Authentic Thai food, hangover cures and western treats – a guide to our favourite restaurants on Koh Phangan

Koh Phangan is one of the biggest party islands in world and if you visit it’s going to be hard to avoid the party. Food played a huge part during our trip, especially after the long nights! This post will share where we stayed for New Years, and a handful of our favourite restaurants that cured our dreaded hangovers! There’s loads of areas to get tasty food on Koh Phangan, but we found Thong Sala had the most variety and was cheaper than Haad Rin.

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Also Read: The Most Beautiful Beaches on Koh Phangan

Where to stay – The Cosy Koh Phangan

GET YOUR ACCOMMODATION EARLY! Everyone and their mum wants to go to Koh Phangan to party into the New Year, and understandably, everywhere puts their prices up for the holidays. We were pretty late booking so had to settle for a dorm at The Cosy Koh Phangan. There wasn’t a big social scene here. The showers/ toilet weren’t great – cubicles outside which let bugs in, and the wash basins were completely outside so you turn on the light at night and it’s bug city.

We did have a double bed in a ‘pod’ which was lovely! There’s no privacy curtains but you can ask for extra blankets and make one (only works for bottom bunks – it’s first come first served so get there asap). The restaurant is RIGHT on the beach, a massive highlight! Roll out of bed hungover and straight onto the beach with a coffee, incredible! You can also rent bikes here, and the owners will organise your transport to and from the ferry. Our stay was okay; dorms did the job, bathrooms were a bit gross, restaurant area was amazing and it’s in a nice area.

Bamboo Bistrot

This French bistrot is run by a French expat couple who are the most welcoming pair ever! They made us feel right at home and had some delicious food! Ideal place for a treat, and a taste of home. They also have a very big, very friendly dog which is always a plus. Click here for directions.

Ando Loco

This was the first Mexican place we saw on our trip and we were really excited to try it. We visited on New Years day with a bit of a hangover and boy was a greasy burrito just what we needed! It’s an outside restaurant (like most places on the island) and the vibe is really cool but the food is even better! Click here for directions.

ร้านอาหารอีสานแซ่บ (ป๊อก) อิสลาม (New Year’s Eve Meal)

This was our pre-full moon party meal! The family who own it were sitting down for their New Years Eve meal. We didn’t realise this until we sat down and felt really bad for crashing, but they insisted we stay. They included us in their meal with jug loads of cocktails which were amazing (still no idea what it was). We tried to go back but they’d closed for the holidays, so gutted! Click here for directions.

Lanna Thai Food

The perfect authentic Thai restaurant – no fuss, amazingly delicious food. This place serves the perfect hangover cure, or the best quick bite. Spicy noodle soup – light on the tummy, sweat out the hangover and full of freshness to fix that broken Koh Phangan body! Click here for directions.

There’s tons of places you can pick up some tasty food in Koh Phangan, but we found Thong Sala best for variety, quality and cost! Whether you’re after a taste of home or delicious authentic Thai, you’ll find it all here. Read about the parties that gave us the dreaded hangovers we spoke about. For those lazy beach days and to top up your tan, check out our guide to our favourite beaches.