Krabi - Eat
TOP 10 KRABI RESTAURANTS
1 KRABI TOWN RESTAURANTS & DINING
Krabi Town is a ‘real’ Thai town and as such its street food reflects the Thai experience. You’ll find many ambulant and semi-permanent food stands along Maharat Road and its offshoots at night, all selling noodles, grilled meats and boiled sweet corn as well as Sino-Thai dishes that are as spicy as they are sweet. The centre of town isn’t very big and wandering around looking for a place to eat is not too physically demanding.
Bluejuice
What Bluejuice lacks in finesse in its cooking it more than makes up with a warm welcome, healthy menu choices and atmosphere. Also serving as a guesthouse and an extremely popular dive shop, it’s not hard to meet people at Bluejuice. With robust jacket potatoes, meaty club sandwiches and natural vegetable soups this is the place to dine if you’re health conscious. Occasional live music, a pool table and impromptu parties keep the restaurant popular.
Opening Hours: 08:00 – 23:00 Location: Chaofa Road Tel: +66 (0)75 623 185
Cuisine: Thai, Western
Opening Hours: 08:00 – 23:00 Location: Chaofa Road Tel: +66 (0)75 623 185
Cuisine: Thai, Western
Choke Dee
Making the corner of Uttarakit and Chaofa roads, Choke Dee doubles as a travel agency and is conveniently located near to both the river and town. Thai food served with warmth, snacks, cold beers and good people watching are just some of the reasons Choke Dee is popular with travellers. Opening Hours: 08:00 – 23:00 Location: Uttarikit Road Tel: +66 (0)75 630 226
Cuisine: Thai, international
Cuisine: Thai, international
Firenze
Featuring a wide-ranging menu of pizzas and pastas, Firenze caters to the needs of the many riverside visitors and locals. Another good people-watching spot, relax with a 90-baht glass of house wine while taking in the world passing by.
Opening Hours: 11:00 – 23:00
Location: Uttarikit Road
Cuisine: Italian
Opening Hours: 11:00 – 23:00
Location: Uttarikit Road
Cuisine: Italian
Gusto
Gusto is an Italian-tinged Thai restaurant that is part of a guesthouse and travel agency situated on the same street as May & Mark. It serves the usual pasta and pizza dishes and is open sided, thus a good place to take in the sights and the sounds of rustic Krabi Town. Friendly staff round off its personality.
Opening Hours: 08:30 – 22:00 Location: Maharaj Soi 2 Tel: +66 (0)75 612 392
Cuisine: Thai/Italian
Opening Hours: 08:30 – 22:00 Location: Maharaj Soi 2 Tel: +66 (0)75 612 392
Cuisine: Thai/Italian
May & Mark Restaurant
The remarkable Thai couple who run this restaurant/bakery named it after their children. A big favourite with the backpacker crowd, May & Mark does all the basic Thai dishes plus Mexican and farang-style food (taught to them by passing-through travellers) with enthusiasm. There’s even a vegetarian menu and a good selection of breads so do try a sandwich. With a cheerful ‘can do’ attitude and friendly welcome, May & Mark is a recommended place to try in Krabi Town. Opening Hours: 08:00 – 23:00 Location: Maharaj Soi 2 Tel: +66 (0)75 612 562 Cuisine: ‘Round the world’
Takola Restaurant
Krabi Town may not be known for its culinary inventiveness but it does have a few Aces up its sleeve, one of which is Takola, a chic eatery on the outskirts of the town. Takola is a relative newcomer to Krabi’s dining scene and while it trades tradition for trendiness and old-fashioned charm for chic it still delivers great Thai and Chinese food the way it should be prepared. Read Takola Restaurant review...
Opening Hours: 06:00 – 23:30 daily Location: Utarakit Road, at the entrance of Krabi Town
Tel: +66 (0)75 620 872 Cuisine: Modern Thai/Chinese
Opening Hours: 06:00 – 23:30 daily Location: Utarakit Road, at the entrance of Krabi Town
Tel: +66 (0)75 620 872 Cuisine: Modern Thai/Chinese
Viva da Renato
The doyen of Italian eateries in Krabi, Viva has been open for quite a few years and has prospered accordingly. Italian owner Renato is an extremely affable character and runs a tight, professional yet friendly ship. With homemade pastas and daily fresh-baked bread, 100% organic olive oil, a good and exclusively Italian wine list, plenty of space in a central location, Viva is a winner. Try the vegetarian pizza, it’s good…
Opening Hours: 10:00 – 23:00 Location: 29 Pruksa Utit Road, between Maharat and the river Tel: +66 (0)75 630 517 Cuisine: Italian
Opening Hours: 10:00 – 23:00 Location: 29 Pruksa Utit Road, between Maharat and the river Tel: +66 (0)75 630 517 Cuisine: Italian
2 AO NANG RESTAURANTS & DINING
One of the best things about dining out in Ao Nang is the fact that everything is just a short stroll away. The main esplanade is no more than 450 metres long so if you fancy having a look around for a restaurant that suits your style/wallet there’s absolutely no need for a taxi unless it’s raining. To be frank, the area is not a fine-dining destination but there is a good, healthy range of hearty holiday fare to choose from, including Thai, Indian, Italian, British, American and Mexican food. As, at the last count, there weren’t many bone fide Mexicans living in Ao Nang expect ‘interpretations’ of dishes yet this doesn’t necessarily mean nasty nachos and bad burritos. This is also true of Italian restaurants – many of which are run by Indians. However there’s good pub food to be had, scintillating seafood and genuine Thai fare.
Azzurra
Azzurra bills itself as a, ‘authentic Italian restaurant’ for good reason; the owner is Italian and makes sure the fare is genuine and not just tomato sauce thrown on overcooked pasta. Here, you’ll find a wide assortment of pastas, pizzas, breads, focaccia, soups (try the creamy carrot soup), cheeses, yoghurts and more. It may be justifiable to charge above-normal rates for imported Italian food articles but unfortunately Azzura’s Thai food is also fearsomely priced. The wine, however, is not and the quality of food (nothing is prepared in advance) makes Azzurra probably the best Italian in Ao Nang. Opening Hours: 11:00 – 22:00 Location: Central Beach Road
Tel: +66 (0) 75 637 848 Cuisine: Italian, Thai
Tel: +66 (0) 75 637 848 Cuisine: Italian, Thai
Bamboo & Thatch Dining
Further up the airport road on the right stand eight bamboo and thatch bars/restaurants serving typical Thai dishes such as chicken fried rice, phad thai, and tom yam goong with ice-cold beers at very affordable prices. Things can get a bit noisy later on in the evening but in a happy-go-lucky sort of way and the good thing about this environment is that it’s a shared experience. Even though prices are geared to Ao Nang standards, this is nevertheless a real Thai experience and a lot more genuine than the tourist-orientated beachfront venues.
Blue Mango
This snazzy looking 100-cover restaurant flanks the road heading out to Nopparat Thara Beach and serves Swedish, Italian and Thai fare. There is a decent-looking wine list here with labels at reasonable rates (for Thailand) and a fully stocked bar. Swedish owned, the restaurant aims at families and has set up a children’s menu, a play area (unique to Ao Nang) for bored junior diners, with DVD’s and a comfy sofa.
Opening Hours: 08:00 – 23:00 Location: Beach Road opposite Krabi Resort’s main gates Tel: +66 (0) 75 637 689 Cuisine: Swedish, Thai and International
Opening Hours: 08:00 – 23:00 Location: Beach Road opposite Krabi Resort’s main gates Tel: +66 (0) 75 637 689 Cuisine: Swedish, Thai and International
Blue Orchid
Blue Orchid aims to please, and perhaps it tries a little too hard as it serves Thai food, seafood, Mexican and international dishes all under one roof – things must get confusing in the kitchen... Still, it’s an attractive looking establishment with a light-blue-and-white colour theme running throughout and an airy, clean feel to it. Plus, it’s located on a walking street away from Ao Nang’s persistent traffic.
Opening Hours: 10:00 – 22:00 Location: On Walking Street, southern Beach Road
Tel: +66 (0) 75 637 953 Cuisine: Thai, Mexican, Seafood, International
Opening Hours: 10:00 – 22:00 Location: On Walking Street, southern Beach Road
Tel: +66 (0) 75 637 953 Cuisine: Thai, Mexican, Seafood, International
Burger King
Its central location and 24-hour service make Burger King a must for junk food aficionados.
Opening Hours: 24/24
Location: Central Beach Road
Cuisine: Fast Food
Opening Hours: 24/24
Location: Central Beach Road
Cuisine: Fast Food
Eden
As far as out-and-out tourist oriented restaurants go Eden does a good job. With a fairly extensive Thai menu, sufficient space and staff members, good ventilation and views, Eden delivers the goods at prices slightly higher than its competitors.
Opening Hours: 11:00 – 23:00 Location: Central Beach Road Tel: +66 (0) 75 638 074-5 Cuisine: Thai, International
Opening Hours: 11:00 – 23:00 Location: Central Beach Road Tel: +66 (0) 75 638 074-5 Cuisine: Thai, International
Tanta's Seafood
Situated where the road to the airport turns away from the beach, Tanta is a raised wooden themed open-sided eatery with plenty of fans, a picture menu, uniformed staff and a constant busy buzz to it. It’s also a breakfast location and majors in Thai food and, like almost everywhere else in Ao Nang, with Italian on the side. Tanta is popular with visitors because it’s busy. The service is definitely friendly but you’ll have to make heavy use of the picture menu to make sure you get the right order as the service can get a little mixed up…
Opening Hours: 08:00 – 23:00 Location: Southern Beach Road, near long-tail boats ticket booth Tel: +66 (0) 75 695 606 Cuisine: Thai, International
Opening Hours: 08:00 – 23:00 Location: Southern Beach Road, near long-tail boats ticket booth Tel: +66 (0) 75 695 606 Cuisine: Thai, International
La Luna
One of Ao Nang’s ‘genuine’ Italian restaurants, La Luna is a popular spot for diners and has worked its way into the upper echelons of Ao Nang dining circles. The restaurant has two floors, which makes it a good people-watching spot and is run by an Italian and Thai husband-and-wife team. Generous helpings and reasonably priced house wine keeps it buzzing with repeat customers plus La Luna offers regular promotions. Opening Hours: 10:30 – 23:30 Location: Beach Road near Blue Mango Tel: +66 (0) 75 695 308 Cuisine: Italian & Thai
Thailandia
Ubiquitous to Southeast Asia but a novelty in Ao Nang, a food court is a real experience. Thailandia Food Court features 11 food stands selling boiled chicken and rice, barbecued meats, sweet Thai desserts, pre-prepared curries and a host of culinary delights. The court has wall-mounted TVs showing Thai soaps and sports and has seating for over 100 people. To purchase food, buy a computerized card from the kiosk for over the value of your meal(s) and redeem the change when the food stall owners have ‘swiped’ your card. It’s a bit of a noisy affair but the food is tasty, cheap and hygienically prepared and displayed. Opening Hours: 09:00 – 22:00 Location: ‘Airport Road’ leading out of Ao Nang towards Krabi Town Cuisine: Thai fast food
The Last Café
If you carry on walking down the beach towards Railay you’ll come to several open-sided beach huts containing many massage mattresses and you’ll be asked several hundred times if you’d like a massage. Assuming that you make it through you’ll come to a place called The Last Café where you can get a good barbecued meal with rice and a cold brew to watch the sun go down. It’s a friendly location and those in the know end up repeat customers. Run by dreadlocked Rastafarians, the music is chill out, the stars are your ceiling and the sea breezes the only ventilation. Opening Hours: 11:00 – late Location: Southern end of Ao Nang Beach Cuisine: Barbecues, Thai
The Lareira
Brazilian steakhouse located right on Ao Nang's beach promenade with a wide variety of rotisserie grilled meats, a gourmet salad bar, Brazilian appetizers and exotic cocktails. For a fixed price guests can enjoy unlimited food in an extraordinary, intimate environment. Enjoy a Caipirinha while listening to Brazilian music. Opening Hours: 07:00 – 23:00 Location: The L Resort Krabi, Beach Road Cuisine: Steakhouse, Brazilian, International
Thai Food Stalls
Outside Krabi Resort on the street you will see several mobile and semi-permanent food stalls selling Thai dishes at a fraction of what they cost inside the surrounding resorts. If you don’t mind getting a takeaway or sitting on gaily coloured plastic chairs at rickety tables you can enjoy such delights as som tam (green papaya salad), Thai pancakes, rotis, sticky rice, phad thai, grilled fish, pork and chicken, exotic-looking desserts and chilled coffee. Nip over the road and grab a beer from one of the minimarts if you feel like it; there’s no rule to prevent you. Relax… this is Thailand.
Seafood Street
Let’s face it; Ao Nang’s a seafood lover’s heaven – a veritable smorgasbord of all things marine and tasty. The heart of all this white-flesh trading is on the aptly-named Seafood Street. Overlooking the north part of Ao Nang Beach, adjacent to the Krabi Resort, Seafood Street comprises five large open-air and covered eateries and it is the ideal place to chill out, enjoy some crisp white wine and dig into baked lobster, steamed fish, mussels, crab curry – all the while watching the golden globe sink into the Andaman in a crazy splash of red, scarlet, orange and yellow. The best-run of these restaurants seems to be the Italian-run Sala Bua which boasts two separate Thai and Italian open kitchens and an accomplished wine list of over 40 labels. As this is a popular sunset-viewing spot it’s best to try to get there early. Sunset is at 18:30 in high season so plan accordingly.
Little America
Up the ‘Airport Road’ (the road leading out from Ao Nang towards Krabi Town) there is a cluster of new buildings housing fast food companies such as McDonalds, Subway, Pizza Company, Swenson’s and Starbucks. These are all located directly underneath Ao Nang Cliff Beach Resort. Starbucks actually has an outside sitting area but it is too hot to use under the morning sun.
Lae Lay Grill
If you’re a seafood aficionado and find yourself in Ao Nang you’re in for a pleasant surprise. Almost every restaurant in the area sells spanking fresh shrimp, crab, squid, sea bass, red snapper and much, much more but perhaps the Big Daddy of all Ao Nang seafood restaurants is Lae Lay Grill just to the north of Ao Nang. Opening Hours: 11:00 – 22:00 daily Address: 89, Moo 3 Ao Nang Tel: +66 (0) 75 661 588 Cuisine: Thai/Seafood
RECOMMENDED RESTAURANTS IN PHI PHI ISLAND
PHI PHI RESTAURANTS
Seafood is the star attraction on Phi Phi with many places displaying the day's catch as an effective way to attract customers. But Thai and Western options, from quick grab-and-go snacks to candlelit meals, are also easy to find and Tonsai Village is the centre of the Phi Phi dining universe. Whether indoors, outdoors, or places that blur the line between the two, there are plenty of restaurants with sumptuous selections. A trek towards Long Beach, down the footpath that more or less follows the sea, will turn up a dozen more eating options.
Le Grand Bleu
Enjoying its reputation as the best stand-alone restaurant on the island, Le Grand Bleu is a French class act with a tiny slice of Thai and has been catering to fine-dining tastes since 1992 – an eternity by Phi Phi standards. Open: 18:30 – 23:00 Location: Tonsai Main Street towards the pier Tel: 081 979 9739 Cuisine: French and Thai
Pee Pee Bakery
This cult-status Phi Phi old-timer has a quaintly rickety touch to it. With an upstairs and a downstairs fan-cooled part, here’s where you can score homemade buns, croissants, pizzas, muffins, and even steaks and salads. Open: 07:30 – 21:00 Location: 100 metres from the pier on Tonsai Village’s Main Street Cuisine: Bakery/restaurant
TONSAI SEAFOOD - PHI PHI ISLAND - TONSAI VILLAGE RESTAURANTS & DINING
Tonsai Bay is a bustling and colourful place at most times of day. But when the sun sinks into the Andaman Sea and the lights go up along the coastline there is a tangible sense of magic in the air. Tonsai Seafood is right in the heart of all this fairylike seaside sorcery and, like a fairy’s magic wand, the restaurant glistens and glitters with bright lights
Matt’s Joint
Matt’s gets busy because of the popularity of its grilled food and its generous portions. Steaks and Australian burgers are the big draws here but you can also score fresh fish. There’s a modest but good quality selection of Aussie wines. Matt’s is a good place to take in the street goings on. Open: 12:00 – 23:00 Location: Central Tonsai Cuisine: Grill
La Piazzetta
One of the few restaurants on the island that actually takes its food seriously, La Piazzetta is a small eatery with high bamboo stools and tables, 13 different types of pizzas, pastas and an all-Italian wine list. Tastefully fitted out and with a German/Italian owner, this place is worth a try. Open: 11:00 – 14:00, 18:00 – 23:00 Location: Central Tonsai Cuisine: Italian trattoria
Anna’s
With a pleasantly personal feel, Anna’s could be described as a family-run restaurant. Cooled by ceiling fans and with friendly English-speaking staff, it’s one of the better places to eat on Phi Phi. Open: 07:30 – late Location: Next to Moskito Diving, Central TonsaiCuisine: International
Rayavadee Resort
Raitalay Terrace
Raitalay Terrace offers a Mediterranean-inspired menu in a stylish beachside setting. Open for lunch and dinner, Raitalay Terrace is also conveniently situated next to our free-form infinity pool and offers
stunning views over Railay Beach.
Service hours : 11:00 hrs. – 23.00 hrs.
stunning views over Railay Beach.
Service hours : 11:00 hrs. – 23.00 hrs.
Krua Phranang
Stroll along a moonlit path to Phranang Beach and experience the ultimate dinner by the sea at Krua Phranang, the resort's romantic Thai restaurant. Enjoy a menu of classic Thai dishes with specials that include delicious curries, salads, soups, seafood and freshly caught fish. The dining room offers air-conditioned and open-air seating with views over the stunning beach, limestone cliffs and outlying islands. After a memorable dinner, retire to the outdoor deck for a digestif and stargaze as the sound of the waves break below you on the shore. Service hours : 18:00 hrs. – 23:00 hrs.
Raya Dining
Raya Dining serves International Cuisine in an elegant yet informal setting. The intricate carvings of the restaurant's columns reflect the marine life of the area's coral reefs, framing a delicate gold mural depicting a school of swirling dolphin. Begin your day here with an energizing, wholesome breakfast. In the evening, enjoy a sophisticated menu with dishes that range from light offerings and tasty salads to classics such as lobster and tenderloin. Air-conditioned and open-air seating is available. Service hours : Breakfast 07:00 hrs. - 23:00 hrs.
The Grotto
Aptly named, The Grotto nestles under an ancient limestone cliff on the edge of Phranang Beach. Enjoy a leisurely lunch here with your favourite book or lose yourself in the magic of a perfect sunset as you enjoy cocktails and a menu of light snacks with soft sand underfoot and a hint of romance in the air.
Service hours : 11:00 hrs. - 20:00 hrs.
Service hours : 11:00 hrs. - 20:00 hrs.
LAE LAY GRILL - KRABI
AO NANG RESTAURANTS & DINING
If you’re a seafood aficionado and find yourself in Ao Nang you’re in for a pleasant surprise. Almost every restaurant in the area sells spanking fresh shrimp, crab, squid, sea bass, red snapper and much, much more but perhaps the Big Daddy of all Ao Nang seafood restaurants is Lae Lay Grill just to the north of Ao Nang. Here, 40 metres up in this lofty restaurant, you’ll find a fabulous selection of not only seafood but Thai dishes, steaks and poultry, but the main focus is definitely on seafood, with the welcome addition of one of the most striking views in the province.
Where is it? Up in the hills overlooking Nopparat Thara Beach. When heading north out of Ao Nang take the first right turn and follow the road up to the next right turn where the restaurant’s sign is, then go straight up the hill.In high season the restaurant operates a tuk tuk shuttle service from the bottom of the hill.
Where is it? Up in the hills overlooking Nopparat Thara Beach. When heading north out of Ao Nang take the first right turn and follow the road up to the next right turn where the restaurant’s sign is, then go straight up the hill.In high season the restaurant operates a tuk tuk shuttle service from the bottom of the hill.
MALATI INDIAN RESTAURANT - KRABI
KLONG MUANG BEACH RESTAURANTS & DINING
It seems incongruous that people should come all the way to Thailand and eat Indian food. But when Thai cuisine is thrown in as well then it's a completely different ball game. Malati in the Sheraton Krabi Resort features just this combination. But don't turn your nose up at the hint of the 'F' word – fusion cooking, Malati doesn't 'do' fusion, choosing rather to serve alternative and complementing dishes in a clever combination of two of the world's most popular and tasty cuisines.
Where Is It?
Malati is in the sumptuous grounds of the Sheraton Krabi Beach Resort on Klong Muang Beach, north of Ao Nang in a tranquil and peaceful part of the world. Park up near the attractive lobby and get a hotel golf buggy down, or alternatively stroll through the lovely grounds to this futuristic-looking restaurant. Surrounded by verdant lawns and overlooking the beach itself, Malati is in the perfect location. Location: at Sheraton Krabi Beach Resort Tel: 075 628 000
Where Is It?
Malati is in the sumptuous grounds of the Sheraton Krabi Beach Resort on Klong Muang Beach, north of Ao Nang in a tranquil and peaceful part of the world. Park up near the attractive lobby and get a hotel golf buggy down, or alternatively stroll through the lovely grounds to this futuristic-looking restaurant. Surrounded by verdant lawns and overlooking the beach itself, Malati is in the perfect location. Location: at Sheraton Krabi Beach Resort Tel: 075 628 000