Want to know about the best Koh Phi Phi restaurants to enjoy a meal on your next trip to the island?
Koh Phi Phi island is a traveler’s paradise and one of the most beautiful islands off the coast of Thailand.
I have been lucky enough to visit Koh Phi Phi island twice and each time have extended my stay for a few days. The place is so beautiful which makes it really hard to leave.
With majestic turquoise waters, towering rock formations, and soft sandy beaches, this small island invites tourists worldwide.
Koh Phi Phi Island is a great place for travelers of all styles. You will find backpackers, couples on romantic getaways, families on vacation, and groups of friends all ready to explore.
Check out our budget guide to traveling Thailand here.
Phi Phi island might be well known for its glowing nightlife, but you will also find deserted tranquil beaches, high lookout points with incredible views, amazing snorkeling, and of course scuba diving.
There is no shortage of food on the Island either. While you are here you will want to get your you hands on as much Thai food as can because the stuff back home just isn’t the same. Pad Thai, Tom Yum soup, Green Thai Curry, Papaya Salad, and Mango sticky rice. You must try it all!
Apart from amazing Thai and seafood, on Phi Phi Island you will find many other types of cuisine as well. Indian, Italian, Mediterranian, Mexican, cafes, bakeries, and the list goes on.
Continue reading this article to entice your tastebuds and learn about the 8 best Koh Phi Phi Restaurants.
Foods to Try in Thailand
I could write an entire article about all of the amazing foods to try in Thailand. The cuisine here is varied, regional, and packed with flavor and spice.
As a word of experienced warning about any dishes that you try anywhere in Thailand, when a Thai person tells you something is spicy, it is without a doubt going to be one of the spiciest things you’ve ever tasted.
Forget what you know about spice unless you are a frequent visitor to Thailand. After living in Mexico, I thought I knew spice, but no. Thailand “spicy” is several levels beyond what I have ever known spicy to mean. You’ve been warned.
If you want a full guide, this list is very comprehensive, but I will list here some of the foods that you won’t want to miss when you are checking out the menus at the best Koh Phi Phi restaurants.
- Som Tam: one of the most common dishes you’ll see around restaurants in Thailand. It is a green papaya salad. It is mixed with classic Thai ingredients like fish sauce, garlic, palm sugar, lemon, and of course, chili.
- Pad Thai: If you’ve ever been to a Thai restaurant somewhere in the world, you’ll have seen this on the menu. It’s perhaps the most exported Thai dish, but nothing is as good as Pad Thai in Thailand. Traditional Pad Thai is made of rice noodles, egg, tofu, fish sauce, tamarind juice, dried shrimp, garlic, onion, and palm sugar. You’ll usually get it with grilled shrimp on top in most places on Koh Phi Phi.
- Khao Niao: This is the Thai name for Thai sticky rice and you’ll find it on just about every menu at any time of day. Thai sticky rice is incredibly sticky, much like sushi rice, and if you get the chance, you should have mango sticky rice, a popular Thai dessert.
- Khao Kha Moo: From the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai (like a lot of delicious Thai foods are), this is a dish of roasted pork leg over rice. It is perfect in its simplicity but absolutely packed with Thai flavors.
- Massaman Curry: One of the most popular Thai curries, the Massaman curry has influences from Malaysia mixed with Thai flavors which combine to give you one of the most delicious Thai dishes (in our humble opinions!).
Some of the best restaurants in Koh Phi Phi are on the street!
Best Restaurants in Koh Phi Phi Map
Best Koh Phi Phi Restaurants
After spending a lot of time exploring and eating my way around this island over a couple of trips, here are my absolute favorite places to eat in Koh Phi Phi.
1. Garlic 1992
As the name suggests, Garlic 1992 has been serving Thai food since 1992. This well-known spot on the island is a great place to eat because they have so many menu options at budget-friendly prices.
Located in the middle of downtown, Garlic 1992 isn’t hard to miss. The restaurant is open-air, with humble plastic chairs and tables covered with floral tablecloths.
What is really handy is that many of the menu items are posted on the wall with pictures so you can see the dish to know exactly what you are ordering since ordering in the Thai language can be a bit overwhelming.
All the dishes are incredibly tasty. I can recommend the red snapper and the Massaman curry. The seafood is incredibly fresh and brought in daily by the local fisherman.
Massaman curry is a dish consisting of meat (usually chicken), potatoes, coconut milk, peanuts and cashews, cinnamon, cardamom, and many other spices.
The ingredients are slow-cooked all together creating a delicious curry full of warm spices. The curry is then served over white rice, so you can enjoy all the juicy curry sauce.
The staff is always inviting and happy to serve you. If you don’t know what to order they are more than happy to make recommendations or describe dishes. The staff also speak a good level of English which is very helpful.
The restaurant is normally always busy, which speaks to the quality and flavor of its food. If you can’t grab a table right away, your wait is normally about 10 minutes or less.
The restaurant does tend to be hot obviously because of the hot Thai air but also the kitchen that is working in the back.
You can absolutely arrive in your flip-flops and beach clothing as the restaurant is extremely casual.
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2. Annas Restaurant
Anna’s Restaurant is quite popular amongst the locals and is one of the best Koh Phi Phi restaurants for a wide selection.
If you can’t decide what type of cuisine you are in the mood for Annas Restaurant is just the place for you.
Look for their black and yellow sign with Disney print writing that reads their name. The restaurant is beside Moskito dive shop with which it is closely associated.
Annas restaurant features Thai contemporary-style decor with white walls, dark wooden tables and chairs, and textile decorations hanging throughout.
The restaurant isn’t overly big so at busy times of the day the restaurant can fill up fast.
The menu at Annas restaurant is very extensive with a wide variety of options for Thai, European, American, and vegetarian options. That makes it a great place to go with a group or as a family because the menu will have a selection for all appetites.
A restaurant favorite is the “Annas Special” Pineapple Fried Rice. It is a large portion of fried rice loaded with pineapple, raisins, shredded pork, ham, cashew nuts, and shrimp.
The special part is that the dish is served inside half of a hollowed-out pineapple. An incredibly delicious and Instagram-worthy dish.
You can’t go wrong with any option you choose off of the menu. Each dish is loaded with flavor and cooked to a high standard.
When I visited I ordered the cheddar cheese spaetzle. I remember the portion being so big that I couldn’t finish my meal. The spaetzle was light and fluffy and covered in a gooey creamy cheese sauce with bacon, just like you might find in Vienna. Savory and comforting with every bite.
The owners of the restaurant are a Thai/English couple who love to come out and talk with the guests bringing a personal touch to your dining experience.
They offer a small selection of alcoholic beverages such as wines, beer, and highballs, as well as fresh juices, mocktails, and coffee.
Prices are incredibly reasonable with dishes costing around 100 – 180 Thai Bhat which is about $3-5 USD.
Best places to eat in Koh Phi Phi.
3. Efe Mediterranean Cuisine Restaurant
Another well-known and delicious place to eat in Koh Phi Phi is Efe Mediterranean Cuisine Restaurant.
This restaurant Is so popular amongst travelers that It has ranked on Trip Advisor’s “traveler choice restaurant” from 2018- 2022.
The location is not hard to miss as the restaurant is located on the main drag just as you are coming from the pier.
The atmosphere at Efe is relaxed and casual. Thai decor fills the interior of the restaurant with a beautiful display of lanterns hanging over one of the dining sections of the restaurant.
As the name suggests, Efe serves a variety of Mediterranean cuisine including kebabs, wraps, falafel, burgers, hummus, and much more.
This is also a great place for vegans as they have a large selection of vegan dishes.
The hummus here is really delicious and smooth with perfect garlic flavoring. Served with house-baked pita that is soft and chewy.
The restaurant is on the smaller side with a limited seating capacity. If you are arriving in the middle of the dinner rush be prepared for a small wait.
The staff and management at Efe are fantastic and so hospitable. If you have any questions about the menu or allergies you need to notify them of, they are happy to help and explain how the dishes are prepared.
4. Qoori Qoori Cafe
Looking for a tasty treat? Make your way over to Qoori Qoori Cafe.
A cozy cafe located about 10 minutes walk from Ton Sai Beach. The interior is minimalistic and chic creating an inviting atmosphere. The cafe has floor-to-ceiling glass windows displaying an incredible view of the Andaman Sea.
A perfect place to enjoy the view while devouring an afternoon dessert.
Their menu features an assortment of hot and cold beverages such as espresso or americano. They also have creative coffee combinations mixing sparkling fruit juices with shots of espresso.
Also on the menu is their signature ice cream named Kakigori.
Kakigori is a must-try while you are in Thailand. It is a shaved ice dessert flavored with syrup and topped with a sweetener which usually is condensed milk.
At Qoori Qoori, they add fruit or chocolate (your choice) and leave the condensed milk off to the side for you to drizzle on as you please.
If you aren’t in the mood for ice cream they have baked goods as well. You can’t go wrong with an order of blueberry cheesecake.
The staff at the cafe speak basic English and are extremely kind and love to go the extra mile to help their guests.
The cafe is a tad small but doesn’t remain overly busy since most people grab things to-go. They have good air conditioning inside, great to beat that Thai heat.
Thai food is everywhere on Koh Phi Phi and comes at every price point.
5. Papaya Restaurant
Searching for authentic Thai food but can’t decide where to eat in Koh Phi Phi?
You must make a stop at Papaya Restaurant. This is definitely one of the best restaurants in Koh Phi Phi.
On the eastern side of Tonsai Village, you will find Papaya, within close proximity to the popular Reggae Bar (you can use this as a landmark).
This local venue is unpretentious with humble decor. Their main focus is quality, flavorful, and genuine Thai food.
Choose from an extensive menu of Thai and Indian options. From fried noodles to Gulab Jaman (an Indian dessert) there is a dish for everyone.
If you love spicy food, don’t be afraid to turn up the heat by adding a few extra chilies. At Papaya the spiciness factor comes at a true Thai standard.
If your meal is too spicy, order a local beer to wash it down.
The pricing is great and the portions are large. Papaya will not break the budget. It is a great place to get to know good traditional Thai cuisine.
Pad Thai in Thailand is something you’ll find yourself ordering again and again.
6. Only Noodles
As the name suggests Only Noodles is serving you the most delicious classic Thai noodle dishes.
This is one of the best places to eat in Koh Phi Phi for a flavourful street food experience.
Located in the town of Phi Phi, Only Noodle can sometimes be easy to miss because it is simple and small. Once you find it, grab a table and get ready for a tasty noodle experience.
All dishes are made to order. Start by choosing your noodle style. Pad-Thai, yellow noodles, glass noodles, or big noodles (thick Udon noodles). My personal favorite is the yellow noodles.
Then you choose your protein combination. Egg, chicken, prawn, squid, seafood, mixed, or simply vegetarian. All of the dishes are topped with classic Pad Thai sauce.
Don’t expect to eat your dish off of fine china. Your flavor-packed Pad Thai will be served on plastic plates. But who needs fancy when you are enjoying a street-style experience?
A small array of sauces and chilies are left at your table for you to dress your dish as you like
Noodle portions are a perfect size and won’t leave you feeling hungry. With dishes costing 80 THB ($2.25 USD) Only Noodles will have you coming back for more.
Best restaurants in Koh Phi Phi.
7. 23 Degree Roasters Cafe
Follow your nose and the strong smell of freshly roasted coffee until you find 23 Degree Roasters Cafe.
Located in the Phi Phi plaza market, this chic cafe is the perfect spot for your morning brew.
The cafe is quiet and cozy and has good air conditioning. They also have fast and strong wifi. This makes it a great little place to plant yourself if you are looking to get some online work done.
The cafe has a beautiful wood interior with trendy lighting creating an inviting atmosphere. This place is very aesthetically appealing.
23 Degree Doasters Cafe offers all of your classic coffee favorites such as americanos, lattes, and cappuccinos, in hot and cold options.
Feeling a bit more adventurous with your coffee? Order from their specialty menu with drinks like iced orange coffee or matcha coconut nectar.
All of their pastries are delectable which might make it hard to decide on which to choose.
The passion fruit cheesecake is so rich in flavor and the berry mousse cake, light and fluffy with every bite. You will also find a variety of croissants and freshly baked bread.
If you can’t get enough of the coffee you have been drinking, you can purchase some beans to take home with you for just 100 THB (that’s under $3 USD)
Incredibly affordable, roasted well, and a perfect souvenir reminder of your delightful mornings on Phi Phi Island.
Best street food in Koh Phi Phi.
8. Oasis Bar and Restaurant
Escape reality and make your way over to Oasis bar and Restaurant. One of the best Koh Phi Phi Restaurants for Thai and seafood.
In the north of Phi Phi Island, behind the Phi Phi Island village resort is where you will find Oasis Bar and Restaurant.
Wood decor, palapa roofing, lush plants, and rasta accents create the feel that you have stepped into a quaint tropical paradise.
The atmosphere is laid back and inviting and the staff is friendly.
Oasis is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner offering local and international cuisine. I can recommend ordering seafood as they are known for their amazingly fresh seafood dishes.
Don’t miss the fried fish plate or tempura prawns. Add a side of spring rolls and morning glory and you have a fantastic Thai feast.
Order a fresh cocktail or beer to complement your meal. The food is authentic and the pricing is very affordable. They will surely have you wanting to return for another meal.