Eat & Drink

A neighbourhood Thai kitchen in Kantiang that punches well above its modest setting.

A laid-back spot on South Long Beach combining home-cooked meals with travel bookings. The menu covers Thai and Western dishes from breakfast through dinner, with plenty of vegetarian options.

A small, highly regarded Thai restaurant run by a husband and wife team in Klong Khong.

Anny is a friendly neighbourhood restaurant on North Long Beach serving reliable Thai food at good prices.

A Long Beach gem that feels like Thailand a couple of decades ago: colourful, easy, and genuinely welcoming.

Baan Peek Mai is a warmly regarded Thai restaurant on the Klong Nin road, serving excellent homestyle Thai cooking.

A seafood and Thai food restaurant in the southern part of the island where the fish is handled with care and the staff will show you what's available before it goes to the kitchen.

A small taqueria with tacos and burritos made fresh to order, clean vivid flavours, and house-made sauces. The space is simply furnished and relaxed, with friendly staff happy to advise on portions.

A halal restaurant on Bamboo Bay near the national park entrance with a beautiful ocean view and a wide selection of Thai-Muslim dishes.

A long-running restaurant and bar on Long Beach with tables facing the sea and reliable sunset views.

A lively North Long Beach restaurant and bar with house music, attentive service, and a menu that spans burgers, tapas, kebabs, and fresh fish.

A family-run pizza place with a reputation for doing the basics well. The crust is thin and properly made, the ingredients are fresh, and service is quick.

Bun Noodle is a small, no-frills spot near the northern end of Klong Dao that is well regarded as one of the best noodle restaurants on Koh Lanta.

A corner seafood and Thai food restaurant in Saladan. The grilled pork neck and tom yam fried rice with seafood are the dishes regulars come back for.

A small, highly regarded restaurant tucked in the trees near Kantiang Bay, known for wood-fired pizza, excellent Thai curries, and generous portions at fair prices.

A Klong Khong restaurant with a beautiful ocean view and cooking that justifies the detour. The khao soi is the dish people return for, available with fish or chicken.

Cook Kai is a well-regarded Thai restaurant on North Long Beach, popular with both locals and returning visitors.

Cook Kai is a family-run restaurant on Klong Nin serving Thai food at honest prices. Breakfasts are popular here, with kind staff and consistently tasty cooking that stands out on this stretch.

Costa Lanta is a boutique resort hotel on a quiet stretch of Klong Dao beach, with a restaurant open to outside guests.

Open-air restaurant and cocktail bar on South Long Beach with a devoted following built up over the years.

A Thai crepe stall that draws a loyal crowd.

A local favourite with a petanque court attached and an atmosphere that has kept people extending their Lanta stay by a few days.

Diamond Cliff Restaurant sits on a clifftop above Nui Beach on the southern end of Klong Nin, with sweeping ocean views.

A beloved barefoot restaurant on the Kantiang Bay strip with a relaxed, slow-living philosophy. The menu covers Thai classics, fresh fish dishes, and acai bowls, plus a solid lineup of craft beers.

A long-standing Greek taverna on Klong Dao serving classic Mediterranean dishes: moussaka, fresh salads, grilled meats, and seafood.

A solid Isaan spot in Saladan that locals rate highly. The menu covers the essentials: som tam, larb, grilled meats, and BBQ chicken at prices that make it easy to come back.

A restaurant that does fusion food properly rather than as an afterthought.

Roadside rotisserie chicken, reliably juicy and crunchy, sold in front of Lotus. Fresh batches go fast and the stall closes once they sell out, so arriving early or mid-afternoon is the safest bet.

A beachfront spot that does pizza and baked goods with genuine care.

A casual waterfront restaurant in Old Town with a pier extending over the sea and swings overlooking the water. The menu covers Thai staples alongside some Western dishes, at affordable prices.

A family-run Long Beach restaurant that earns its return visits.

A versatile neighbourhood restaurant that handles breakfast, lunch, and dinner with equal reliability.

A halal restaurant on the beach road with a reputation for excellent roti. Tom yam, deep-fried prawns, and chicken fillet dishes are also consistently good. Clean, easy, and friendly.

A well-regarded Indian restaurant on Klong Dao. Curries, tandoori, and the usual Indian staples done properly, with portions that feel generous and prices that are fair even by local standards.

A garden cafe on Long Beach that draws strong breakfast and brunch loyalty. French toast with maple syrup and eggs, avocado BLT sandwiches, fruity pancakes, and smoothie bowls all get regular praise.

Hungry Shack Burger is a halal burger spot on the Klong Nin road, serving freshly made burgers with good-quality ingredients at accessible prices.

A dedicated soft-serve and ice cream shop run by Maryz, with a wide selection of flavours, a large array of toppings, and the option to customise.

A cross-cultural kitchen on Long Beach covering Indian, Thai, and European dishes on a single menu.

A khanom jeen noodle shop serving the fermented rice noodles with curry broth that are a staple of the Thai south.

Jai Dee is a casual beachfront restaurant and bar on Klong Nin Beach, known for good-value Thai food with direct views of the ocean.

A family-run beachside restaurant on Klong Khong where the mother's cooking is the main event.

Genuine Texas-style slow-smoked barbecue in an unlikely but very welcome setting on Koh Lanta. The meat platters arrive piled with brisket, ribs, and pulled pork, with house-made sides to match.

A small Indian restaurant in the south of the island with a strong following. Fragrant curries, freshly baked naan, and attentive service in a simple, no-fuss setting. Worth the drive.

A Polish street food stall making zapiekanka, the open-faced baked sandwich that is Poland's classic fast food. Toasted bread loaded with mushrooms and onions, savoury and surprisingly light.

A burger joint in Saladan that takes the craft seriously. Thick patties, fresh buns, and creative toppings, available for dine-in or takeaway.

A simple wooden-table restaurant at the end of the pier on Koh Por island, reached by longtail from Old Town.

A Thai and international restaurant with a sea view. The Thai food is well-executed: fried rice with beef, papaya salad, and spaghetti bolognese all get positive marks.

A beachside restaurant and bar at the northern end of the island with a direct view of the water and a warm team.

A peaceful seaside restaurant on the Kaw Kwang headland in the north of the island. Fresh seafood, sunset views, and a relaxed setting.

A casual kebab counter in Saladan serving wraps, grilled meats, and fries. Quick, filling, and priced for everyday eating. Good for a late-night bite or a fast lunch on the go.

A reliable kebab spot on South Long Beach. Juicy wraps, grilled meat plates, and cold drinks, with vegetarian options and local delivery available.

A small Japanese restaurant serving sushi, karaage, makis, and curry. Intimate, quiet, and welcoming, with the makis and karaage drawing particular praise.

KinBurger is a dedicated smash burger spot on North Long Beach with a loyal following.

A small Italian restaurant tucked away near the water in the southern end of Klong Khong, run by a couple (Valentina and Kenny) who put care into everything from the handmade pasta to the freshly.

Koala Bar and Restaurant sits right on Klong Dao beach and combines good food with a relaxed atmosphere.

A local tea and drinks spot on Long Beach. The strong tea is a draw for regulars. A simple place for a traditional Thai drink at local prices.

A burger restaurant that takes burgers seriously. The OCD burger, Death on Two Legs, and the house patties all get strong marks. Quality meat, generous fries, and a well-chosen beer list.

A local family kitchen a few kilometres from the Saladan ferry, where two English-speaking owners run a room that punches well above its roadside setting.

A seafront Thai restaurant just at the edge of Old Town, with beautiful views over the water from an open-air dining room.

A warmly run Thai restaurant in the Saladan area with a cosy atmosphere and good music. Fresh seafood is the strength, including lobster in season.

A popular restaurant with a large Thai menu and a reputation for fresh, carefully prepared food. The massaman curry and Pad Thai are standouts, and the kitchen has a generous vegan selection.

A long-running seafood restaurant in Saladan, housed in an old stilt building above the water.

Restaurant at the Lanta Lily property, shared with Mook Lanta Eco Resort next door. Breakfast features freshly baked bread and rolls, ginger shots, and good coffee.

A small, calm sushi restaurant on Long Beach run by two warm hosts. The menu focuses on salmon, tuna, and prawn in rolls and nigiri form, and the fish is fresh.

A dine-in and delivery pizza place on Long Beach, cooking from a stone oven. The crust is well-made and the four-cheese has its own following. Delivery available across the Long Beach area.

A family-run Isaan restaurant that does the classics with conviction.

A no-frills beachside Thai kitchen in Klong Khong that delivers consistently good food at low prices.

A European-influenced restaurant on Long Beach serving Italian-style dishes: ragu, carbonara, pizza, and salads using real cheese and fresh-made ingredients.

A well-designed restaurant and bar with a relaxed, open feel and a pool area that gives it a resort-like atmosphere.

An Italian restaurant doing Neapolitan-style pizza and fresh pasta at prices that bring people back the next day.

A locals' spot in Saladan serving excellent noodle soup. The yentafo is rich and properly spicy, the chicken noodle soup has its devoted fans, and a bowl with a drink stays well under 100 baht.

A Long Beach pizzeria with a serious Neapolitan-leaning approach: the dough is right, the crust blisters correctly, and the ingredients are good quality.

The khao soi here has a devoted following: creamy, properly spiced northern-Thai curry noodle soup served with a full spread of accompaniments.

A well-regarded Indian restaurant run by an Indian owner and kitchen, serving generous portions of classic North Indian dishes in the heart of Saladan.

A Long Beach favourite that handles both Thai and Western food well.

A busy spot on the Long Beach road where Mama Dang's cooking draws a crowd.

A halal Thai restaurant that consistently surprises visitors who walk in as a backup when Yawee is full.

Bar and restaurant at the quiet northern end of Long Beach, with guests who keep returning year after year.

A popular and reliably good restaurant with a broad menu spanning Thai classics and BBQ grills, all cooked in an open kitchen.

A small evening spot in the south of the island, set on a pier-style terrace over the water.

A halal restaurant with home-cooking at its core. The chicken noodle soup is deeply satisfying, the pad kra pao is well-spiced, and the red curry is a regulars' favourite.

A local fresh market running every Monday morning on Koh Lanta. Fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, and street food cooked on-site, including fried chicken, spring rolls, and doughnuts.

A café and co-working space on Long Beach that works well as both. Fast, reliable wifi, a large thoughtfully designed space, board games, chess, a pool table, and table service with call buttons.

Monty's Paradise is as much about the host as the food, and Monty is one of Lanta's more memorable characters.

Pom's pad thai stall on Traveller Lane is one of those places that earns its reputation. Big portions, local prices, and pad thai cooked to order right in front of you.

Mr. Green is a casual, no-frills restaurant on North Long Beach that punches well above its modest appearance.

A seafood restaurant in Old Town with a spacious open-air dining area and good access to fresh catches.

Otto's Bar and Grill is a casual beachfront spot on Klong Nin with a straightforward menu of grilled food and cold drinks in an open-air setting.

A restaurant perched right on the waterfront in Lanta Old Town, with views across the bay that make it worth the drive down to the east coast on their own.

A café and bar near the Saladan pier with sea views, reliable wifi, and a menu covering breakfast and light meals.

A restaurant with a rock music vibe and cooking that takes the food seriously. The pad thai, larb moo, massaman kai, and yum pak bung are all balanced and distinctly flavoured.

A family-style seafood restaurant in the Phra Ae area. Grilled or steamed fish is the way to go, the beef curry is a repeat-visit draw, and the morning glory is reliably good.

A seafood restaurant on a stilt platform above the water in Lanta Old Town, mixing traditional and modern décor with great views over the channel.

An Italian pizzeria open evenings only, with a focus on doing proper Italian pizza.

A Chinese restaurant where pan-fried dumplings and handmade noodles are what people talk about for the rest of their trip.

A mother-and-daughter restaurant that cooks every dish to order from scratch.

A serious Italian restaurant on Long Beach run by Andrea and family.

A long-running favourite in Saladan with a broad menu of well-prepared Thai dishes.

A no-frills seafood spot right on the Saladan waterfront, popular with both locals and visitors looking for fresh catch at fair prices.

A family seafood restaurant near Lanta Old Town with a large menu, good sea views, and staff who will move you to a better table when one opens up.

Right on the sand at Kantiang Bay, this beachfront spot delivers on both food and atmosphere. The cashew nut beef draws particular praise, the cocktails are solid, and the sunset views are excellent.

Beachside Thai food and bar with live music, casual and relaxed, in the southern part of the island.

A small family-run restaurant perched over the water at the northern tip of the island, known for fresh seafood. The grilled fish is the standout dish, with strong praise from guests.

A remote family restaurant on Lanta Noi that feels genuinely like eating in someone's home.

A halal seafood restaurant near the fishing pier on Lanta Noi, with clean facilities, a beach view, and cooking that draws visitors back from the larger resorts.

A Klong Dao beach restaurant with real staying power.

A bar at the southern end of Klong Khong Beach, run by a Thai-Swedish family who treat guests like friends from the first visit.

A laid-back café in Klong Khong focused on wholesome bowl-style dishes: smoothie bowls, noodle bowls, and fresh breakfasts made with local ingredients.

A French-owned restaurant north of Klong Nin with a loyal following built up over many years. A decent wine list and cocktails in the evening.

A beachside restaurant with tables on a deck facing the water and a menu that covers seafood and Thai standards.

A dedicated smoothie shop that takes its product seriously. Several sweetness levels to choose from, and 'no sugar' genuinely means no sugar.

A well-regarded Italian restaurant in Saladan, serving proper pizza and fresh pasta.

Somewhere Else is a beachfront restaurant and bar run by a long-established local family. The food is honest and well-priced, with Thai dishes and fresh fish cooked consistently well.

A halal street-food stall running at genuinely local prices. Crispy chicken with holy basil, yellow noodles with chicken, and tom yum with rice all clock in well under 150 baht.

A Thai restaurant on Long Beach with a loyal following for its pad prik khing.

One of the higher-end restaurants on Koh Lanta, with both Italian and Japanese menus executed at a consistently good level.

A vegetarian and vegan-friendly restaurant on Klong Nin beach with a sunset view and a 1970s and 1980s influenced atmosphere that has developed a devoted following.

A traditional Thai restaurant near Saladan with a menu that handles the essentials well and a specials board that offers good value.

A beachside restaurant on Long Beach that defies the usual trade-off between location and food quality.

Proper Isaan-style cooking from a characterful uncle who has been feeding locals for years.

A popular breakfast and brunch spot on the island, with a relaxed garden atmosphere. Expect thick smoothie bowls, eggs cooked every way, fresh juices, and strong coffee.

A hidden courtyard restaurant near Saladan pier that surprises with a beautiful garden setting invisible from the street.

A well-loved all-day restaurant on South Long Beach with a shaded garden setting and a menu spanning Thai classics and Western comfort food.

Solid Thai food in a pleasant garden setting on Klong Dao.

A family-run seafood restaurant where the lobsters are caught by one of the owners and served the same day. The freshness is noticeable.

A much-loved local Thai restaurant. Regulars come back day after day for the home cooking: green curry, pineapple curry, holy basil pork, grilled pork, fried rice, and papaya salad.

The fine-dining restaurant at Pimalai Resort, perched on the hillside above Kantiang Bay with sweeping sunset views from the terrace.

A restaurant in Klong Khong that regulars return to meal after meal, sometimes for weeks on end.

A solid Thai restaurant on South Long Beach serving local dishes at fair prices. Curries, stir-fries, and fresh seafood in a simple, welcoming setting.

Tiw Lay is a family-run beachside restaurant at the southern end of North Long Beach, with a relaxed open-air setting and good views of the water.

A newer beachside café in a secluded cove, with views that make it worth the trip from the northern part of the island.

A local restaurant where the papaya salad is excellent and the grilled chicken fills the street with a smell that makes the decision for you.

A Western food stall with a following for its burgers and tacos. Homemade buns, French cheeses, and portions big enough that more than one visitor has needed a beach walk afterwards.

A small seafood-and-snacks bar with a direct view over the bay, hammock seating, and warm, relaxed hospitality. The samosas are a particular favourite and the smoothies are made from fresh fruit.

A garden restaurant on Long Beach that earns its reputation for atmosphere as much as for food.

A standout restaurant on Long Beach with a creative menu that goes well beyond standard Thai dishes.

A halal restaurant on South Long Beach that consistently draws queues for good reason.

A small, family-run Thai restaurant with a loyal following for its fresh, well-priced cooking. Straightforward menu, reliable execution.

A family-run café on the main road, opposite Kraken Lanta, with coffee sourced from Chiang Mai and a breakfast menu that has quickly built a following.

iRie is a lively beach bar and restaurant on North Long Beach that combines good food with live music most nights.

A charming cafe and bakery in a shophouse with a lovely view from the back terrace. Known for tiramisu, matcha cheesecake, caramel macadamia cheesecake, and banana bread, all made in-house.

A relaxed cafe and bookshop in Saladan where you enter through a small secondhand book exchange before reaching a wooden terrace right on the water.

Swedish-concept café on Klong Dao with espresso drinks, pastries, and a co-working area for digital nomads.

Full Fill is a vegetarian cafe and zero-waste refill store on the Klong Nin road, very well rated by visitors.

Galapagos is an artisan cafe tucked into a lovely garden setting on Klong Nin, specialising in breakfast and brunch with a focus on quality ingredients.

Nang Sabai was a beloved beachfront cafe and restaurant run by Ina, a German owner known for her warm hospitality and for treating both staff and guests with genuine care.

A waterfront cafe and restaurant on the Old Town seafront run by a Thai-Chinese chef who is passionate about the food.

A well-loved cafe and bakery with an all-day brunch menu built around freshly baked bread and quality ingredients.

A relaxed cafe and bar tucked away on Relax Beach, with views toward Phi Phi on a clear day. The menu leans Mediterranean, with good avocado toast, pasta, and fresh smoothies alongside cocktails.