Chaweng Night Market

Across from Central Festival in the heart of Chaweng, this open‑air night market fires up Thursday to Saturday with the smell of charcoal grills, the hiss of woks, and rows of neon‑lit food stalls. Grab a seat at the shared tables and do it Bangkok‑style: order small plates from a few vendors, then let the runners drop everything at your number. Start with smoky moo ping pork skewers and grilled squid, then add a pad thai or fried rice, a papaya salad made to your heat level, and a plate of mango sticky rice to finish. Prices stay easy on the wallet — skewers from around 20–30 THB, most mains 60–120 THB, seafood plates higher depending on the catch — and fruit shakes or fresh coconuts keep it tropical. Beer is usually the best value (think Chang or Singha by the bottle), while cocktail stands pop up now and then. Aim for 6pm if you want first pick and cooler air; by 8pm it’s a lively pre‑game crowd heading for Chaweng Beach Road and Soi Green Mango. It’s family‑friendly early, casual and chatty later. Bring cash (some stalls take QR), and if you’re driving, parking at Central Festival makes life easy. Last verified: current hours show Thu–Sat evenings.