Where to Eat in Koh Lanta: An Honest Foodie Guide (and Tourist Traps to Avoid)
If you’re like me, food is one of the things that matters most on a trip. So here’s the good news: the food on Koh Lanta is incredible, but you have to choose carefully.
I tried dozens of places over my months on the island (and suffered through the odd watery curry so you don’t have to), and this is my definitive list. You won’t find the usual tourist spots here, just the places I kept going back to.
Favorite Thai restaurants
If you’re after authentic flavors, generous portions and local prices, write these down.
May’s Chicken King of the grill
“A simple, family-run place that smells like the grill.”
What to order:
- • The ribs: An amazing smoky flavor, and the homemade hot sauce (it’s barely spicy) is addictive.
- • The secret: they come with a buttery baked potato that’s to die for (one of the best I’ve ever had). Order the grilled corn too: they char it until it’s almost burnt, and it’s packed with flavor.
Details:
🍍 Yellow Bistro Best presentation
“Big plates, beautifully presented.”
What to order:
- • Pineapple fried rice: It’s served inside the pineapple itself and has a bit of everything: chicken, cashews and raisins, and the rice soaks up the juice from the fruit. Unlike pineapple on pizza, this one is really good.
- • Crispy chicken: Crunchy chicken served on dried seaweed with a lemon and mayo sauce. Perfect for sharing.
- • Yellow noodles with chicken: My favorite, with a rich egg flavor.
Details:
A slightly more upscale setting that still keeps the island feel. Generous portions.
Everyday eats
Lanta Sky The cheapest
“If you’re staying near Long Beach or working at the KoHub coworking space, this will be your go-to lunch spot. The staff don’t speak much English, but they’re lovely.”
What to order:
- • Pad Thai: A generous portion with plenty of meat.
- • Suki Chicken: A soup with glass noodles and vegetables. Heads up: it’s a bit spicy, but if you like heat, it’s great.
Details:
Lovely staff. Rock-bottom prices, and ideal for a quick lunch in the middle of the workday.
Ko Deng Restaurant 100% local
“I went back 10 times, even though I only found it late. Dirt cheap, very local and really, really good chicken.”
What to order:
- • The grilled chicken and the chicken wings: tender, and with more flavor than anywhere else.
Warning:
The meatball soup didn’t do much for me.
Craving food from home (Western)
After 10 days of rice and noodles, your body will be screaming for this.
🇪🇸 Biggies Tapas Bar A slice of Spain
“Spanish food in Thailand? Yes, and it’s surprisingly good.”
What to order:
- • Gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp): finger-licking good, and they taste like home to me.
- • Serrano ham croquetas: made with real béchamel, plus a good tomato sauce.
- • To drink: the ‘Pure Piña’, heaven if you like piña coladas.
Details:
The decor is a curious mix of the ’80s and Thailand. The staff are super attentive.
🇬🇷 El Greco Greek Taverna
“The closest thing to being in Greece. Very authentic flavors.”
What to order:
- • Moussaka: A huge portion with plenty of meat and natural spices.
- • Lamb Gyros Wrap: lamb with a really fresh tzatziki.
Details:
This one is in my top 3. If you like lamb, it’s a must.
The Galaxy Meat & Salads
“Really friendly staff. They even explain how to eat each dish.”
What to order:
- • Rib eye: after a whole summer trying rib eyes in Mexico, I was still craving one, and this one is really good.
- • Salad fat joe: lots of chicken and egg, and a pretty big portion.
Details:
Ideal for when you want some quality protein after a lot of noodles and rice.
Sea views
🌊 Mayutis Bar Old Town
“A terrace over the sea in Old Town.”
What to order:
- • Chicken Schnitzel: Super tender and tasty.
- • Fish & Chips: Fresh fish with a lemon sauce that’s just right.
Details:
Island pace (the food takes a while to come out), but the views make up for it.
🍹 Jai Tiki Bar Beach Bar
“Facing a huge beach, one bay over from the coworking space.”
What to order:
- • Cocktails (the Singapore Sling is silky and fruity) and the unusual Massaman Carbonara (very creamy)
Details:
An unbeatable vibe at sunset. The fusion food works surprisingly well.
Sam Pee Nong Family Seafood Bamboo Beach
“Facing a cliff, with the famous Bamboo Beach in the distance and the whole ocean in front of you.”
What to order:
- • Any of the Eastern European food (it’s really good), and I personally loved the chicken satay.
Details:
I haven’t been at sunset, but it must look incredible from there, since it faces right where the sun goes down.
The best brunch spots
The Backyard Brunch king
“A fancy spot with incredible fruit bowls, perfect for working.”
What to order:
- • Mango tango bowl: An amazing mix of fruit.
- • Pesto chicken sandwich: chicken, bacon and a seriously strong homemade pesto. ⚠️ Warning: if you don’t like garlic, don’t order it! It packs a punch, but if you’re a garlic fan like me, you’re going to love it.
Warning:
If you don’t like garlic, skip the pesto sandwich! It’s very strong, but addictive.
Zenith Cafe Veggie and healthy
“A place for a light meal, though it’s very filling.”
What to order:
- • Salted caramel bowl: banana, coconut flakes, peanut butter and more. It’s really, really big.
- • Aldi risotto: a big portion of mushroom risotto, with no meat at all. Mine was a bit under-salted, but once I added some, it was really good.
Details:
The risotto can come a little under-salted, but once you fix that, it’s really good.
Cooking classes
Time for Lime Charity cooking school
“If you love eating it, you’ll love cooking it.”
Details:
It’s a charity school (they help the island’s animals), and it’s where I learned to make my favorite dish, Khao Soi, as well as Mango Sticky Rice. They give you all the recipes so you can cook them at home when you get back. You also start by making their lemongrass margaritas, the perfect cocktail to kick off a romantic dinner.
They teach different dishes every day, everything is delicious, and it’s a roughly 5-hour experience where you eat a ton, meet people and help the animals.
Just as I tell you about the good stuff, it’s my job to warn you about the bad so you don’t throw your money away.
The tourist traps (places I’d avoid)
🚫 View Point Restaurant
The hook: incredible panoramic views of the east coast (over Old Town, on the side of the island where the sun doesn’t set).
The reality: the food is expensive and mediocre. The Massaman Curry was pure water and the tuna sandwich tasted like nothing.
My advice: stop, take the photo, have a soft drink or an ice cream if you like, and go eat somewhere else.
🚫 Thai Cat (Old Town)
The experience: the place is pretty, right by the sea, but mine was bad. The food came out suspiciously fast, and you could tell. The cashew chicken wasn’t fresh and the Pad Thai tasted reheated.
My advice: There are much better options on Long Beach, like Funky Fish (photo below).
Where to stay in Koh Lanta
The island is long, and not every beach works for the same thing. If it’s your first time, go for Long Beach.
We’ve filtered the search so you only see places rated above 8.
See hotels in Koh Lanta
Need a hand?
We've stayed here ourselves and experienced it firsthand. If you have any questions, leave a comment below and avoid the typical first-timer mistakes.