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Whether you’re a coffee addict or a digital nomad looking for a comfortable work spot, this is the Koh Phangan coffee shop guide for you! Included are our personal favourites!
When researching a new destination, surely it’s not just us that makes finding some great coffee spots a top priority?
Sipping on a well-crafted and strong flat white is one of our simple pleasures and we were thrilled to find a few places serving up exactly this on Koh Phangan.
There is a thriving coffee scene on the island with some vibey coffee shops, and I’d be lying if I said this didn’t factor into our decision to come back to Koh Phangan to work remotely for a month.
The iced lattes we often grabbed on the go from 7-11 did actually hit the spot, but here are some of the best cafes to check out on your trip to Koh Phangan.
Where To Find The Best Coffee In Koh Phangan
The coffee shops in our list are spread out across different areas on the west coast of Koh Phangan, including Haad Rin, Thong Sala, and the northwest.
I’ve pinned them all on the map below so you can see which are closest to you or factor the locations into your island adventures.
I can’t be the only one who makes coffee a priority when planning day trips and adventures!
Note: There are more than seven pins as some cafes have multiple branches in various locations.
Koh Phangan Cafes And Coffee Shops
We’ve visited all of these cafes during our two trips (five weeks) on Koh Phangan and they are our personal favourites!
Whether it was for the quality speciality coffee, the views, or a great place to get some laptop work done, there is something special about each of these spots.
We’ve also included some helpful factors, including if there’s wifi, a price gauge (using a cappuccino as a benchmark), locations, and whether there’s air conditioning.
1. What’s Cup!
Google Maps pin: What’s Cup!
Wifi: Yes
Cappuccino price: 70 THB
Air conditioning: No
Best for: Coffee and a view
We are suckers for a coffee with a view and that’s exactly what we loved about What’s Cup, a lovely cafe at the top of a cliff just south of Haad Yao.
The view of Haad Yao below, with its vibrant turquoise water, rocky fringe, and palm tree surroundings, had us eyeing up a window seat as soon as we arrived!
The coffee didn’t disappoint either, just look at the colour of that foam and pristine latte art below!
As well as the drinks selection (which is also 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 we did see several people working here, we wouldn’t actually feel comfortable taking up one of their tables as there’s not a huge amount of seating. There’s now also a no-laptop policy during peak hours (10am-1pm), which we feel is completely fair, so bear that in mind.
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2. Balance Speciality Coffee
Google Maps pin: Balance Speciality Coffee
Wifi: Yes
Cappuccino price: 80 THB
Air conditioning: Yes
Best for: Tastiest flat white on Koh Phangan
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 the flat whites and capuccinos we had at Balance were the best we had on Koh Phangan! And this comes as no surprise after learning the cafe is inspired by Australian coffee culture.
The tasty caffeine fix was exactly what we needed before our visit to the nearby Kuan Yin Temple!
But, while the quality of the coffee is the main reason we recommend Balance, the vibe comes in as a close second. The minimal, modern, and stylish architecture and decor are so aesthetic which is something we always appreciate in a coffee shop.
The combination of the chic polished concrete finish with the quiet palm tree forest surrounding made us feel like we’d discovered a hidden oasis away from the bustling tourist hot spots.
We sat back in the outdoor terraced area but there’s also a small seating area inside with icy air conditioning. However, while laptop work is possible here, it’s not very suitable as the indoor space is small.
Coffee is definitely the focus here, but they do also have a limited food menu, although the prices are on the higher side.
Don’t Miss A Trip To Koh Nang Yuan!
Join this tour from Koh Phangan to visit one of the most scenic islands and iconic viewpoints in Thailand – it’s one of my favourites!
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 THB
Air conditioning: Yes
Best for: Laptop work
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 has proper tables and chairs compared to floor seating, and 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
Cappuccino price: 100 THB
Air conditioning: Yes
Best for: Brunch
Now with three cafe locations on Koh Phangan, we really enjoyed our visit to the original Bubba’s Roastery just behind Haad Yao. The other two are located further south in Thong Sala and Baan Tai.
What immediately stood out to us was the modern and bright decor which to us felt like a blend between boho and elegance. They have managed to perfectly mix island life with modern chic design!
This made it a perfect coffee stop before crossing over to Haad Yao to hit another one of Koh Phangan’s best beaches!
As well as having our favourite aesthetic, Bubba’s Roastery narrowly missed out on the best coffee crown. With beans sourced in Northern Thailand, buying directly from the farmers and then roasting them on the island for optimal freshness, our cappuccino and americano tasted superb!
It’s not as good for laptop work as Indigo, as Bubba’s Roastery likes its cafes to be social and interactive, which was a bit too lively for us to focus. However, there were people on their laptops here and there is a community table for this.
While we only had coffee, Bubba’s Roastery is also getting a great name on Koh Phangan for serving exceptional breakfast and brunch dishes with large portions and western and plant-based options. You can even order a glass of bubbly or a spicy marg to have a boozy brunch!
5. Sand & Tan Restaurant
Google Maps pin: Sand & Tan
Wifi: Yes
Cappuccino price: 120 THB
Air conditioning: No
Best for: Beachfront boho vibes
Looking to enjoy your coffee in a prime spot right on the beach? Then Sand & 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 we 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 Haad Rin beachfront places. The restaurant’s sandy floor even made us feel like we were on the beach itself!
There’s a busy holiday atmosphere as you would expect with this location and there are apparently DJs playing sets in the afternoons too.
If you fancy something stronger than a coffee, Sand & 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!
Good to know: From 8am – 11am, Sand & Tan only serves hotel guests from Phangan Bayshore Resort.
6. Footprint Cafe
Google Maps pin: Footprint Cafe
Wifi: Yes
Cappuccino price: 70 THB
Air conditioning: No
Best for: Peace and nature
Of all the Koh Phangan cafes that we 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 THB if you don’t have your own (with a 300 THB deposit).
We had a great morning here on our laptops downstairs with a view overlooking the calm lake.
The staff were friendly, the coffee was great, and there is a food menu starting at 100 THB. There are also smoothies, vegan and vegetarian dishes to choose from.
7. German Bakery By Achim
Google Maps pin: German Bakery by Achim
Wifi: Yes
Cappuccino price: 90 THB (+30 THB for almond or oat milk)
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 our main 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!
Our favourites, the chocolate and almond croissants, were so good that I even included eating them as one of our top things to do on Koh Phangan!
When travelling in Southeast Asia, we found it really hard to find real flaky pastries and sourdough bread 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 for it.
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).
Related Post: The Ultimate Guide To The Chinese Temple On Koh Phangan
To Finish
The great coffee scene that has been established on Koh Phangan was an added bonus to an island that already stole our hearts!
It has also created some vibey workspaces for the growing digital nomad community that have chosen to base themselves here.
I’m sure there will be even more incredible coffee spots open in the future too!
Pin It For Later!
Our Other Thailand Guides
Find more inspiration in our other Thailand Travel Guides!
I recently experienced a new cafe with a great little garden where they also have yoga and events, ETHOS Koh Phangan in Srithanu and want to recommend it! ETHOS Purple Pancakes where amazing and so was the coffee. What I liked the most was the energy there.
Hi Alex,
ETHOS looks like a fantastic spot and a great vibe! Thank you for the recommendation, we will definitely check it out ourselves the next time we visit Koh Phangan!
Sam