Ao Nang: recommended restaurants
Where to eat in Ao Nang
SEAFOOD is the obvious choice when holidaying by the sea and most people head straight for the main ‘seafood street’ - a small walkway at the far corner of the beach (near Wanna’s Place) lined with seafood restaurants. All serve similar fare (except for Lo Spuntino - see below), so walk along and see which ‘catch of the day’ takes your fancy. As the restaurants are located over the water, tables fill up early - around sunset - and remain very busy until around 9.30pm, so you may have to wait for a table.
Ao Nang also has the best selection of western and international dining on mainland Krabi, and is particularly strong in Italian food - the beachfront is often referred to as a ‘Little Italy’. Lo Spuntino, in the ‘seafood street’ mentioned above, is a clear favourite, with excellent filled pasta, melting risottos and simple grilled meats. Two other authentic Italians on the beachfront road - great for people-watching, as well as good food - are Azzurra, again, strong on pasta, and La Luna, which does a fine pizza.
Red meat eaters should head straight for Carnivore, on the Klong Haeng Rd opposite Thai Village Resort, which serves simply perfect steaks, with hearty accompaniments, as well as a range of classic European cuisine for those with smaller appetites. Good wine list.
If you - or your children - are yearning for a taste of home, you are sure to find it in a corner of Ao Nang. Scandi natives can head to Blue Mango (pictured above) opposite Krabi Resort, with its Swedish chef and menu including pytt i panna and meatballs; Swiss people will find their rösti and schnitzel in ‘The Roof’ or Wanna’s Place (which is also the place to try a Thai massaman curry); Germans can get a meat and potato fix in Divers’ Inn; while Dutch tourists should head to Chanaya’s for authentic kroket and other delicacies. British people can indulge in a roast dinner on Saturday, Sunday or Wednesday at The Irish Rover pub, or eat real fish and chips and mushy peas at the newly opened cafe on the main road in Ao Nang Village (near Ao Nang Copy Center) - the authentic and reasonably priced food comes from the former owners of English Rose restaurant.
Of course, all these restaurants are open to non-natives - and indeed, Ao Nang is a good place to try out new ‘foreign’ food, as the chefs usually come directly from their home countries and thus serve authentic food that has not been adapted to anyone’s national taste, as can happen at home.
Most international food you will find will be in the 250 - 500 baht a head range (without drinks). For western food on a budget, try The Irish Rover (pub grub and Mexican food); Pane e Pasta, a bakery-deli-cafe serving excellent breakfasts, sandwiches and salads; or Bernie’s Place, which offers the longstanding all-you-can-eat buffet dinner for 220 baht - or a wallet-friendly 75-150 baht for children (including ice cream).
Authentic Thai food is - surprisingly - quite hard to come by in the beach area, as it is usually adapted to (what Thai people think are) tourists’ tastes. If your chilli tolerance can take it, there are, however, a few places that serve excellent food - although those who are really into Thai food should definitely consider making a trip to Krabi Town (see Restaurants and Nightlife).
The small ‘night market’, a plaza opposite Krabi Resort is a good place to start in Ao Nang. You can try all sorts of Thai street food such as pad thai, noodle soup, and papaya salad, as well as food made to order, such as tom yam kung soup, red and green curries and spicy salads. It’s popular with local workers and the prices are more than reasonable. You can order from any stall you like, then sit down and wait to be served.
If you prefer to eat in a restaurant, Ruen Preutsa in Somkiet Buri Resort (opposite McDonald's) is a good quality Thai restaurant, set in a romantic garden. Another romantic dining spot can be found in The Last Fisherman bar (at the end of Soi 17), which now does a nightly barbecue on the beach, so you can eat by candlelight on the sand.
Find more restaurant ideas for all areas of Krabi in the Your Krabi guidebook, which has a complete restaurant review section.
The average Thailand guidebook has only a couple of pages dedicated to Krabi. We've created a whole book about the province, its attractions and where to stay. You'll find everything you need to plan your holiday and comprehensive maps and information for when you are here. Order your copy now!
FLYER is the monthly print magazine for Krabi Province. As well as features, you'll find restaurant reviews, maps, transport schedules and other resources to help you make the most of your stay. Pick up your free copy when you arrive at the airport, or ask for it in your hotel.