Finding a good place to eat in Ao Nang isn’t difficult. Restaurants line almost every street, offering everything from local Thai food to international dishes.
We probably would have walked straight past this little roadside restaurant if our friends hadn’t recommended it. They only told us one thing: “If you want really good Pad Thai, go there.”
So we did. After our first visit, there was no question whether we’d return. We came back again. And again.
An ordinary place at first glance
Roadside Bar doesn’t try to impress anyone. A few wooden tables. Simple stools. A wall-mounted fan quietly turning in the background. A laminated menu. That’s about it.
Through the wooden partition, we could watch the cook preparing order after order over a hot wok. The familiar sound of food sizzling carried out onto the street while people casually walked past.
Nothing felt designed for social media. And that’s exactly what we liked about it.
The Pad Thai that kept bringing us back
On our first visit, I ordered the shrimp Pad Thai. Anna-Liisa chose the chicken version. Neither of us felt the need to change our order after that.
What we remember most is how perfectly balanced the flavours were. Not too sweet. Not too sour. Not too salty. Everything simply worked together.
The shrimp were large, juicy and perfectly cooked. Nothing tried to overpower anything else. Every ingredient had its place.
After a few visits, the staff started recognising us. Their smiles became even warmer, our food arrived quickly, and we always left a small tip before leaving. It was our way of saying thank you.
The perfect lunch after a day at the beach
Most afternoons we arrived here after spending the day at the beach. Usually sometime between 2 and 4 p.m. There was still sand on our flip-flops.
We ordered Pad Thai. A cold bottle of Chang. The fan slowly moved from side to side while, behind the wooden partition, the cook continued preparing meals over the wok.
The tables were usually full. Some guests were locals, others were tourists like us. Despite that, the atmosphere always felt relaxed. The restaurant sits on a quieter side street rather than the busy main road, making it an easy place to slow down for an hour.
They were simple lunches. But somehow, they became some of the meals we remember most from our trip.
Not the fanciest. Just exactly what we were looking for.
Roadside Bar isn’t a place you visit because of its interior design. It isn’t somewhere people go to take Instagram photos. People come here for the food.
Honest cooking. Reasonable prices. Friendly service. And flavours that make you want to come back. If we ever return to Ao Nang, there’s a very good chance we’ll sit down at the same restaurant and order exactly the same dishes.
If you’re after something larger and busier on another evening, Kodam Kitchen is the other Ao Nang restaurant we kept returning to — a completely different atmosphere, and just as good. For everything else about the area, see our Krabi travel guide.
What we ordered, and what it cost
| Dish | Price |
|---|---|
| Shrimp Pad Thai | 110 THB |
| Chicken Pad Thai | 90 THB |
| Fried Rice | from 90 THB |
| Pineapple Fried Rice | from 110 THB |
| Stir-fried Thai Basil | from 130 THB |
| Stir-fried Cashew Nut | from 130 THB |
Practical Information
- 📍 Roadside Bar, Ao Nang, Krabi · Google Maps
- 🍺 Drink: Chang Beer
- 🚶 Getting there: walking distance from Ao Nang Beach and town centre
- 🕒 Best time: late lunch (2–4 p.m.) after the beach
- 💳 Booking: not needed · Payment: cash
Have you ever discovered a small local restaurant while travelling that became your go-to place for the rest of your trip? We’d love to hear about it in the comments.
Prices and opening hours were correct at the time of our visit in February 2026. Last updated: 19 July 2026.
