Kai Bae Beach restaurants offer the full range of global cuisines, with everything from Thai to Italian, Mexican, Mediterranean, Greek and Indian, served up in a whole host of different diners spread out along its narrow bustling main street.
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Thai Food – Kai Bae Beach Restaurants
Choices for Thai food range from simple one plate over rice dishes to DIY bbqs, seafood to Issan style somtam with sticky rice and of course, good old noodle soup.
Seafood
For seafood, Kai Bae follows the island style of the small boat out front, fish, prawns, squid, cockles and mussels piled up on the ice, all cooked any which way you like. Each is proficient at what they do, nothing fancy and certainly not high cuisine but more than acceptable for a meal out.
Our favourites are Friend Seafood at the northern end and Baan Kai Bae Seafood near the bridge towards the southern end. You can order off the menu too if seafood is not your thing.
Standard Thai
In the area around and about the police box at the northern end, you’ll find a few good cheap and cheerful Thai roadside diners for one dish over rice or noodles soup and as you head into the village, Areeya offers a full menu of Thai staples, western dishes – a reliable banker.
The small evening food court opposite The Chill also a few good stalls, Issan in particular whilst across the street in the old BBQ hotpot spot, Chang Thai Kitchen with its far ranging menu is an open air, beer garden style experience, with live music too.
Southern End
By the bridge in the lane running down behind Morgan, there is a standard and very popular Thai food court, with each stall side by side specialising in different Thai dishes. You can choose from just one place or mix and match from each. From our visits, Infinity at the far end is the stand-out, now joined by Ban Hea (formerly on the bend in Pearl Beach).
On the other side of the bridge, Maneenat has chickens roasting out front, giving a heavy hint that its focus is on Issan style (sticky rice, somtam, grilled chicken, laab) but of course, it offers a full menu too, with useful pics on the wall to point at. Opposite and both very popular, Happy Restaurant and Enjoy Life mix Thai staples with western dishes, all at a reasonable price.
Down the little lane to Kai Bae Huts, the cavernous restaurant on the left has been a fixture for many years – noodles and in the evening now, hotpot. And talking of noodles, try the tiny shop in the high roofed Kai Bae Market opposite Morgan (see below)
Head inland at this end by the elephant camp and follow the signs toward Kai Bae Waterfall and you’ll find Seaweed Cafe Bar and Bistro – lots of Issan choices, other Thai food, western snacks and a full bar.
High Dining
Those seeking out a romantic, more upmarket spot should try the in-house restaurants at The Chill (excellent, comfortable, Bangkok style), Awa Resort, The Ocean Terrace at The Retreat and Gaja Chaan at Gajapuri Resort. Prices with drinks will probably come out at 1,000bt a head once tax and service have been added.
Meanwhile, Yaa, the owner of now shut Blue Lagoon Cooking School, has brought her signature style of delicately prepared and artistically presented Thai dishes to Kai Bae in the form of Khao Kham. Dishes at this centrally located bistro include Mantis shrimps with garlic and pepper and Blue Spotted Grouper on Cantaloupe.
Vegetarian
At the northern end, tucked away up the slope near the start of Walking Street, Tofu Kitchen is one of the island’s premier vegetarian restaurants. A tiny kitchen turns out variations on all the classic Thai dishes at very reasonable prices, with a nifty sideline in cocktails.
Poke Bowl, the excellent diner run by a French/Cambodian couple, is sandwiched between Little Italy and El Barrio.
Western Food – Kai Bae Beach Restaurants
You can eat around the continents in Kai Bae.
Northern End
At the start of the village, in the police box area, Papa’s, the Greek diner, cooks up all the classics including kleftiko (lamb stew). On the other side a bit further on, Burger Station has been a fixture for many a year offering beef, chicken and vegetarian options – tasty and well priced.
Opened in 2026, the small u-shaped plaza opposite the 1st 7-11 has filled in quickly with some high quality, compact diners (with upstairs too); Kane by Knotto serves up all the Japanese favourites – ramen, sushi, katsu don, rolls, maki; Smash Burger dishes out the patties including a lentil option; El Barrio Taqueria is an offshoot of the main restaurant further down the street – this one for tacos; Aroi Aroi brings the village a bit of NY deli, premium style – pastrami, wagyu beef, smoked chicken, 349bt to 469bt; Creamz, the gelato supplies the dessert options.
Continue on down the main high street, Mordi and Fuggi has two branches almost side by side, one for the classics, one for Italian brunch and gelato. Opposite them, the deservedly popular Wine Gallery offers elaborate and very tasty Mediteanean tapas to complement its wine and spirit selection. It’s all excellent, well presented and yet another great spot to hang out.
Originally in Bang Bao and then in Klong Prao, El Greco has now moved into Kai Bae – far reaching menu including al the usual Greek choices alongside steaks, seafood, burgers and cocktails.
Meanwhile, Cabana Ocean Bistro occupies a prime spot on the beach at this northern end – it’s a very relaxed Mediterranean style affair of paninis, home made burgers, hand cut fries, music and sunsets.
Central Section
From the former owner of Filou, Bananas is a middle European fast food hybrid offering dishes such as kebabs, curry sausage, ghoulash soup, pork knuckle, meatloaf and burgers alongside cocktails.
Morgan, the sports bar, remains an ever reliable choice for either western or Thai food when watching the game or having a drink.
Southern End
A Koh Chang favourite and highly recommended, El Barrio is a friendly relaxed spot turning out authentic Mexican dishes and cocktails to a great soundtrack. Across the road, the tiny India Chef is regularly held as one of the island’s best Indian offerings, with its dahls, in particular, delicious.
Run by the ex Buddha View crew, Fin serves up specialities like tuna steak salsa verde and Belgian beef stew alongside its pub style menu.
Opposite Fin, from the same owners as Toscana in Klong Prao, Little Italy gives you another excellent pasta and pizza option – try the gelatos too.
Coffee Shops
On the little back road leading past Awa’s hillside rooms, Fig Cafe at Koh Chang Residence is a very sweet spot – great coffee, a few vegetarian dishes on offer too.
Also inland at the far southern end – head up by the elephant camp and then follow the signs – The Mount sits on top of the hill, with amazing 360° views of the village and out to sea. It serves the usual array of coffee and smoothies as well as some one dish snacks. The last section of the track up is steep and tricky so maybe park your motorbike lower down and walk that bit.
At the back of Kai Bae Market, Le Patio is new in 2026 – French style cafe serving breakfasts, coffees, smoothies and also Pad Thai or mango stick rice as a lunchtime snack.
Down at Mam Kai Bae, Sea Almond is charming cafe in a great location right on the beach, with tables in the garden, inside or even some seating up on the roof – coffee, smoothies and food.
Finally, the ever so aptly name View Cafe is perfectly situated to take in the magnificent vista of the offshore islands at Kai Bae Viewpoint – on the hill as you leave town.
Two gelaterie also popped up in 2026 – Creamz as mentioned above in the new little plaza at the northern and and Tony’s Eis in the middle of town.
Recommended – Kai Bae Beach Restaurants
North to South
Tofu Kitchen
Per Person: BB
Northern end at the start of the bypass road, vegetarian and vegan restaurant serving breakfasts, lunch and dinner – mushroom avocado toast, cashew pesto penne, gyoza, tempeh skewers, Thai soups, stir fries and curries, sandwiches. Lots of shakes and cocktails too. Tiny place with only one cook so be prepared to take your time.
Friend Seafood
Per Person: BB – BBB
Also at the nothern end, long established seafood restaurant with the daily choice displayed out front. King prawns, scallops, cockles and snapper, cooked to order or on the bbq, served with full flavoured Thai dressings and spicy dips.
Wine Gallery
Per Person: BB – BBB
Spanish tapas including datiles con bacon, montaditos, championes rellenos, albondigas, croquetas as well as paninis, cheese and meat platters. Vast wine selection, coffee, good ambience. A deservedly popular hang out and one of the best Kai Bae Beach restaurants for western food.
Khao Kham
Per Person: BBB
A modern exterior houses a charming wooden interior at this bistro courtesy of Blue Lagoon Cooking School. Thai classics deconstructed and reassembled to give delicate, original and beautifully presented dishes. Small menu but with daily specials such as Koi (spicy raw salad with rice powder and grounded sesame ), crunchy fish salad with Thai herbs or Blue Spotted Grouper ceviche. Recommended.
Fig Cafe
Per Person: B – BB
At the end of the side street opposite Awa, great little corner cafe in Koh Chang Residence. On a par with the best Bangkok coffee houses, weighed beans for the normal menu but specialising in Momo drip (hot and cold) and teas such as Matcha. Egg tarts, croissants and other home baked items plus some vegetarian dishes including mushroom pie. Seating inside and out in the bamboo fenced garden.
El Barrio
Per Person: BB – BBB
This Mexican restaurant continues to pack them in, serving all the normal favourites from Burritos to enchilladas to taquitos, with lots of tasty and spicy sauces, such as salsa ranchera and mola. Cocktails, friendly couple, good vibe, popular.
UPDATED April 26
Return to Koh Chang Restaurants
