Where to eat & drink
Hua Hin is justifiably famous for its seafood, best sampled in the restaurants around the fishing pier on the north end of Thanon Naresdamri. The best is Chao Ley (No.15, 0 32513436, main courses B60-B300), built on piers over the ocean. For cheaper seafood, visit the evening vendors at the rambling outdoor Chatchai Market off Thanon Denchanuchit. Thanon Punsuk and Thanon Damnoen Kasem have Italian restaurants, while Buffalo Bill's Steak & Grill (13 Thanon Damnoen Kasem, 0 3253 2727, main courses B100-B400) isn't as rough-hewn as it sounds.
Hua Hin's bars and pubs are mostly humble open-air affairs parallel to the carnival-like beach on Thanon Naresdamri. The current hotspot is the mammoth Hua Hin Brewing Company attached to the Hilton Hotel (33 Thanon Naresdamri, 0 32512888, main courses B100-B250). A short hop down the road, Blue Elephant is popular for its cheap, wide-ranging drinks list. Soi's north off Naresdamri are choked with beer bars populated by working girls; an exception is the friendly Takeang Pub on Soi Bintaban, which is a rustic country and western bar offering live folk music.

Brasserie de Paris, 3 Thanon Naretdamri. Refined French restaurant that's known for its seafood and has an appealing terrace over the water. Specialities include crab Hua Hin, coquilles St Jacques and filet a la Provencal. Expensive- Chao Lay, Thanon Naretdamri. Large and popular seafront restaurant specializing in quality seafood.
Moderate. Le Chablis, Thanon Naretdamri. Tasty and authentic French cuisine, plus some Thai dishes too.
Moderate to expensive. Mee Karuna, 26/1 Thanon Naretdamri. Upmarket restaurant, popular with Thai holidaymakers, which serves authentic, good quality Thai classics such as tam yang kung.
Moderate to expensive. Satukarn Square, at the Thanon Phetkasem/Damern Kasem junction. Every evening from around 6pm this tourist version of the more traditional night market becomes one of the most enjoyable places to be in Hua Hin. There are about twenty small restaurants in the partially open-air plaza (plus about the same number of handicraft shops) including specialist Italian, Indian, German and seafood outlets, all serving very reasonably priced food.
Seaside Restaurant, Thanon Naretdamri. Sample locally caught fish and seafood right on the seafront; worth the fairly steep rates.
 Moderate to expensive. Thanachote, 11 Thanon Naretdamri. Atmospheric seafood restaurant, set on its own pier over the sea and serving exceptionally good fish dishes.