Ao Nang is best known for its beach and its access to the islands around Krabi, but the food scene here deserves attention in its own right. From simple street food stalls to seafood restaurants perched above the water, eating well in Ao Nang is easy if you know where to look and what to order.

Street Food and Local Markets

The night market that runs along the main Ao Nang road is the best starting point for anyone who wants to eat like a local. Pad Thai, green curry, grilled satay, and fresh fruit smoothies are all available at prices that make eating out twice a day feel completely reasonable.

avlxyz, Pad Thai tofu and veg – Mint Thai AUD9, CC BY-SA 2.0

Seafood by the Water

Fresh seafood is one of the highlights of eating in Ao Nang restaurants, and the best places to enjoy it are the restaurants that sit close to the beach. Grilled tiger prawns, whole steamed fish with lime and chilli, and crab cooked in yellow curry are dishes worth seeking out. The quality of the seafood here, caught locally and cooked simply, is hard to match. Finding a hotel that is close to the beach, like Avani Ao Nang Cliff Krabi Resort, is a good choice for guests who want to explore the local food scene.

Thai Classics Done Well

Beyond the seafood, Ao Nang has a good selection of restaurants that do Thai cooking with care. Som tum, massaman curry, and tom kha soup made with fresh coconut milk are dishes that taste very different here from their versions elsewhere. Smaller, family-run restaurants away from the main tourist strip tend to offer the most honest cooking at the best prices.