Last Updated: 10 May 2024
Recently I've had occasions to offer recommendations to a few people visiting Krabi for the first time. I've just been passing along a private note with this list of places, but I figured I should share that here.
One disclaimer though: while I like to call these my local recommendations since I grew up there, I haven't lived in Krabi since 2010 and a lot has changed since then. I still visit every couple of years and like to try new places locals go to. So I've been to most of these many times throughout my childhood, and the rest are recommendations from family and friends who currently live in Krabi.
I've also created a Google Maps list with all these for your convenience.
Food
Starting with the most important category. Most of these are located in or near Krabi town as I don't have much experience with food places near those popular tourist destinations like Koh Phi Phi or Ao Nang.
ครัวน้องเจน - Khrua Nong Chen
- My personal favorite. It's where I go for my first meal whenever I visit (you’ll also likely run into me here a couple days a week).
- Very local spot. I don't remember ever seeing tourists here.
- Go only if you’re feeling adventurous as it's not a tourist-friendly restaurant. They have no English menu, and not much in terms of customer service either. But they make the best southern Thai food in town.
ร้านก๋วยเตี๋ยวโกโลบี่ - Kolobi Noodles & Coffee
- My go-to spot for duck noodles.
ก๋วยเตี๋ยวเรือควนม้าตั้ง - Kuan Ma Tang Boat Noodles
- Locals’ go-to spot for boat noodles.
วาสนาลูกชิ้นปลา - Wassana Restaurant
- This place may look like they only sell noodles but the must-try dish is the baked chicken rice. Incredibly tender and addictively delicious. I've been going there since I was a kid and that's the dish I always get.
เรือนไม้ - Ruen Mai Restaurant
- Krabi/southern food with great atmosphere.
- My family has been going to their original location for as long as I can remember.
ข้าวหน้าเป็ดเยาวราช - Roast Duck Rice Restaurant
- They serve your typical Cantonese-style siu mei fare like char siu, siu yuk, and chicken rice. But their signature dish is the roast duck over rice.
ขนมจีนป้าต้อม - Khanom Jeen Pa Tom
- Must-try khanom jeen (rice vermicelli) restaurant.
- Get the “nam ya” curry with a side of fried chicken.
ขนมจีนน้องสาว - Khanom Jeen Nong Sao
- Same as above.
ตลาดเจ้าฟ้า - Chao Fah Night Street Food Market
- Street food carts in a parking lot going late into the night.
- If you’re lucky, a local legend เจ๊ไหม (Jae Mai) with her homemade coconut milk ice cream cart will be there. Make sure to not miss this. Get one with everything on it: bread, corn, and “look chit” (palm seed boiled in syrup).
ฟาร์มเอฟกุ้งมังกร 7 สี - Lobster Farm Seafood Restaurant
- It's an experience on its own. Very scenic.
- It's on an island so you have to hail a longtail boat over.
ขนาบน้ำวิวซีฟู้ด - Khanabnam View Seafood Restaurant
- One of a couple of similar seafood restaurants on the island across the river from Krabi town.
- You have to hail a longtail boat from the pier and tell them which restaurant you want to go to. It takes about 10 minutes to get across.
- It's a bit on the touristy side and a little expensive. But it's a fun experience and atmosphere.
ริมชลซีฟู๊ด - Rimchon Seafood Restaurant
- A more local seafood place that's also more affordable.
ชะลอม - Cha-lom Cafe & Restaurant
- Local food, homey feel.
ข้าวหมกไก่มะออง - Ma Ong Chicken Biryani
- A shop that specializes in Thai-style chicken biryani.
ฟารีดาข้าวหมกแพะ - Farida Goat Biryani
- Another biryani shop but this one specializes in goat biryani.
เรือนทิพย์ - Ruanthip Restaurant
- Local food and great atmosphere.
- Their original location is in Krabi town. My family's frequent spot, we've been going there for a long time.
เสน่ห์ย่า - Sanehya Restaurant
- Another great spot for southern Thai food. More modern atmosphere and tourist friendly.
โรตีบางนรา - Bangnara Roti
- Halal breakfast restaurant with roti, curry, and the must-try southern specialty: khao yam.
ร้านข้าวแกงป้ายินดี - Khao Gaeng Pa Yin Dee
- Khao gaeng spot where you just get a plate of rice with pretty much whatever you want. Thailand’s version of fast food.
โรตีข้างห้างโวค - Roti Nah Vogue
- A popular roti place located right in front of the Vogue shopping center.
โรตีบังดีน - Bangdeen Roti
- Another roti spot in town at the Chao Fah Night Street Food Market.
Roti carts
- A couple of roti carts on the side of the road in Ao Nang. My go-to place for some roti.
Do and See
เขาหงอนนาค - Dragon’s Crest Trail
- Difficult hike with a breathtaking view at the top. Even better starting before sunrise to catch it at the top. (AllTrails link).
เกาะห้อง - Hong Island
- Much closer to Krabi town than Koh Phi Phi and smaller but equally stunning. Also less crowded.
วัดถ้ำเสือ - Tiger Cave Temple
- Walk up 1,200+ steps to the top of a mountain with views of Krabi town.
ถนนคนเดินกระบี่ - Krabi Town Night Market
- A night walking street with local goods and food stalls.
เขาทองฮิลล์ - Khaothong Hill
- Incredible sunset viewing with a restaurant (food is okay).
แหลมจมูกควาย - Laem Chamuk Khwai
- Sort of a hidden spot and hard to get to with a cool view.
เกาะปู - Pu Island
- A small, relatively unknown island near Krabi town for a quiet getaway.
Near Krabi Province
จุดชมวิวเสม็ดนางชี - Samet Nangshe Viewpoint
- Spectacular viewpoint in nearby Phang-nga province.
เขื่อนเชี่ยวหลาน - Cheow Lan Dam Reservoir
- Located in Khao Sok National Park in Surat Thani province, you can take a longtail boat ride in the artificial lake with stunning views.