"Koh Lanta Old Town's stilted seafood spot — roofed pavilions over the mangroves and fresh Thai-style fish at gentle prices, for the view as much as the food."
About Beautiful Restaurant
Beautiful Restaurant, also known as Krua Lanta Yai, is a Thai seafood spot built on stilts in Koh Lanta Old Town, about a hundred metres down the road from the town sign. Roofed pavilions sit on a long pier over the mangroves and the water, which is the reason to come: tables hang above the channel, just beyond the trees. The kitchen keeps it simple and fish-led, with an extensive menu of fresh local seafood cooked Thai-style, and the prices stay moderate. It is the Old Town's best-loved waterfront seafood room, a relaxed Thai table for a long lunch or sunset dinner.
For Koh Lanta's other notable tables, compare the seafood at Red Snapper or the resort dining at Spice 'n Rice at Pimalai.
The Kitchen
The kitchen is straightforward and seafood-driven, with a long menu of fish and shellfish plus the usual Thai standards. Reliable orders include fried garlic-encrusted squid, fried whole fish with green mango salad, grilled squid and fried rice with squid, alongside curries for the table. The fish is fresh and the cooking is honest rather than refined — this is a relaxed local seafood house, not a chef-driven kitchen. Portions are generous and prices are moderate, which is much of the appeal. Order a spread to share, let the water and the breeze do the rest, and keep expectations set to easy beachside cooking rather than fine dining.
The Room
The setting is the whole point. A long pier runs out the back to several small roofed pavilions, with tables placed above the water beyond the mangroves and the moored boats. The result is a genuinely lovely spot — open-air, breezy and quiet, with views over the channel and a sunset worth timing a meal around. It is casual in every way: no dress code, a relaxed pace and an easy, family-friendly mood. Because it is one of the Old Town's favourite waterfront tables, the best pavilions fill at sunset, so arrive early or be ready to wait a little for a seat over the water.
Best for First Date
Pavilions over the water, a sunset view and easy shared plates make Beautiful Restaurant a relaxed first date in the Old Town. The breezy setting also suits a casual team lunch or a low-key birthday by the water.
Not for
Not for fine-dining polish or a refined, chef-led tasting — Beautiful Restaurant is a casual, over-water seafood house built for fresh fish, views and value, not ceremony.
Frequently Asked
What is Beautiful Restaurant known for?
Beautiful Restaurant, also called Krua Lanta Yai, is a Thai seafood spot in Koh Lanta Old Town built on stilts over the water. It is known for roofed pavilions on a pier above the mangroves, fresh local seafood cooked Thai-style — such as fried garlic squid and fried fish with green mango salad — and moderate prices with views over the channel.
Where is Beautiful Restaurant in Koh Lanta?
It is in Koh Lanta Old Town, on the east side of the island, about a hundred metres down the road from the Lanta town sign. A long pier runs out the back to several small pavilions placed over the water, so the tables sit above the channel beyond the mangroves and the moored boats.
What should I order at Beautiful Restaurant?
Order seafood. The fried garlic-encrusted squid, fried whole fish with green mango salad, grilled squid and fried rice with squid are reliable favourites, and the menu of fish and shellfish is extensive. Add a curry or two for the table. The fish is fresh and portions are generous, so a shared spread is the way to go.
Is Beautiful Restaurant expensive?
No — moderate prices are a big part of its appeal. It is a relaxed local seafood house rather than a fine-dining room, so you get fresh fish and a memorable over-water setting without a high bill. Come for a long lunch or a sunset dinner and order plenty to share. For other Koh Lanta options, see our dining guide.
Do I need a reservation at Beautiful Restaurant?
It is a casual, walk-in spot, but it is one of the Old Town's favourite waterfront tables, so the best over-water pavilions fill at sunset. To get a seat above the channel, arrive early in the evening or be ready to wait a little. There is no dress code and the pace is easygoing.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at Beautiful Restaurant
Casual and walk-in; arrive early at sunset for an over-water pavilion.
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Practical Information
AddressLanta Old Town, Koh Lanta, Krabi
NeighbourhoodKoh Lanta Old Town
CuisineThai Seafood
PriceFresh Thai-style seafood; moderate prices
Dress CodeCasual
SeatingRoofed over-water pavilions on a pier
ReservationWalk-in friendly
