Where to go
Rawai seafood market
400–900 THB for two, cookedSeafood
Iced rows of tiger prawns, squid, crab, lobster, barracuda. Price per kilo is displayed; haggling helps when buying several kinds.
Grill cafes opposite
100–150 THB to cookCooking your catch
They charge 100–150 THB a dish: grill, tom yum, garlic-pepper, and bring rice and sauces. This makes seafood three times cheaper than a restaurant.
Local Thai cafes
60–120 THB per personThai kitchens
Along Viset Road — family spots for locals: curries, noodles, fried rice. English menus aren't everywhere, but prices are genuinely local.
Expat cafes
200–400 THB per personEuropean food
Rawai has a large international community, so there are familiar breakfasts, coffee shops, bakeries — even borsch. Handy for longer family stays.
Street food & markets
The evening market by the pier: skewers, coconut ice cream, fruit. Mornings, pickups sell fresh fruit along the seafront at half the supermarket price.
FAQ
How does the seafood market work?
Buy seafood by weight at the market, take it to a cafe opposite — they cook it for 100–150 THB a dish and serve it with rice.
Will they cheat on the scales?
Ask them to weigh in front of you and confirm the per-kilo price before buying. Agree the cooking fee upfront too.
When should I go?
Towards evening as the boats return: more choice, and the seafront is at its nicest at sunset.
A place with a kitchen in Rawai?
Self-catering with market seafood is the fastest way to cut the holiday budget. Direct rentals with free cancellation — tell us your dates.