🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
The charm of eating seafood on Koh Yao is the freshness and the unhurried pace. The west coast of both islands is where the fishing boats pull in, and several places take their catch straight off the boat in front of the restaurant — so the menu changes with whatever came in that day. At some spots you walk over, pick your seafood live, and tell them how you want it cooked. These are the places we've picked from real reviews, split between Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai.
Seafood Restaurants on Koh Yao Noi
Koh Yao Noi gets more visitors, with resorts and restaurants spread along the coast. Pasai Beach on the west side is the sunset spot people talk about most, so the restaurants around here are great for settling in for a long evening.
Baan Rim Nam
A family-run spot near the pier serving big mixed seafood platters with crab, mantis shrimp, shellfish and grilled squid. The dishes people mention are the grilled tiger prawns and the seafood tom yum. Everything's fresh and it's right on the water. It gets busy at lunch, so booking ahead is the safe bet.
Pradu / Pa Sai Seafood
A seafood place right on Pasai Beach, known for fresh ingredients and easygoing prices. You can eat while the sun sets over the water, and it's one of the most recommended spots on the island.
Pradu Seafood
One of the island's original seafood restaurants, serving proper southern Thai food with a wide menu and gentle prices. The seaside setting is relaxed, and it's a good pick if you want bold local flavours.
Tha Ton Do Seafood
A family-run place built on stilts in the mangroves — a shady wooden house where you walk over, pick your live seafood and say how you'd like it cooked. Plenty of choice and everything's fresh.
Sawasdee Koh Yao
A waterfront spot that stands out for its steamed crab, squid stir-fried in its own ink, and curry-powder prawns. There are vegetarian options too. Prices run a touch higher than the typical home-style places, but reviewers rate the flavours.
Sai Beach Bar & Restaurant
You actually sit on the sand here, with a laid-back island feel, swing seats and a full cocktail list. It's a good place to sip a drink and watch the sea in the late afternoon, with simple Thai and Western food.
Tip
Many places on Koh Yao open and close on certain days, and some are cash only. Call ahead to check, or carry enough cash with you — ATMs on the island are few and far between, and the signal is patchy in spots.
Want to taste deeper? Try a Phang Nga food tour or cooking class
Half a day with a local who knows the lanes — or cooking a dish yourself — teaches you more than just eating. Book ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide.
Seafood Restaurants on Koh Yao Yai
Koh Yao Yai is quieter and more rugged than Koh Yao Noi, with locals mostly working in fishing. There are fewer restaurants, but the seafood is just as fresh. The Khlong Hia pier area is where you'll find waterfront spots with bay views.
Baan Rim Nam Koh Yao Yai
The most talked-about seafood restaurant on Koh Yao Yai, on the water near Khlong Hia pier. Fresh seafood, bold southern flavours, and a full view of Phang Nga Bay while you eat.
Anchor Point Restaurant
A small spot near Tha Khao pier with a warm feel, like eating at a friend's place. The menu mixes Thai and Western — think squid in garlic butter. Cash only.
Sea Gypsy
A Tha Khao spot open from morning to night with light prices. The standouts are the glass-noodle prawn salad and mango sticky rice, there are board games to play, and the owners make you feel like an old friend.
Anantara Koh Yao Yai Beachfront Restaurant
The pick if you want seafood with a polished resort view, set right on the beach looking out at the limestone karsts in the bay. The setting and service are excellent, and the prices are clearly above the local spots — best saved for a special meal.
What to Order on Koh Yao
- Grilled squid / squid stir-fried with salted egg — the squid here is so fresh that simply grilling it and dipping it in seafood sauce is already delicious.
- Grilled tiger prawns — big and meaty, a dish many places put front and centre.
- Steamed crab / curry-powder crab — crab from Phang Nga Bay with sweet meat, ordered by weight depending on the season.
- Seafood tom yum / sour fish soup — bold southern flavours, great with hot steamed rice to cut the richness.
- Shellfish in season — cockles, mussels or sweet snails, depending on what the boats brought in that day.
On prices and ordering
Fresh seafood like crab and prawns is usually priced by weight (per 100g or per kg), and prices move with the season and the day's catch. Always ask the price before ordering so there are no surprises at the bill. During the monsoon (roughly May–Oct), the boats can't always go out, so the catch may be thinner on some days.
When to Go and How to Get There
You can reach Koh Yao from Bang Rong pier (Phuket) or from the Krabi side, with a speedboat or longtail crossing of about 30–45 minutes. On the island, renting a motorbike is the easiest way to hop between restaurants. Late afternoon near sunset is when the west-coast beachfront spots feel their best, so aim to arrive a little before dark.
Plan a full eat-your-way-through trip across Koh Yao and Phang Nga
See the Phang Nga guide →