🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Before we run through the ranking, here's a quick bit of background. Most of Surat Thani's seafood comes from Ban Don Bay, which stretches from Chaiya, Tha Chang and Phunphin through the town itself and out to Kanchanadit. The brackish water around the mouth of the Tapi River and Kadae Canal is where they farm the big oysters locals call hoi takhrom — thin shells, plump white meat, sweet. Blue crab, prawns, sea bass and squid come from the same stretch of coast, so freshness here is something most places genuinely deliver, not just a line on the menu.
10 seafood spots we've picked
Pa Thing (Don Sak branch)
A legendary riverside spot in Don Sak market, going on 50 years, awarded a Bib Gourmand in the 2025 Michelin Guide Thailand. Everything's local catch. The standouts are the crab fried rice, old-school deep-fried egg squid, catfish-and-rakam-leaf coconut curry, and the blue crab roe yam — homestyle cooking people drive a long way for, worth it for both the food and the view.
Kiang Le Seafood
A breezy spot on the edge of the mangroves at the mouth of Kadae Canal in Kanchanadit, with plenty of seating and a cool breeze all day. The big local oysters are the headliner, starting around THB 10–50 each by size. People come back for the crab fried rice, blue crab papaya salad, soft-shell crab sour curry, and steamed sea bass belly with soy sauce. Fresh catch at fair prices — this is where Surat locals bring out-of-towners.
Tapee Seafood
A riverside spot right on the Tapi in the town area — the easiest to reach on this list. Relaxed waterfront vibe, a wide menu, and the dishes people keep ordering are fresh oysters, grilled prawns, crab egg fried with curry powder, and baked prawns. Per-dish prices stay around THB 100–400, so it's a good pick if you're staying in town and don't want to drive far.
Ah Tia Seafood Riverside
A long-running spot right by the bridge over the Tapi, just a few minutes from Central and the airport. Open and airy with a river view, going on 15 years. The draws are the rich Tapi river prawns, oysters, grilled prawns, and pickled egg crab yam. They handle group tables, so it works well for a big group or a celebration.
Krua Nithitham
A place where the owner farms over half the ingredients — prawns, oysters, crab and fish — so freshness stays tight. Don't miss the loaded plump oysters and the egg-squid sour curry with coconut shoots, which is hard to find elsewhere, cooked bold and proper southern style. Locals give this one top marks for fresh catch.
Sun Hiang Restaurant
An old-timer in the market quarter downtown, mixing Chinese, southern Thai and seafood. Open morning to afternoon, so it suits a late breakfast or a family lunch. Classic Chinese-seafood dishes like steamed fish, stir-fried squid and crab in chili sauce at friendly prices — the kind of place Surat locals from the parents' generation know well.
Krua Supha Seafood
A homestyle seafood spot on the Don Sak side, fresh catch at friendly prices, handy to stop at before or after the ferry to Samui or Pha-ngan. The menu covers grilled, stir-fried and curry seafood, and the vibe is easy and casual. A solid choice if you want to eat near the Don Sak pier without going into town.
Krua Ban Phot (Ban Phot Seafood)
A tucked-away seaside spot near Don Sak that reviewers love to pass along. You sit right by the water in the breeze, with big prawns, fish and squid at reasonable prices. Good for anyone who wants a quiet setting and a real sea view rather than a market restaurant. It sits fairly far out, so check the route and opening hours before you go.
Ban Koh Rat Don Sak
A seafood spot with its own homestay, good if you want to eat seafood and stay right by the bay. The catch is fresh from the area and the feel is coastal-community. It suits a slow trip where you'd rather skip the town restaurants and eat while you relax, local style.
Pak Kadae community (oysters at the source)
Not a single restaurant but the actual oyster-farming area in Kanchanadit, with community shops and floating platforms where you eat oysters fresh on the spot — bigger and cheaper than in town. Squeeze on some lime and eat them with garlic and bird's eye chili, or try the fried oysters. Worth it if you want to eat right at the source.
How to order well
Oysters here are priced by size — order a plate of the big ones first to taste, then add more. Eat them fresh with a squeeze of lime to get the full sweetness. For blue crab and roe crab, watch the season: when the roe is plentiful the flavor is richer. If there are just a few of you, skip the places that sell by the group table — it's easier to keep the budget in check.
Want to taste deeper? Try a Surat Thani 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.
In town or Don Sak — how to choose
If you're staying in Surat town and short on time, riverside spots like Tapee Seafood or Ah Tia Riverside cover it — no long drive, and the river view is nice. But if you want cheaper, fresher catch right at the source, drive out toward Kanchanadit (Kiang Le, Pak Kadae) or further to Don Sak (Pa Thing, Krua Ban Phot). It's about 20–30 minutes from town to Kanchanadit, and roughly an hour to Don Sak — which works out well if you're already catching the ferry to Samui or Pha-ngan and can grab a meal before you board.
- Staying in town, little time — Tapee Seafood / Ah Tia Riverside / Sun Hiang (lunch)
- Want it at the source, cheap — Kiang Le Seafood / Pak Kadae community, Kanchanadit
- Passing through Don Sak for the ferry — Pa Thing / Krua Supha / Krua Ban Phot
- Big group or a celebration — Ah Tia Riverside (group tables) / Ban Koh Rat (has rooms)
Dishes not to miss in Surat Thani
Fresh oysters
The province's headliner — plump and sweet, eaten with a squeeze of lime, garlic and bird's eye chili plus seafood dipping sauce. The GI specialty you have to try.
Blue crab / pickled egg crab
Ban Don Bay blue crab has firm meat, good steamed or in a yam. The pickled egg crab is salty-sweet and pairs perfectly with rice.
Tapi river prawns
Big, rich prawns from the Tapi River — grilled, then dig out the head fat and eat with seafood sauce. Easiest to find at the riverside spots in town.
Southern sour & coconut curries
Sea bass sour curry or catfish-and-rakam-leaf coconut curry, cooked bold southern style, cuts through the richness of the seafood. Locals always order one alongside.
Plan a full Surat Thani eating and staying trip — food and where to sleep
See the Surat Thani guide →