It's lively and fun. It's vibrant and exciting. It's a bar and a restaurant. It serves excellent Mediterranean and Thai cuisine. Its prices are incredibly reasonable. It's in the very heart of the bustling Chaweng Beach Road (opposite Chaweng Garden Beach Resort). And its name is Spagó.

There are hundreds of restaurants, bars and shops lining the narrow Chaweng Beach Road. With thousands of shopkeepers and businessowners enthusiastically trying to entice and cajole the passers-by into stopping for a moment to view their goods or step inside their restaurants. So when you first see Spagó, with its comfy chairs and tables along its wide frontage filled with people relaxing with drinks whilst they're watching the passing parade, you may well think that it's just a chic lounge bar. But it's not only that! There's a lot more to this special place, as I shall explain.

Although you're more than welcome to just go there for a drink or two, Spagó is also a restaurant. And an excellent one, at that. Step in from the road and you'll see there's a bar to the right, an impressive delicatessen-style display cabinet of cold cuts and international cheeses straight ahead, smart seating for thirty diners all around and a open staircase at the far right. And if you go up this staircase, you'll be in for a big, and exciting, surprise.

That's because when you reach the top of it you'll find yourself in a super-spacious 50-seater restaurant 'proper' that covers more than twice the space of the area below. And it's something you probably wouldn't have guessed at when you were strolling along the road, as most people don't look up above street level. Spagó is spread across the top of its own property and also over two adjacent ground-floor businesses. And the result is a perfect place for being in the heart of the action whilst being elevated above the 'rabble'!

Up here there's even more choices of seating, with sofa-style, traditional upright and even larger tables for groups of up to eight. And you can choose to sit on the expansive completely open decking area overlooking the street, or inside the gently illuminated interior where there are also large-screen TV's.

"… and Spago' is spread across the top of its own property and also
over two adjacent ground-floor businesses."

Although the menu is predominantly Mediterranean, there is a good selection of Thai classics, including the extremely popular Baked Pineapple Rice with curry powder and chicken or shrimp, served in a hollowed-out pineapple.

Particularly recommended main course dishes are both the refreshing Red Tuna Steak with fresh mango salsa, and the perfect Chicken alla Puttanesca – grilled breast of chicken covered with a mélange of tomatoes, black olives, capers and anchovies. And there are plenty of superb desserts to complete the dining experience, with the Coconut Panacotta served with mixed tropical fruit in coconut cream and the restaurant's signature dessert, Spagó Tiramisu with chocolate mousse, being prime examples.

Wine-lovers will be pleased to learn that there's a large walk-in wine cellar housing a great selection of bottles from around the world, with many from Italy, New Zealand and South Africa.

And after having finished your meal, there's no need to hurry off in search of a great bar – you're already there! Whether you're upstairs or downstairs, you'll be able to enjoy the sounds and atmosphere. And, what with the central location, delicious food at reasonable prices, second-tonone friendly service and all-inclusive entertainment, Spagó is a highly recommended Chaweng Beach Road restaurant.

Spagó is open from 10:00 am – midnight (main kitchen),
with pizzas being served until 1:00 pm.
For reservations and further information, telephone 0 7796 1648