Jomtien/Pratumnak Restaurants serving fresh fish

[davidge]

I wasn’t going to start a new thread but couldn’t really find one that suited.

I’m struggling a bit with my meals this trip, for various reasons, and was hoping to get some ideas for places that serve freshly caught fish without it being very expensive. I’m not expecting it to be cheap, but in the past I’ve gone to an Italian place in Jomtien and always felt I was being ripped off.

I’m looking for sea bass, white snapper etc (basically almost any freshly caught White sea fish) with just some salad or veg to go with it.

I’d prefer if the restaurant was on Thappraya or not too far down Jomtien Beach Rd, or even around Pratumnak Soi 5, but could always get a Bolt if a bit further away.

It would also be good to find somewhere that serves a variety of good salads, but I have a yearning for fish at the moment. 😊

Thanks in advance.

[Edge]

7 minutes ago, davidge said:

................................

I’m looking for sea bass, white snapper etc (basically almost any freshly caught White sea fish)..................................

I used to regularly order Sea Bass assuming that it had lived in and been caught wild at sea.

Apparently not necessarily as the Ex explained......even Sea Bass in the fresh fish markets is probably factory farmed.

[davidge]

10 minutes ago, Edge said:

I used to regularly order Sea Bass assuming that it had lived in and been caught wild at sea.

Apparently not necessarily as the Ex explained......even Sea Bass in the fresh fish markets is probably factory farmed.

Yes, you have to be careful here. If I was ordering off the menu in a ‘normal’ restaurant I wouldn’t be sure. A lot would be frozen as well of course. The Italian place I mentioned served fish they’d gone out and caught themselves - you could even see the fish before it was prepared/cooked. I’m really looking for somewhere like that, without the sore feeling in my backside after of being shafted.

[Rocketboy]

Pupen Seafood for seabass/fish, a variety of salads... not something I've seen on the seafood restaurants menus I've been to.

[davidge]

12 minutes ago, Rocketboy said:

variety of salads... not something I've seen on the seafood restaurants menus I've been to.

No, I was covering 2 things in one post, rather than starting 2 threads. I meant any restaurant offering a decent choice of salads, not just as a starter, not necessarily one that does fresh fish as well. There are a couple of places that do a limited choice but not as a main, and plenty that do pretty sad side salads. I’ve bought salad stuff from supermarkets but end up throwing a lot away. It just doesn’t keep here.

[penboy]

27 minutes ago, davidge said:

No, I was covering 2 things in one post, rather than starting 2 threads. I meant any restaurant offering a decent choice of salads, not just as a starter, not necessarily one that does fresh fish as well. There are a couple of places that do a limited choice but not as a main, and plenty that do pretty sad side salads. I’ve bought salad stuff from supermarkets but end up throwing a lot away. It just doesn’t keep here.

A mate of mine goes to sizzlers (I think) in Central, salad only. I've never been myself so just hearsay.

[splitpin]

1 hour ago, Edge said:

I used to regularly order Sea Bass assuming that it had lived in and been caught wild at sea.

Apparently not necessarily as the Ex explained......even Sea Bass in the fresh fish markets is probably factory farmed.

I have been going on about this for ages, very hard to find sea caught fish and prawns in restaurants. The main catch at sea is crabs and squid

Even when there is live fish in seafood places, the water is fresh not salt

[davidge]

18 minutes ago, penboy said:

A mate of mine goes to sizzlers (I think) in Central, salad only. I've never been myself so just hearsay.

I did get a takeaway salad bar there last week but it wasn’t wonderful tbh. I guess they have to appeal to Thai customers so some strange (for me) things.

[Edge]

3 hours ago, splitpin said:

I have been going on about this for ages, very hard to find sea caught fish and prawns in restaurants. The main catch at sea is crabs and squid

Even when there is live fish in seafood places, the water is fresh not salt

Well it was about 13 years ago the Ex put me straight.

Been out on a fishing trip and seen some catches of snappers/Sea Bream but it seems they are farmed too?

[ChiFlyer]

A few comments:

• The salads at Sands Cafe (same owner as Sandbar) are very well done IMO. It is on soi 5 in Phratamnek at the Ocean.
• I find the seafood offerings at May's (in Jomtien on Thepprasit) to be nicely done. Fresh catch? Maybe.
• I noticed that you made a reference to an Italian restaurant. Is this Aquapazza? If not it is worth a try, again IMO. They have more of a Naples menu, which features more seafood than other Italian regions.
• Pupen's is on a prolonged downtrend. IMO again.
• If you are willing to go for a trip the pier restaurants over in Bang Saray can be quite good, though I hear that some of them have closed (at least temporarily).
• I have tried the Sizzler salad bar (some of my friends swear by it) and it is ok, but I was not impressed.
• I do miss the salad place that was on Thappraya near Aquapazza. I think it was called "Wooden Box". They grew much of their own produce and it was really good. Sadly the location could not support the overhead and they closed a few years back.

Edited December 12, 2022 by ChiFlyer

[davidge]

2 minutes ago, ChiFlyer said:

A few comments:

• The salads at Sands Cafe (same owner as Sandbar) are very well done IMO. It is on soi 5 in Phratamnek at the Ocean.
• I find the seafood offerings at May's (in Jomtien on Thepprasit) to be nicely done. Fresh catch? Maybe.
• I noticed that you made a reference to an Italian restaurant. Is this Aquapazza? If not it is worth a try, again IMO. They have more of a Naples menu, which features more seafood than other Italian regions.
• Pupen's is on a prolonged downtrend. IMO again.
• If you are willing to go for a trip the pier restaurants over in Bang Saray can be quite good, though I hear that some of them have closed (at least temporarily).
• I have tried the Sizzler salad bar (some of my friends swear by it) and it is ok, but I was not impressed.
• I do miss the salad place that was on Thappraya near Aquapazza. I think it was called "Wooden Box". They grew much of their own produce and it was really good. Sadly the location could no support the overhead and they closed a few years back.

Thanks. A friend had the ‘Norwegian breakfast’ at Sands last week and enjoyed it so I’ll have to give the place a try. I’ve not eaten at May’s nor Aquapazza so I’ll add those to my list.

[Kale]

As far as I know, the cheapest place to get the freshest fish is at the fish market in Naklua.  I got a live sea bass there for about 150b including cleaning/scaling.  Then I took it to another vendor there who cooked it for me for like 70b or something like that.  They will cook it however you want. Steamed, baked, broiled.  I also bought some live prawns and had those barbequed.

If you want to eat in a restaurant as opposed to takeaway there are also restaurants there that will cook it for you.  I didn't do that so I don't know what that costs.

Edited December 12, 2022 by Kale

[ChiFlyer]

Just now, davidge said:

Thanks. A friend had the ‘Norwegian breakfast’ at Sands last week and enjoyed it so I’ll have to give the place a try. I’ve not eaten at May’s nor Aquapazza so I’ll add those to my list.

May's may be a little difficult to get to right now due to the construction delays on Thepprasit. They seem to change every day. Also, it is not a cheap eats place. You would probably drop 600 for dinner and a glass of wine.

[ChiFlyer]

2 minutes ago, Kale said:

I know OP is asking about restaurants but as far as I know, the cheapest place to get the freshest fish is at the fish market in Naklua.  I selected a live sea bass from one of several vendors there.  They killed it, and cleaned and scaled it for me for about 250b I think.  They I took it to one of several vendors there who will cook it for you for like 70b or something like that.  There are also restaurants there that will cook it for you if you want to eat it right there.

I agree. The problem for the OP may be the location. It is pretty far into Naklua. It is better than a 30 minute car ride from my place in Jomtien. Not sure if one can baht bus to the area.

[davidge]

Just now, ChiFlyer said:

May's may be a little difficult to get to right now due to the construction delays on Thepprasit. They seem to change every day. Also, it is not a cheap eats place. You would probably drop 600 for dinner and a glass of wine.

Yes, Thepprasit is a bit of a disaster zone now. It might have to  wait until I return in May (the month :-). I’m happy to pay 600 for a decent meal with a glass of wine. I don’t want to pay over 1000 too often.

A very, very average meal (being generous) with a pint or two can cost 600 in Hemingway’s or O’Garas.

[davidge]

Just now, ChiFlyer said:

I agree. The problem for the OP may be the location. It is pretty far into Naklua. It is better than a 30 minute car ride from my place in Jomtien. Not sure if one can baht bus to the area.

I’m using Bolt a lot but don’t really see myself going all the way to Naklua and back of an evening just for a meal. 

[Kale]

5 minutes ago, davidge said:

I’m using Bolt a lot but don’t really see myself going all the way to Naklua and back of an evening just for a meal. 

Jomtien may be a bit far but it wasn't too bad from Pattaya. I think I paid about 50b each way for a bolt mototaxi.

Edited December 12, 2022 by Kale

[ChiFlyer]

5 minutes ago, davidge said:

Yes, Thepprasit is a bit of a disaster zone now. It might have to  wait until I return in May (the month :-). I’m happy to pay 600 for a decent meal with a glass of wine. I don’t want to pay over 1000 too often.

A very, very average meal (being generous) with a pint or two can cost 600 in Hemingway’s or O’Garas.

I had heard that the former owner of Laong's had become the manager of Hemingways. There was some hope that would turn things around at Hemmingways. Sounds like optimism takes another beating.

 

[davidge]

10 minutes ago, Kale said:

Jomtien may be a bit far but it wasn't too bad from Pattaya. I think I paid about 50b each way for a bolt mototaxi.

I won’t use bikes but I’m guessing a car would be about 130 baht. It’s more the journey there and back just for a meal. Maybe if I have company one night.

[davidge]

12 minutes ago, ChiFlyer said:

I had heard that the former owner of Laong's had become the manager of Hemingways. There was some hope that would turn things around at Hemmingways. Sounds like optimism takes another beating.

 

The current manager is a Scottish bloke. Can’t remember his name. Thai food is still ok but can’t say the western food is wonderful. Sunday roast was just as bad as pre-Covid. Unbelievably, they’re charging more for Xmas dinner than Patrick’s. Guess the regulars don’t know any better.

[ChiFlyer]

23 minutes ago, davidge said:

The current manager is a Scottish bloke. Can’t remember his name. Thai food is still ok but can’t say the western food is wonderful. Sunday roast was just as bad as pre-Covid. Unbelievably, they’re charging more for Xmas dinner than Patrick’s. Guess the regulars don’t know any better.

Sounds like the former Laong's manager has already moved on. He was UK, but more London like. He had some great specials at Laong's (Jomtien 2nd Road and soi 9). The Thursday rib night was exceptional. Word is he ran into a visa problem due to a deceitful agent.

[jimboh]

2 hours ago, ChiFlyer said:

A few comments:

• The salads at Sands Cafe (same owner as Sandbar) are very well done IMO. It is on soi 5 in Phratamnek at the Ocean.
• I find the seafood offerings at May's (in Jomtien on Thepprasit) to be nicely done. Fresh catch? Maybe.
• I noticed that you made a reference to an Italian restaurant. Is this Aquapazza? If not it is worth a try, again IMO. They have more of a Naples menu, which features more seafood than other Italian regions.
• Pupen's is on a prolonged downtrend. IMO again.
• If you are willing to go for a trip the pier restaurants over in Bang Saray can be quite good, though I hear that some of them have closed (at least temporarily).
• I have tried the Sizzler salad bar (some of my friends swear by it) and it is ok, but I was not impressed.
• I do miss the salad place that was on Thappraya near Aquapazza. I think it was called "Wooden Box". They grew much of their own produce and it was really good. Sadly the location could not support the overhead and they closed a few years back.

Would agree with most of this reviews. 

Theres a Thai place just past drifters in Na Jomtiem that had good fish before covid, must check it out soon and post name/review.

[mmaaarrrkkk]

On 12/12/2022 at 18:32, davidge said:

I wasn’t going to start a new thread but couldn’t really find one that suited.

I’m struggling a bit with my meals this trip, for various reasons, and was hoping to get some ideas for places that serve freshly caught fish without it being very expensive.

How about the restaurants where you choose the fishes still swimming in the tanks?

Edited December 17, 2022 by mmaaarrrkkk

[Halfaboy]

Unfortunately not in Jomtien....

 

[bobcat74]

Rhompo night market Jomtien second road by the bars does freshly grilled white snapper B150