Koh Tao, Thailand

🥪Grub time🍚

☀️Every day starts and ends with good food, knowing where to go can make or break a good trip... and there is nothing worse than spending a travel day sick with food poisoning (trust me!).

🌶️Depending on whether you are wanting to experience amazing local food or missing a full English breakie, I've got you covered;)

📞Butttt, I have had to cut this list down drastically. If you've visited all of these, let me know and I can give you some more places to visit!

🇹🇭If you're after some Thai food these are the main places I enjoyed. Some of them will be included on every Koh Tao checklist you see, but some of them a little less frequented. They're all incredible and all have their own little quirks.

995 Roasted Duck

@allanasmith

This is a very popular place, and I can see why. They're quick but most importantly they had my fav Thai meal on the island (The number 4 with a fried egg🤤). Its quite a small menu with only wither duck or pork for meat options and only one veggie option... but that just makes it all the most amazing food. I would recommend to go at lunch time instead as there can be queues that go on for a while when they open for dinner.

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Mint Kitchen

@allanasmith

I ate here ALOT! It is located next to my first apartment on the island so I can safely say they have incredible food here. I've always been able to get a table here and quite often there was a lot of us together. Oh what I would do for one of their fruit smoothies again!

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Bam Bam

@allanasmith

Okay, so the wait times here are usually pretty long, but if you're not in any rush, than I say check it out. With a mix of some authentic meals and some more westernised meals, it will have something for everyone. This place is great if there is a lot of you too!

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Koh Tao Kitch

@allanasmith

This is one of those places that have a little bit of everything. Very quick with their service, amazing prices and great food. It's located right in the centre of the main road going up Sairee so it's a walking distance from the 7/11. Breakfast or dinner? This place is only closed on Mondays but otherwise, enjoy!

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Thai Restaurant

@allanasmith

If you are after authentic Thai food, that is super quick and easy, this little hole in the wall has you covered. You walk in, order when of the three things they have on the menu and within 20 seconds it has been served. That is because this place pre-cooks all of their food - and they close for the day once they have sold out!

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🇪🇺Now, the next 3 recs are more western food for when you after that bit of home comforts. They've got the burgers, pizza, pasta, and full English breakfasts!!

The French Market - Koh tao

@allanasmith

OMG. If you're ever in the mood for a proper pizza night, here is the spot. This never let me down and with some fresh pastries for sale too I was never one to say no when this place was suggested.

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Kebab House Koh Tao

@allanasmith

This place was my second home honestly. When I was wishing there was a McDonald's on the island, this place would always curb those cravings. With veggie options, falafel and kebabs galore not only is this great for those hangovers but when you're after something more homey.

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The Workshop Tuckshop Koh Tao | Best English Breakfast Koh Tao.

@allanasmith

I know I'm so English for this... but if I was feeling homesick or hungover, this was always the cure! It is a little on the pricer side, but in my opinion, it is well worth a visit. A big bar of dairy milk, Robinsons fruit juice, Warburton's crumpets all for sale. A massive menu of full English' breakfasts or fish finger sandwich or sausage, eggs, chips and beans you will be spoilt with choice to curb those homey cravings.

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🍸Barracuda... You are beautiful. Now this place is definitely the most expensive place on this list, however I highly recommend it! It's got the live music, great cocktails, sunset view and the barracuda is delicious. If you feel like treating yourself to something that's not Thai - do it here.

Barracuda Roof Top Restaurant & Bar

@allanasmith

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🪩Let's dance🪩

Diza Bar

@allanasmith

Probably my fav place on the island! Great music, great atmosphere and spending almost every night here for 3 months I really got to know all the staff, and they just made it so much better. This is by far my favourite bar, possibly I've ever been to.

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Havana

@allanasmith

Spanish music and Spanish people everywhere. This is one of the busiest bars on the island and I can see why. With a large population of Spaniards this place is always thriving with cheap buckets at the ready. With Latin nights every Wednesday we had some fun here:)

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Fishbowl Beach Bar

@allanasmith

Everyone goes here, and I mean everyone. But that just makes the vibe even better. Honestly, the music, the beer pong and it being right on the beach (if you're down for an impromptu swim on your night out?) makes it worth it. The drinks were expensive, but there is a mini mart right outside, so buy a cheap Chang, down it and carry on with the rest of your night here! It shuts around 3am, and if you're staying out that late, they offer free moped taxi rides back to your hostel and vouchers for free balloons at Leo bar. Although it located about halfway along the walking street so it easy enough to stumble home safely if you have you friends with you.

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AC Bar Beach Club

@allanasmith

This was never my first option, but it's definitely an honourable mention. Really close to fishbowl so it was easy enough to walk between them both. It's got the live DJ, beer pong and plenty of pool tables so definitely good fun!

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The Local | Bar, Live Music, Events, Karaoke

@allanasmith

This is opposite Havana so it's always busy in here! Reasonable drinks prices plenty of dancing space:) Wednesday nights are pub quiz night, I managed to win free mojitos for the table one night so take your chances as it is always good fun!

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Hello Bar

@allanasmith

50 baht Changs?? Who can say no to that! And live music every Friday and Saturday this is a great place to hang out with your friends and pre drink before heading out out. Always such a vibe and impromptu karaoke makes a great start to the night.

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Bamboo Beach Bar

@allanasmith

This place is such more of a chill out vibe. Right on the beach and perfect for watching the sunset. So smoke a joint or have a drink and just chill out with your friends or by yourself.

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⛳️A bit of everything🤿

✨Take a look! There's a little something for everyone here, for if you're trying to avoid the sun because you're a little red from the day before, or after some more active fun.

☂️Not everyday can be filled with outdoor adventures, so make sure you take a quiet day every now and again, make playing some board games with a chocolate milkshake in hand.

Non-Coffee Cafe

@allanasmith

Sitting around, playing board games, pool or Mario kart with your friends on a rainy evening is never a bad idea. With great food and drinks on tap and a large area to chill out on their bean bags is always an easy way to spend time with your new or old friends and get a little competitive whilst doing it!

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The Hacienda Bar & Grill Koh Tao

@allanasmith

The Koh Tao cinema and the perfect spot after a long day and you want to sit and watch a movie! Plenty of staged sofas so everyone can see the large projector screen and great sound system. With a 10min break in the middle is also a good idea for those who load up on their chocolate milkshakes. You can request movies here, but there is no promise the owner will play them, but the movies are always announced day of on their Facebook page. The cinema itself is free, you don't have to book, just buy something from the restaurant (min. 100 baht). And if you order a meal to eat during the movie, they do table service so you don't have to move. Please do not try to bring your own food and drink in here, they will kick you out fyi.

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Koh Tao Mini Golf

@allanasmith

Have a beer and fuck around with your friends for an hour. I never personally made time to visit here, although I guarantee some good competitions go down.

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LBD™ - La Bombona Diving - Scuba Diving Center - Koh Tao - Thailand

@allanasmith

I've only got good things to say about this place, and it's the reason I stayed on the island for so long! I completed my RAID divemaster with these guys and the time of my life. Such a professional organisation and it really makes the family atmosphere, Always going out to drinks at the end of the diving day with each other or their barbecue nights or sitting and watching the sunset with a beer in hand. Do it! This island is one of the cheapest places in the world to take on your Open Water course or do some fun dives if you are already certified. BTW, RAID is the qualification received, but this doesn't limit the school's you can dive with in the future - whether that be PADI, SSI, or other.

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The Bunker Climbing Gym Koh Tao

@allanasmith

What a little gem on the island. From what I remember (it's been a while sadly) it was on the pricier side, around 300 baht for a full day. But you can by bundle packages and also hire out their shoes and chalk to be used. It's a small little boulder gym but the staff and other customers were all so friendly and helping each other out to solve the problems. And a range of difficulties for everyone. Also, you can book day trips out to go rock climbing with them around the island! Speak to the guys at reception for prices and dates as they always differ.

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My Nail & Spa

@allanasmith

For those of you that like to treat yourselves and take a little break this is the spot. The girls here are always so lovely and do an amazing job!

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Koh Tao CrossFit

@allanasmith

This sort of thing is not my speed, but if you're looking to get a sweat on and not feel so guilty for all those evening cocktails, here is your place. I've heard amazing things from those who go here, and what a great community they have created.

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Zokotattoo kohtaoisland

@allanasmith

I've got some amazing tattoos, but the bamboo piece I got from these guys is incredible. They took their time and clearly took a lot of pride in their work. For their reasonable prices I would recommend these guys to anyone who was looking for a piece.

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Flying Trapeze Adventures Koh Tao

@allanasmith

For you acrobats or adrenaline junkies. Flying through the air for an hour and a half with a small group and their local community they have created. Be prepared to ache the next day because this is hard work! Also, one tip, wear leggings aha the creases of my knees were ripped up!!!

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💆And one of the most important things to remember on this island, is to treat yourself to a massage whether that by a full body oil or a Thai massage there are plenty of great places to choose from - and I couldn't decide on which ones to add to this list! Try some of them out and let me know which you found to be your favourite?!

🗾Viewpoints🗾

🌄Try them out because each will be just as beautiful as the last!

🍛The top three are all restaurants too so watch the sunset and order a pad thai:)

Love Koh Tao

@allanasmith

This place was always quieter in the morning. So before head off to go diving for the day, we would and chill and order some breakfast. We never had trouble finding a spot to eat and with a 180 degree view no seat was a bad seat:)

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Sunset seaview bar & restaurant

@allanasmith

This viewpoint is so easy to get to - with it beaing located right on Sairee road in between Sairee and Chalok (the two most populated areas on the island). But with that, it tends to be quite busy up here. Get here early and settle in to watch the sunset over Sairee beach!

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High the moon koh tao

@allanasmith

Looking for a good photo opportunity over the island, here is a stunning location. If you're spending the day at Sai Nuan beach, stop by here on the way back for some food before you head out again for the evening!

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Top Point เกาะเต่า

@allanasmith

Be careful here!! My friend with a little less experience on a moped had a crash going up to this viewpoint - so if you do go for it, you have to be 100% aha! We stopped just after the first really big hill, right after where it says for mopeds to be careful and hiked the rest of the way up the mountain. I would recommend this because it does get steep and would need a big engine and lots of confidence to be able to make it to the top. But it was so worth it! You do have to pay to sit at the top of the rock, but we still watched from the road where it was free and saw one of the best sunsets from up here!

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Piera Point

@allanasmith

Make sure you go the correct way up to this viewpoint aha, unlike we did. There is the back roads where its a bit sketchy but if you go past the police station then you should be fine. It's only a short distance from the wind turbine, with the most outrageous view of Aow Leuk bay!

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🏖️Chill Out🏖️

👙A new day means a new beach right? With a little bit of everything for everyone here, pick your vibe and enjoy!

Sai Nuan Beach

@allanasmith

My go-to beach and where some of my most special memories were held. This place is usually a lot more quiet than some of the other beaches as it's a little less well known, so if you're after a chill out day I would highly recommend checking it out:) The water is quite shallow here and so not the best for snorkelling but with a couple of nice restaurants situated right on the beach it's not a bad place to hang out at.

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Tanote Bay

@allanasmith

If I had to pick a beach to say was the most popular on the island, it would probably be Tanote Bay! ... although for good reason. With a large rock in the a short swim from the bay to jump off of to the great snorkelling across the whole length of the bay it is b-e-a-utiful. Quick tip, for those who aren't so comfortable driving a moped maybe consider getting a taxi? The road is very steep and very bendy, so be careful if you do choose to drive it:)

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Ao Hin Wong

@allanasmith

A little rocky slice of paradise:) The water here tends to be a little cooler than on the west side of the island but sometimes it's nice to actually be able to cool off in the water and not feel like your swimming in a hot tub aha. This is a pebble beach but with a bar situated right on it and free chairs/sunl oungers to use when buying a drink there is still plenty of fun to have here!

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🐢If you're after swimming with some turtles or baby black tip reef sharks, Aow Leuk is your best bet! the most beautiful crystal clear waters and some of the best snorkelling on the island I would happily spend all day every day here

📍Quick tip: If choose to go here, where you meet a fork in the road, turn left towards the resort. Here you don't have to pay for access to the beach. But stay considerate to those who pay to use the sun loungers whilst walking through!

Aow Luek Beach หาดอ่าวลึก

@allanasmith

This place is stunning! No wonder it's such a popular dive site around the island.

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🌈With a special mention to the main beach on the island!

🌅Beautiful white sand lined with bars, restaurants and cafes this place is a lot more lively than the other listed beaches. But when you're after a nice dinner or chilling with a beer on the beach after a long day here is where I would recommend.

Sairee Beach

@allanasmith

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🍨Desserts and coffee☕️

🤤Sometimes a little slice of paradise can be made better when fuelling your body properly:)

🩷Whether it be mid-day or you're after a little treat after dinner there's always a vibe to pick from from this list!

Permpoon Cup Ice cream by Sairee Cottage

@allanasmith

A couple of the most delicious scoops of ice cream is enough to make anyone feel better! With lots of different flavours to choose from and free samples, you really can't go wrong here.

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Cactus Cafe & Beach Bar

@allanasmith

If you're working from your laptop or just after a sandwich to refuel from your adventures - this is a great location. It is right on the beach, and some of the most fresh food we ate!

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Thalas Cafe Koh Tao (ทาลาส คาเฟ่ เกาะเต่า)

@allanasmith

Dear Thailand, I must say I found it hard to find a nice coffee a lot of the time, but Thalas has smashed it! A nice iced latte and some macarons to refresh yourself after hopping off the ferry is never a bad idea:) With the aesthetic aswell, this place is well worth a visit

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💤Sleep time💤

🔑Sometimes, all you need is a nice bed to come home to at the end of the day, and, in my opinion, this can make or break a location for me!

😇Some of these I stayed at myself, others I know people that have stayed at them

ISLANDER Hostel Bar & Restaurant Koh Tao

@allanasmith

This is a great budget backpacker hostel with less of a party vibe to it. But still one of theasiest places I found to meet new people. The rooms here tend to hold 8+ people in them, if you're not opposed to this. And one large bathroom to share with the whole hostel. But I found that it was clean and the aircon was also lovely whilst I was doing some diving homework in the rooms. The owners are also lovely, and helped me find some last minute long term accomodation. So if you are staying on the island for a while, have a chat with the receptionists and they might be able to sort you out!

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Slumber Party Hostel Koh Tao

@allanasmith

This place is definitely a party hostel so if you're not looking to sleep all night then you'll have no issues here! The beds are comfy and there is always events running - and so what else could you possibly want from a hostel aha!

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CK Hostel

@allanasmith

This is right in the centre of Sairee and so its incredibly easy to get to. And about a 10 second walk from a 7/11 for those cheese toasties we all know and love:) A bit more of a chill place to hang out, but there is a bar in the reception and a couple of pool tables, which is probably why I never saw this place empty, so check it out!

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🤍SO! No matter how much time you spend on this island, it will never be enough, but here is a great start to making the most of your time here:)

So go out and enjoy this little slice of pradise.

Safe travels🤍