Though hardly abundant, Chai Chet restaurants do now offer a selection of very decent options, where you can dine out on seafood, Italian and Thai classics.
You can jump straight to to each section:-
Thai
At the northern end by Thai Hill Garden Resort, Nhong Korean BBQ has an open air buffet from 299bt per person. Next door, Gloy is a great little Thai cafe, the real McCoy, normally full with locals and workers.
Just along from these, U-Turn, now on two floors, is one of the island major successes of the last few years. It offers a wide ranging menu of seafood, classic Thai, a few western dishes and even a short list of Khmer cuisine
In the centre of the area, Neighbor has replaced the old VJ Plaza and with it, we can finally say goodbye to those simply awful bland tourist restaurants. Opened so far in the new gleaming white space, Amigos Mexican and Bella Ciao have occupied the front corner spaces with Daddy’s Craft Beer (with food) behind. In the season, there may also be a night market depending on demand.
A collection of diners is also starting to develop on the bend across the road from Neighbor. Between them, they offer both standard Thai food and Issan as well as few western options thrown in – look out for Siam Kitchen, which has reappeared here from White Sand Beach, where it had a good reputation.
Down on the sand at the southern end, Flora i Talay and Koh Chang Paradise have some decent in house diners which are worth a visit – Flora does a nightly BBQ – but the restaurant to look out for is up by the road, Signature, next door to Pajamas Hostel.
This is the rebranding of the the former Nong Bua and it comes complete with a hipster IG upstairs bar and coffee house as well as a separate area at the rear with thatch covered salas. This is certainly one of the best Chai Chet restaurants – we reviewed it here a few years ago.
Sitting diagonally opposite, the roadside Thai restaurant, Krua Palm Beach, is also a good bet at this end – somtam particularly.
Western
In amongst the beer bars at the northern end, King Pizza comes with a slew of recommendations – takeaway only.
Opposite Flora i Talay, Marco ranks near the top of all the Koh Chang Italian restaurants, the affable host serving up homemade pastas, pizzas and mains – plenty of good reviews in Tripadvisor.
Incidentally, Abella is another long running Italian over in Coconut Plaza which has a steady following.
Coffee
For a decent cup of coffee, the Koh Chang chain, Marin, has a large and wonderfully cooling a/c shop on the corner of Coconut Plaza. Nong Bua Alam, upstairs at Signature, too now gives you another option (and plenty of photos).
Recommended – Chai Chet Restaurants
Signature
Per Person: BB – BBB
At the southern end by the beach walkway, the rebranded Nong Bua, offers a menu of classic Thai dishes centring on seafood at great prices, with some western choices too. Chic thatch salas at the rear for outdoor dining, relaxed bar and coffee shop upstairs with views out to sea. Already very popular with locals and tourists alike.
Marco Ristorante Italiano
Per Person: BB
Southern end of the village opposite Flora, highly recommended Italian restaurant run by Marco. Fresh lasagne, ravioli, pizzas, sangria, tiramisu, homemade bread and a friendly taverna style atmosphere – a little corner of Italy, well worth seeking out.
UPDATED June 24
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