Hua Hin Night Markets Compared: Cicada vs. Tamarind vs. Chatsila
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Every Friday evening, the southern end of Hua Hin transforms. What looks like a quiet stretch of Phet Kasem Road during the day becomes a corridor of fairy lights, smoke from charcoal grills, and the sound of live bands warming up. Three markets sit within a short walk of each other down here, and they are completely different animals.
Cicada is the one that ends up on Instagram. Tamarind is where you actually eat. And Chatsila (now rebranded as Patio Oldtown) is the daily fix that locals and expats quietly rely on. Choosing which one to visit, or how to combine all three in a single evening, comes down to knowing what each is really built for. All prices in this guide use a rate of 35 THB = $1 USD.
Quick Answer: Which Market Should You Visit?
All three markets sit in the same southern pocket of Hua Hin near Khao Takiab hill. Here is the one-line version for each:
- Cicada Market: Go for handmade art, designer crafts, atmospheric lighting, and live performances. Bring coupon cash. Best for couples and design-minded travellers.
- Tamarind Market: Go to eat. Best-value food spread in Hua Hin, enormous range, live music, family-friendly layout. No coupon system.
- Chatsila (Patio Oldtown): Go when you want a quieter, more curated atmosphere. Good rotisserie chicken, woodfire pizza, and some genuine handmade crafts. Open daily.
The local strategy: Start at Tamarind for dinner around 18:00, then walk next door to Cicada for shopping and the evening show. Budget 600 to 1,200 THB (~$17 to $34) for a relaxed night across both.
Market Comparison at a Glance:
| Market | Open | Hours | Entry | Best For | Payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cicada | Fri, Sat, Sun | 16:00 to 23:00 (Sun to 22:00) | Free | Art, crafts, Instagram moments | Coupons + cash |
| Tamarind | Fri, Sat, Sun | 17:00 to 23:00 | Free | Food, value, live music | Cash only |
| Chatsila (Patio Oldtown) | Daily | 17:00 to midnight | Free | Curated food, quiet evenings | Cash |
Cicada Market: Hua Hin’s Creative Showcase
Cicada is not quite like anything else in Thailand. Entry is free, it opens Friday to Sunday from 16:00 to 23:00 (closing an hour earlier on Sundays at 22:00), and the market is built around four distinct zones: Art à la Mode (wearable design), Art Indoor (paintings, prints, and sculptures), the outdoor performance amphitheatre, and the food and beverage court.
The layout is wide, well-lit with warm incandescent bulbs strung between trees, and genuinely pleasant to walk even in the peak-season heat. What sets Cicada apart from every other market in the region is the vendor curation. You cannot simply pay to set up a stall here. Every seller is a verified artisan or independent Thai designer, which means you will not find the same mass-produced keyrings and elephant-print fisherman trousers that flood other markets.
The coupon system is the one thing that catches first-timers off guard. Most food and drink stalls inside Cicada operate on pre-purchased coupons, bought in 100 THB (~$2.85) denominations at the box office near the entrance. It sounds inconvenient but it keeps the queuing fast. Budget 300 to 600 THB (~$8.60 to $17) in coupons for a relaxed evening of food and drinks, and keep a separate pocket of cash for the craft vendors, who accept baht directly.
What to Buy and Eat at Cicada:
The shopping here is genuinely different. Hand-thrown ceramics, batik-dyed textiles, hand-stitched leather goods, and original oil paintings sit alongside Thai jewellery designers and indie fashion labels. Prices reflect the craftsmanship: a ceramic bowl runs 350 to 900 THB (~$10 to $26), original prints start around 500 THB (~$14), and wearable pieces from local designers range from 600 to 2,500 THB (~$17 to $71).
The food court serves a curated mix of Thai and international dishes. Expect pad thai at 120 to 150 THB (~$3.40 to $4.30), grilled seafood plates from 180 THB (~$5.15), fresh fruit juices from 80 THB (~$2.30), and craft cocktails from 200 THB (~$5.70). Prices sit slightly above Tamarind but are still excellent value by any international standard. The live amphitheatre shows, ranging from acoustic sets to full bands and occasional magic acts, are entirely free to watch.
Book tours and cultural experiences from Hua Hin through Klook or Get Your Guide if you want to combine a market evening with a day of activity. Both platforms offer vetted operators for cycling tours, cooking classes, and nearby temple visits that pair well with a market night.
Combine your Cicada evening with a day trip or cooking class.
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Tamarind Market: Where Hua Hin Actually Eats
Tamarind sits immediately adjacent to Cicada on the Khao Takiab road and opens the same three nights: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from around 17:00 to 23:00. In scale it is enormous, covering roughly the area of two football pitches end to end. The layout is all open air, with long rows of food stalls feeding into a central seating zone filled with waxed concrete tables and benches.
No coupons. No pre-purchasing. You order at whichever stalls take your eye, grab whatever table is free, and wave down the next vendor who wanders past. It is the hawker-centre model done well, and it is exactly why expats and long-stay visitors gravitate here for dinner multiple times per week. The food range is almost absurd: classic Thai, Isaan barbecue, Taiwanese bao buns, fresh sashimi, pad kra pao, mango sticky rice, crepes, sushi rolls, woodfire pizza, craft beer, and fresh coconut ice cream.
What to Order at Tamarind:
Prices at Tamarind are the most compelling of the three markets. A full dinner for two, including drinks, routinely lands under 400 THB (~$11). Individual dishes to look for:
- Grilled pork skewers (moo ping): 15 to 25 THB (~$0.43 to $0.71) each
- Pad Thai at the busy corner stall: 70 to 100 THB (~$2 to $2.85)
- Fresh coconut ice cream: 60 to 80 THB (~$1.70 to $2.30)
- Taiwanese steamed bao buns (3 pieces): 100 to 130 THB (~$2.85 to $3.70)
- Cold fresh-squeezed fruit juice: 60 to 80 THB (~$1.70 to $2.30)
- Chang or Leo beer: 80 to 100 THB (~$2.30 to $2.85)
The live music stage runs most weekends, typically from around 19:00. Acts lean toward cover bands playing a mix of Thai pop and English rock, and the sound carries well across the seating area without becoming oppressive. Arrive by 18:00 on Saturdays to secure a table near the stage. Later arrivals on peak evenings will find tables further back or need to wait briefly.
One practical note: bring cash in small denominations. The 100 THB note is the workhorse here. Vendors may struggle to break a 1,000 THB note during the first hour of trading.
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Chatsila (Now Patio Oldtown): The Daily Market
The market that many visitors know as Chatsila Night Market has been revamped and rebranded as Patio Oldtown. It sits in central Hua Hin, directly across from Hua Hin Temple, accessible via the main Hua Hin Night Market walking street. The key difference from Cicada and Tamarind is the operating schedule: Patio Oldtown is open every day from around 17:00 to midnight, making it the go-to option on the four nights per week when the other two markets are dark.
The atmosphere sits somewhere between a comfortable food court and a curated night bazaar. The vibe is relaxed and slightly more grown-up than the walking street hustle just a few metres away. Stall density is lower, walkways are wider, and the light filtering through the old town buildings gives it a softer quality than the neon intensity of the main tourist strip.
What Makes Patio Oldtown Worth Visiting:
The food selection here is curated rather than comprehensive. You will not find forty noodle options, but what is here is consistently good. The rotisserie chicken stall near the main entrance has developed a genuine following among regular visitors and is usually the first thing to sell out. Mr. Moo grilled Thai pork is another regular destination, and the woodfire pizzas attract both expats and families looking for a reliable Western option.
Prices sit between Cicada and Tamarind, and the mix of food and crafts is better balanced than at either of the weekend markets. There is authentic handmade jewellery and locally produced goods alongside the standard souvenir fare. For longer-stay visitors and expats, Patio Oldtown scratches the itch on a quiet Tuesday when nowhere else is particularly lively.
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Food Price Comparison Across All Three Markets:
| Dish | Cicada (THB) | Tamarind (THB) | Patio Oldtown (THB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pad Thai | 120 to 150 (~$3.40 to $4.30) | 70 to 100 (~$2 to $2.85) | 90 to 120 (~$2.57 to $3.40) |
| Grilled meat skewer | 30 to 50 (~$0.85 to $1.40) | 15 to 25 (~$0.43 to $0.71) | 20 to 40 (~$0.57 to $1.14) |
| Fresh fruit juice | 80 to 120 (~$2.30 to $3.40) | 60 to 80 (~$1.70 to $2.30) | 70 to 90 (~$2 to $2.57) |
| Beer (Chang/Leo) | 120 to 150 (~$3.40 to $4.30) | 80 to 100 (~$2.30 to $2.85) | 90 to 120 (~$2.57 to $3.40) |
| Full dinner for two (est.) | 600 to 1,000 (~$17 to $28) | 300 to 500 (~$8.57 to $14) | 400 to 700 (~$11 to $20) |
Getting to the Markets: Transport from Hua Hin Centre
Cicada and Tamarind are located near Khao Takiab hill, roughly 4 to 5 kilometres south of the Hua Hin town centre. Patio Oldtown is in the heart of town and is walkable from most central hotels.
Options for reaching Cicada and Tamarind:
- Songtaew (shared pickup truck): 15 THB (~$0.43) per person from the Hua Hin Night Market. Runs every 10 to 15 minutes until around 20:00 to 21:00.
- Grab ride-hail: 80 to 120 THB (~$2.30 to $3.40) from the centre. Fixed price, no negotiation. Download the app and activate your Airalo, Yesim, or Saily eSIM data plan before you land in Thailand to handle the SMS verification code at the baggage carousel.
- Tuk-tuk (negotiated): Expect to pay 100 to 150 THB (~$2.85 to $4.30) one way. Agree the price before you get in.
- Rental motorbike or bicycle: Widely available in Hua Hin town from 200 to 350 THB (~$5.70 to $10) per day. The route south to Khao Takiab is flat and straightforward.
Car parking beside Tamarind costs 50 THB (~$1.43) per day, paid at the exit gate. On busy Saturday evenings, allow 10 to 15 minutes to find a space. A motorbike can park street-side at no charge.
Getting to Hua Hin from Bangkok: Planning Ahead
Hua Hin sits around 200 kilometres south of Bangkok. The journey takes roughly three hours by road, though the return trip on a Sunday evening or the end of a long public holiday weekend can extend to six hours or more in traffic. Book intercity buses and minivans through 12GO to lock in seats ahead of the national holiday surges when routes sell out fast.
If your flight into Bangkok is delayed, AirHelp is worth knowing about for compensation claims on EU and UK-regulated routes. For families or groups arriving directly at Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang and heading straight to Hua Hin, Welcome Pickups offers pre-arranged private transfers that eliminate the van-terminal scramble after a long flight.
Long-stay visitors and remote workers considering Hua Hin as a base should factor in SafetyWing for rolling travel medical coverage. The town has solid private hospital options, but international health cover gives you flexibility without tying you to a fixed policy period.
Where to Stay Near the Markets:
Staying close to Cicada and Tamarind puts you near the beach and the Khao Takiab area, which is quieter and more resort-focused than the town centre. The Hyatt Regency Hua Hin and Amari Hua Hin are both within a short walk of Cicada. Budget and mid-range guesthouses are plentiful along the Khao Takiab road from around 800 to 1,800 THB (~$23 to $51) per night.
For Patio Oldtown access on non-weekend nights, staying in the town centre near the Hua Hin Night Market is the better base. Check Agoda and Booking.com side by side for the Hua Hin market. Agoda tends to carry stronger inventory from local Thai guesthouses and smaller boutique hotels, while Booking.com is more reliable for international chain properties and longer cancellation windows.
Practical Tips for All Three Markets:
- Carry cash in small notes. Most stalls across all three markets do not accept cards. Thai ATMs charge a flat 220 THB (~$6.30) fee per foreign withdrawal, so draw a useful amount in one visit.
- At Cicada, buy your coupon allocation at the box office first. Start with 300 THB worth and top up if needed rather than over-buying.
- Arrive at Tamarind by 18:00 on Saturdays to claim a good table. After 19:30 on peak weekends the seating zone fills quickly.
- Wear comfortable footwear. The ground at all three markets is a mix of gravel, paving, and grass, especially around Cicada’s outer sections.
- The Cicada to Tamarind walk takes under two minutes. Plan to do both in the same evening.
- Mosquito repellent is recommended for the Cicada garden sections in the wet season (June to October).
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Frequently Asked Questions:
Is Cicada Market open every night in Hua Hin?
No. Cicada Market is open on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday only, from 16:00 to 23:00 (closing at 22:00 on Sundays). It is not open Monday through Thursday. For those mid-week evenings, Patio Oldtown (formerly Chatsila Market) in the town centre is open daily from around 17:00 to midnight.
Does Cicada Market use a coupon system?
Yes. Most food and drink stalls inside Cicada Market operate using pre-purchased coupons, sold at the box office near the entrance in 100 THB (~$2.85) denominations. Start with 300 THB worth and top up as needed. Shopping and craft vendors accept cash directly. Tamarind Market next door is entirely cash-based with no coupons.
Which market has the cheapest food in Hua Hin?
Tamarind Market consistently offers the best value of the three. A full dinner for two including drinks typically costs 300 to 500 THB (~$8.57 to $14). Individual dishes like pad thai run 70 to 100 THB (~$2 to $2.85) and grilled pork skewers are 15 to 25 THB (~$0.43 to $0.71) each. Cicada is slightly pricier, though still excellent value by international standards.
How do I get from Hua Hin town to Cicada and Tamarind Market?
The cheapest option is the shared songtaew (pickup truck) from the Hua Hin Night Market, which costs 15 THB (~$0.43) per person and runs every 10 to 15 minutes until around 20:00 or 21:00. A Grab ride-hail costs 80 to 120 THB (~$2.30 to $3.40) and runs later. Tuk-tuks are available for around 100 to 150 THB (~$2.85 to $4.30) one way. The journey is approximately 4 to 5 kilometres.
Can I visit both Cicada and Tamarind on the same evening?
Absolutely, and it is the recommended local strategy. The two markets are immediately adjacent to each other on Phet Kasem Road, less than a two-minute walk apart. The most popular approach is to arrive at Tamarind around 18:00 for dinner, then walk over to Cicada afterwards for shopping, the live performance, and a drink. Budget 600 to 1,200 THB (~$17 to $34) comfortably for both.
What has happened to Chatsila Night Market in Hua Hin?
Chatsila Night Market has been revamped and rebranded as Patio Oldtown. It is located in the same area of central Hua Hin, across from Hua Hin Temple and accessible via the Hua Hin Night Market walking street. It remains open daily from around 17:00 to midnight, with a curated mix of food stalls and crafts. Notable items include rotisserie chicken, Mr. Moo grilled pork, and woodfire pizza.
Is there parking at Tamarind Market?
Yes. A car parking area beside Tamarind Market costs 50 THB (~$1.43) per day, charged at the exit gate. On busy Saturday evenings, allow 10 to 15 minutes to find an available space as the area fills quickly. Motorbikes can generally park on the street side at no charge.
What is the best time to arrive at Tamarind Market?
For a relaxed evening with a good table, aim to arrive by 18:00, especially on Saturdays. After 19:30 on peak weekends the seating fills up and you may need to wait or sit further from the music stage. The food stalls are largely consistent throughout the evening, but fresh items like coconut ice cream and certain fruit selections tend to sell out earlier.
How do I get from Bangkok to Hua Hin?
The journey takes approximately three hours by road. Buses and minivans run regularly from Mo Chit bus terminal and Victory Monument in Bangkok. Book through 12GO to lock in seats ahead of long national holidays when routes fill quickly. The return journey on Sunday evenings can take six hours or more in traffic, so factor this into your plans. A train from Hua Lamphong is a slower but more relaxed option.
Is it worth visiting Cicada Market if I am not interested in shopping?
Yes. The food, atmosphere, and free live performances make Cicada worth a visit even if you have no intention of buying anything. The amphitheatre shows run most weekends and range from acoustic sets to full bands and occasional magic performances. Entry to the market is free. Combine it with Tamarind next door for food, and you have a complete and entertaining evening for well under 700 THB (~$20) per person.
