Have a soft spot for soft cake? Hua Hin’s famous coconut cake is constructed of a layer of cake, coconut cream, more cake, more cream. Hidden in the middle is a layer flavored with pandan so fragrant you’ll smell it with the first bite. Topping off this extravagance is a generous helping of shredded young coconut. Get a small cup (B85) if you’re on a diet, and a big one (B180) if, like us, you can’t get enough of a good thing.

Don’t be fooled by the dinky appearance of this coffee truck on Kao Tao Beach— the owner-barista’s latte art shows the same finesse you’ll find at the swankiest cafes. He also roasts the beans himself from a mix of Arabica from northern Thailand and robusta from Prachuap Khiri Khan. Another novelty is the use of boiled rainwater, meant to produce a smoother flavor. The menu consists of coffee-shop standards, available for B50 each.

 

A spacious glasshouse, filled with lots of hanging plants, plush sofas and natural light—perfect to while away an afternoon with house-baked breads and an iced banoffee chocolate shake with flamed meringue (B150). An afternoon tea set is available for B599/2 guests daily from 2-5pm.

 

Located on a dead-end corner of Naeb Khehat Road, this twee little dessert cafe specializes in homemade treats. Try the White Alaska cake (vanilla ice cream with meringue and raspberry sauce,B145), cookie and cream (B135) and, the cafe's signature, kanom piah ping sai pla (grilled Chinese pastry with fish stuffing, B35 per piece). 

 

The elegant work of Party/Space/Design studio (whose credits include Bangkok's Shugaa, Crack and Hands and Heart) sees bronze lamps, white marble counters and cream-color walls bathed in an abundance of natural light. The Thai and international dishes include grilled rainbow lobster (B2,200), pad Thai (B220) and, of course, desserts like the chocolate dome (B240) and hot espresso over vanilla ice-cream (B180).

Soi Phetkaseam, 061-172-8887. Open daily 9:30am-10pm. www.chocolatefactory.co.th

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