Sunday, November 2, 2025

[Travel/ Food Guide] Itinerary to Hatyai & Songkhla, Thailand (合艾，泰国) 2025

Just a short three-hour drive from Penang, Hatyai has long been a favorite getaway for Malaysians. The city’s food scene continues to evolve— beyond the familiar Thai staples, you’ll now find a growing number of international eateries and a lively café culture. On this trip, we explored both Hatyai and neighbouring Songkhla, tasting our way through local favourites while checking out a few newer spots. In this post, I’m sharing some of the places we enjoyed for food as well as the hotels we stayed in—simply to document and hopefully help anyone planning a visit. 

1) The Second Hatyai

The Second Toast (290 THB)


Spaghetti A.O.P. (220 THB)


Chicken Roulade with Brandy Cream Sauce (310 THB)

A restaurant that specializes in Asian and European fusion menu, The Second Hatyai is a popular restaurant in Hatyai city thanks to its aesthetically pleasing food presentation and a good selection of Western food choices. The dishes here are reasonably priced and it is strategically located in the city center. The place has a comfortable dining ambiance, just like any restaurant. The food menu includes a good selection of Western dishes, from appetizers to Pasta, Meat and even desserts. We recommend trying the signature and best seller- The Second Toast. Fresh and raw Salmon dressed in Mayo-Sriracha like sauce, served on crispy-fluffy Toast. It has a good spicy kick to it and the Salmon was very fresh. The Toast was addictively crisp with a fluffy-soft texture in the middle. The other mains did not disappoint too, a good alternative to the spicy, classic Thai dishes. 


2) Lunaray Hatyai

Mango Sticky Rice Bingsu (170 THB)


Durian Glutinous Rice Balls (65 THB)

Lunaray is probably the best place to enjoy some classic Thai desserts in the heart of Hatyai City. Just minutes of walk away from the Big Market Hatyai, Lunaray offers a comfortable space for diners to enjoy some classic, traditional Thai sweet treats. The place has a cafe atmosphere and fully air-conditioned. The lady proprietor speaks decent English and she is extremely friendly. We had the Thai Mango Sticky Rice Bingsu... the shaved ice was made of Coconut Milk with a savory touch, the extra bits of crispy Mung Beans added a good crispy texture to the dessert. The Sticky Rice was hidden in the Glutinous Rice, a very smart addition. We also had the warm Durian Glutinous Rice, served with Coconut Milk. The Durian flavor was bold but not cloyingly sweet; the Coconut Milk sure worked well with Durian. Highly recommended.


3) Sitney Gastronomy

Cream of Broccoli and Spinach (140 THB)


Grilled Halloumi Cheese (290 THB)


Crispy Salmon (470 THB)

Sitney Gastronomy sits between the Sadao Border Immigration and Hatyai city, which makes it a good option to stop by on the way back to Malaysia from Hatyai city. The location is a little tricky, you will need to go through a rather bumpy road to reach this place. But the cafe is very new and has a welcoming interior, just like any cozy cafe. The menu features quite a big selection of Western dishes, some even come with a creative touch... almost like a standard restaurant (rather than cafe food). We had a few dishes and they did not disappoint. Personally, I thought the Grilled Halloumi Cheese with Honey Walnuts and Poached Apple. The Honey and Cheese combo never fails. Do note that Sitney Gastronomy only accepts Cash and QR Payment while Credit Card comes with extra 3% charges. 


4) Sin Yor Rista Cafe and Bar

Cempedak Cake (110 THB)


Avocado Smoothie (140 THB)


Coconut Smoothie (85 THB)

Located on the other side of Koh Yor Island (an island in the middle of the Songkhla Lake), Sin Yor Rista Cafe has been around for quite some time. The place is known for its one-of-a-kind ambiance... you can choose to be seated at an area above the lake. Certainly a way to get closer to the lake view but it can pose some risks for young kids. The cafe is very spacious and can accommodate large groups. On the menu- there are some cakes and local Thai dishes for mains. We had the signature Cempedak Cake and thought it was just okay. More for the ambiance and experience than absolute taste. 


5) Sirada Restaurant Koh Yo
Business Hours: 10 am to 9:30 pm. Opens Daily.


Jumbo Size Fresh Oyster (120 THB each)


Sirada Salad (150 THB)


Stir Fried Manicai with Eggs (95 THB)


Steamed Seabass with Lime and Chili (290 THB)


Sago Dessert with Coconut Milk (65 THB)

Sirada is definitely one of the most popular Seafood restaurants on Koh Yor Island. The restaurant sits on the beach and offers great sea view to diners. If you are early enough, you can secure a table by the sea. The place is especially busy during evenings. The restaurant has a lot of offer, though only Thai dishes; the choices are suitable for all age-range. The seafood restaurant is also known for its fresh and quality seafood. The prices are on the higher side but the place is known for its consistency in quality. None of the dishes disappoint. We were lucky to have secured a seat by the sea and were able to enjoy our dinner with great sunset. A good choice if you are coming in a group. 


6) The Proud Koh Yor
Business Hours: 10 am to 10 pm. Closed on Wednesdays.


Honey Toast with Strawberry and Coconut Ice Cream (250 THB)


Miang Kham Salad (450 THB)


Matcha Orange Sunrise (180 THB)


Watermelon Frappe (100 THB)

Almost like a tourist spot, the Proud Koh Yor gained its popularity thanks to the special lift and its location at the mountain top. The high altitude gives the restaurant access to 270' view on Koh Yor Island. Many visit the place for its view but the restaurant itself offers many food options as well as a huge beverage list. The restaurant is most popular during evening as the place offers a great sunset view. We visited the place during lunch and it was fairly quiet, so we got ourselves a really nice seat with great view. For food- we had the Honey Toast with Strawberry and Coconut Ice Cream and Miang Kham Salad. Both were decent but the prices lean towards the higher side. More for the view than absolute taste, do check it out if you haven't already been there... at least for the novelty experience. 


7) Moon Doughnuts

Lemon Meringue Doughnut (69 THB)


Apple Fritter (45 THB)

Extremely popular on social media- Moon Doughnut is a Muslim-friendly Doughnut specialist in the heart of Songkhla town. The place is so popular that they doughnuts tend to get sold out in the late afternoon. It was very busy and crowded on our visit (on a normal working day); the place was thronged by Malaysians. While many choose to take-out, the upper floor has a few tables for those who wish to dine-in. Just be aware on the narrow and steep staircase though. We had 2 popular flavors- the Apple Fritters and Lemon Meringue. Unfortunately, I did not enjoy the Doughnut. The texture was somewhat weird to me and I thought the flavor-combo was disappointingly average. Probably I had high expectations due to its popularity. Okay if you chance upon it but no point going all out just to try these doughnuts. 


8) Joe Delicious

Crab Leg Fried Rice (180 THB/ small)


Stir Fried Seafood with Noodles and Egg Gravy (160 THB)


Stir Fried Seabass with Curry (300 THB)


Deep Fried Squid with Roe (400 THB)

Joe Delicious in Songkhla Old Town is definitely a place that you don't want to miss. The location is a little tricky though, as the restaurant is tucked in a narrow alley. You will need to find the entrance and make your way through the alley before arriving to the dining area. There is small air-conditioned area that could only fit up to 3 tables. There are more tables with al-fresco atmosphere nevertheless. Joe Delicious has received a lot of attention amongst the Thai local community, the proprietor is known for its fresh catch and Seafood dishes. Prices are reasonable considering the serving portion and freshness. A must-have would be their signature Crab Meat Fried Rice, not only that serve super fresh Crab Meat but their Fried Rice is equally delicious. We also enjoyed their Stir Fried Seabass with Curry, a flavor-combo that is very uncommon to Malaysians. The Fish was fresh, chunky with a good bite.


9) Brunello Hdy

Thai Glutinous Rice Balls (69 THB)


Chocolate Salted Caramel Pie (119 THB)


Iced Clear Matcha (80 THB)

A new addition to the Hatyai cafe scene- Brunello requires a short 10 min drive away from Hatyai city center. Free parking space is available right next to the cafe. It has the standard cafe vibe, with good amount of natural lights flowing in thanks to the huge window. On the food offering- it does not serve any main but a good selection of cakes and traditional Thai desserts. Good option if you are looking for a space to chill but want to try something different other than the usual cakes. Reasonable prices. 


10) Krua Pa-Yad
Business Hours: 10 am to 2 pm, 4 pm to 8 pm. Opens Daily.


Stir Fried Crab Meat with Egg (230 THB)


Deep Fried Squid (90 THB)


Stir Fried Manicai with Egg (80 THB)


Seafood Tom Yum Soup (THB 130)


Pandan Jelly with Coconut Cream (35 THB)

Krua Pa-Yad needs no further introduction for those who travel to Hatyai frequently. The local Thai restaurant is not only famous amongst the Thai locals but tourists as well. The restaurant has a good list of local Thai dishes and they are known for its superior quality and unbelievably affordable prices. The restaurant has expanded its business operations into a couple more locations but the one near Greenway Night Market is the largest. Finding a place to park is a challenge but the restaurant has arranged their staff to "look after" the cars parked by the road side (so play smart). On the menu- you can find a dish as low as 80 THB or even a fish at 280 THB. The place is fully air-conditioned and can accommodate large groups. The catch is to avoid peak hours. We arrived at 10:15AM and there were 6 tables of diners. The best seller and signature dishes are the Tom Yum Seafood and Stir Fried Crab Meat with Egg. We had both and thought the Stir Fried Crab Meat with Egg was delicious. The Tom Yum was alright considering they were very generous with the Seafood and offered a good value. I can see that this place is very suitable especially if you are visiting Hatyai in a group.


11) Ken Phu Pang Toast and Ice Cream

Signature Ken Toast (139 THB)

Owned by Thai actor Ken Phupoom, Ken Phu Pang is a famous dessert parlor in Hatyai city known for their Toasts and Ice Cream. Neighboring to the famous noodle shop- Nan Yuan, Ken Phu Pang has garnered an appreciate following since the opening. The menu revolves around French Toast-like dessert topped with special sauces or Ice Cream. The signature Ken Toast sees a beautifully caramelized French Toast topped with a scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream. We must say that we enjoyed it a lot. It was not overly sweet and the flavor-combo worked. Best for sharing. Highly recommended.


12) Clay By Pun Eatery

Salmon Tartare (350 THB)


Fettuccine Truffle (320 THB)


Duck Confit (290 THB)


Coconut Water (70 THB)

Clay By Pun is a testament to the vibrant food scene in Hatyai, the casual restaurant serves modern fusion dishes, something very different compared to the usual Thai restaurants in the southern city. The restaurant has a spacious seating area, it has an open kitchen, allowing diners to see the Chefs in action. On the menu- there's a good selection of Pasta dishes as well as Meat dishes. Prices lean towards the higher side though. We had the signature Salmon Tartare, it has a refreshing acidic and herbaceous touch to it. The Salmon itself was fresh and delicious. The Fettuccine Truffle and Duck Confit were alright, though a pity that the Fettuccine could be more al-dente. But overall, it was a good experience at Clay. For parking- you will need to park your car by the road side as there's no dedicated parking lots provided by the restaurant. 


13) Por Prateep Premium  Ayutthaya Halal Boat Noodles 

Beef Boat Noodles (80 THB/ Size L)


Chicken Boat Noodles (80 THB/ Size L)


Taro Bua Loi (50 THB)

A fairly new addition to Central Festival Hatyai (on the 5th floor)- Por Prateep offers something different. The restaurant specializes in Boat Noodles but unlike the Bangkok style Boat Noodles, the 30-year old brand uses a different recipe that resulted in different flavor combo. We tasted both Chicken and Beef versions, they were very different. One thing in common though- there's a sharp acidity in the broth, something that we could not get used to. Serving portion is small and very much "Boat Noodle", more for novelty experience.


14) T-Sher Cafe Dannok

Seafood Pad Thai without Noodles (180 THB)


Stir Fried Minced Chicken Meat with Century Egg and Holy Basil (79 THB)

Approximately 15-min drive away from the Sadao Border, T-Sher Cafe Dannok marks a great stop for those looking for a quick fix or even hygiene break. The cafe offers a comfortable space to enjoy a casual and inexpensive meal. Not only desserts but it actually offers a list of solid Thai food. We had the Stir Fried Minced Chicken Meat with Century Egg and Holy Basil, which we thought it was decent. The Seafood Pad Thai without noodles was delicious; the ingredients were fresh and the dish was expertly seasoned. T-Sher Cafe has a kid's corner too, bring your kids to explore and check on their facebook page for more information.


Hotels:

1) Richmann Resort Hotel Hatyai

Huge Bed with Couch


Huge Television


Bath Tub


Bathroom


Amenities


Small Balcony with Chair


Local Plugs (no international converter or adaptor)

Richmann- a very popular Hatyai hotel on social media, many sing their praises on the beautiful swimming pool and comfortable room. The hotel is approximately 10-15 min drive away from Lee Garden area and has easy access to popular places like Central Festival Hatyai. Richmann has recently expanded, there is a new building with new rooms. Just opened sometime in Jul 2025, we were one of the fortunate groups to experience the new hotel room in the new building. The hotel has complimentary parking but the parking lots can be quite small and narrow. While the pool is nice for photography, it is not that practical in terms of size. It is fairly small and probably good for dips only. Same goes for the Gym- very small. On the room, we got a spacious room in the new building and it comes with a huge Super King-sized Bed and a huge Television. It has Bath Tub with full amenities as well. No complaints on the room but the location is slightly off- expect to navigate through narrow alleys in order to reach the hotel. Exercise extra caution if you are driving a big car. 


Swimming Pool


Gym


2) Thap Pala Cottage


Room Area


Wooden Couch


Bathroom


Toilet


Shower Area


Amenities


Private Pool


Chill Out Corners

If you enjoy nature and be surrounded by nature, do consider trying Thap Pala Cottage. A little off the beaten track, Thap Pala Cottage is approximately 20-min drive from Songkhla Old Town. This place is only recommended for those who drive, it is definitely a hassle for e-hailing as it requires approximately 5-min drive into the woods. The property has 4 Villas in total, each of them comes with a private pool overlooking at the Songkhla Lake. Free Kayak activities are included for guests. The staff speak very limited English so translation app will come in handy. We booked our stay via Trip.com and it says full amenities are provided but in actual fact- Shampoo, Body Wash, Toothbrush and Toothpaste are not provided. We had to source our own from the nearest 7-11. On the room itself- spacious with relax and chill in mind. Ideal to read some books here and enjoy the nature. But the toilet and shower facility may not be ideal for some. Expect to pass motion with lizards, bees and ants as well as showering in an open area with no hot water. My better half clearly did not enjoy as she has lizard-phobia. So don't come with an expectation of 4-star hotel. Thap Pala Cottage is only suitable for those who love nature and outdoor activities. Breakfast is included in the booking and you can opt to enjoy in your own Villa. 


Exterior of the Villa


Entrance to the Villa


Free Kayak Activity at the Lake


Dining Area


3) Laguna Grand Hotel and Spa Songkhla


Huge Bed


Working Desk


Couch


Amenities


Bathroom

A proud 5-star hotel just minutes away from Koh Yor Island, Laguna Grand Hotel and Spa Songkhla is often seen as the go-to place for any posh events in town. The hotel is located somewhat between Hatyai city and Songkhla Old Town. The property area is huge and has ample parking space (both indoor and outdoor). The hotel offers great facilities including Gym, Sauna and Swimming Pool. Having been to the Gym, I thought the Gym has some really well-maintained equipment. On the pool- good size and comfortable for a casual dip. Nothing too special on the rooms. We were a little underwhelmed with the absence of Bath Tub but the room has full amenities, pretty much like a standard business hotel. On the breakfast- decent spread with a good mix of local Thai delights as well as international offering. Overall- good value and experience despite the location is not ideal. 


Bread and Pastries


Steamed Bread and Fried Crullers


Fruit Juices and Cereals


Salad and Appetizers


Fresh Fruits


Phuket Fish Ball Noodles


Gym


Swimming Pool


Have Fun Exploring Hatyai!
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