Baba Soul Food

Baba Soul Food on Cape Panwa is a café and Thai restaurant within the Sri Panwa hotel complex. The main reason to come here is the sweeping sea view: it’s a relaxed spot for unwinding and watching the sunset, with plenty of photogenic corners and a thoughtfully designed interior.

The menu shines most when it comes to pastries and coffee. Expect fresh croissants, cakes, and pastries — coconut desserts are a particular highlight — along with solid coffee, iced matcha lattes, and Thai iced tea. Overall, it’s better suited to desserts, drinks, and a light bite than a full meal, as the selection of mains is more limited. For hot dishes they serve Thai favorites such as lad na noodles, crab dishes, and coconut-milk curries; there’s no breakfast menu.

Service is generally polite and attentive, and the staff are happy to help with the menu. Note that a 10% service charge is added to the bill, and the indoor area can get warm when the air-conditioning isn’t strong.

How to get there: the entrance is via the hotel grounds — security at the gate will point you in the right direction. Navigation apps don’t always lead you to the right place, so it’s often easiest to drive to the reception area or park in the underground garage, take the elevator up, and cross via the pedestrian bridge; a tuk-tuk is sometimes available. Parking is available, but the access road and parking area can feel tight.