Best Restaurants in Koh Lanta (with Vegetarian & Vegan Options!)
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For a small island in Southern Thailand, there are a surprising number of excellent and diverse restaurants in Koh Lanta. Thailand is one of my all-time favorite foodie destinations, so it goes without saying that I absolutely loved eating my way around this island during my recent 10-day visit.
From munching on handmade tacos at a wild and remote beach to going Thai curry crazy at family-run restaurants and sipping cocktails with a view from a hilltop lounge, here are my picks for the best restaurants in Koh Lanta. There truly is something to suit all tastes on this island, even for a vegetarian like me. All the restaurants on this list are vegetarian and vegan-friendly, but don’t worry, there are plenty of options for meat-eaters on the menu at all these places, too!
Quick Koh Lanta Travel Tips
Arrange an eSIM: Airalo is my go-to when purchasing eSIMS for my travels, and they have plenty of different options for Thailand. Use the promo code AIRALOESIM10 for 15% off!
Airport transfer: To get to Koh Lanta from Krabi International Airport, you can book a shared minivan in the arrivals hall or book via 12go.com for 300-400 baht. You can also arrange a private transfer for roughly 2,700 baht for a group of up to 8.
Best restaurant in Koh Lanta for vegans: The Angel’s Restaurant (get the vegan khao soi!)
Best restaurant in Koh Lanta with a view: Sabai Sabai Viewpoint & Lounge.
Where to stay in Koh Lanta: My top pick is Lanta Casa Blanca. This boutique resort has a prime location on the beach at Relax Bay, a gorgeous oceanfront pool area, luxe villa-style rooms, and all sorts of cool amenities.
Helpful blog posts:
~ Amazing Things to Do in Koh Lanta (Aside from Beaches!)
~ Less-Touristy Things to Do in Krabi
The Best Restaurants in Koh Lanta (with Vegetarian & Vegan Food!)
Yawee Restaurant – for excellent, cheap Thai food
If you’re looking for Koh Lanta restaurants that serve cheap Thai food, don’t miss out on Yawee Restaurant. I ate at Yawee Restaurant four times in my 10 days in Koh Lanta, which says a lot. This place is super casual and low-key but the food is cheap and really good. Yawee is easily one of the best restaurants in Koh Lanta for meat-eaters, vegetarians, and vegans alike – there are tons of options for everyone.
I went curry crazy here and tried the green, red, massaman, and Panang curries. They were all so good. From the pad thai to the smoothies, everything my husband had here was delicious, too. I mean, you know a restaurant is good when it is consistently packed with people throughout the day.
Near Relax Bay: Google Maps location
Sabai Sabai Viewpoint & Lounge – for drinks with a view
I was on a quest to get sunset drinks with a view, and I came across Sabai Sabai Viewpoint & Lounge. The view from this hilltop restaurant and lounge is absolutely amazing, and that’s especially true at sunset. I came here for drinks, so I didn’t actually eat here, but they serve some seriously good-looking smoothie bowls, salads, and Thai dishes, with a few options for vegans and vegetarians.
This place does get crowded during sunset, so making reservations is a good idea. That being said, you can only make reservations if you’re planning on ordering food. Also note that Sabai Sabai is closed every Saturday.
Inland from Klong Khong Beach: Google Maps location
The Angel’s Restaurant – for vegan-friendly Thai food
My meal at The Angel’s Restaurant was one of the most memorable of my trip, and I’m still kicking myself for not eating here multiple times. What I love about this place is that it’s run by a husband-and-wife duo and Oh, the wife, is an incredible chef. With its vintage shop filled with rock tees and rock music playing in the background, this funky little restaurant celebrates music as much as it does food – another thing I love!
What drew me to Angel’s is that Oh does a vegetarian rendition of khao soi, one of my favorite Thai dishes. It was one of the best I’ve tasted during my travels – and it was made even better with Oh’s homemade chili sauce. Whether you’re a vegan or a carnivore, you’ll find tons of homemade Thai and Western options on the menu – from curries to burgers. If you’re vegetarian or vegan, this is one of the best veg-friendly restaurants in Koh Lanta.
Keep in mind that Oh cooks everything herself. Trust me when I say, her homemade dishes are absolutely worth the wait!
Near Klong Khong Beach: Google Maps location
Baja Taco – for homemade Mexican on the water
As a San Diego native, I simply can’t resist trying every Mexican restaurant I come across, even on remote corners of obscure Southeast Asian islands. So when I found out about Baja Taco, I knew we’d be making the journey to Koh Lanta’s lesser-visited east coast to give this place a try.
One thing I absolutely adore is its remote waterfront location. With hammocks, swings, and woodcarved art, the whole setup is rustic and absolutely dreamy. Plus, the cute cats and dogs made it all the more fun. This is honestly a great spot to just come and chill while munching on tacos and sipping on smoothies.
Meat-eaters can choose from fish, shrimp, beef, and chicken tacos, while vegetarians can opt for the refried bean, tofu, or mushroom tacos (vegans can order the tofu and mushroom tacos, too; just ask for no cheese). We tried all three veggie options and could have eaten a million refried bean tacos. The tacos are all served with three homemade salsas. As a salsa snob, I was super impressed.
Honestly, if you’re on a quest for hidden gem restaurants in Koh Lanta, Baja Taco is well worth checking out if you’ve got your own transportation.
Southeast Coast: Google Maps location
Mem’s Coffee Corner – for coffee and Western-style breakfasts
We stumbled across Mem’s Coffee Corner while waiting for our tour of the nearby Lanta Animal Welfare to start. And I’m so glad we did because having breakfast at this outdoor oasis was a true pleasure. The owner is super friendly and talkative and the food is top-notch.
They do some excellent Western-style breakfast plates, egg and bacon sandwiches, avocado toasts, pancakes, and fruit bowls. The coffee is some of the best on the island, too. So be sure to order one of the many coffee drinks on the menu.
Inland from Relax Bay: Google Maps location
Bonnie’s Deli – for all your picnic needs
You wouldn’t expect to find a gourmet deli on a Thai island, which is what makes Bonnie’s Deli such a gem. Step inside and you’ll find a wide range of meats, cheeses, breads, and wines. It’s the perfect place to pick up picnic supplies for the beach. I personally came here to pick up a couple of sandwiches to bring with me to the beach. We tried the vegetarian Mozzarella & Pesto (yum!) but the vegan Hummus & Spicy Mushrooms was super tempting.
Once I saw all of the cool international products they have in their shop, I just had to come back to pick up some tortillas and homemade salsas so we could have a Mexican night at our Airbnb. We also bought some coffee beans from Chiang Mai, and it was out-of-this-world good.
Near South Long Beach: Google Maps location
Bow’s Pizza – for cheap and quick handmade pizzas
This place was a lifesaver after a particularly long day riding all around Koh Lanta. We were so tired and just wanted to pick up a pizza to bring back to our place – and Bow’s Pizza came to the rescue. The owner was right out in front, handmaking pizzas and tossing them into the oven at an expert pace. The pizzas were cheap, freshly made, and super good. If you’re wondering where to eat in Koh Lanta for pizza, I highly suggest this spot.
Near Klong Khong Beach: Google Maps location
Yellow Bistro – for affordable Thai fare
Yellow Bistro is another one of the best restaurants in Koh Lanta if you’re looking for affordable and quality Thai food near Long Beach. This place was located just down the street from my Airbnb, so I was lucky enough to eat here a few times.
The menu is long and has every Thai dish you can imagine. But they also have Western options – like sandwiches and pasta – if you need a change of pace. They also have a full vegetarian section, which is a nice touch. Do note that Yellow Bistro is closed every Monday.
Near South Long Beach: Google Maps location
Devy Ale Cafe – for local craft beer on the beach
I’m a huge craft beer fan and I was pretty shocked when I found out Devy Ale Cafe brews their own craft beer. From IPAs to sours and stouts, there are always a handful of brews on the menu.
Beer aside, the location on Klong Kong Beach is awesome and it’s the place to be for a sundowner. The sunsets at this beach are particularly magical! Devy’s also has a food menu, live music on some evenings, and free games to play. It’s all around a lovely place to chill with a pint or two.
Klong Kong Beach: Google Maps location
