10 Best Places to Eat on Koh Lanta
KOH LANTA — QUICK GUIDE
Best Time: November–April
Recommended Stay: 3–5 days
Getting Around: Motorbike / Tuk-tuk
Costs: $30–$70 per day
Perfect For: Beach lovers, sunset chasers
Why Visit: Calm beaches, golden sunsets, warm island vibe
Places to Visit: Long Beach, Old Town, Mu Ko Lanta National Park
Koh Lanta in Thailand is a food lover’s dream with flavors from Thai, Japanese, Indian, Chinese, and European cooking. Our stay became a simple and fun food adventure as we tried local dishes and international favorites. Koh Lanta felt like our foodie playground and gave us unforgettable meals and friendly people along the way.
Mapping the Best Places to Eat in Koh Lanta
The map above shows our top 10 food spots in Koh Lanta. To view a larger version, click here .
Sampinong Family Seafood Restaurant
One spot that stole our hearts sits near beautiful Bamboo Beach, and we kept returning to this small family restaurant. Tucked close to the southern tip of Koh Lanta, it quickly became our food haven.
Fun Fact
Koh Lanta has become known for its mix of local Thai kitchens and small family restaurants that many travelers return to year after year. The island’s food scene grew naturally as more visitors came looking for good meals in a relaxed setting.
Many of the popular restaurants on Koh Lanta are run by families who have cooked in the same spot for decades. This is why the food often tastes homemade and why so many visitors say eating on the island feels warm and personal.
Dining Near Bamboo Beach
Picture this as you arrive: a warm ocean breeze, beautiful views of Bamboo Beach, and inviting aromas coming from the kitchen. This cozy setting made our meals here unforgettable. If you are near Bamboo Beach, you should not miss this spot for a memorable food experience. The charm comes from the relaxed atmosphere, the cool breeze, and the small glimpse of the beach you can see from your table. There is even a lovely area nearby that is perfect for quick Instagram photos.
What the Menu Offers
At this restaurant, you will find a wide range of Thai and European dishes in one of the thickest menus we saw on Koh Lanta. Choosing what to order was not easy because there were so many good options. The menu includes 403 items, and we were tempted to try them all.
Prices and Value
We were pleasantly surprised by the affordable prices, which range from 100 to 550 THB. Even the catch of the day, the most expensive item on the menu, was still reasonably priced.
Mango Smoothie
This spot serves one of the best mango smoothies on the island, and it costs only 80 baht.
Friendly Dogs
Here is a bonus for animal lovers. The cute dogs on-site often steal the spotlight.
Short on time?
Learn to Cook Thai Food in Koh Lanta
The Ocean Restaurant – Indian & International Food
In the heart of Koh Lanta’s old town sits Ocean Restaurant, a cozy Indian dining spot with ocean views. While we ate, we learned about the chef’s journey from India to Thailand, which added something special to the experience. Each dish reflected his years of cooking in India, filled with rich aromas and flavorful spices.
Dining Experience
With the gentle ocean breeze and colorful boats passing by, our meal felt even more enjoyable, combining good food with beautiful views. As we watched fishermen bring in fresh catches, soft music played in the background, creating a calm and memorable atmosphere.
View and Nearby Activities
The restaurant offers a beautiful view of Ko Poi Island, making it a great backdrop for your meal. After lunch, you can take a long-tail boat and explore the island up close.
Cute Fact
If you have been following our travels, you already know that Lina loves mango smoothies, and they are always part of her order.
Indian Set Meal
We chose the Indian set, which included chicken curry, samosa chicken, butter naan, yellow rice, mint raita, and papadum for 500 THB. It was so good that we returned several times during our stay. Prices range from 100 THB to 700 THB, so there is something for every budget and craving.
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Burgers We Tried
At Ocean Restaurant, we could not resist trying their burgers. We ordered both the chicken and beef options, and they lived up to our expectations. After being on the road for a while, enjoying a good burger felt perfect. The chicken burger costs 180 THB, and the beef burger costs 200 THB.
Mushroom Soup
And if you are in the mood for a comforting soup, we recommend their mushroom soup priced at 110 THB. It is a warm and tasty option for your meal.
A Cute Lunch Visitor
While enjoying our meal, we had a surprise visitor, a friendly cat that purred beside us during lunch. As animal lovers, it was a sweet and heartwarming moment to share our meal with such a cute companion.
Check Out Our Koh Lanta Old Town Vlog
Shine-Talay Restaurant
Shine-Talay is a beautiful restaurant right by the ocean, where you can relax to the sound of the waves. The calm rhythm creates a peaceful setting for your meal, and there is even a swing for hanging out and taking great Instagram photos. It is located in Koh Lanta’s Old Town, just a short walk from the port where most visitors first arrive on the island. If you are not in Koh Lanta yet and want to plan your trip, be sure to read our guide on how to get from Krabi to Koh Lanta.
Meal Highlights
Though the restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, we chose to visit for dinner. The menu offered a wide range of options, so there was something for everyone. To start our meal, we tried their mango and pineapple smoothies.
What We Ordered
We were craving seafood, so we ordered the Thai Tom Yum soup, which was rich, flavorful, and priced at 250 THB. We also tried fried rice with shrimp, sweet and sour shrimp, and sweet and sour seafood, all priced at 150 THB each. Every dish was full of flavor, and our server made the experience even better with their sense of humor.
The Fresh Restaurant
The Fresh Restaurant is a beachfront spot known for its seafood dishes and relaxed atmosphere. We started our meal with a refreshing mango smoothie for 50 THB. Every dish had a homemade flavor and an authentic taste.
Dinner Selection
We began with garlic cheese bread for 60 THB. For our main dishes, we chose the Thai veggie chicken for 80 THB and the lemongrass duck for 120 THB. Each dish showed the restaurant’s dedication to authentic flavors.
Laanta Seafood Restaurant
Laanta Seafood Restaurant in Old Town Koh Lanta gave us a wonderful lunch experience. The calm ocean view and gentle sea breeze created a relaxing atmosphere. The staff were friendly and attentive, and the soft Thai music added to the charm as we enjoyed our meal.
Pad Thai With Chicken
This time, we both chose the same dish: authentic Pad Thai with chicken priced at 80 THB. The chef, an elderly lady, showed her skill in preparing this classic meal, and it turned out delicious.
Smoothies We Tried
The meal would not be complete without the refreshing mango smoothie for 50 THB. We also tried the beet smoothie for another 50 THB, which added a nice twist to our dining experience.
Pinky Restaurant
During our stay in Koh Lanta, we ate at Pinky Restaurant several times. Its close location to our resort made it an easy choice for a good meal. As a family-owned place, it always served fresh, well-prepared dishes full of flavor.
What They Offer
With outdoor seating and a wide range of dishes, there was always something new to try. Whether we wanted seafood, Thai specialties, or pizza, Pinky Restaurant always had something to satisfy our cravings.
Friendly Staff
The restaurant staff was incredibly sweet and friendly, which added to the warmth of our dining experience.
Curry Dishes
We ordered Thai curry seafood soup and Thai curry chicken, both served with steamed rice. Each dish cost 200 THB. The flavors were very tasty, with just the right amount of spice.
Tom Yum Pizza
During one of our visits, the owner recommended we try their Thai pizza with Tom Yum sauce. We chose the seafood version, and it turned out to be a great decision. The mix of flavors was incredible. If you visit Thailand, you should try pizza with Tom Yum sauce. The strong spicy and sour flavors work perfectly with the seafood and create a unique Thai twist.
Lanta Sure Restaurant
We found Lanta Sure Restaurant on a rainy day during our stay. It was close to our resort, so we decided to try it. The food lived up to our expectations, and the large menu offered plenty of choices.
Atmosphere
The restaurant was charming, set inside a large wooden hut with a thatched roof and wooden tables. The rain made the setting even nicer, with Thai music playing softly and raindrops creating a relaxing background sound.
So Many Options
With so many tasty choices on the menu, deciding what to order can be hard. If you are anything like us, you will want to try everything.
Buffet El Pillax
Buffet El Pillax came highly recommended by our local friends in Koh Lanta, and now we understand why. This beachfront seafood barbecue spot offers beautiful ocean views and stunning sunsets. The tables sit right on the sand, creating a relaxed and scenic dining experience.
The dinner buffet costs 399 THB per person, and on Fridays or Saturdays the price is 599 THB per person. Along with the meal, you can enjoy live music and a fire show, all included in the price.
Drinks and Live Music
We started the evening in classic island style with refreshing mango smoothies and passion fruit smoothies. As we enjoyed our drinks, live music from a talented band set the mood.
Great Music
We really enjoyed the band. They played a mix of Thai music and familiar radio hits, and the lead singer had a fantastic voice.
Buffet Selection
The buffet selection was impressive, with plenty of delicious options to choose from.
Buffet Sections
The food was divided into sections for veggies, seafood, meats, pizza, and drinks. With so many tempting dishes, it was hard to choose, and we wanted to try everything.
Baked Mussels
Baked mussels with cheese and garlic are one of our favorites, and they were absolutely delicious.
Table Barbecue
In front of each table, there is a barbecue grill. After choosing your seafood and veggies, you can cook them yourself right at your table.
Fire Show
The fire show was amazing, and the performers showed great skill and precision. Watching the flames move and hearing the crackle of the fire added an unforgettable touch to our dining experience.
Our Buffet El Pillax Vlog
Sea Culture Restaurant
You cannot visit Koh Lanta without trying a beachfront restaurant right on the sand. Along Relax Bay Beach, there are many choices, and spending a day in the sun feels complete with a meal at Sea Culture Restaurant. After a tasty lunch, you can relax on the beach beds and unwind with your favorite drink. It is the perfect way to enjoy the beauty of Koh Lanta’s coastline.
Menu Options
The menu includes a wide variety of dishes, with great choices available for vegans.
What We Ordered
We chose a tasty serving of vegetables with steamed rice. The vegetables cost 100 THB, and the steamed rice was 30 THB.
Mr. Wee’s Restaurant
For an unforgettable sunset dining experience on Koh Lanta, visit Mr. Wee’s Restaurant at Phra Ae Beach. The stunning sunset views and tasty pizza make it a perfect spot to relax and enjoy a delicious meal while taking in the beauty of the island.
Koh Lanta Sunsets
The sunsets in Koh Lanta fill the sky with beautiful shades of orange, pink, and gold, creating a magical scene across the island. Watching the sun dip below the horizon is a peaceful and unforgettable moment. If you want to know the best places to enjoy these views, check out our post on the Top 12 Beaches to Explore on Koh Lanta.
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