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THE BEST RESTAURANTS OF KOH TAO
What a nice island Koh Tao is! For us and many others the snorkeling and diving paradise of Thailand. We have been here several times already. So many times that we have lost count. At the time of writing (June 2022) we are already planning our next trip. On Koh Tao you can find so many good restaurants and bars that we have made a small selection of our personal favorite restaurants that are also highly rated on several review sites. Enjoy!
Click on the names to navigate through our list of the best restaurants of Koh Tao.
- The Garden Restaurant
- Nui Bakery & Sandwiches
- Blue Water Cafe & Restaurant
- Blue Heaven Restaurant
- Coconut Monkey
- Whitening Bar & Restaurant
- Flaming Hog BBQ
- Whitening Bar & Restaurant
- The Factory Cafe
- KoPPee Espresso Bar & Restaurant
- Nice tips for your stay on Koh Tao
- More destinations and information about Thailand
WE VALUE YOUR OPINION!
Despite the fact that our selected locations on Koh Tao have a very good reputation, it’s possible that due to (for example) new management the quality has become less good. Or unfortunately locations have been forced to close their doors because of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic… If you have useful information, please let us know! Also, if you have a favorite restaurant or other great tip for Koh Tao, be sure to let us know through our Thailand Magazine Facebook group, Instagram and Facebook page. Via e-mail is also possible. THANKS!
The Garden Restaurant
The best French cuisine, a great selection of wines, superb cheeses, delicacies and plenty of amazing dishes can be found at The Garden Restaurant in Mae Haad near Sairee Beach, Koh Tao.
The Garden restaurant run by two friendly French owners, Eric Debras and Mika Michael Bertrand. It is located in the heart of Koh Tao, at the corner of the junction to Aow Leuk and Tanote Bay and is the place where you can enjoy the lunch and decent dinner atmosphere like a god of France! The staffs are amicable and know exactly how hospitality works and in the kitchen, they cook like it’s a party every day, what a fun team we met there.
Image: Thailand Magazine
DID YOU KNOW?
One of the French owners of The Garden (Mika) is the a president and a coach of Koh Tao youth and adult soccer teams namely Koh Tao Athletic Club. The teams are doing incredibly well and achieved in many tournaments around Koh Tao, Koh Phangan and Koh Samui. What a winners they are! To support Koh Tao Athletic Club also by liking their Facebook page.
The Garden Restaurant serves a variety of Fresh and Mediterranean inspired dishes that will take you back to that sultry evening on the Côte d’Azur or that nice weekend with your loved one in Paris. We opted for the cheese board and enjoyed the various types of French cheeses such as Reblochon, Brie, Emental and Roquefort to the max. Prefer a flashback to beautiful Italy? No problem, order like us the beef carpaccio with pesto and eagerly topped with Parmesan cheese, buonissimo! Of course, all appetizers were served with deliciously homemade crusty, warm bread.
Image: Thailand Magazine
In one corner in The Garden Restaurant was a sign that read “La Rotisserie” Herb Roasted Farmer Chicken, it’s served with homemade fries and mixed salad. Yes of course we wanted to taste that good smelling roasted farmer chicken…Super juicy, exquisitely seasoned and deliciously tender was the verdict. Sometimes you have those moments in Thailand where you crave for a tender Beef Fillet with bread and its delicious sauce, at The Garden Koh Tao you’re in for that treat (medium/rare). The Garden’s The Beef Fillet Steak is served with a tasty pepper sauce, vegetables and potato gratin.
Despite the fact that we could not eat more, we were tempted to order one of the homemade dessert, a Profiterole. Very tasty, but unfortunately we could only finish half of it. Yes, the portioning of a dish served at The Garden Restaurant is more than enough and yet oh so tasty, so that you should have been warned!
Image: Thailand Magazine
Image: Thailand Magazine
Speaking of a decent French restaurant, they are not just having a good selection of wine list but they also serve classic cocktails and signature cocktails as well. We also recommend The Garden and Passion Fruit Mojito to match the warm and sunny summer days during our stay on Koh Tao!!
Daily open from 11:00 – 23:00 hours
Location on Google Maps
Menu
Facebook page
@thegardenkohtao
Nui Bakery & Sandwiches
For the best bakery in Sairee and perhaps all of Koh Tao, Nui Bakery & Sandwiches is the place to be. Nui is a Thai who bakes them exceptionally well! From brioche buns to croissants and from richly filled crostinis to perfect paninis, you’ll love it! Take your time and order a bowl of crostinis. Enjoy, it’s vacation time. Nui also bakes cookies and cakes like the best of them, delicious with a good cup of coffee or tea. For a delicious sandwich, Nui is also the place to be. Guests can choose from different types of bread, richly topped with one of almost twenty different fillings. If you’re looking for a good bakery in Sairee, stop by Nui.
Daily open from 07:30 – 18:00 hours
Location on Google Maps
Menu
Facebook page
Blue Water Cafe & Restaurant
Time and time again, we have to (at least) have a drink (= amazing cocktail) at Blue Water Cafe & Restaurant on Sairee Beach on Koh Tao. This fun restaurant with a bar is right on the beach, where you can socialize during sunset. The team at Blue Water Koh Tao is very friendly, which in turn attracts a nice mixed crowd. Blue Water is that cozy place on Tao where you can listen to live music with your future friends you met on the island. We highly recommend having breakfast here sometime. Do you like to sleep in? You can even score a breakfast at Blue Water until 2:00 pm. Otherwise, just make it a brunch at the beach. Starting at 14:00 with the super good cocktails they mix at Blue Water, that is also possible of course! You can also wait until 16:00, when Happy Hour starts, which is valid until 19:00.
Daily open from 09:00 – 00:00 hours
Location on Google Maps
Menu
Facebook page
SUPPORT ONS
TIP!
Next to Blue Water is the Blue Tao Beach Hotel, a great hotel where you can stay nice and central on Koh Tao. They offer several ocean view rooms, highly recommended!
Blue Heaven Restaurant
Compared to many other hot spots in this list, Blue Heaven is much less centrally located. In fact, you’ll find Blue Heaven Restaurant in the high hills, not far from Aow Leuk. Slightly less easy to get there, but you get a lot in return! Besides delicious authentic Thai food, the view here is fantastic! Since Blue Heaven also serves as a viewpoint, it is wise to reserve a good table with a view in advance.
DID YOU KNOW?
You can also spend the night at Blue Heaven, a wonderful resort where you will feel in seventh heaven. Since 2020 we have a very warm contact with the owner because of a tip from our In the Picture #4 publication. In fact, they used to have a very special pet, a pig. Unfortunately, Mongkol, as the pig was called, has since passed away.
Daily open from 08:00 – 21:00 hours
Location on Google Maps
Menu
Facebook page
Coconut Monkey
Coconut Monkey was the last little joint on Koh Tao that we visited back in 2016 before leaving for Koh Phangan. We left early, but not without breakfast! Luckily, we had already heard really good stories about this incredibly cute little joint a five-minute walk from the Mae Haad Pier… The food and beverages at Coconut Monkey are not only very tasty, but also super healthy. Despite this place being praised by the many vegans of Koh Tao, Koh Phangan and Koh Samui, it’s not like only vegan dishes are prepared here. We were curious and ultimately enjoyed banana peanut shake and two different smoothie bowls. The Coconut Monkey and Acai Berry were outstanding! Then we woke up with a good cup of coffee, while gazing at the sea and YES…, ready to leave for a new adventure on Haad Rin, the beach known for the Full Moon Parties on Koh Phangan.
Daily open from 08:00 – 17:00 hours
Location on Google Maps
Menu
Facebook page
Whitening Bar & Restaurant
You find Whitening Bar & Restaurant on the Walking Street of Sairee Beach where the back of this cute little joint faces the beach. Here guests enjoy a good glass of white wine paired with a set of delectable oysters. (Rose or red wine they also have, of course). At Whitening, seafood is enjoyed to the max. as well as fresh fish caught just a few hours earlier. The menu of course also features numerous meat and vegetarian dishes. Enjoy your feet in the sand at the tables on the beach of Sairee Beach. Or just sit back and relax on the white benches. Happy Hour is from 16:00 to 19:00, the perfect time to watch the sun sink into the sea!
YUMMY
Of course , Whitening also serves Thai food. Try the Khao Soi here, it’s so delicious!
Daily open from 11:00 – 00:00 hours
Location on Google Maps
Menu
Facebook page
The Factory Cafe
The Factory Cafe is a cozy vegan restaurant not far from Sairee beach. Despite not being vegetarians ourselves, we love coming here. Nice to wake up while chatting about the weather with the friendly staff. Perhaps they serve the best (iced) coffee on the island! Crazy about avocados? Then order the Avo on Toast, a mashed avocado that is well flavored. This is served on a freshly baked slice of toasted bread. The Overnight Oats, which we love to get out of bed for, it contains oats, raisins, chia and juicy mango. Personally, we always enjoy the Burmese tea salad which, in our opinion, you must have tasted once in a lifetime. Or try the homemade Falafel. Both are bestsellers for a reason.
DID YOU KNOW?
In 2020, we launched the From Thailand with LOVE campaign. During the first European Covid-19 wave, we asked our close friends and relations if they would like to write a message for the readers of Thailand Magazine. We were flooded with sweet messages, including one from The Factory Cafe on Koh Tao. So sweet and now it’s time to support the Thai hospitality industry!
Daily open from 08:00 – 23:00 hours
Location on Google Maps
Menu
Facebook page
Flaming Hog BBQ
Of course, we have to keep the non-vegetarians (meatarians) happy too, so we tip the Flaming Hog BBQ. For lovers of a good piece of meat or chicken from the BBQ this is the place to be! We already shared a (large) portion of spare ribs and a large portion of jerk chicken… While writing this, our mouths are watering! We want to warn you about the large portions that the friendly staff shoves in front of your nose. Tomorrow only a salad?… Or does the corn on the cob, baked potato and coleslaw also count? Enjoy and “keep that fire burning”!
YUMMY
Try the Chili Cheese Fries! Fries topped with their special Texas Chili + mozzarella and cheddar.
Daily open from 12:00 – 22:00 hours
Location on Google Maps
Menu
Facebook page
KoPPee Espresso Bar & Restaurant
We haven’t been here ourselves yet, but when you get a tip from the best diving instructor on Koh Tao, you know you’re in the right place! That’s just using your head… KoPPee Espresso Bar & Restaurant is located at Chalok Baan, a small town that had quite a nice vibe before Covid-19 and is now slowly regaining some soul. That’s one of the reasons we recommend this top spot on Koh Tao. Take a stroll around the village and visit the accompanying beach.
KoPPee is such a place that once you’re there it’s hard to get away. A real hangout including pool and delicious food, no wonder you don’t want to leave! Our advice is to spend a hot afternoon here, have an (iced) coffee, hang out, splash in the pool, eat lunch, hang out again, fruit shake, another splash and then dinner with a cocktail.
Daily open from 09:00 – 21:00 hours
Location on Google Maps
Menu
Facebook page
Tips for Koh Tao
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