Laem Mae Phim is a seaside town, between Pattaya and Cambodia. While you probably haven’t heard of it, it got everything you need to have a great time, away from the crowds: amazing food, empty beaches and real, local experiences. Do you want to discover the best flavors in restaurants only known by locals, but also find the best spot for a cocktail on the beach? Then this article is for you, to find the best places to eat in Laem Mae Phim, Rayong.
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Where to eat?
Best middle range places:
Drift Bar: your dream island vibe bar
Drift Bar is every man’s dream bar: a laid back spot, feet on the beach, with great drinks (cocktails, imported beers..) and tasty food (fish tacos, burgers, etc). If you are looking for that Thai island vibe, this is the place. It is the perfect spot to spend an afternoon, or two! They also have activities available (paddle or kayak rental, Friday fire show, etc).
Villa Bali: if you crave pizzas
Villa Bali is where you want to go if you’re in the mood for pizzas! They’ve got a fire wood oven and make all pizzas on demand.
Tip: if you ask a day in advance, the owner can make you a gluten free batter too.
Sabai Bar: Seafood restaurant on the beach
Sabai Bar is located in front of the Ao Khai beach. It is a lovely white wooden restaurant which specialises in seafood. It is a beautiful, quiet place where you can enjoy a meal while matching the sea. While it is more expensive than your regular Thai restaurant, but still very affordable. The food there is excellent so it is worth going at least once.
The best traditional Thai food places at local prices:
Linda’s Isan: traditional Isan Thai food
This is one of the best places we got to eat and kept going back. This restaurant serves traditional Isan food which is a region in Central Thailand. This would be our equivalent to “Thai tapas”: they serve a lot of small portions and bites with sticky rice. The quality of the food is top notch and ideal to try and share many dishes. We are particularly fond of the skewers, they also do a hot pot that you will get addicted to!
Baan Sudsakorn: seafood by the river
This restaurant and homestay serves many types of fresh seafood and fish and is located on the river. It’s a good spot to chill on their nets after food, check out the boats passing by, monitor lizards and fish swimming around.
It is very close to the mangrove at Tung Prong Thong (Golden Meadow), so you could stop by before or after the visit.
Spiderman Restaurant: traditional Thai food
This place is a bunch of plastic chairs under neon lights. You can recognise it as there is a small spiderman statue in front of it. It’s a proper local spot where thai people eat, so it might be a bit more complicated than usual to order, however the food is great and very cheap so it is worth it.
Ton Krabok Restaurant: traditional Thai food
This restaurant serves good Thai food, and is well known by locals. They do a lot of very good fried rice and noodle dishes, and are very cheap. It has become our take away spot before going for day excursions.
Mee D Soft Shell Crab Farm: crab farm and restaurant
While this place might not look the prettiest (you are staying above a muddy pond), the crab dishes worth the trip. They do pretty much everything with soft shell crabs (we tried a crab egg salad which was delicious), they also have fish and great salads if crab isn’t your thing. While they do have alcohol, you can BYOB (in our case, we brought wine) if you want to.
For breakfast, coffee and snacks:
Beach Buns Bakery and Coffee Shop: for breakfast, brunch or sweet snacks
Beach Buns is a great little shop for breakfast, brunch or any sweet break during the day. They do great coffee, brunch style breakfast that regularly changes (chia seed bowls, omelets, French toast, English breakfast, etc) as well as many cakes and pastries. It is right by the beach if you want to grab and go, or stay in the café which has AC. The food there is addictive, don’t miss it!
The Grandpa drip coffee: for amazing coffee
One of the best places for coffee. Once we tried this place, we kept driving there every morning just to grab a cup and then get back to the beach. One of their specialities is a drink which is a mix of Thai tea and iced coffee. I know it sounds weird, but give it a try! You won’t regret it (and you won’t likely find it somewhere else).
Suan2kru Resort & Cafe: for breakfast and coffee
This is a very good spot for breakfast and coffee if you are looking for something new to try. There aren’t many places serving breakfast in Laem Mae Phim so we were happy to have found this one. They serve Thai style breakfast, have very good coffee, and a lovely plant filled terrace which will definitely make your day start in a good way!
Coconut ice cream truck
There is this little motorcycle cart serving homemade coconut ice cream, which is absolutely incredible. It comes and goes however, but if you spot it, don’t hesitate!
Tip: when going for coffee, bring your own reusable cup and ask them to serve you in it! Many places will give you a discount if you do so.
All our best places at once in Google Maps
Here is our Google Map link with all our best places and things to do in Laem Mae Phim, Rayong: https://goo.gl/maps/vEsrPXhLHReusL9y5
Are you looking for a place to stay? Depending on your budget, here are the spots we would highly recommend:
Where to stay?
Our favourite: Villa Bali (the eco choice)
Villa Bali is a small, family owned resort. It is located in the middle of the town, but manages to have a very peaceful atmosphere, with its beautiful tropical garden and many trees on the property. They have individual bungalows with terraces, and will make you feel like you are in the middle of the forest. There is a lovely swimming pool and the beach is just across the street. The staff and family owning it will make you feel at home.
They recycle everything, use energy saving lighting, use the fruits from the garden… They also donate a part of their revenue to marine projects (such as releasing turtles into the sea, collecting trash on the beach, ect).
Overall a great and intimate place to enjoy everything Laem Mae Phim has to offer.
Centara Q
Centara Q is a bit more expensive and high scale, however if you do have the budget, it’s a beautiful property. This is a lovely boutique hotel, right in front of the Ao Khai beach, slightly away from the town so it is very peaceful and there are very little cars coming through (the road nearby is a dead end, so you’ll get only people living here, and coming to the beach).
The property is modern and sophisticated, with beautiful views (ask for a high floor room so you’ll get better views). It has 41 rooms so it doesn’t get too busy. Dispute being tucked in the bay, there are several great walkable spots around for food and drinks.
They have a spa, a pool, and offer many activities.
It is quite romantic and we found it ideal for couples.
Are you looking for the best things to do around Laem Mae Phim? We’ve got you covered! Here are our Top Things To Do, for a True Thai Experience .
