The beachfront Seenspace Hua Hin mall was designed by Akaradej Pantisoon-torn, the developer-slash-architect behind Thonglor's perpetually popular Seenspace. Spread over 7,200 sq meters, the modern design sees rectangular bare cement blocks topped with grass walkways and a criss-crossed rooftop. The mall promises the likes of Greyhound Original, plus Seek35 and Seek Happening. Lalalove London and Sretsis will join soon, too. Dining includes familiar Bangkok names like HOBS and White Shuffle, along with the likes of FIN seafood bar, Space Oddity and Cold Brew Bar. Architect Duangrit Bunnag will eventually join with his Nomad Bar by The Never Ending Summer, to be followed by his new hotel, Hotel Bocage, a six-room-only property set to open this September.

Hua Hin Soi 35, Liebwang Nue Rd., 092-350-0035. www.seenspace.com/huahin

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New Club

This minimal, tiny restaurant is the brainchild of  designer couple Kornsorn Prakobkhong and Rossalin Sainimnual, who settled in Hua Hin more than a decade ago selling design products under the brand 100000d (san-d) at Cicada Market. Though they’ve brought their signature black-and-white aesthetic to the space, the Thai food is mouth-wateringly traditional, such as khao khai khon tom yam goong (rice with omelet top with spicy prawn soup, B95), laab moo tod (deep-fried minced pork with herbs, B85) and grilled pork spicy salad. Do try the stunning signature drinks as well, like the mango shake served with a half mango, or the chao guay smoothie (herbal black jelly, B95)-referencing black jelly shake. Get your caffeine fix with the espresso doppio served in a moka pot, or the coffee-flower tea. Good news if you’re traveling with your pooch—the space is pet-friendly. 

 

The name tells you all you need to know about  Supatra and Seksan Anuprai's cafe hidden deep in Hua Hin Soi 29. Filled with trees, ferns and other plants, the little oasis serves a compact list of dishes including Thai-style spaghetti like pla khem (salted fish), bacon and prik haeng (dried chili), and khee mao talay (spicy seafood with herbs). All cost at B150. The special of the day is determined by Hua Hin’s fresh seafood catch. To drink, there’s dark-roasted coffee, Italian sodas and local craft beer—stout, amber ale, pale ale and IPA—from Golden Coins Brewery, the same people who run Let the Boy Die beer bar in Bangkok. Note that service can be slow. 

 

The latest addition to the giant FN outlet mall contrasts its shiny modern shopping mall surroundings with grandiose decor. An antique Indian wooden arched facade frames the tea counter, on top of which resides a prowling ostrich skeleton, while over in another corner stands a suit of armor. The beautiful wallpaper features pictures of European and East Asian landscapes, representing the historical tea trail between the two continents. They only serve tea from Paris’s Mariage Freres, including the highlight Marco Polo, characterized by unique fragrances of Chinese and Tibetan flowers. A pot of tea is B190. To eat, order the pastries, made with French flour and butter, as well as the Red Rose finger cake (B140), whose strawberries also come from France. 

 

Located on a dead-end corner of Naeb Khehat Road, this twee little dessert cafe specializes in homemade treats. Prajuab Khirikhan-native Supakarn Olatasanakul cooks up dishes including the White Alaska cake (vanilla ice cream with meringue and raspberry sauce. B120), cookie and cream (B120) and, her signature, the Thai snack kanom piah ping sai pla (grilled Chinese pastry with fish stuffing, B35 per piece). There are also some savory dishes which she promises to be free from MSG and drawn from her mother’s recipes—who also helps with the cooking. Try the khao klook nam prik long rua song krueng (fried rice with shrimp paste served with vegetables, B95), stir-fried prawns with salt and chili with rice (B95) and minced pork omelet with salted seerfish and rice. 

 

At this cafe, the focus is on cakes and toast as well as comfort dishes such as khao yam gai khai khon (fried chicken salad with omelet, B98) and eggy spaghetti carbonara (served with a torched egg on top, B129). The coffee comes from Chiang Mai beans as well as Zolito Italian brand. By the end of the month it will also serve brunch. 

 

This roadside bistro in Phetkasem has proven a popular spot during weekends. There are two zones: one serves Thai and international food such as khao pad gak moo platu (stir-fried rice with mackerel and pork crackling, B135) and Valencia orange salad (B220) and spaghetti with prawns with cream sauce and prawn roe  (B285); the other acts as a cafe serving homemade cakes like carrot cake and coconut cake. It also opens for breakfast.

 

This cafe and restaurant focuses on international dishes served in a homey, European atmosphere. From smoked salmon salads to ribeye baguettes and spinach-and-brie crostini, the menu reads like a perfect collection of lunch staples. Make sure you also grab some of the awesome bread to dunk in their Hua Hin seafood chowder. They are also a serious breakfast player as they go beyond eggy dishes to serve vegetarian bites.

 

On the ground floor of the hotel of the same name, Remix Photo House is the creation of Anuchai Secharunputong, an award-winning photographer from the Cannes Lions advertising festival. Dark gray walls, giant industrial lamps and an antique wooden coffee counter set a vintage-meets-modern atmosphere in which to enjoy espresso, latte, mocha and frappe, or lemon and Thai tea. Both the sour-sweet yogurt cake and nutella cheesecake are delicious. 

 

This little spot sits right on Cha-Am Beach and specializes in pizzas made using roti dough and topped with tomato, mozzarella, garlic, dried chili, onion and bacon. They also make a nice roti sandwich filled with tuna, crab stick and mayonnaise, as well as regular pizzas in flavors like pepperoni and smoked salmon. 

 

This three-year-old cafe moved to a new space last year on Naeb Khehat Road and began offering house-roasted beans. Highlights from the coffee menu include the affogato (vanilla ice cream topped with espresso, B95) and piccolo latte (B55), while non-coffee drinkers are catered to with Thai milk tea (B45/55) and caramel milk (B50/60). Desserts rotate daily. On our last visit they were serving a creamy strawberry trifle and crispy apple cake.

43\21 Hua Hin Soi 53, Naeb Khehat Rd., 080-282-5156. www.fb.com/velocafehuahin

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Seaside Eats

Big Fish

Laciana by the Sea

Youyen Garden