Koh Lanta guide · Where to eat
Places to eat in Koh Lanta, with what to order and how comfortable each is for families and older travellers.
Updated
Lanta's local food is southern Thai and seafood-led: massaman curry, khanom chin (rice noodles in a fish-based curry), grilled fish and shellfish, and chicken biryani that reflects the island's Muslim communities. Beach restaurants display the day's catch on ice. This is a hard island for strict vegetarians: fish sauce, shrimp paste and shared oil are common even in plain-looking dishes. The Thai phrase for vegetarian food is "jay", and you can ask for "no fish sauce" and "no egg", but kitchens vary.
We could not verify any pure vegetarian, Jain or vegan restaurant on Koh Lanta from sources we could open; only K. Himalaya on Long Beach carries a tag, as an Indian restaurant, with no vegetarian claim. Wikivoyage's island guide notes that one resort serves Indian and Thai food, and describes at least one cafe as vegan and vegetarian friendly, but neither is confirmed by the venue itself, so treat them as leads to phone, not promises. Vegetarian, vegan and pescatarian classes are offered at the Time for Lime cooking school, which is a good way to learn what to ask for.
The practical answer is to book a resort that will plan meals with you. Ask in writing, before you arrive, for a vegetarian or no-onion-no-garlic menu, and carry packed snacks on boat days, where lunch is usually seafood. Fruit, fresh coconut, sticky rice, corn and plain fried rice made with no egg are the safest everyday choices.
Menus and kitchens change. If you follow a strict diet or have an allergy, confirm with the restaurant before you order.
Kantiang Bay, south-west coast
A Kantiang Bay restaurant known for seafood barbecue with locally caught fish, plus stir fries and curries, and an in-house cocktail bar.
Northern Long Beach (Phra Ae), across the road from the Thai restaurants
An Indian restaurant on the northern stretch of Long Beach (Phra Ae), across the road from a row of Thai restaurants. The one Indian option named by a local guide to the beach.
Roadside restaurant cluster, northern Long Beach (Phra Ae)
A cheap Thai restaurant in the roadside cluster on northern Long Beach, named as a favourite by the author of a local guide.
Roadside, Klong Khong Beach area
A roadside Thai restaurant in Klong Khong that Amazing Lanta says is always full. Listed as open all year, with a local following.
Stilts at the end of the road, Ban Saladan
A stilted seafood restaurant at the end of the road in Ban Saladan, listed as open all year. The place to choose fresh catch from ice and have it cooked.
Klong Khong Beach area, west coast
A Thai seafood restaurant on the Klong Khong road, listed as open all year, with recommended dishes of garlic-and-pepper fried prawns and seafood noodles in gravy.
Main road, Lanta Old Town, over the sea
A stilted Thai and seafood restaurant on the main road of Lanta Old Town, built over the water with views to other islands and the mainland. Check prices before you order.
Just outside Lanta Old Town, past the hospital
A Thai restaurant just outside Lanta Old Town, past the hospital, listed by Amazing Lanta as open all year and not to be missed for its views.
North end of the old port, Lanta Old Town, east coast
A Thai seafood restaurant at the north end of the old port in Lanta Old Town, with tables over the water facing Koh Por. A relaxed lunch stop on the island's most walkable street.
Roadside, Long Beach (Phra Ae), west coast of Koh Lanta Yai
A Dutch-run, roadside garden restaurant on Long Beach serving tapas-style small plates from several cuisines, often named first when Lanta restaurants are discussed.
Roadside in Ban Saladan, not on the waterfront
A roadside restaurant in Ban Saladan, away from the pier, that Amazing Lanta rates for its Thai food and lists with an Indian selection. Useful on arrival or departure days.
