Koh Phangan Shortlists: Part 1 - Hin Kong Beach Road
Skip the Full Moon madness of Koh Phangan and join me for a virtual snack attack! We're exploring the cafes and restaurants lining this sweet beach - Hin Kong Beach.
Forget the Full Moon hype for a sec! This shortlist will be your (micro) guide to this chill and laid-back beachside bounty, from morning coffee to cozy bistros with stunning sunset views. Get ready for a delicious and sandy adventure!
What’s the vibe?
Hin Kong Beach offers a different vibe compared to the wild Full Moon parties that the island is famous for. The beach is known for its peacefulness and lack of crowds. You are more likely to find yourself sharing the beach with only a handful of other travelers or even having the entire stretch to yourself, instead of battling for space with umbrellas. As the beach faces west, you can expect to witness some truly breathtaking sunsets every evening.
Why Hin Kong Beach?
Hin Kong is low-key and laid-back, perfect for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of other parts of the island. Just grab a drink or a bite from a beachfront restaurant, sink your toes in the sand or crystal-clear waters (at high tide), and watch the sky come alive with color.
Where is Hin Kong Beach?
Hin Kong Beach is an easily accessible location, just a 10-minute drive north from Thongsala Pier. The beach can be reached through many resorts or directly from the roadside. The northern part of the beach is sometimes considered an extension of Srithanu (a busier area packed with hip cafes and restos), and has a similar vibe with several high-quality bars and restaurants.
How to reach Koh Phangan Island?
I’ve got you covered, check out my blog post on How to get to Koh Phangan Island.
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My favorite pick for bites and caffeine fix from south to north
Just a reminder - it’s a very subjective and incomplete list of what Hin Kong can offer and just a handful collection of my favorite spots from first-hand experience. It’s always better to double-check open hours directly with the venue and not solely rely on Google Maps.
Lick - Taste of Local (IG - licktasteoflocal) - an ice-cream van at the cute picnic park with coconut-based soft serve ice cream with creative topping
Pure Vegan Heaven (IG - pureveganheaven) - this beachfront branch of Pure Vegan makes generous Thai and Western vegan food
Bake Sense (IG - bakesensecoffee) - a low-key cafe, shop and bakery located in the beautiful mangrove garden
Castaway Beach Bar (IG - castaway_kophangan) - this beach bar is strategically located for easy access to the iconic Hin Kong Sandbank, also offer Thai massage on-site
Mama Kop - a local no-frills favorite with a traditional Thai menu literally on the beach
Romanzo Tropicale (IG - romanzotropicale) - an excellent Italian restaurant on the beach with great vegan options
Kikekla (IG - kikekla_phangan) - another beachfront cafe with a laid-back vibe open from morning coffee till late night dinner
Indigo (IG - indigocafephangan) - this always busy coffee shop ticks all the boxes - specialty coffee, bakery, ice cream, and coworking space on the second floor. If you are an early bird, I recommend grabbing your coffee and enjoying it on this part of the beach which is usually completely empty in the morning
Bonus - an extra spot which is not directly on Hin Kong Beach Road but halfway from Thongsala pier
The Grounds X Siam Cookies (IG - thegroundsxsiamcookies) - slightly on the pricey side as it is part of a hotel, but this “secret” beachfront location is incredible
Heading to Bangkok? Don't miss the trendy Ari neighborhood - check out my Ari Shortlist blog post.
Do you have questions about Koh Phangan? Need help with planning your trip to Thailand? I’d be happy to help, book a 30-minute call with me here.
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Safe travels,
Igor from IG (@igorrr)
P.S. Interested in a shortlist guide for another destination? I love to cover topics that are of interest and relevant to people, so please send me.