Mae Sariang

Mae Sariang

For a small town there's a surprisingly good selection of eating places: several fine and inexpensive Thai restaurants, some above average guesthouse food, and even a couple of half-decent steak houses.

Coming into Mae Sariang, before hitting the t-junction with the riverside road are the old favourites, (right opposite each other), Inthara and Renu. Renu is simpler, slightly cheaper and popular with locals at lunchtime whilst the former has a wider selection of classic dishes and some local specialties. Simple decor and a roadside location make it perhaps more of a lunchtime quickie than an evening out but dishes are copious and good value.

Heading down to the bridge, and right on the river, are a couple of fancier spots; Krua Biman on the town side and TukTa on the far side -- both are wooden, 'Thai country' style with great views across the river and both very pleasant spots for an early evening beer or a dinner out. Krua Biman is a bit larger with occasional live music and slightly higher prices, whilst TukTa is particularly good value for money though with a slightly more limited menu. Both do classic Thai dishes with some local ones and both are recommended. (Minimal spoken English and English menus are available at both spots.

Coming to the riverbank road is the rather pretentiously named, but very good, Coriander in Redwood, doing some of the best Thai food in town as well as some excellent and reasonably priced steaks. An attractive wooden restaurant, recently opened, though it doesn't have a river view, offers slightly more expensive Thai food than the previous two but with more a bit more attention to detail and decor and a wine list -- also recommended!

The above is owned by the Riverhouse group and both the Riverhouse Resort and Riverhouse Hotel offer very similar menus with perhaps the latter being a more pleasant place to sit? Moving northwards down the same road you'll come to the Sawasdee restaurant -- another riverside spot with a nice view and simple, inexpensive classic Thai dishes. Some English is spoken.

You'll also find plenty of the usual noodle and rice shops dotted around town and the bus station has a bit of a night market thang going on after dark.

Finally for guesthouse food -- apart from the aforementioned Riverhouse locations -- North West is good and popular with expats and Roadside does a selection of cheap classic Thai curries as well as deep fried ice cream. North West does some simple Western dishes if you're hankering for home cooking and, as mentioned, the steaks at the Riverhouse restaurants are good value and decent sized.

TukTa, Riverside Hotel, Sawasdee are all excellent spots for a sundowner or early evening beer, Roadside has a great music selection and the friendly Mr. Aekkasan to keep you company and the always popular North West is a good spot to meet other travellers if that's what you're after.

An unnamed, (well in English anyway), riverside bar and restaurant -- another 5 minutes or so walk further down the road from North West -- has nightly live music, more decent Thai food and is one of Mae Sariang's most popular, (and rare), night spots for the locals. (Open 'til 1.00). Also open 'til 1.00, but best avoided unless you're really desperate are the selection of karaoke dives around the bus station. They're friendly but seriously grungy!