Best Cafes and Restaurants | The Ultimate List of Where to Eat on Koh Tao
After two months spent on the island of Koh Tao, there was one thing I did absolutely every day… EAT.
Koh Tao has too many delectable options when it comes to Thai and Western food.
To help you sort through all the options, I’ve compiled this ultimate list of all the best cafes and restaurants on Koh Tao. Tried and tested, there’s something here to suit all needs and every taste bud.
Must try Thai dishes
Pad Ka Pao (stir-fried basil) - One of my favorites! Basil minced pork served with rice and a fried egg. Traditionally this dish is made with pork, but you can substitute it for chicken or tofu. This dish usually has a kick so if you can’t handle the spice, be sure to ask for it ‘mai pet’ - this means no spice.
Pad Pak Ma Muang (cashew nut stir fry) - I love this dish! This one is essentially a stir fry with peppers, onion and cashews. You can order this dish either chicken, pork or tofu. Best to always order a side of rice and add a fried egg on top! You can order a fried egg with any dish by saying ‘kai dow’.
Massaman Curry (peanut & potato curry) - Another one of my favorites! This curry is creamy, nutty and loaded with carrots, potatoes and chicken. Order a side of rice and enjoy this hearty delicious curry!
Morning Glory (stir-fried spinach)- This dish may not always be the prettiest, but with an omelet and some rice, it’s a classic! Morning Glory is stir-fried water spinach, they sautee these greens in oyster sauce, soy sauce, garlic and chili. Another simple and delicious dish!
Pad Thai (stir-fried noodles) - I’m sure we’re all familiar with this one! This classic dish actually won’t be found everywhere in the country as it’s not traditionally Thai. The Western palette has inspired the creation of this dish, but in Thailand, it’s done right and it’s delicious. This dish consists of stir-fried noodles with the protein of your choice, bean sprouts, garlic chives, scrambled eggs, peanuts, chili, and a special sauce that gives it that distinct taste!
Som tam (papaya salad) - A staple at most restaurants, Som Tam is a crunch fresh salad made with unripened green papaya. This salad is tangy with fresh vegetables, green papaya, tomatoes, dried shrimp, fresh chili, and it's topped with peanuts. This fresh salad can sometimes be the spiciest thing on the menu so if you’re not a fan of the spice be sure to tell the staff.
Khao Soi (coconut curry) - A northern delicacy, this dish is only found in the northern towns and cities of Thailand. Places like Chiang Mai and Pai are famous for it because the dish actually originates from the neighboring country of Myanmar. Khao Soi is a spicy coconut curry filled with egg noodles, your choice of protein, shallots, pickled mustard greens and the signature crunchy egg noodles on top. This is one of my all-time favorite dishes, the flavor in this one is incredible!
Burmese Tea Leaf Salad - This dish is not always found in most restaurants and like Khao Soi, it originates from the neighboring country of Myanmar or formerly known as Burma. This salad is made up of fermented tea leaves, cabbage, garlic, green onion, crunchy yellow split peas, tomatoes and a squeeze of lime. So delicious and fresh, a must try!
Penang Curry - A classic Thai dish and another favorite. This curry has some similarities to a Massaman but tends to be a little spicier and a little less nutty. Penang is a Thai red curry that’s nutty, tangy and spicy. The curry will have loads of fresh bell peppers, ginger, lemongrass, coriander, cumin and your choice of protein inside. Penang is less spicy than a traditional red curry, definitely try this one!
Pad Siew or ‘See Eew’ ( thick noodle stir-fry) - Another stir-fried noodle dish, the rice noodle in this dish is wide and soft giving it that distinct chewiness. The dish is stir-fried with plenty of vegetables, bok choy, scrambled egg, garlic, soy sauce and your choice of protein. This dish is not traditionally spicy so it’s a safe bet for anyone who can’t handle the heat!
AUTHENTIC THAI FOOD
* Click on the name of each place to save the location on your google maps. *
Tree House Cafe
My favorite Thai restaurant on the island, this adorable gem is a little off the beaten path, you’ll need to either walk or drive to this spot as it won’t be found central in town. As it sounds, this restaurant is up in the trees and offers a gorgeous view of the bays below. It’s open from 11 am to 3 pm and then 5 pm to 10 pm, and closed on Tuesdays. Try the Massaman Curry and Pad Ka Pao, they’re my favorite.
995 Roasted Duck
You cannot come to Koh Tao without going to 995. The tiny kitchens in Thailand never cease to amaze me, it doesn’t take much to crank out unreal food in this country. 995 is famous for its duck and soybean sauce. The duck is the star of the show and the price makes it taste even better, a cheap and delicious meal. At one of the main junctions in town, 995 is central in Sairee. This is a must-taste!
Infinity Thai
This Thai restaurant has great food and great prices! It’s located closer to the main pier and has its own take on Thailand’s classic dishes. My favorite dish here was the garlic chicken with a side of rice and a fried egg on top! Definitely hit this restaurant up!
Bella Thai Food
A goodie of a little place, you can find this local restaurant on the walking street that runs parallel to Sairee Beach. Bella has a big menu full of all the classic Thai dishes you look for and they even include some Western options. This isn’t the cheapest place for Thai food but you’ll definitely find lower prices here compared to other Western cafes and restaurants.
Pork Leg
Cheap and cheerful, this restaurant is authentic in its local dishes and the flavor comes at a cheap price. Known for its crispy pork (hence the name), this place does every dish simply and as it should be. Just up the road from 995, Pork Leg is easy to get to and central in Sairee.
CAFES AND BREAKFAST
* Click on the name of each place to save the location on your google maps. *
The Factory Cafe
I’m not vegan or vegetarian, I just like good food. The Factory is an all-vegan and vegetarian cafe that almost convinced this carnivore to go without meat. You don’t miss anything in these dishes, they also have fully vegan baked goods and really refreshing infused water and juices. Good coffee and good food, the forever-big crowd at this cafe is a telltale sign that it’s a goodie. Try the nourish bowl and some fresh banana bread, always my go-to. Open early at 7:30 and shut at 5 pm.
Cafe Culture
A beautiful cafe that puts you RIGHT on the water. Cafe Culture gives one of the better views in Sairee. They have a great price on a cheeky little Aperol Spritz and some good all-around food. The Eggs Royale, salads and sandwiches are always fresh and excellent. Open from 8:15 am to 7 pm.
Blue Water
Another cafe right on the beach, Blue Water is a cafe that also offers up a bit of a night vibe by playing some live music in the evening. Open and airy to the outdoors, they’ve got some delicious smoothie bowls, avocado toast and you have to try the tacos. Open all day, 9 am to midnight.
New Heaven
Two words, salmon. bagel. If you’re craving a naughty little bagel breakfast sandwich, New Heaven is the go-to. I wonder how many bagels I’ve eaten in this cafe…probably too many. They have a lovely menu of options and offer lunch specials daily throughout the week, specials vary from brisket mac and cheese to fusion bao buns. I love this spot, great for breakfast options and delicious coffee. Central in Sairee and located on the walking street, right near the beach. Open from 9 am to 5:30 pm.
Nui
Another great breakfast option and they bake all their own fresh bread on site. You can find loads of great breakfast options and delicious sandwiches. Nui is located between New Factory and Vegetabowl, making this street a great little spot for some food options. I love the Feta sandwich here!
French Market
The fresh pastries here are to DIE FOR. I am an absolute sucker for a fresh pastry and coffee and at French Market, they know what they’re doing. They actually offer a discounted price on ALL pastries after 4 pm, buy one get one pastry for only 80 baht, it’s such a great deal. French Market is also a full restaurant with delicious salads, fresh oven-baked pizzas and a complete cellar of wine. My favorite pastry was the almond croissant!
Living Juices Yoga & Cafe
I love this adorable little cafe and it’s just as it sounds. This cafe is also a yoga studio and they offer daily classes for just 200 baht. After class, you can pop downstairs to have an incredible smoothie bowl and fresh pressed juice or a coffee. They also offer juice cleanses and can guide you through the whole process of a juice cleanse if it's your first time.
Vegetabowl
One word, FRESH. I loved this little lunch spot and it was a go-to when I just wanted to feel good about what I was putting in my body. Vegetabowl is 100% vegan and you wouldn’t even know it with how delicious and packed their bowls are. You can choose to have a rice base, salad or both. They also do sushi burritos and tacos, the menu has some really creative options. My favorites were the Falafel bowl and the sushi burrito!
WESTERN OPTIONS FOR DINNER
* Click on the name of each place to save the location on your google maps. *
Barracuda
This is where you want to go for a nicer meal and it’s still an incredible price! Barracuda has freshly caught seafood and loads of veggie and vegetarian options. You can order massive seafood platters and share your chosen set of tapas. The patio seating allows for a gorgeous sunset view and they usually have live music for that perfect ambiance. This was my favorite spot for a nice meal, definitely go here!
Munchies Sushi
One of the few options on the island for sushi, this place is located right next to French Market, you can sit outside and watch the world go by. They have plenty of classic rolls and even have some veggie rolls for those who aren’t fond of fish. A fresh and delicious lunch, sushi always leaves me feeling good.
La Pizzeria De Claudio
This is some good authentic pizza! There are a few options for pizza on the island but this one wins it for me. La Pizzeria does a classic Italian pizza right with plenty of options for toppings and even main dishes like pasta and lasagna. On Saturday nights, they have excellent live music so the vibe is great to sit in and eat. Oh and don’t forget the glass of wine!
Milk & Honey
This little gem is hidden away from the main streets but it’s a gem without a doubt. This is some proper middle eastern food with fresh warm pita, tons of small plate options and the best hummus and falafel on the island! If you're a hummus fan, you have to go here!
Mediterranean Bistro
Located just off Sairee Beach, this little Mediteranean-Italian fusion restaurant is delicious! It offers some great options for med- cuisine but also some fresh pizza and pasta. They also have plenty of wine options for when you need a break from the Chang.
Koppee Espresso Bar & Restaurant
One of my absolute favorites, this restaurant and cafe is gorgeous! It’s located on Chalok Bay so it’s much quieter and it sits right on the beach. They have a stunning pool, lounge area and the ocean is only a few steps away. If you time it right, you can watch the sunset without all the people and it’s truly stunning. The food here is also incredible, Thai and Western options with delicious cocktails and a pretty good happy hour deal. I love their hummus and feta sandwich!
Noodles and Dumplings
This restaurant has two locations on the island, one near the pier and the other up the road from Sairee Beach. The place is owned by a sweet Chinese family and the food here is authentic! The noodles and dumplings are so good, the dishes are simple and made fresh to order. We visited here multiple times, I’m a bit of a dumpling girl.
Hippo Burger
If you’re looking for an authentic American-styled burger, Hippo is where you’ll want to go. They have loads of interesting options and even have a veggie burger on the menu for the no-meat-eaters. Great fries, great burgers and a great overall experience!
ON THE BEACH OR WITH A VIEW
* Click on the name of each place to save the location on your google maps. *
Fizz Beach Lounge
This restaurant puts you right on Sairee Beach and has some really nice dinner and cocktail options. A great place to watch the sunset as they put big bean bags out on the sand. Grab a cocktail here and watch the sun go down. A little on the pricier side but it is very lovely and you get what you pay for.
Seashell Resort
Right in the middle of all the action on Sairee Beach, this resort restaurant is budget friendly and has plenty of seating options. They are open all day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The food here is basic but gets the job done. The staff here is so lovely and they do a great happy hour deal for some drinks during sunset. This is probably where you can find the cheapest glass of wine.
Sairee Hut
This restaurant belongs to a resort and it’s on here because seating is on the beach beneath a gorgeous big tree that’s covered in lights. It’s lovely in the evening and a great spot for the sunset. The food here is just average, it’s cheap and decent enough but nothing special.
Sairee Cottage Restaurant
The food here is alright, it’s a decent price and they do some great kabobs of barbecued meat on the grill. This is a great spot for sunset with plenty of seating and you’re right on Sairee Beach.
Whitening
The restaurant is on the pricier side but they do some delicious cocktails and it’s a gorgeous restaurant. Everything is all white and they put loads of tables out on the sand in the evening, a great spot for watching the sun go down.
Charcoal Bay Wine and Grill
Pricier than some other places, this restaurant is right on Sairee Beach and serves up freshly caught seafood.
Cafe Culture
This cafe appears many times on the list and for good reason. It’s a beautiful cafe that puts you RIGHT on the water. Cafe Culture gives one of the better views in Sairee. They have a great price on a cheeky little Aperol Spritz and some good all-around food. The Eggs Royale, rice bowls, salads and sandwiches are always fresh and excellent. Open from 8:15 am to 7 pm, a great spot for sunset!
Koppee Espresso Bar & Restaurant
One of my absolute favorites, this restaurant and cafe is gorgeous! It’s located on Chalok Bay so it’s much quieter and it sits right on the beach. They have a stunning pool, lounge area and the ocean is only a few steps away. If you time it right, you can watch the sunset without all the people and it’s truly stunning. The food here is also incredible, Thai and Western options with delicious cocktails and a pretty good happy hour deal. I love their hummus and feta sandwich!
Breeze
This spot is a little tucked away off the main roads, located near the pier and right on the beach. They’re open all day and breakfast options here are great and really fresh tasting. They have a lovely patio for seating and the staff is so welcoming. They do some great avocado toast and the prices here are really great.
Horizon Morn
This little cafe is up on a hill all on its own and it gives an incredible view of the east side of the island. We stopped here along a few of our motorbike drives for a little beverage and a nice view. They serve some classic Thai dishes and plenty of beverages, coffee, beer and shakes.
Barracuda
Listed again on this list, this is where you want to go for a nicer meal and it’s still an incredible price! Barracuda has incredibly fresh seafood and loads of veggie and vegetarian options. You can order massive seafood platters and share tapas at a really great price. The patio seating allows for a gorgeous sunset view and they usually have live music for that perfect ambiance. This was my favorite spot for a nice meal, definitely go here!
BEST FOR WORKING SPACE
* Click on the name of each place to save the location on your google maps. *
Blue Water
Listed above as well, this cafe is right on the beach. Blue Water is a cafe that also offers up a restaurant and working space vibe. Open and airy to the outdoors, they’ve got some delicious smoothie bowls, avocado toast and you have to try the tacos. Open all day, 9am to midnight. You’ll find people working on their computers within sight of the ocean and upstairs they have an aircon workspace, with plenty of tables and outlets. No fee to work here, just buy a coffee or some food and work away! I worked here often.
New Heaven
Another cafe that is already mentioned above - this cafe is one of my favorites because of its salmon bagel breakfast sandwich. New Heaven was often my go-to. I love this spot, great for breakfast options and delicious coffee. Central in Sairee and located on the walking street, right near the beach. Open from 9 am to 5:30 pm. The only thing to note is that there aren’t any outlets here, so I always made sure I was charged up prior to setting up at this cafe.
Cafe Culture
A beautiful cafe that puts you RIGHT on the water. Cafe Culture gives one of the better views in Sairee. They have a great price on a cheeky little Aperol Spritz and some good all-around food. The Eggs Royale, salads and sandwiches are always fresh and excellent. Open from 8:15 am to 7 pm. Because this is a popular cafe, it can get busy at prime eating times and outlets are not available at every seat.
BlackTip
This lovely cafe is a dedicated co-working space that also has an incredible fresh cooking cafe. It’s tucked away off the main roads and if you prefer a quiet place where you can really buckle down and focus, this is a great spot. The food here is super healthy and fresh, the coffee is great and it’s pretty nice to be in a space working with others. Black Tip offers daily, weekly and monthly prices for the aircon workspace, with this you receive a discount on the food. Or you can just show up pay for some food and work at the tables outside. Lots of tables, outlets and good chairs. You can also pay daily to work in the aircon workspace and you receive 100 baht towards food and drink at the cafe which is a great deal! They also offer ice baths on-site.
Tao Hub
This is the only fully dedicated co-working space that is not a restaurant and does not sell food on-site. You are free to buy food elsewhere and bring it in with you but there is a fee to enter. You can pay daily, weekly or monthly. Between Black Tip and Tao Hub, this one has more expensive fees. This working space is one of the more social places to work with the option to work outside or inside with air-con. Plenty of outlets and big tables.
You Might Also Like:
In 2020 the pandemic flipped the world upside down and it wasn’t until recently that life resumed its old ways. Today, the effects of the pandemic still linger and affect us each in our own way. Covid challenged my patience and resolve, as it did for most of us. In the end, the virus gifted many of us with new insights and perspectives. In the end, many lessons were learned.