There are lots of fantastic cheap places to eat on Koh Tao, which won’t break the bank which is just another reason why this island and Thailand are so popular with travellers and backpackers. With new options appearing what seems like every other week (and disappearing too, unfortunately) lets recommend to you the best places to fill your stomach without emptying your pockets.
Cheap places to eat on Koh Tao
Chu Chu, Sairee Village Thai, Isaan, Burmese, Seafood, Vegetarian and Pizza
Number 1 on this list for a damn good reason, this small and typically Thai-looking restaurant won’t win any prizes for décor, but has built up an excellent reputation for itself on Koh Tao for delicious, cheap food served quickly with minimum fuss and maximum taste. A main-stay of the Koh Tao community for many years now especially for those in the know, is Chu Chu (a better reincarnation of pre covid favorite hotspot Su Chilli’s). Chu Chu has probably the most comprehensive menu that I’ve ever come across, with a great selection of Thai dishes from the far north to the more Indian-stylings of the south, incredible Burmese salads, the most tantalizing tasty pizza’s you will have had anywhere. Try the Massaman Pizza or the Penang Pizza.
One of the more popular restaurants on the island, not just for the food but the staff here are unbeleivable & Mr Aung the owner is one of the nicest men you will ever meet. Named his restaurant after his daughter everything about this place makes you want to come back again and again and once you dig in to the menu you’ll see why so many locals rate this as one of the best cheap places to get traditional cheap food on Koh Tao, with prices ranging from 60-200 baht for main courses.
Our Choice – It’s a tough choice with so many excellent dishes on the menu but I’ll stick my neck out and declare their Panang chicken curry as the best on Koh Tao, with fresh spices and that phenomenal homemade curry paste combining beautifully with the sweetness of the coconut milk and citrus of the kaffir lime leaves. Lovely stuff!
Duck 995, Sairee Village Thai/Chinese, Vegetarian Options
Always busy, this locals favorite serves what I consider to be the best duck noodle soup I’ve ever tasted (and I consider myself quite the connoisseur of noodle soups, I’ll have you know) and one taste of literally anything from their menu will show just why they’re rated so highly with those who know their food.
Main courses go for between 70 and 150 baht, or if you want the whole roast duck it’ll cost you just 700 baht. The menu is quite heavily duck-orientated but other options are available for those who don’t wish to eat these cute little quacking-machines.
Our Choice – There’s no doubt that the Spicy Duck Noodle Soup is a real joy, with an explosion of flavours on the taste buds with every bite. With a delicious broth to die for, noodles of your choice, bean-sprouts, peanuts and the perfect amount of seasoning it’s something you’ll come back for again and again. Go for the larger 90 baht version, as you’ll no doubt want more.
Tik Thaifood – Sairee Village Thai, European, Vegetarian and Vegan options by request
With a decent selection of Thai and European foods Yang’s is a firm favorite on Koh Tao, especially with the ‘frugal’ here. Famous for delivering extra-large portions at really low prices leaving you with more money to spend on the nicer things in life (like diving), the reputation here is well deserved, with the restaurant often being filled with the more bohemian looking traveler trying to fill themselves up whilst spending as little as possible – try the chicken schnitzel and if you want to eat something the size of a frisbee.
Can get busy between 12.00-14:00 when service can get a bit slow, so best to order direct from the counter when it’s packed out. Mains cost from 60-250 baht, with the most popular dishes just under 100 baht.
Our Choice – The fried fish (usually mackerel) with chili and basil on rice is really quite delicious, with the perfect amount of spices and fish that comes very well-cooked – unusual for cheaper restaurants that just love to overcook fish, in my experience.
