🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Ask a Narathiwat local which meal matters most and many will say the one they spend sitting at the tea shop, because here the tea shop really is the center of the day. In the morning they stop in for old-school coffee and patongko before work; late afternoon they meet friends over teh tarik to talk football; at night they bring the family for hot roti and murtabak. The Malay-Muslim roti-and-tea culture is woven into daily life here in a way you won't find in other Thai towns.
Most shops in Narathiwat are halal, serving roti, teh tarik, coffee, and simple cooked-to-order dishes at very friendly prices. Roti starts at 10 THB a piece, teh tarik runs 20–30 THB a glass, and you can sit all day without anyone rushing you. That's the charm that gets people hooked on this Deep South town.
What Narathiwat Roti Tastes Like
The roti here is dough that's kneaded and flicked out until paper-thin, then fried on a flat iron griddle so the edges turn crisp and buttery while the center stays soft and chewy. A good hand flicks the dough into layers, and once it's drizzled with sweetened condensed milk or rolled around a filling, one bite gives you both crunch and softness at once. The basic order is plain roti with a sprinkle of sugar, but the popular picks are roti with egg, banana, Milo, and roti rabert (folded over many times until thick).
- Plain roti / roti ong — just dough drizzled with condensed milk and sugar, eaten with hot tea. It's the baseline that tells you the most about a shop's skill. From ฿10
- Roti with egg / banana / Milo — filling added before folding, fried until just cooked, sweet and rich in good balance. ฿20–35
- Roti rabert — folded over many times until dense, with extra crisp on the outside. Good if you like a chewy bite
- Murtabak (chicken / beef) — roti dough wrapped around minced meat stir-fried with spices and egg, fried golden. A savory option that fills you up. ฿30–50
Eating roti at its best
Roti is best hot off the griddle. If you're getting it to go, tell the shop whether you'll eat there or want it bagged, because left sitting too long the dough goes soft and loses its crisp. Most shops also pour on a lot of condensed milk — if you don't want it too sweet, just ask them to go light.
Want to taste deeper? Try a Narathiwat food tour or cooking class
Half a day with a local who knows the lanes — or cooking a dish yourself — teaches you more than just eating. Book ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide.
Teh Tarik and Old Coffee, the Heart of the Tea Shop
Teh tarik is milk tea poured back and forth between two jugs from a height until a soft froth forms on top and the tea blends smoothly with the condensed milk all through the glass. A skilled puller pulls it high and steady, and the froth rounds out the tea so it's never cloying — it's both a drink and a little bit of theater out front that's fun to watch. The old-school coffee here is brewed strong from traditionally roasted beans, with condensed milk or taken black, and old-timers still call it kopi out of habit.
- Teh tarik (hot / iced) — frothy milk tea, round and sweet-rich, about ฿20–30 a glass, good any time of day
- Old coffee (kopi) — deep and full-bodied with sweet condensed milk, or order it black and unsweetened. ฿20–30
- Black tea / lime tea — for those who skip milk, lightly tannic and refreshing
- Fresh-milk tofu pudding / patongko — the classic morning pairing at a tea shop, great dipped in coffee or tea
Local ordering lingo
Some shops call coffee kopi and tea teh. If you want it the traditional way, try ordering like this — the seller will smile and make it the way locals actually drink it.
Roti & Tea Shops Narathiwat Locals Actually Go To
We picked shops in the Narathiwat town area that are genuinely open and where locals eat regularly, ordered by reputation and how easy they are to drop by. Prices are rough ranges — expect them to shift, and call to check opening hours before going on religious holidays.
Bae Ae Roti (Clock Tower)
The old roti shop that comes to mind first when people talk about Narathiwat. It sits right at the clock tower roundabout, across from the Central Mosque, carrying on a recipe from the owner's father who once sold near the municipal market. Soft, chewy dough with crisp edges, open from afternoon until late, with long lines in the evening.
Hua Mum Teh Tarik & Kopi Bang Nara
A well-known teh tarik shop right at the bypass intersection in Bang Nak, open for over a decade, with a highly experienced puller known as Bang Yee Teh Tarik Bang Nara. Frothy, well-rounded teh tarik, plus roti, patongko, khao yam, and cooked-to-order dishes to go with it.
Bang & Co Tea-Roti Shop
A tea shop open late into the night, good for settling in for a while, with a full lineup of roti and drinks and an easygoing local tea-shop vibe. On Saturdays and Sundays it opens early, which makes it great for breakfast.
Ton Mayom Tea Shop
A long-running morning shop, open over twenty years, on Suriya Pradit Road in Bang Nak. Known for patongko with sangkhaya custard, dim sum, steamed buns, and hot coffee and tea. It's the town's go-to breakfast spot for an easy sit-down before the day starts.
Tea Shops in the Municipal Market (Bang Nak area)
A cluster of small tea shops in and around Narathiwat's municipal market. They open very early and draw the older crowd who gather over old-school coffee and patongko — cheap, with the most genuinely local atmosphere of all. Great for trying the morning tea-shop ritual.
A note on shops and hours
Opening hours and prices can change. Some shops close on Fridays during prayer time or adjust their hours during Ramadan. We'd suggest calling or checking the shop's page before you go, especially if you have your heart set on one place.
The Tea-Shop Ritual, Narathiwat Style
Tea shops here aren't just for eating — they're the neighborhood's social space. People sit and talk for hours, read the newspaper, watch football, talk business, or just say hi to the neighbors. If you want to really soak up this town's charm, sit slowly, order a glass of teh tarik, and watch the rhythm of life around you. No need to rush — nobody's pushing you out.
Early morning at the market
Tea shops in the municipal market open very early. Stop in for old-school coffee and patongko the same way locals start their day.
Late-afternoon teh tarik
Afternoon is prime time for teh tarik. Swing by Hua Mum Teh Tarik or a shop in town, watch the puller work, and settle in for a long chat.
Late night with hot roti
At night, roti shops like Bae Ae are still buzzing. Order hot roti with murtabak and close out the day the Narathiwat way.
Etiquette and safety worth knowing
Narathiwat is a Malay-Muslim area — dress modestly and respect local culture, especially near mosques. Most shops are halal and don't serve alcohol. And since this is the Deep South, it's worth following the latest news and safety advisories before you travel, and planning your route and timing sensibly so you can enjoy the trip with more peace of mind.
An Unhurried One-Day Roti & Tea Plan
If you have one day in Narathiwat town, this is the rhythm that captures the tea-shop life from morning to late night. Adjust it to whichever shops are open that day.
Start the day at a tea shop
Teh tarik and snacks
Close the day with hot roti
Plan a full day of eating in Narathiwat
See the Narathiwat travel guide →