Krabi restaurants and food - Phi Phi & Lanta
No better place for lunch than the beach
Eating and drinking is the Thais' favourite pastime and Krabi is no different from the rest of the kingdom. You will never go hungry in Krabi; food is everywhere, from mobile motorcycle and pushcart vendors to streetside stalls and markets, as well as great selections of small eateries, outdoor cafes and fancy restaurants. Krabi has it all!
In Krabi restaurants, Thai food is the main offering on the menu. Don't miss the opportunity to try some of the many dishes on offer. If you've tried Thai cuisine in a restaurant at home, you'll notice the difference in flavour immediately. The freshness of the herbs and spices and the authentic Thai know-how that goes into each dish means you'll be presented with a taste sensation at every meal. Plus many restaurants offer a myriad of choices. See our recommended list on this page.
Below we recommend some of the better restaurants in Krabi - for more reviews, pick up a free copy of Flyer when you are there; a local magazine.
Note! We have included restaurants for Krabi Town/Ao Nang, Phi Phi Island and Koh Lanta.
Updated: January 2012
Seafood restaurants in Krabi
Chao Koh Restaurant: a popular spot overlooking Ton Sai Bay with regular BBQ specials. Next to the 'Marlin' statue in Ton Sai Village, Phi Phi Don. Open: 07:00-22:30; 157 Moo 7, Phi Phi island, tel: (075) 601 083, email: info@chaokohgroup.com. $$$
Sala Thai: on the beach at the very end of the wooden 'Seafood Soi' at the far corner of Ao Nang beachfront; features good, fresh seafood. 32 Moo 2, Ao nang, tel: (075) 637 024. $$$
Laem Sak Seafood: off the beaten track, but worth the detour if you're driving around the area. Considered to be the best in the province. Open: 10:00–22:00; at the end of Route 4039, past Ao Luk. $$
Lanta Seafood: excellent choice of fish, direct from the fishermen on the pier. Frequented mostly by locals. At the pier in Saladan Village, tel: (075) 684 106. $$
Southern Thai cuisine is slightly different from the Central, North and Northeast styles of cooking. There are many more curries, reflecting a Malaysian and Indian influence in the culture. In Krabi restaurants, dishes include the must-try massaman - a fragrant saffron-coloured curry with peanuts and sweet potatoes; the hot and sour kaeng som - fish in a tamarind-laced broth; the lightly-spiced noodle dish, khanom jin; and the Thai-Muslim version of a chicken biryani, khao mok gai.
For those who can't take the heat, there's also a large selection of Western and international food in the tourist areas. These restaurants have mostly been opened by expats in Krabi, so the food is usually quite good and authentic. Pizzerias are common and popular, but you'll also find French, German, Swiss, Swedish, Danish, Japanese, Indian and Chinese cuisine, as well as British pub grub.
Another great Krabi taste is, of course, seafood. The Krabi beach areas have several restaurants with the 'catch of the day' displayed on ice outside. You'll find all kinds of fish and seafood, including juicy crabs and langoustines, shellfish (as oysters), as well as squid and lobster. They can be prepared in various sauces, or just simply grilled and served with a dipping sauce. It's a feast not to be missed!
International restaurants in Krabi
Carnivore: for red-meat lovers, this is a must - steaks and grilled meats are really top-notch. Located in Ao Nang, opposite Thai Village Resort. Soi Klong Haeng, Moo 3, Ao Nang, tel: (075) 661 061. email: info@carnivore-thailand.com. $$$
Red Snapper: creative, Western-style restaurant with an extensive list of tapas. Located along the the road in Pra Ae, Koh Lanta. Open: 10:00 until late (closed Wednesdays, except during Christmas and New Year holidays); 176 Moo 2, Pra Ae Beach, Koh Lanta, tel: 087 885 6965. email: info@redsnapper-lanta.com. $$$
Café Europa: friendly, Danish-run place, with good value European food that is an expat favourite in Krabi Town. Open: 08:15-22:00 (closed Sunday from May to November; 1/9 Soi Ruamjit, Maharat Road, Krabi Town, tel: (075) 620 407, email: info@cafeeuropa-krabi.com. $$
Viva Pizzaria Restaurant: authentic Italian in Krabi Town, with possibly the best pizza (if you like your crust thin and crispy). Located near the roundabout. 29 Prudsa Uthit Road, Krabi Town, tel: (075) 630 517, viva@krabitown.co. $$$
Jeanette's: Scandinavian cuisine in a nicely decorated beachfront dining room. Moo 2, Ao Nang (on beach the road), tel: (089) 474 6178. email: jeanettekrabi@gmail.com. $$$
Budget rating
(approximately)
$ dishes 50 – 100 baht; quart of beer 90 baht; whiskey shot 100 baht; cocktails 120 baht
$$ dishes 100 – 150 baht; quart of beer 100 baht; whiskey shot 120 baht; cocktails 150 baht
$$$ dishes 150 – 400 baht; quart of beer 120 baht; whiskey shot 140 baht; cocktails 180 baht
Thai restaurants in Krabi
Ruen Mai: rightly considered to be the best in Krabi, with a beautiful garden setting and consistently excellent food. Located next to the eagle traffic lights. Open: 10:30-22:00, 315/5 Maharaj Road, Krabi Town, tel: (075) 631 796-7. $$
Orchid Garden: this is a popular lunch spot due its pretty location next to a river - just outside Ao Nang, on the road towards Klong Muang. Good selection of spicy salads. $$
Sala Bua: upmarket Thai restaurant just out Ao Nang centre, with a nice ambience, although food comes in small portions. Open: 11:00-22:30 (December-April), 17:00-22:00 (May-November), 120 Moo 2, Ao Nang, tel: (075) 637 110. $$$
Pum Thai Restaurant: this cool DIY restaurant will give you a free cooking lesson with each meal - if you wish - or just sit back and sample anything from their tasty menu. Open: Monday-Saturday 11:00-22:00, cooking class 11:00- 16:00, Ton Sai Village plaza, Phi Phi Don, tel: 081 521 8904. email: phiphi@pumthaifoodchain.com. $$
Same-Same But Different: with the same owner as Ruen Mai in Krabi Town, this charming beach restaurant cannot fail to please. Far end of Kantiang Bay, past Pimalai Resort, Koh Lanta, tel: 081 787 8670. $$
Budget eating
Although Ao Nang is essentially a tourist-only centre catering to wallets of those on holiday, it is possible to eat for less than 100 baht. There are numerous small noodle shops and modest restaurants scattered all over the area, and modestly priced Thai meals - such as fragrant fried rice with chicken or pork, or phad Thai noodles with shrimp - are a simple and cheap lunch meal. Thai food is always cheaper and within Krabi Town, where a mostly Thai clientele is catered for, you will find even better value.
