Khiang Kao Forest & Cafe

Khiang Kao Forest & Cafe is a café-restaurant in the Kathu area, just a couple of kilometers from Patong, tucked away in lush greenery. The access road passes a temple and can be narrow and fairly steep in places, but it rewards you with beautiful views along the way. There’s a large parking area on site, and the grounds feel like a quiet forest garden at the foot of the mountain.

What makes this place worth the stop is its jungle-and-water atmosphere: shady trees, cooler air, terraces set beside a stream, a pond with koi carp, and — during the rainy season — the sense of a small waterfall nearby. It’s ideal for a relaxed lunch, reading, or lingering for a while. Families often come with children because there’s enough space to move around instead of staying at the table the whole time. You’ll also find a few great spots for photos with natural, panoramic views.

The menu offers Thai dishes and drinks at reasonable prices. Guests often recommend khanom jeen (rice noodles), basil fried rice, Hokkien noodles, and spinach-and-cheese spring rolls. Fresh fruit is sometimes available, and there are durian and mangosteen orchards in the area. That said, during busy hours some items may sell out, and food can take longer to arrive than expected. Since much of the seating is outdoors, ants and mosquitoes can be an issue — but you can usually ask the staff for repellent.