Ko Samui’s Café 69 was named the favourite restaurant for local cuisine among international visitors to Thailand by travel website <i>TripAdvisor.com</i>.
Ko Samui’s Café 69 was named the favourite restaurant among international visitors to Thailand by travel website TripAdvisor.com. (Photo from Cafe 69 Facebook page)
The site chose the best dining establishments serving local cuisine - based on reviews and opinions of unverified TripAdvisor commenters - from Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, China, India, Japan and South Korea.
At the top of the Thailand list is Cafe 69 in Bophut, Ko Samui. The website called it a "cosy southern-style Thai restaurant" run by self-taught chef Vivian. It has "colourful and modern décor" that puts "funky twists" on classic Thai dishes.
"The service is as good as it gets and the food is out of this world. Incredibly tasty, we came back a second time to try other items on the menu. I wish I could go back and try everything," one reviewer wrote.
Vivian said she was delighted to nab the TripAdvisor honour.
"We are very passionate about our food at Café 69. We work hard to maintain high standards, and it all pays off when we see the wonderful feedback that comes through TripAdvisor."
-
The Top 10
- Café 69 – Bophut, Ko Samui
- The Gallery – Ko Tao
- Dash! – Chiang Mai
- Phad Thai Rock ‘n Roll – Ko Lanta
- Cooking Love – Chiang Mai
- Nang Kin Gui – Bangkok
- Lemongrass -- Chiang Mai
- Kwan’s Cookery – Ko Lanta
- Suay - Phuket
- Kob Thai - Lanai Beach, Ko Samui
Ranked second was The Gallery restaurant on Ko Tao, which the site called "a complete sensory experience that blends cuisine and art at the same venue."
One TripAdvisor reviewer exclaimed, "This was quite frankly the highlight of our five-day stay on Ko Tao. We ate at this restaurant a few times during our stay and the food was of the highest standard. Authentic Thai food served by lovely staff. My children still talk about it now and ask when we can return to Thailand for a meal at The Gallery!"
Chiang Mai bagged the most number of winners with three eateries making it to the top ten. Thailand's islands also prove to be popular eating spots for international travellers, with restaurants from Ko Samui, Ko Lanta, Ko Tao and Phuket featured in the list.
"According to a recent TripAdvisor survey, 82% of travellers in Southeast Asia said that experiencing authentic local cuisines during their holiday is important or very important," said Jean Ow-Yeong, TripAdvisor spokesperson. "When it comes to food, TripAdvisor travellers have reviewed and rated what they think are the best restaurants to enjoy popular local Asian cuisines."