalds, and so do I when I get the urge for a burger. You can get a better burger at Sizzler but it will cost a lot more money.

McDonalds at Lee Gardens Plaza had a makeover in 2009 and they made it a bit more upmarket. The noisy kids' playpen in the corner was removed, and a McCafe coffee bar was installed. The changes made a big improvement.

Hat Yai has experienced a coffee shop boom in recent years and there are now coffee shops everywhere but the best coffee I know of in Hat Yai is served at McCafe. It's also cheaper than Starbucks.

The car bomb that went off in the Lee Gardens Plaza underground carpark on Saturday 31st May 2012 destroyed McDonalds and other businesses in Lee Gardens Plaza.

This branch of McDonalds opened again on, I believe, Thursday 28th June 2012. When it did, they had made further improvements (meaning that the photo above is now out of date). It looks even better now and there is even a small area with power outlets where customers can use their laptops. Wi-Fi access is available, but it is limited to 45 minutes.

I was surprised how much I missed McDonalds at Lee Gardens Plaza when it closed after the explosion. After many years of living in Thailand I am really bored with Thai food now and crave Western food much more than when I first arrived in the country ... even a McDonalds burger.

On Wednesday 18th July 2012 a second branch of McDonalds opened next door to Diana Department Store. It is also very close to the Winstar hotel. This branch is open 24 hours a day.

When the huge Central Festival shopping mall opened at the end of 2013 it also had a branch of McDonalds.

There used to be a branch of McDonalds inside Tesco Lotus near the university, but it closed several years ago and was replaced with a branch of KFC. Several years later a branch of McDonalds reopened in the same location, but it is now located outside in the car park area.

Diner Comments:

• In an effort to take a break from Thai food, I went to the McDonald's at Lee Gardens Plaza. The food is McDonald's but its still OK. But what I noticed here is that they cannot coordinate the french fries with the rest of the meal. I get my fish sandwich and am told the fries will be out in a minute. I go and sit down and finish my sandwich and there still are no fries. I finish my drink and still no fries, I leave without eating my fries. I've eaten here 4 times in the past year, and the fries have shown up late, or not at all 3 times. I never eat McDonalds in the States but I just might if only to see how the fries are handled. (December 2012)
• After eating lots of Thai food a filet-o-fish and fries tastes wonderfully good. The key is to wipe most of the sauce off before eating. The store is clean and comfortable, and if you get a window seat, it comes close to be pleasurable. (October 2012)

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Address: Sripoovanart Road, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110
Map: Map 4

Latitude: N 06° 59' 53.3" (N 06° 59.889')

Longitude: E 100° 28' 38.7" (E 100° 28.645')

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Comments: This branch is located next door to Diana Department Store. It's fairly clean and light and airy inside. Of the four branches of McDonalds in Hat Yai this is probably the most comfortable for sitting down to have a coffee. There is also a McCafe inside.

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Address: Central Festival, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110
Map: Map 4

Latitude: N 06° 59' 28.2" (N 06° 59.471')

Longitude: E 100° 29' 04.6" (E 100° 29.076')

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Comments: When Central Festival opened it included a branch of McDonalds inside. It is located next to TOPS supermarket on the ground floor. I find this branch a little claustrophobic, but it's sometimes convenient when out shopping.

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Address: Tesco Lotus, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110
Map: Map 2

Latitude: N 07° 00' 25.6" (N 07° 00.427')

Longitude: E 100° 29' 33.4" (E 100° 29.557')

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Comments: There used to be a branch of McDonalds inside this branch of Tesco Lotus, however, it closed and was replaced with a branch of KFC. I just assumed that Thais preferred fried chicken to burgers.

Several years later, McDonalds returned to Tesco Lotus. This time it was located outside in the Tesco Lotus carpark. It's open 24 hours and has a drive-through window.

Inside it is very clean and there is a small play area for children. The toilets are exceptionally clean and all the soap dispensers and hand dryers are in good condition. There is also a McCafe inside.

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Address: 35 Soi 7, Rajyindee Road, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110
Mobile: +66 (0)88 875 9555
Map: Map 4

Latitude: N 07° 00' 26.9" (N 07° 00.449')

Longitude: E 100° 28' 50.1" (E 100° 28.835')

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Comments: This place opened some time in 2019, but it's in a part of town that I don't go to often so I didn't discover it until 2020.

One of my biggest complaints about the Hat Yai food scene is the lack of Western food. Therefore, any new restaurant that serves good Western food is very welcome and this is a great addition to the Hat Yai restaurant scene.

On the menu are Japanese Wagyu steaks, as well as steaks from Australia, the USA and Thailand. Generally, Thai steaks are not good, but the steaks here are a Thai-Wagyu cross breed and not the normal chewy shoe leather.

They also serve burgers. There isn't a great selection (you can choose to have bacon in your burger or not), but they are very good. The price is about the same as McDonalds, but the flavour is far superior. Fries aren't included and a portion of steak fries will set you back another Bt75.

I haven't tried one of their steaks yet, but will do so soon. Prices are reasonable, especially compared to Western countries. Steaks are priced by 100g and I was told that the average steak is around 200g.

They also serve beer and have an imported wine selection. The location is close to The Company and De Poem Loft hotel. The latter is a cosy boutique hotel and the former serves the best desserts in Hat Yai.

It's also close to Sittara Spa. When I arrived in Hat Yai in 2003 there was very little in this area, but now it's getting quite developed.

10:30 - 17:30 : Coffee and bread 12:00 - 15:00 : Lunch 17:30 - 20:45 : Steak and beer

If you crave a steak or burger while in Hat Yai, this would be a good place to visit. As with most restaurants and coffee shops these days, there is a free Wi-Fi service for customers.

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Address: 53 Soi Jutti Uthit, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110
Mobile: +66 (0)80 396 4479
Map: Map 2

Latitude: N 07° 00' 40.2" (N 07° 00.670')

Longitude: E 100° 28' 37.0" (E 100° 28.617')

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Comments: Another place I used to enjoy eating at occasionally, but now it has closed.

Address: 370 Samchai Road, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110
Telephone: +66 (0)74 245159
Mobile: +66 (0)89 967 9640
Map: Map 4

Latitude: N 07° 00' 22.3" (N 07° 00.372')

Longitude: E 100° 28' 45.4" (E 100° 28.757')

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Comments: This is another of the small, independent, local-style steak houses that do farang food at prices which always end in a 9. They seem to be fairly common in provincial Thailand.

It is similar to BKK Grill, but (in my opinion) not as good, and it seems more geared to local tastes. For example, Thai style sauces are available with the steaks, and the mushroom soup is a Chinese-style soup rather than being cream of mushroom. Spaghetti and Thai food also feature on the menu.

The portions are noticeably smaller than at BKK Grill and not really up to the task of filling large farang stomachs. I have found it necessary to order extra dishes so as not to leave still feeling hungry. As a result, this bumps up the cost.

As usual with locally produced beef, the steaks can be a bit hit-or-miss. I have eaten some perfectly acceptable Thai beef but it can be quite tough. Pork is very popular with Thais and the chicken is fine.

It's a tricky place to find if you are not familiar with Hat Yai, being located on a road that links Prachathipat and Thamanoonvithee roads. The closest large landmark is a big Suzuki dealer called Baan Suzuki.

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Address: 55 Juti Uthit 3 Road, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110
Mobile: +66 (0)89 739 9014
Map: Map 2

Latitude: N 07° 00' 40.7" (N 07° 00.678')

Longitude: E 100° 28' 34.3" (E 100° 28.572')

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Comments: Located in the area around JB Hotel, this is a comfortable little place well away from the Malaysian tourist trail. It's air-conditioned, which can be of great relief in Hat Yai during the hot season.

There is no English sign outside, but the menu has English translations if you can't read Thai. The menu isn't that extensive but everything is good and prices are reasonable.

This small restaurant is very pleasantly decorated with old photos, posters, antiques, and other artefacts. There is even a framed copy of the King's birth certificate hanging on one wall.

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Address: Thamnoon Vithi Road, opposite Odean Mall, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110
Mobile: +66 (0)91 991 9951
Website: Muangsombut Clinic
Facebook: msbclinic
Map: Map 3

Latitude: N 06° 58' 41.5" (N 06° 58.691')

Longitude: E 100° 25' 31.8" (E 100° 25.530')

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Comments: In 2019 a new plastic surgery clinic opened at the location where The Pubb used to be. It's a large building and quite plush. The clinic is on the ground floor and the whole of the first floor has been transformed into a cafe.

It's very spacious and comfortable and there are some fantastic murals painted on the walls. The location is right in the heart of the downtown area and it's a great place to have a coffee and relax.

There is free Wi-Fi, of course, as there is in most coffee shops these days.

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Address: Supasarnrangsan Road, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110
Telephone: +66 (0)74 232015, +66 (0)74 221441
Mobile: +66 (0)81 542 5113
Map: Map 2

Latitude: N 07° 00' 31.7" (N 07° 00.528')

Longitude: E 100° 29' 12.4" (E 100° 29.207')

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Comments: This Vietnamese restaurant was very popular with the university crowd, but now it has closed. Apparently, it has moved location, but I don't know where. A sign outside says it is now behind a petrol station and gives the name of the petrol station, but I don't know where it is. If I manage to find it I will add an update.

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Address: 166/7 Niphat Uthit 2 Road, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110
Telephone: +66 (0)74 232550
Fax: +66 (0)74 232584
Map: Map 3

Latitude: N 07° 00' 05.2" (N 07° 00.087')

Longitude: E 100° 28' 13.9" (E 100° 28.232')

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Comments: Nakorn Nai is popular with both locals and farangs in Hat Yai, and for good reason. There is an excellent selection of food on the menu and prices are reasonable. They serve typical Thai dishes, Chinese food, Muslim curries and rotis, Western food including pasta and pizzas, Western breakfast food, specials such as beef stroganoff (accompanied with the weirdest 'sour cream' I have ever tasted, but it tastes good), and there are even a few Japanese dishes.

They offer a wireless Internet connection and the tea and coffee is free, which is very unusual in Thailand where nothing is ever free.

The cafe-style atmosphere is pleasant and the front of the restaurant is open. The only problem is that they have designated the front of the restaurant as a smoking area which is a bit unsocial. I read a comment on the Internet that said having a smoking area in a restaurant was like having a peeing area in a swimming pool.

The restaurant is named after a street in old Songkhla town in which the first settlers made their homes. Presumably the owners can trace their ancestry back to those early settlers?

The restaurant is located a little way out of town, fairly close to Kosit hotel but on the other side of the street. Opening times are 07:30 to 20:00 and the restaurant is closed all day on Wednesdays.

I ate lunch in Nakorn Nai in May 2016 and realised there was another reason why I like it. I have been living in Hat Yai since 2003 and the town has changed beyond recognition in that time as dozens of businesses have closed and dozens have opened. The change is constant and rapid.

Some of the changes have been good, but constant change wears me out. I sat in Nakorn Nai and realised that the restaurant and the menu hadn't changed since my first visit many years ago. You also get the impression that no changes will take place in the future.

In such a fast changing world it feels comforting and reassuring to know that there are some places that offer a degree of stability.

Diner Comments:

• Nice Pad thai. Food is a bit expensive compare to Boat Bakery. (December 2012)

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Address: 236/1 Niphat Uthit 1 Road, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110
Telephone: +66 (0)74 354131
Mobile: +66 (0)89 739 4400
Email: gurmitkaint@hotmail.com
Email: namasterorange@yahoo.com
Map: Map 3

Latitude: N 07° 00' 03.1" (N 07° 00.052')

Longitude: E 100° 28' 12.0" (E 100° 28.201')

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Comments: This is the only Indian restaurant in Hat Yai. I once saw another Namaste restaurant near the university, but I'm not sure if it's still there.

A Thai lady does the cooking and told me she has been cooking Indian food for several years. The menu isn't extensive (compared to Indian restaurants in other countries and other parts of Thailand) and there is a limited choice of dishes.

There is no beef or pork served. Hindus don't eat beef (neither do many Buddhist Thais), and Muslims don't eat pork, of course. There shouldn't be anything here that you can't eat because of religious beliefs, and even vegetarians should be able to find something suitable.

The food is nothing like I am accustomed to eating at Indian restaurants elsewhere. If you are accustomed to Indian food in the UK, or even in other areas of Thailand, there is a good chance that the food here will disappoint you.

Bangkok has some excellent Indian restaurants and, for some reason, so does Krabi. There are lots of Indian food options in Ao Nang and the food is good. Unfortunately, Hat Yai isn't the greatest place in Thailand for Indian food. This is a little surprising due to the fact that many Malaysians visit Hat Yai, and a fair number are Indian.

I, the same as most Brits, love Indian food and would love to see a good Indian restaurant in Hat Yai.

Namaste is open between 8:30 and 20:00 from Monday to Saturday and closed on Sundays.

Diner Comments:

• My boyfriend and I searched this out last night and it was great. Been craving Indian food since returning from a trip to Malaysia and this was almost as good. The butter garlic naan was yummy and the chicken masala is a must! (February 2012)

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Address: 194 Niphat Uthit 2 Road, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110
Telephone: +66 (0)74 261437
Mobile: +66 (0)83 399 6561
Map: Map 3

Latitude: N 07° 00' 01.6" (N 07° 00.027')

Longitude: E 100° 28' 14.3" (E 100° 28.238')

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Comments: When I first arrived in Hat Yai at the end of 2003 there were only a few coffee and cake shops. There was no such thing as wireless Internet at that time.

I mention this because there are now lots of coffee and cake shops in Hat Yai, and what has really driven the trend is Wi-Fi. Nowadays, lots of people carry laptops around and they want places that have a Wi-Fi connection so they can sit down for a coffee and check their e-mail, surf the Internet, etc.

Nest Home is just one of many such places that have opened up in Hat Yai in recent years. It is located directly opposite the Kosit hotel. They serve drinks, cakes, Thai food, Western food and - as the name might imply - they have another speciality.

The resident population of Hat Yai is mainly ethnic Chinese, and most tourists from Malaysia and Singapore are also ethnic Chinese. Businesses in Hat Yai therefore cater to Chinese tastes.

Nest Home - according to the business card - is a purveyor of "Bakery Food Drink & Birds' nest products". There are also a number of places in Hat Yai that sell sharks' fin products.

The atmosphere inside is quite cozy. The Thai food is OK but in my opinion the Western food is a little expensive.

Diner Comments:

• Western food is truly expensive, local food is good. No beer served. I was disappointed with the service as they served us food within the waiting area on a very low living room table. Locals who arrived later, were placed at a decent table. My friendly comment was answered with a "do not get upset". I did not, but I will not return. (2011)
• The Nest Home has a branch near Tesco Lotus (Thonon Thamanoovithee; I think). Since their Halal status, this is also a popular spot among Malaysian muslim on a business trip to Hatyai & Songkhla. Their Thai food; nice. Ambiance; cozy. I frequented this place if my children have cravings for ice blended or frapuccino or cheese cakes & am too lazy to bake one. My husband love their apple crumble. (April-June 2012)
• 3rd yearly visit and this is one of my Fav. Spots to eat good Non Western food. No beer of course (it says Muslim Rest!) but everything we ate was excellent, and at 600 baht for 2 Incl. Drinks..a bargain in my book! (December 2014)

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Address: 228/38-40 Supasarnrangsan Road, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110
Mobile: +66 (0)86 412 5756
E-mail: vietnamfoodhatyai@gmail.com
Map: Map 2

Latitude: N 07° 00' 30.9" (N 07° 00.515')

Longitude: E 100° 28' 40.0" (E 100° 28.667')

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Comments: Thais eat food from other Asian countries, but not all countries. Most Thais I know won't even consider tasting Indian food because they say it smells bad. There are lots of Burmese construction workers in Hat Yai, but not a single restaurant that sells Burmese food. There are no Cambodian restaurants.

Hat Yai has a large Thai-Chinese population and thus there is a lot of Chinese food. Thais also like Japanese and Korean food and there are a lot of restaurants selling this type of food.

Vietnamese food is something else they will eat, but there aren't a lot of options in Hat Yai. As far as I am aware, this new restaurant (it opened late in 2019) selling Vietnamese food is only the third Vietnamese restaurant after Tong Poon and Nairm Neuang.

The location is almost next door to Kenta, which is my favourite Japanese restaurant in Hat Yai.

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Address: 49/4 Sripoovanart Road, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110
Telephone: +66 (0)74 225252
Mobile: +66 (0)81 898 9316
Map: Map 4

Latitude: N 06° 59' 54.2" (N 06° 59.904')

Longitude: E 100° 28' 26.7" (E 100° 28.444')

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Comments: All Thais love King Rama IV, but the owner of the Nine Bistro has taken his devotion one step further. The nine in the name of the restaurant refers to the ninth reign of the Chakri dynasty.

Inside it is decorated very tastefully and there are photos of the late king on every wall. The owner also has an elevator business and what appears to be an elevator door is actually the door to the toilet.

The menu is standard Thai fare, but very well prepared and I was very impressed with the crockery and cutlery. Most restaurants in Thailand serving this type of food provide chipped plastic plates and forks and spoons that bend when you use them. The Nine bucks this trend and provides guests with real quality plates and cutlery.

Prices are a little more expensive than the places with broken plastic plates, but I think it is good value.

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Address: 3/14 Niphat Songkhro Road 1, Soi 2, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110
Mobile: +66 (0)81 677 2246
Map: Map 1

Latitude: N 07° 00' 54.9" (N 07° 00.916')

Longitude: E 100° 28' 18.2" (E 100° 28.303')

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Comments: Everyone seems to rave about the dim-sum at Chok Dee, but I have never rated it that highly. There are other dim-sum restaurants in Hat Yai that I much prefer, and an added bonus is that they aren't constantly packed with Malaysian tourists. This is one of them.

It's a large place, but it is clean and efficiently run. Nukwing serves other food in addition to dim-sum, including bak-kut-teh. This is a dish made from pork ribs stewed with herbs and spices and it is very popular among the ethnic Chinese in Singapore, Malaysia and southern Thailand.

The restaurant is located near Hat Yai hospital and the Tessabaan 1 school. It is also quite close to the fountain roundabout on Phetkasem Road in front of the President Hotel.

Nukwing is open every day, but closed on Monday and Tuesday of the third week of every month.

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Address: 99/4 Prachathipat Road, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110
Telephone: +66 (0)74 232066, +66 (0)74 239430
Map: Map 4

Latitude: N 07° 00' 23.5" (N 07° 00.392')

Longitude: E 100° 28' 23.4" (E 100° 28.391')

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Comments: Possibly due to its proximity to Lee Gardens Plaza, this vegetarian restaurant seems to be well known to foreigners in Hat Yai. I often see a farang or two if I eat here whereas I don't at many other places.

They serve already prepared food (kaaw-gairng) and can also cook food to order (aharn dtaam sung). Some of the dishes contain 'vegetarian meat' which I assume is some kind of soya simulation. As you can see from the photo they have 'vegetarian chicken' (gai jay) and 'vegetarian pork' (moo jay).

I haven't worked out whether Muslims can eat vegetarian pork or not. I guess that technically they can but doubt that any would want to.

The restaurant is located on the corner where Prachathipat and Pracharom roads meet.

Diner Comments:

• I love this place as they always have a variety of vegetarian food inside their vitrine. You just choose what you like, and if you are lucky, they still have "Kao Kong", unpolished rice left. I never was disappointed by the food or service. Prices are moderate. Two dishes from the vitrine plus rice and a glass of fresh sugar can juice add up to 50 Baht. (July 2013 - I have been eating there regularly for five years)

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Address: Opposite Hat Yai Bangkok Hospital, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110
Mobile: +66 (0)86 961 4261
Mobile: +66 (0)89 653 0569
Map: Map 2

Latitude: N 07° 00' 57.0" (N 07° 00.956')

Longitude: E 100° 29' 05.0" (E 100° 29.098')

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Comments: Finding decent Western breakfasts is very difficult in Hat Yai. A few pubs serve Western breakfasts but they don't open until 11am, which is a little late for me. Most 'Western' breakfasts served by Thais aren't all that good, to be honest, and are only poor approximations of the real thing.

However, Ong Tong arrived in 2018 and now the situation is a lot better. The owner (who is a friend of my wife's) worked as a chef in Koh Samui for 10 years. Millions of Western tourists visit Samui each year and chefs have to know what kind of food they like. She has learnt well and you will find menu items here that you won't find anywhere else in Hat Yai, such as Eggs Benedict and Swiss-style Rosti.

The Eggs Benedict (one of my favourite breakfast dishes) wasn't the best I have ever had, but it's something that you simply won't find at other breakfast places in Hat Yai.

The restaurant opens at around 7am for breakfast and closes shortly after lunch. It is located in Soi Thongvong Uthit, just opposite the Hat Yai Bangkok hospital, near to where Soi Thongvong Uthit intersects with Klong Rien 1 Road.

Update: Ong Tong now opens in the evenings as well. On the menu you will find Thai rice dishes, burgers, sandwiches, spaghetti and the farang favourite 'Pad Thai'. Prices are very low and the food is good.

The revised opening hours are 07:00 to 14:00 and 17:00 to 21:00. Ong Tong is open every day.

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Address: 613 Tamanoonvittee Road, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110
Telephone: +66 (0)74 221151
Map: Map 4

Latitude: N 07° 00' 17.9" (N 07° 00.299')

Longitude: E 100° 29' 25.5" (E 100° 29.425')

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Comments: Outside of Bangkok, finding good Western food in Thailand can be quite a problem. The Thais try to make sandwiches and Western breakfasts and things and although they taste OK they are never quite like the real thing. Occasionally though you come across places in provincial Thailand that defy this general observation.

In a small Thai-run breakfast restaurant in Khaolak I have eaten delicious German-style black bread which was as good as any I've had in Germany and it was made by a Thai woman, not an expat from Mainz. The Ome Bake House in Hat Yai makes cakes that are as tasty as any I've eaten in a Salzburg or Vienna coffee house. Germans and Austrians may disagree but my opinion is that the cakes are just as good.

Chocolate and cheese cakes are sold by the slice for less than Bt100. They also serve Thai food which is tasty and a meal of fried chicken with holy basil leaves and rice costs half as much as a piece of chocolate cake.

There is no A/C and it gets pretty hot inside. The location is quite a way out of central Hat Yai. It's at the other end of Thamnoonvithee Road to the railway station, just next door to the Chinese Buddhist temple which is adjacent to Tesco Lotus.

Ome is open from 10am to 10pm but closed on Mondays.

When I first added this entry there weren't many coffee shops in Hat Yai but now they are everywhere. Ome has lost its uniqueness but it is still good and it is cheaper than most.

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Address: 33 Thai Arkarn Road, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110
Mobile: +66 (0)80 209 3330
Map: Map 4

Latitude: N 06° 59' 47.4" (N 06° 59.791')

Longitude: E 100° 28' 28.2" (E 100° 28.469')

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Comments: The flat noodle dish 'Pad Thai' is very popular with foreign tourists when they visit Thailand.

There are lots of places in Hat Yai where you can buy this dish, but this is probably the most popular Pad Thai restaurant because according to a lot of locals it is the tastiest.

Most restaurants that serve Pad Thai as the main dish, including this one, also serve a soup dish made from fish stomachs called 'gra-poh bplaa'. This may be known as 'fish maw' to some people.

The restaurant is open every evening from 3pm until 8:30pm. From Monday to Friday it is also open lunchtime between 11:00am until 1:30pm.

Diner Comments:

• tried the pad thai and fish maw soup on a few occasions since February 2018, and i am happy to say that the taste has been consistently good, especially the tender chicken drumstick in the fish maw soup (order the 'special' version). however i have had better pad thai elsewhere. as i find it lack of the fiery wok breath (September 2018)

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Address: 18/4 Sripoovanart Road, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110
Telephone: +66 (0)74 238562
Map: Map 3

Latitude: N 06° 59' 52.4" (N 06° 59.873')

Longitude: E 100° 28' 20.1" (E 100° 28.336')

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Comments: Restaurants selling Western style food and Japanese food are very popular in Hat Yai. The Western food isn't as authentic as you might get in Bangkok or Phuket but it's OK.

Most places give you the option of eating imported steaks but these are a lot more expensive than the home-grown ones. Local beef can be variable. Sometimes it is quite OK, but other times it is tough. If you opt for chicken, there is nothing wrong with the local produce.

Of all the Western-style restaurants in Hat Yai, I think that Taste Add serves the best food. Pairin Steak House isn't bad though.

In most of these restaurants you are still very aware that you are in Thailand but Pairin could be anywhere in Europe or North America. It's air-conditioned and the decor is very Western.

The staff are very pleasant, the food is quite acceptable, and the prices reasonable.

It's located on the same road as Diana department store and the Florida hotel, in between these two places but closer to the Florida. It's very near the intersection with Niphat Uthit 3 Road. There's a sign-making shop opposite with lots of neon signs on display so it's quite easy to find.

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