Krabi’s food scene splits cleanly between Krabi Town (where Thais eat) and Ao Nang (where tourists eat). Both have good food but the prices and rationale are different. Here is the practical guide to eating well in the province.
Krabi Town Night Market: the best food in the area
The Krabi Town Night Market on Maharaj Road operates Thursday to Sunday, 5pm–10pm. This is the most important food destination in the area — a proper Thai night market with southern specialities, fresh Andaman seafood, and desserts you won’t find in tourist restaurants.
Must-eat at the market:
Pad prik king goong — Dry-fried prawns with long beans in a rich southern curry paste. More intensely spiced than Bangkok versions. Look for stalls with large woks and fresh prawns on display. Approximately ฿80–120 per plate.
Kanom jeen namya — Fermented rice noodles with southern Thai fish curry sauce. A southern Thai breakfast and lunch staple. Approximately ฿40–60 per bowl.
Roti stands — The Muslim influence in southern Thailand produces good roti at Krabi’s night market — plain, banana and egg, or condensed milk versions. Approximately ฿20–40 each.
Fresh seafood stalls — Select from displayed catch and they grill or fry it on the spot. Tiger prawns run approximately ฿150–200/100g; barramundi fillets approximately ฿80–120.
Kanom bueng — Crispy crepes with sweet coconut cream filling, a southern dessert. Approximately ฿30 each.
Budget approximately ฿120–250 for a full market meal.
Weekday eating in Krabi Town
Outside night market nights, the best places are the local restaurants on Maharaj Road and the streets around the old town pier.
Chamthara Riverside Café near the old town ferry pier is one of the most atmospheric sit-down options — a wooden platform above the Krabi River, good southern Thai menu, consistent quality. Budget approximately ฿200–380 per person.
May and Mark Restaurant on Kong Ka Road (near the old town pier) is frequently cited by long-stay visitors for reliable, honest southern Thai cooking — gaeng tai pla (fermented fish curry), stir-fried crab, good breakfast options. Budget approximately ฿150–300 per person.
Boat Noodle Restaurant near the Chao Fah pier does decent boat noodles (kway tiao reua) in a southern Thai context — slightly different from Bangkok versions, with a stronger fish element in the broth. Approximately ฿30–50 per bowl.
Ao Nang: beach restaurants and tourist options
Ao Nang’s main beach road and the sois running back from it have the highest density of restaurants in Krabi province — but aimed at international visitors rather than Thais.
Carnivore Steak and Grill near the Ao Nang beachfront is one of the more reliable international options if you need a break from Thai food — consistent quality, decent wine list. Budget approximately ฿400–700 per person.
Lae Lay Grill on the beach road does southern Thai food and seafood at mid-range prices — reliable, popular with tourists and Thai visitors alike. Budget approximately ฿250–450 per person.
The evening street food stalls on Ao Nang beach road (running south from the main beach toward the Ao Nang Villa Resort) offer pad thai, satay, and grilled seafood at ฿80–150 per dish. Better value than the sit-down restaurants for the same food.
Southern Thai dishes to order
Krabi’s food is more distinct from Bangkok’s than most Thai provinces. Seek out:
Gaeng massaman — The southern Thai beef stew with potatoes, peanuts, and spices brought by Arab spice traders. Different and better than Bangkok versions.
Phat phong kari gung — Stir-fried tiger prawns with egg and yellow curry powder. A staple of quality southern Thai restaurants.
Khao mok gai — Thai biryani, halal preparation, served with a clear soup and cucumber relish. Found at Muslim restaurants and halal stalls throughout Krabi.
Satay — Southern Thai satay uses turmeric-marinated meat on bamboo skewers; the dipping sauce is thicker and less sweet than central Thai versions. ฿30–50 for a portion of five sticks.
Browse Krabi food tours and cooking classes
Browse hotels in Krabi — stay in Krabi Town for the local night market and fresh seafood, or Ao Nang for beachside dining.
See also: Krabi travel guide · Krabi things to do · Ao Nang guide