Taboon Restaurant and Cafe — Restaurant in Surat Thani Province

The restaurant exists to promote the middle eastern cuisine and provides a safe space to have a siesta/food coma nap or to study whilst sipping on a beverage. Staff are friendly and enthusiastic and about the menu. Dining tables with chairs or floor cushions provided. Dog-friendly (on leash only I think?). There are a few condiments on the table as well as insect repellent (amazing!)

First time, I ordered the tabbouleh (wasn't authentic as there were chunks of parsley and needed more zest/lemon) however was still enjoyable to eat. I had 2 pieces of lamb which were disappointingly very small but deliciously tender and cooked to medium-rare. If you're a pickled vegetables fan, you can't go past their homemade pickled cucumbers to help balance your tastebuds. Their spicy green dip had a subtle kick and doesn't have a dominant flavour so it's best as a mix-in, than a dip per se. Coconut water fresh in its shell comes with a straw and spoon however the coconut was warm (usually street coconut can be served from fridge) and because it was so young and green I couldn't scoop out much flesh. Was still delicious.

The second time I came was two days after. I was greeted with a friendly smile again, I ordered lamb grilled plate with fries (yummy), small additional Israeli salad, hummus dip and home made pickles. I was told it would be a 15-20min wait but the grilled plate arrived in 10mins and generously portioned. The chips and grilled veggies didn't taste seasoned with salt however the mayo, mustard and hummus helped alot. The lamb was delicious and succulent as always. The Israeli salad sadly just tasted like oil doused on cabbage, cucumber, tomatoes and some mint leaves. Not a bad meal if you're watching your...

Clara Jensen, took over 1500 USD of products from me (tinctures, infused oils and silver jewlery from India) to stock in her restaurant and has not paid me a single cent and refused to return the products. I know she struggles deeply with her mental health due to some adverse childhood experiences however this is not an excuse as she is now a grown woman. She confided in me about abuse she claims to have suffered from at the hands of her ex and business partner and I was quite surprised by her claims. As I have known him for some years and shared a casual friendship and had a very different experience with him. She then asked me what my experience with him was to which I responded to her that I am really sorry to hear about her experience but min was very different he has been a good friend to me and always respectful to me in our interactions. After this exchanged Clara's whole energy changed, she started to act very agitated, and after I left the island, she proceeded to steal all my products, as well as a set of house keys that was meant to be kept in taboon in case the pet sitter...

Everything we ordered was mediocre 😕

Dips platter w like 5 different dips, figured was safe bet and at least one dip would be ok? Nope 👎 all of them just MEH 😑 Babaganoush is one of my favorites usually, but not this one. Boring flavor, just not yummy at all. Also: no hot sauce or anything spicy.

Mixed grill platter w lamb, chicken & veggies:

Lamb kebab was ok? Def the best of what we ordered, but that’s not saying much.

“Grilled” chicken was bland and flavorless, zero spices, zero “grilled flavor,” tasted like it was fried in a pan without even salt or pepper.

Zatar bread was lacking enough herbs and spices to actually be called zatar bread.

The only thing that was actually good out of 1500 baht of food was the Greek salad.

Both my friend and myself were very much not impressed with this place ☹️ Boring flavors. Mediocre overall.

Compared to proper middle eastern restaurants, (I’ve eaten at quite a few, all over the world) this place sadly just doesn’t hold up. Had high hopes with all the good reviews. Definitely won’t...