Sai Sai

What is it? In Thai, sai means both ‘shaved’ and ‘honest’ – and Sai Sai brings the ethos at this shaved ice cafe in the old city near Rattanakosin island. Sourcing ingredients seasonally from local farmers and treats the kakigori format seriously, the menu rotates around whatever produce is at its best. They've tried everything from palm sugar and buffalo yoghurt to the tartly compelling mafai (garcinia cowa) fruit – all work incredibly well.

Why we love it: The seasonal tropical bowls, when the combination lands, can be revelatory: a recent blend of jackfruit, pineapple and garcinia cowa was sweet, sour and refreshing all at once, like the best fruit salad of your life but colder. The room is low-key and unpretentious, the vibe is local and unhurried and the prices won't freeze your account. 

Time Out tip: Ask what's in season and let the staff guide you – but if the watermelon and crispy fish bowl is on, order it without hesitation. The crunchy fish comes from Sai Buri in Pattani, the kind traditionally eaten with southern Thai rice salad and fish sauce. Sweet, salty, crunchy and cold – it's the most interesting bowl on the menu and the one that best shows what this kitchen is actually about.

242-244 Maha Chai Rd, Samran Rat, Phra Nakhon. Open daily 12pm-10pm