Looking to find the best cafes in Koh Phangan? Whether you’re a coffee addict or a digital nomad looking for a comfortable work spot, this is the Koh Phangan travel guide for you!
When researching a new destination, surely it’s not just me that makes finding some great coffee spots a top priority?
It’s one of life’s simple pleasures and while experiencing all the awesome things to do on Koh Phangan is fantastic, enjoying a tasty cup of espresso coffee is one of my favourite ways to relax on this idyllic tropical island.
And anywhere in the world for that matter!
While I don’t claim to be a serious coffee connoisseur, I have a passion for finding vibey spots to enjoy a tasty flat white, cappuccino or white americano!
7/11 is great for grabbing a quick iced latte on the go but Koh Phangan has a thriving coffee scene. There are some great cafes to be discovered on the island.
So, whether you’re a coffee enthusiast, a digital nomad looking for a practical work spot or needing a caffeine fix to help your Full Moon Party hangover, here are some of the best cafes to check out on your visit to Koh Phangan.
Where to Find the Best Coffee in Koh Phangan
The coffee shops in this list are all located across different areas of the island. Below is a map of Koh Phangan in which all seven cafes are pinned – making it easy to find the ones closest to you!
*There are more than seven pinned as some have more than one location.
7 Best Cafes in Koh Phangan
I’ve created this Koh Phangan cafe guide to make finding your favourite coffee shop easier. It includes important factors such as wifi, a price gauge (using a cappuccino as a benchmark), locations, air conditioning and whether it’s a good spot for some laptop work.
1. What’s Cup!
Google Maps Pin: What’s Cup!
Wifi: Yes
Cappuccino Price: 70 Baht (£1.50)
Air conditioning: No
Best for: Stunning sea views!
One of the best cafes on Koh Phangan is What’s Cup! It’s located at the top of the cliff just before you reach Haad Yao on the main coastal road from Thong Sala.
Aside from the great coffee, what makes this cafe stand out is the beautiful view of Haad Yao Bay below with its vibrant turquoise water, rocky fringe, and palm tree/jungle surrounds.
I love a coffee with a view and this one is magnificent!
On top of the drinks selection (which is famed for its mouth-watering cold-pressed fruit juice), there are brunch dishes, cakes, western dishes, smoothies and acai bowls. With a presentation that’s perfect for all you Instagram foodies out there!
Not surprisingly it’s no secret spot and is very busy most days with brunch-lovers and digital nomad workers alike. I’d recommend heading there either first thing or late afternoon if you want an uninterrupted view overlooking the sea.
While I did see several people working here, this cafe is always a hive of activity. I wouldn’t feel comfortable taking up one of their tables unless I were to order a brunch dish too.
2. Balance Speciality Coffee
Google Maps Pin: Balance Speciality Coffee
Wifi:
Cappuccino Price: 80 Baht (£1.80)
Air Conditioning: Yes
Best for: Aesthetic vibe
Tucked away in the forest less than 10 minutes northeast of Thong Sala, Balance Speciality Coffee is an absolute gem on the Koh Phangan coffee scene.
It’s not the biggest coffee shop on this list but Balance is my favourite spot on the whole island to relax and enjoy my caffeine fix!
As I mentioned, I have a passion for finding vibey coffee shops and this place is incredible! The cafe is inspired by Australian culture which is always a great sign when it comes to coffee. Oh, how I miss Melbourne’s flat whites!
Balance’s minimal, modern, and stylish architecture and decor are so aesthetic and visually pleasing. It creates what I can only describe as an absolute vibe!
Combine the chic polished concrete finish with the quiet palm tree and forest surrounding and you have what feels like a hidden oasis away from the bustling tourist hot spots.
At Balance you can enjoy your coffee in the outdoor terraced area or there’s a small seating area inside with icy air conditioning. The cafe’s staff are friendly, enthusiastic, and very knowledgeable about their coffee.
Speaking of their coffee, their medium roast is fantastic with a strong and tasty flavour. Although coffee is the focus here, they do have a limited food menu but the prices are on the higher side.
Coffee lovers, this is definitely the place for you to check out while on Koh Phangan!
Related Post: Best Beaches on Koh Phangan
3. Indigo Speciality Coffee & Bakery
Google Maps Pins: Indigo Speciality Coffee & Bakery (for Hin Kong Beach) and Indigo Cafe and Eatery Thong Sala
Wifi: Yes
Cappuccino Price: 80 Baht (£1.80)
Air conditioning: Yes
Best for: Laptop working
Digital nomads, this is my top pick for you!
Indigo is one of the best cafes in Koh Phangan for laptop work. It’s so popular that they’ve opened at two locations, one in Thong Sala and one at Hin Kong Beach.
Both are laptop friendly and provide a great working space with plugs, spacious tables, and a quiet atmosphere. Indigo is without a doubt a popular choice for digital nomads.
The coffee at Indigo is great and has the nice touch of being served with a small biscuit. They also have a vast selection of loose-leaf tea, freshly pressed juice and smoothies, a large bakery section (make sure to try the chia pudding) and a free refillable water station.
As for their food menu, you’ll find plenty of Western and Middle Eastern options including pasta, shakshuka and falafel, and lots of plant-based dishes.
Indigo was my go-to place to get some laptop work done during my month living on Koh Phangan. The setup, ambience and delicious coffee were the perfect environment to get zoned in!
I will say that the Thong Sala location was my favourite as it tended to have more space on most occasions.
4. Bubba’s Roastery
Google Maps Pins: Bubba’s Roastery (for Haad Yao), Bubba’s Coffee Baan Tai, and Bubba’s Thong Sala
Wifi: Yes (but capped at 30min per item ordered)
Cappuccino Price: 100 Baht (£2.24)
Air Conditioning: Yes
Best for: Best tasting coffee!
Bubba’s Roastery is another popular Koh Phangan coffee shop that you can find in multiple locations on the island. I enjoyed sampling their coffee at Haad Yao but you can find a cafe further south in Baan Tai.
I know this one’s subjective but in my opinion Bubba’s Roastery has the best coffee in Koh Phangan!
The coffee shop has both outdoor and indoor seating with attractive and bright décor. They perfectly blend island life with a modern chic design. This makes it the perfect place to enjoy a morning coffee before hitting one of Koh Phangan’s beautiful beaches.
While it’s also a nice spot to do some work, Bubba’s Roastery likes its cafes to be social and interactive. Therefore, laptops are not allowed during their peak hours of 9am-2pm. This is unless you are buying more than a coffee and are happy to sit at the bar.
Bubba’s Roastery has some of if not the best-tasting coffee on Koh Phangan. If you love it as much as I did make sure to pick up a packet of their beans to take home!
It’s also getting a great name for serving exceptional breakfast and brunch dishes with large portions and western and plant-based options.
5. Sand & Tan Restaurant
Google Maps Pin: Sand & Tan
Wifi: Yes
Cappuccino Price: 120 Baht (£2.70)
Air Conditioning: No
Best for: Bohemian vibes by the beach
Looking to enjoy your coffee in a prime spot right on the beach? Then Sand and Tan at Haad Rin is the place to go! This chic beachside restaurant is connected to Bayshore Resort but you don’t need to be staying at the resort to dine here.
It may be the most expensive coffee I bought on Koh Phangan but with a beachfront location in one of the most popular areas of the island and a beautiful boho vibe, I’m not going to complain!
The beach and sea view here is second to none. Add the boujee aesthetic and this makes Sand & Tan really stand out amongst the other beachfront places. The restaurant’s sandy floor even makes you feel like you’re on the beach itself!
There’s a busy holiday atmosphere as you would expect with this location and there are often guest musicians performing in the afternoon.
If you fancy something stronger than a coffee, Sand and Tan also have an extensive alcoholic menu. So pick your cocktail of choice and chill out on one of their netted beds overlooking the beach!
Sand and Tan is definitely one to check out if you find yourself in the Haad Rin area!
Related Post: The Ultimate Guide To The Chinese Temple On Koh Phangan
6. Footprint Cafe
Google Maps Pin: Footprint Cafe
Wifi: Yes
Cappuccino Price: 70 Baht (£1.60)
Air Conditioning: No
Best for: Peace and nature
Of all the Koh Phangan cafes that I visited during my time on the island, Footprint Cafe was the most peaceful.
The cafe’s serene lakeside spot in the town of Srithanu (a chilled area known to attract alternative travellers and yogis) is perfect for focusing on work or getting lost in a book. It’s even possible to hire a book here for 20 baht if you don’t have your own.
We had a great morning here on our laptops downstairs with a view overlooking the calm lake.
At Footprint Cafe you’ll find friendly staff, great coffee and food starting at 100 baht. There are also smoothies and vegan and vegetarian dishes to choose from.
7. German Bakery by Achim
Google Maps Pin: German Bakery by Achim
Wifi: No
Price:
Air Conditioning: No
Best for: INCREDIBLE pastries!
There was no way I could complete a list of the best cafes on Koh Phangan without mentioning the German Bakery by Achim.
For once coffee was not my priority here but rather their magnificent pastries! Freshly baked on site every day is a selection of croissants, pain au chocolates, sourdough loaves, pretzels, wholegrain and sesame bread, and other sweet treats!
When travelling in Asia it’s hard to find real flaky pastries that we’re spoiled with in Europe, so this place is a real treat!
The owner shipped all his baking equipment over from Germany and is serious about his craft!
Located on the outskirts of Thong Sala on the side of the main road south, the German Bakery can be easily missed as you round the corner so keep an eye out.
It’s a no-frills set up with a few tables outside to sit by the road and indulge. Or choose to take away and enjoy your delicious pastry on the beach (which we did on a few occasions).
For the BEST coffee and pastry combo on Koh Phangan you have to check out the Germany Bakery by Achim!
To Finish
The great coffee scene that has been established on Koh Phangan is great news for everyone searching for a tasty brew on this paradise island!
It has also created some vibey work spaces for the growing digital nomad community that have chosen to base themselves here.
Hopefully this Koh Phangan cafe guide helps you determine which coffee spots you want to check out while on the island – if not them all!
If you have any questions about Koh Phangan leave a comment below and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can!
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