Although not in the same league as Bangkok, there are a lot of different food options on offer in Hat Yai. Typical Thai street food is abundant. Big, international chain restaurants have branches in town offering Japanese and Western food.
Ethnic Chinese from Malaysia and Singapore make up the bulk of Hat Yai's tourists so many restaurants and hotels cater primarily to them. Just opposite Lee Gardens (next to the Regency Hotel) you will see a restaurant which spit-roasts suckling pigs every day. Large, open-air seafood restaurants are also popular with Chinese visitors and the quality of seafood available in Hat Yai is good. Certain Chinese are vegetarians and the town has a good selection of small vegetarian restaurants that offer tofu and soy meat substitutes.
Behind Regency Hotel and Lee Garden Hotel is a Vermicillin Store with a Teochew speaking lady boss. The store opens from 10pm-6am. It's beside the street Thanon Duangchan.
There is a large resident Muslim population and some visitors from Malaysia are also Muslim so finding Halal food isn't a problem.
'Gäp's Garten' serves authentic German food and beer (Erdinger, Warsteiner, Weihenstephan and Köstritzer)for reasonable prices. It is located on the canal behind JB hotel at around 5 minutes walking distance. Best to book a table in advance as it is usually quite full. 5 minutes from the city center by motorbike taxi or tuk-tuk. Easy to find on facebook under 'Gäp's Garten.'
'Bang Farang restaurant - Nice small cosy restaurant at a walking distance from the bus station, ASEAN market or Green Way market. Halal genuine Thai food (spicy, not sweet Malay cuisine). Excellent Kaeng Som. Serves fresh fruit juices and coffee. Free high speed wifi for consumers. Open 10.00 am to 9.00 pm. Closed on Sundays and Mondays. The cook/owner is married to a Muslim Frenchman. You can usually meet him on Saturdays. 32/7 Thungsao 2 road, soi Khamuthit 2, Hat Yai, tel: 082-439-9590.
B's Sweet - B's Sweet serves up Americanos, Cappuccinos, Lattes, Smoothies, pork or prawn omelets, local rice and noodle dishes, and a wonderful selection of cakes, ice creams and sorbets. The chocolate lava should not be missed. Open breakfast, lunch and diner. 75 Thammanoonvitee Rd Hatyai, Tel: 074-221-909 email:[email protected].
Daothiam - Friendly staff and tasty Breakfast, Thai & Vegetarian food. Grab a Pad Thai and Chang among a collection of framed world currency. Open daily 7am to 10pm. 79/3 Thammanoonvithi Rd. Opposite Odean Shopping Mall. Tel: 074-243-268.
Hamid Restaurant - Nice, clean, and good halal food. It is across the street from Lee Garden Hotel and there are a couple of other Muslim restaurants nearby.
Ta-kun - If you're looking for cheap and good local food, try this small and very friendly little spot nearly opposite King's Hotel. Nipatutij 1 road a few blocks from the train station.
Ya Lun Rou Ku Cha - (telephone no. 01-608-2829). For those who like to eat pork rib soup or Bak Kut Tea.
Lee Garden Plaza Hotel - (Tel�: 66-7426-1111) The hotel has a 33rd floor restaurant with panoramic views of the city. It offers an excellent all-you-can-eat buffet, lunch and dinner.
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Hat Yai
Where To Stay & Best Hotels in Hat Yai - updated May 2024
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Hat Yai Travel Guide from Wikitravel. Many thanks to all Wikitravel contributors. Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, images are available under various licenses, see each image for details.
