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From delicious brunch spots and great coffee shops to the best Thai food, here’s where to eat in Koh Tao to keep you fueled during your adventures on the island.
One thing I was nervous about on our trip to Koh Tao was food—more importantly, food options. Koh Tao is quite a small island, so I really thought we would just have to adapt to whatever was there.
After spending one week leisurely exploring the island, I was so happy to see how wrong I was. Koh Tao has unexpectedly incredible restaurants, great brunch spots, and coffee shops. You might be on a small island, but truly, you have everything you could need here.
I spent my week here lounging by the beach and eating my way around the island, all in the name of research. I know, it’s hard work, but someone has to do it.
So here’s where to eat in Koh Tao, from the most popular brunch spot to charming beachfront cafés and some of the best Thai food I had during our whole trip.
🏝️ Want to explore beyond the food? Check out my other Koh Tao guides:
- Koh Tao: Why it’s one of the best islands in Thailand: Not sure if Koh Tao is right for your trip? Here are the reasons I think this little island is worth visiting.
- Complete Koh Tao guide: All you need to know: Everything you need to know to plan your trip, from things to do and where to stay to getting around the island.
Where to Eat in Koh Tao: 10+ Best Places to Eat
The best places to eat in Koh Tao for breakfast
Living Juices & Yoga: Fresh fruits & smoothies
Living Juices & Yoga is a yoga studio I tried while in Koh Tao, but sadly didn’t love it. The classes are held on the second-floor terrace, where it can get hard to hear the teacher with the sound of the street nearby.
However, one thing I did love was their cafe.
At the Living Juices café, they serve a variety of delicious cold-pressed juices, smoothie bowls, nutritious snacks, and little fruit boxes for you to take to the beach to snack on while you lounge by the water.
A great option to have a healthy start to your day, or pick up a smoothie on your way to the beach.
The Factory Cafe: Most popular brunch spot in Koh Tao
The Factory Cafe is, without a doubt, one of the best restaurants in Koh Tao for breakfast.
It might not be right on the water like other options in this post, but the menu is so delicious that I kept coming back here instead of going to the beachfront cafes.
This is your quintessential breakfast spot, serving everything from Shakshuka to avocado toast to smoothie bowls, delicious coffee, and fresh-pressed juices.
I think I tried half of their menu during my time in Koh Tao, and everything was delicious; definitely one of my favorite spots on the island.
Blue Water Cafe and Restaurant: Perfect waterfront all-day café
Blue Water Cafe is a great all-rounder and probably the place I visited the most while in Koh Tao since I spent most of my time on Sairee Beach, lounging on a stretch of sand just a few steps away from here. Highly recommend it as one of the best things to do in Koh Tao.
This waterfront cafe has something for every hour of the day, and it’s all really good!
Their coffee is amazing, which you can pair with their cheesecake, which is also delicious. You can grab fresh coconut water or a smoothie to rehydrate after a day of lounging in the sun.
For lunch, try their fish tacos, and in the evening, come here to catch the sunset with a Sapporo or a gin and tonic.
Definitely a spot worth keeping in mind, since it’s one of the best places to eat in Koh Tao, so you never have to leave the beach if you don’t want to.
Cafe Culture Coffee: Cute waterfront café
Cafe Culture is one of the best restaurants for breakfast in Koh Tao if what you want is to have your coffee right on the water.
Their menu has something to offer for every hour of the day, but I mostly came here for a morning coffee by the ocean. I tried their eggs Benedict with salmon once, and they were pretty good—simple but tasty.
A good place to add to your list if you want to shake things up and try a new place by the water.
Sunrise Specialty Coffee: Great coffee in cute café
Sunrise Specialty Coffee is a little further inland; we got here by scooter out of sheer curiosity about trying a new coffee shop after visiting the same places over and over.
This is a straight-up specialty coffee shop and one that stood out to me for its very delicious coconut iced latte.
You’ll rarely find me having iced coffee, but it was incredibly hot on that day, and the coconut one intrigued me—and oh my, it was so good!
Definitely worth stopping by if you are in the area, or it’s a fun little detour to explore the island’s coffee scene.
Koppee Espresso Bar and Restaurant: Beachfront brunch spot
Koppee Espresso Bar is another great restaurant in Koh Tao to have breakfast by the water. You’ll need some kind of transportation to get here, though, since it’s closer to Shark Bay.
We visited Koppee with our scooter on one of our last days, and it was the perfect spot for a goodbye breakfast in Koh Tao.
The breakfast is delicious; we had eggs Benedict and pancakes, and they were both really good. The freshly pressed juice is so flavorful, the coffee is perfect, and the views are postcard-worthy.
Everything a beach holiday brunch should be.
The best places to eat in Koh Tao for lunch, dinner and drinks
Charcoal Bay Wine and Grill: Beachfront restaurant
Continuing with the theme of having meals with your toes almost touching the ocean, another great spot is Charcoal Bay Wine and Grill.
Here you can enjoy anything from the freshest catch of the day grilled whole, to charcoal oven-grilled chicken, to a delicious burger; there are options for everyone.
If you’re not hungry yet but would like to catch the sunset with a drink in hand, this restaurant is also a perfect spot for it; the tables on the sand are facing the sunset, and their mojitos are pretty good.
Pranees Kitchen: Local Thai restaurant
Most of the restaurants on this list are around the Sairee Beach area since this is where we based ourselves; however, Pranees Kitchen is just a short scooter trip away.
Located close to the Mae Haad Pier—your point of arrival to the island—this airy restaurant offers an extensive menu of delicious local cuisine.
We tried the Pad Thai, of course, and some of their curries, and everything was amazing!
Whitening Restaurant: Romantic dinner on the beach
Another great restaurant in Koh Tao for dinner with a view is Whitening Restaurant, located right on Sairee Beach.
This all-white painted restaurant offers a variety of delicious seafood dishes as well as local Thai cuisine, and the perfect sunset views.
Grilled prawns, a glass of prosecco, and sunset right in front of you—it doesn’t get any more holiday than this.
Cattago! Fish restaurant: Casual and incredible seafood spot
This unassuming open kitchen was one of the biggest surprises I had while in Koh Tao.
I walked past it every day, but it wasn’t until the last day that we decided to try it for the sake of trying something new, and now I’m sad I didn’t try it earlier in my trip so I could eat there more often.
Cattago! specializes in dry-aged, locally caught fish; the menu is limited, but all options look tempting. We tried three different styles, and they were all mind-blowingly good, which I feel is a strong statement for a fish dish.
And that’s why I was so shocked. I never had such strong emotions about a fish dish, but it was really that good—so flavourful; everything feels fresh and of great quality.
A must if you’re looking for where to eat in Koh Tao to try high-quality local cuisine.
Infinity Restaurant: Classic Thai food
Infinity Restaurant is another casual spot close to the pier where you can find great local dishes for very affordable prices.
I had the pad Thai, as always—it’s for research purposes, okay?—I wouldn’t say it was my favorite on the island, but it was still good.
It’s just a good spot to keep in mind if you are in the area and starving.
Mama Tam: Best Thai food in Koh Tao
Now, for one of our favorite places to eat on the island: the highly acclaimed Mama Tam—I even got this place recommended to me by locals.
Mama Tam is a humble restaurant with plenty of seating space, but a very tiny kitchen where Mama Tam cooks all the meals on the spot. Because of this, food can take a bit of time to be ready—but believe me, it’s worth the wait.
This was without a doubt my favorite Pad Thai on the island; everything was so fresh and flavorful, just perfect.
So if you’re looking for the best Thai food in Koh Tao, you have to visit Mama Tam for the most delicious home-cooked local dishes.
Final thoughts on where to eat in Koh Tao
While Koh Tao is known mostly for its great diving spots and beautiful beaches, I was so happy to discover that there’s also no shortage of incredible places to eat on the island.
From flavorful local Thai food to grilled seafood, classic brunch restaurants, and great coffee shops, as a foodie, you’re spoiled for choice—which I was not expecting for such a small place.
After spending a week in paradise, these are the best places to eat in Koh Tao that I think are worth adding to your itinerary. Whether you’re looking for a coffee with a view, a local lunch spot, or the best pad Thai you’ve ever had, you won’t have to go far.
Which of these restaurants are you most looking forward to trying in Koh Tao? Let us know in the comments.
Save this guide to where to eat in Koh Tao for later!
Your future hungry self will thank you.