Every tourist spot is packed with a variety of food to suit your fancy, or wallet. Even the most up-market restaurants are affordable to most and this is one place you really can spoil your taste buds with piquant Thai dishes or an array of foreign cuisine. Barbeque seafood can be found on every single beach and you can always see local islanders carrying a tray of barbeque shrimps, squids and steamed crabs walking around on the beach trying to sell impromptu snacks. Fresh coconut drinks are also aplenty as there are many coconut trees on the island - since this was the main industry before tourism arrived. Don’t be surprised to see an islander, or his monkey, climb up the tree to bring a coconut (or two) down for you. First-class Mediterranean restaurants can be found on Lamai beach boasting funky designs and creative food. Restaurants on Chaweng and Lamai beach come with silver services. Extensive lists of drinks are available here. On the most popular beaches you can stroll along the waters edge in the evening and pick a seafront location that suits your fancy, with the best selection on Lamai or Chaweng. The latter particularly has al fresco dining, on the sand in makeshift floor level restaurants at the North end, which is charming. Local cuisine
Thai cuisine can also be found everywhere on the island. Some places serve normal Thai dishes that Thais are familiar with and some serve ‘Royal Thai food’, upscale Thai cuisine normally served in palaces or in the Royal families in the old days. These dishes usually come with carved vegetables and plenty of superficial details. Inevitably, when you are in Thailand, you will have to try Thai food that boasts its spiciness and strong aroma. There are many notable dishes that are usually enjoyed by foreigners. First off, you should try the nation’s favourite, tom yum kung (spicy soup with shrimps, mushrooms and delicately balanced with sweet, sour, bitter and spicy herbs). Foreigners, especially westerners, also enjoy other palatable dishes like gai pad med ma muang (non-spicy fried chicken with mushrooms, dried chilli and cashew nuts), pla pad preaw wan (fried fish with sweet and sour sauce) and the well-known lunch favourite pad thai (fried noodles with little shrimps, pieces of tofu, bean sprouts, peanuts and vegetable). Especially when you are on the beach or near the sea, seafood dishes in Thailand usually come with ultra spicy sauce to dip your barbeque seafood in. | 
