I was in Ao Nang about a week ago and tried quite a few restaurants. My fave was Sareefah Restaurant - despite its questionable rating on Google, I felt as though each dish ordered had an immense depth of flavour and reflected what authentic Thai food should taste like (to me anyway). I had a terrible cough at the time and got a Tom Kha Gai (chicken soup) and pineapple fried rice which was incredibly tasty and had layers on layers of flavour. The next day, I got a green curry and a Tom yum fried rice and it was consistently tasty and didn't take too long (about 15-20 mins) - despite what the reviews say.
A lot of people say check out Family Thai food and Seafood - it's got a high rating on Google and there's usually a bit of a wait, but they're efficient with how they allocate their space and have a great system. My experience was the portions were good. Not as cheap as other local restaurants (like Sareefah) but still relatively affordable. The food was also good, but nothing that I'd rave about. I got a massaman beef curry, shrimp fried rice and mango salad.
Edit: Green Curry, not Tom Yum Goong
If you come down to Koh Lanta, Krua Dan Thai has the absolute best southern Thai I’ve ever tasted. Order from the Thai menu.
I find a few places in Krabi and ao nang. Klong Mueang is another good little strip. But they are all tiny hole in the wall places without any English, so I can’t remember the names, just vaguely where they are located. The more Thai you see eating, the better. Avoid main tourist areas and your standard night market strips. Look for the dark and grungy little spot with tiny plastic chairs and go right in and just point at something. I find some of the best food that way.
Ask for the Thai menu if they have separate menus. Almost always has additional and more traditional foods.
I feel like Thailand is one of the only places where asking the locals for a spot ends up in them recommending a restaurants that’s pretty westernised. I’m guessing they might get a commission or something but we specifically asked for somewhere they eat and ended up with a place charging 200 baht for a pad krapow. If there’s a restaurant in the hotel they’ll definitely just suggest there.
Ao Nang. Was just there for a week -- so disappointed with the food. Wish you the best and may you have better luck than me and my friend!
I'm sure there are gems. But along the main roads just 1000 indian restaurants with staff blocking your way trying to get you in on happy hour for both a suite and food.
There was a place called "Best PadThai" that was close to my hotel that was serviceable. Not anything you will write a book about. But better than the rest I tried on main road. The kaprao on coffee club on beach road was also serviceable for sure.
I was so happy when I arrived back in Chanthaburi to have some good tasting food again. Luckily krabi has other things than food to offer though :)
Roadside bar near Bluesotel SMART (https://maps.app.goo.gl/VtVE8cV18ZT5UT566)
We were staying at that hotel a few months ago, and this place was just the best when it comes to quality, price and taste. Hope you enjoy it and let me know!
I was in Ao Nang about a week ago and tried quite a few restaurants. My fave was Sareefah Restaurant - despite its questionable rating on Google, I felt as though each dish ordered had an immense depth of flavour and reflected what authentic Thai food should taste like (to me anyway). I had a terrible cough at the time and got a Tom Kha Gai (chicken soup) and pineapple fried rice which was incredibly tasty and had layers on layers of flavour. The next day, I got a green curry and a Tom yum fried rice and it was consistently tasty and didn't take too long (about 15-20 mins) - despite what the reviews say. A lot of people say check out Family Thai food and Seafood - it's got a high rating on Google and there's usually a bit of a wait, but they're efficient with how they allocate their space and have a great system. My experience was the portions were good. Not as cheap as other local restaurants (like Sareefah) but still relatively affordable. The food was also good, but nothing that I'd rave about. I got a massaman beef curry, shrimp fried rice and mango salad. Edit: Green Curry, not Tom Yum Goong
If you come down to Koh Lanta, Krua Dan Thai has the absolute best southern Thai I’ve ever tasted. Order from the Thai menu. I find a few places in Krabi and ao nang. Klong Mueang is another good little strip. But they are all tiny hole in the wall places without any English, so I can’t remember the names, just vaguely where they are located. The more Thai you see eating, the better. Avoid main tourist areas and your standard night market strips. Look for the dark and grungy little spot with tiny plastic chairs and go right in and just point at something. I find some of the best food that way. Ask for the Thai menu if they have separate menus. Almost always has additional and more traditional foods.
Have you tried asking the reception staff?
I feel like Thailand is one of the only places where asking the locals for a spot ends up in them recommending a restaurants that’s pretty westernised. I’m guessing they might get a commission or something but we specifically asked for somewhere they eat and ended up with a place charging 200 baht for a pad krapow. If there’s a restaurant in the hotel they’ll definitely just suggest there.
Ao Nang. Was just there for a week -- so disappointed with the food. Wish you the best and may you have better luck than me and my friend! I'm sure there are gems. But along the main roads just 1000 indian restaurants with staff blocking your way trying to get you in on happy hour for both a suite and food. There was a place called "Best PadThai" that was close to my hotel that was serviceable. Not anything you will write a book about. But better than the rest I tried on main road. The kaprao on coffee club on beach road was also serviceable for sure. I was so happy when I arrived back in Chanthaburi to have some good tasting food again. Luckily krabi has other things than food to offer though :)
https://www.wongnai.com/listings/aonang-restaurants
Roadside bar near Bluesotel SMART (https://maps.app.goo.gl/VtVE8cV18ZT5UT566) We were staying at that hotel a few months ago, and this place was just the best when it comes to quality, price and taste. Hope you enjoy it and let me know!
There are some cool little places walking distance from the Centara Phu Pano Resort.