🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
The fun of cafe-hopping in Phayao is that almost every spot leans on the same view: the lake. Some sit right on Phahonyothin Road along the shoreline in town, looking straight out over open water. Others are over on the Ban Tom and Tha Wang Thong side, the quieter, leafier outskirts. So we've set up day one to follow the in-town lakeside cafes through the late morning and finish at a sunset spot in the evening, then on day two you move out to the cafes on the edge of the lake and the garden spots, which have a different feel.
Before you set off
Phayao is small, and the cafes around the lake are only a few minutes apart by car. The one thing to plan around is the light. The in-town shoreline faces the sunset, so evenings get busy. If you want a seat right on the water, get there before 6 pm. Late morning the sun is still soft and the air is cool, which is the best time to settle in and linger over coffee.
Day 1 — In-town lakeside cafes through to sunset
Start day one on the town side of Phayao, because the cafes with a full, open lake view are bunched along Phahonyothin Road by the shore. Arrive around mid-morning, right as the cafes open, then work your way along through the day until the evening highlight: the sun setting behind the lake.
In town · along the lake to sunset
Day one tip
Small wooden-house cafes like Baan Baann close on Tuesdays, and Akaliko closes on Mondays. If you're coming early in the week, check the opening days of the places you want before you go so you don't waste a trip. And since the lakeside gets crowded at sunset, if you want a seat right on the water, get there before 6 pm to be safe.
Book the activities in your Phayao trip ahead
Booking online ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide is usually cheaper than the gate and skips the queue. Pick only the experiences you actually want — prices and availability are shown live on each site.
Day 2 — Cafes on the edge of the lake and in the gardens
Day two moves out of town to the Ban Tom and Tha Wang Thong side, the quieter outskirts of the lake. The cafes out here tend to be leafier, a mix of distant lake-view spots and garden cafes. Start the morning with good coffee, then take it slow from cafe to cafe before heading back in the late afternoon.
Ban Tom–Tha Wang Thong · outskirts and garden cafes
The lakeside cafes we picked for this route
If you'd rather build your own route, here are the cafes we've checked and confirmed are still open, ordered by what stands out and where they sit. Just pick the ones that fit your day and the light. Prices are rough ranges and may shift with the menu, and the open-and-close days at small cafes can change.
THE LAKE CAFE
A lakeside cafe on Phahonyothin Road with a wide, open view over the water, serving coffee, desserts, and savory food for a long sit-down. It's the place a lot of people think of first when lake-view cafes come up.
Akaliko by the lake
A minimalist white-and-grey cafe on the shore, with indoor seating and an outdoor zone right on the water. The menu covers coffee, bakery, pasta, and fried snacks. Comfortable for both midday and afternoon.
Baan Ing Kwan Bar & Cafe
A renovated old house in mid-century style with an American-bar feel, plus an outdoor zone that catches the breeze off the lake. Open late into the evening, so it's a good spot for the sunset light.
Baan Baann
A renovated old wooden-house cafe in the Wiang area near the lake, warm and homey like sitting in a friend's living room. Known for its simplicity and homemade sweets, and good for an early start.
Bunny Moon
A lakeside cafe with a rooftop that looks out all around, plus a little animal corner with rabbits and goats. Good if you're with family or have small kids, and fun for photos.
Prakai Cafe & Cuisine
A cafe-restaurant in town with plenty of space and good photo spots. The salmon salad stands out, and it's a good choice for a proper lunch in a cafe setting.
BestPart.Cafe
A coffee-focused cafe in the Ban Tom area on the edge of the lake, open early from 07:30. Good for early risers who want a quiet coffee before the town wakes up, with coffee as the main draw.
Hind Cafe
A laid-back cafe in the Tha Wang Thong area with corners for working and taking photos. Open daily, and a good place to settle in through the late morning without the crowds.
View Kwan Cafe
A cafe a lot of people mention for a lake view that's worth the price, with photo angles out over the water and easy-on-the-wallet drinks. Good for a quick stop and a few photos.
Mali Home Cafe
A homey, low-key cafe in the Tha Wang Thong area with a leafy, shaded setting. Open daily, and a good spot to find a quiet seat and take your coffee slow.
Getting around and pacing the day
- Having a vehicle is easiest — the cafes are spread around the lake, on the town side, in Ban Tom, and in Tha Wang Thong. A car or a rented motorbike makes it easy to hit several in a single day.
- You can manage without one — take a bus or van into downtown Phayao, then rent a motorbike or call a ride in an app. The distances around the lake aren't far, with each cafe only a few minutes apart.
- Save the lake-view cafes for the evening — the in-town shoreline faces the sunset, so put THE LAKE CAFE or Baan Ing Kwan in the evening slot to get the full mood.
- Check closing days — several small cafes close on certain days, like Baan Baann on Tuesdays and Akaliko on Mondays. If you're coming early in the week, check ahead.
Straight talk
A lot of the cafes around Kwan Phayao are small, locally run spots, and their open days and menus change with the season and around festivals. Before you set off, take a quick look at the cafe's page that day, especially for places that only open on certain days, so you don't waste a trip. And the lake looks its best from late rainy season into early winter, when the water is full and the sky is clear.
Want a full Phayao plan covering both food and sights
See the Phayao travel guide →