Beach town vibes and a cup of strong coffee just go together, and Prachuap Khiri Khan has both in spades.
I’m no expert in coffee, but I do end up grabbing one when I’m out and about far more often than not while travelling. I’ve also found that the cafe scene in Thailand has been consistently growing since my first visit nearly 15 years ago.
By that I mean, the majority of cities and even smaller towns now seem to have a specialty shop, and more and more baristas seem to enjoy their craft. Prachuap Khiri Khan is definitely one of those, with dozens of lovely places to lounge and sip on a latte or cold brew. Many of which are on a really artistic road called Sue Suk Cultural Street.
While the city isn’t quite the same as in the north in places like Lampang or Chiang Mai, where coffee farms span the countryside, there is still a unique cafe identity here. That’s not limited to coffee alone, as most places serve great iced teas to combat the heat, too. Enough with that, though.
Here’s a brief guide to Prachuap Khiri Khan cafes for those looking to get a strong caffeine buzz before hitting the beach. These are, from my perspective, the top cafes in Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thailand.
Suda Cafe X Boo Buns
Suda Cafe – สุดา คาเฟ่ is the cafe I’d most recommend in Prachuap Khiri Khan for those who like to have a donut with their coffee. They have a range of sweet bun desserts similar to donuts, called “Boo Buns.”
Honestly, it’s a pretty cute name for what is a very distinctive sweet snack. They make long fried-dough buns, either plain or filled, and round buns served with your choice of cream between them.
And, they are very much a tasty snack!
The coffee is no slouch either. They have a simple menu with all the basic pours and the typical, refreshing flavored iced americanos, plus a few signature drinks made to order.
The cafe itself is also just a really photogenic spot. It’s set in an old-school wooden shop that seems to be the theme of the Sue Suk Cultural Street. The upstairs is very retro-feeling, with vintage furniture and large open windows near the balconies. It honestly reminded me a lot of the cafes I came across in Melaka and Penang in Malaysia.
Overall, it was one of my favorite cafes in Prachuap Khiri Khan, as well as Thailand.
Opening Hours | Saturday to Thursday from 9 am to 4:30 pm. Closed on Fridays.
Work-Friendly | Yes, there’s enough space between the upstairs and downstairs.
Location (maps) | On Sue Suk Cultural Street next to the next cafe on this list.
หน้าหม้อ Coffee (Na Mor Coffee)
หน้าหม้อ Coffee, also called Na Mor Coffee because that is how it’s pronounced in English, is an unassuming cafe on the city’s popular cultural street. The meaning of the name is “front (or face) of the pot,” with the direct translation coming out to something like boiler front.
A pretty apt name for a coffee shop, if I don’t say so myself.
I loved almost everything about this cafe, from the chilled-out vibes to the friendly baristas to the really nice coffee. It’s open-air seating in a historical house with an artsy touch; there’s a funky wall with used coffee bean packaging hanging from it and occasionally a friendly cat or two.
They also have an extensive and creative drink menu consisting of basic and uncommon sodas like tamarind, plum, and butterfly pea honey lemon. They do matcha and yuzu drinks, too, which seem to be gaining in popularity around Thailand. Plus they offer most of these mixed with coffee.
If you’ve ever wanted to try obscure iced Americanos, then it’s a great place to start. Here are some of the unique combinations they have:
Homsuyan Pineapple Americano / Coconut Blossoms Americano / Tamarind Soda Americano / Mint lemon Americano / Sparkling Americano
I think you get the point! Oh, and the desserts aren’t bad either.
Opening Hours | Weekdays from 7 am to 4 pm, weekends from 8:30 am to 4 pm.
Work-Friendly | Good wifi, relaxing atmosphere, but there can be limited seating.
Location (maps) | Next to Suda Coffee on Sue Suk Cultural Street.
Milano Home Garden
My partner and I stumbled across Milano Home Garden on our last day in Prachuap Khiri Khan, and I regret not finding it sooner. It’s a wonderful, welcoming place set in a cute little garden with plenty of shade. The ladies working there are just delightful, and seem to really enjoy what they do.
It also has some of the best coffee in town. I had an iced americano, and my partner had an iced latte, and both hit the spot. Everyone else seemed to be enjoying themselves, too, and it was almost a full house.
All the classic espresso machine pours are done here, plus typical Thai iced ones like an Americano orange, Americano honey lemon, and matcha espresso. They do teas, avocado milkshakes, and yuzu sodas as well.
Besides drinks, they have a killer Western-style breakfast/brunch menu all done with fresh, quality ingredients. If you’re a fan of pancakes or French toast with your morning coffee, then you’ll want to stop by. I found the prices to be more than reasonable, with drinks being about average for the area and food matching places of similar quality.
Opening Hours | Thursday to Tuesday from 8 am to 1 pm. Closed on Wednesdays.
Work-Friendly | Not really; the main seating is in the garden, so it’s weather-dependent, and it’s only open until the early afternoon.
Location (maps) | On Soi 10, just off of Sue Suk Cultural Street in a discrete little garden a block away from the waterfront.
Paradise Mobile Cafe
If you happen to be visiting Wat Ao Noi or the Reclining Buddha Cave that lie north of Prachuap Khiri Khan city, then there is a lovely little mobile cafe to stop at. I came across this while cycling the beachfront, and figured a coffee with a view of the sea wouldn’t be half bad. And I’m very glad I did.
It’s essentially a one meter by one meter coffee stand connected to a motorized tricycle. There are actually two of these stands on the same road about a mile apart, but I just went to the one closest to Prachuap Khiri Khan.
The barista was super friendly, and she made a pretty good iced americano from the espresso machine inside. The Thai tea my partner got was also delightful.
Everything is served as takeaway, so you can have a seat under the trees and look out to the nearby islands while you sip on your beverage.
Opening Hours | Thursday to Tuesday from 7 am to 3:30 pm. Closed on Wednesdays.
Work-Friendly | No, since it’s an outdoor mobile cafe.
Location (maps) | Two spots along Pin Aruson Road towards Khao Ta Mong Lai Forest Park.
Grandma’s House
Grandma’s House is sort of the go-to cafe for breakfast amongst travelers. And I think a lot of that comes down to the artistic interior, laid-back vibes, and extensive menu.
The food is decent, with plenty of basic Thai dishes and Western options that might look familiar back home. While the usual coffee pours are okay, the specialty ones stand out more. They have some lovely iced black coffee mixtures with orange or honey lemon, plus they’re one of the few places I’ve seen that serve an affogato.
You could also opt for one of the Thai herbal drinks or sodas, which are nice sipping drinks on hotter days. For me, the best part about this cafe is the aesthetic. It’s in an old wooden house on a very pretty street, and has a colorful, decorative interior that just feels so welcoming.
Plus, like most of Thailand, the staff is always smiling.
Opening Hours | Every day from 7:30 am to 5 pm
Work-Friendly | Yes, it’s pretty relaxed, and it tends to stay relatively quiet throughout the day.
Location (maps) | On Sue Suk Cultural Street.
Punthai Coffee (กาแฟพันธุ์ไทย สาขาเลียบหาดประจวบคีรีขันธ์)
If you’ve travelled around Thailand for more than a couple of weeks, then you might be familiar with Punthai Coffee. It’s a chain cafe that operates all around the country, and usually that’s enough for me to avoid it.
However, the one in Prachuap Khiri Khan might be the prettiest-looking branch I’ve seen, and is particularly worth going to for its spectacular views. It sits right on the main ocean road and has a open-aired upstairs seating area with views of Ko Rom, Ko Lam, Yodi Island, and the sea.
And if you’re looking for an iced latte or tea, you could do worse.
Surprisingly, there are limited cafes along this stretch of road. And the shops that are here tend to have limited seating with a view. But this one is spacious, with plenty of seating, and has friendly service. It’s also one of the few that are open in the early morning hours.
Opening Hours | Every day from 6 am to 6 pm
Work-Friendly | Yes, there’s plenty of space between the air-conditioned downstairs and open-air upstairs. Wi-fi is also good, and there is food for when you get hungry.
Location (maps) | At the southern end of the main beach road heading toward the military base.
Thursday Espresso Prachuab
Thursday Espresso Prachuab is probably the most beautifully decorated cafe in town, which makes it a great spot to hang out. Potted plants are placed all around the shop, and, along with the black and white tile and forest-green walls, they make it feel like you’re in a sunroom in a traditional villa.
The iced americano here was also one of the best I’ve had in town. The barista, who is also the owner, has definitely perfected her craft and is as sweet as she is talented.
The menu includes all the basic espresso pours, plus filtered coffee and specialties like honey-lemon iced Americano, peach iced Americano, and yuzu iced Americano. You’ll have your choice of light, medium, medium-dark, and dark roast, too.
If you’re all coffeed out, you can opt for an iced or hot tea, cocoa, or a soda. Ground and whole roasted beans are sold here, too, and I believe you can even ask for your coffee to be done with one of these specialty roasts.
Next door is a lovely bakery called Cakes & Pies by Ty I -House that does homemade cheesecakes, muffins, and pies. If you’re grabbing your coffee to take away, it’s not a bad idea to also get a dessert from here.
Opening Hours | Weekdays from 9 am to 3 pm, weekends from 8 am to 3 pm.
Work-Friendly | Yes, I saw people working in there, and the environment is pretty nice to spend a quiet couple of hours.
Location (maps) | Near the southern end of Sue Suk Cultural Street.
ร้านอาหารบ้านย่าการ์เด้น (Banya Garden)
The name of this cafe/restaurant translates to Baan Ya Garden Restaurant, or simply Banya Garden, and I’d consider it one of the most underrated cafes in Prachuap Khiri Khan.
It’s not in the more typical tourist area of town, but a more local neighborhood that has been slowly developing into an emerging spot for new hotels and hostels. This is how I came about the cafe, as my partner and I spent a couple of nights near the end of our trip.
I enjoyed just about everything here, including the food, which I’ll end up mentioning in another article. The drinks are fantastic, with a range of fresh mixed matchas, ume sodas, coffees, and iced teas, all served from a mobile coffee cart inside a naturally shaded patio. There is a heavy Japanese influence, which I found out from the owner was because of his wife’s love of the culture.
The garden itself is quiet and secluded, with plenty of seating and a serene atmosphere. The staff is friendly, as is the owner. If you find yourself over this way in Prachuap Khiri Khan, I highly recommend stopping in.
Opening Hours | Tuesday to Sunday from 8 am to 4 pm, closed on Mondays
Work-Friendly | Unsure; if you don’t mind working in the garden, maybe, but I didn’t see if there was wi-fi.
Location (maps) | Near Sam Ao Stadium and Ko Lak Park in the northern part of the city.
68 Coffee
If you’re looking to have a nice morning cup of joe for a walk along the main promenade, 68 Coffee is my recommendation.
This isn’t like many other Prachuap Khiri Khan cafes, in that it’s meant as a coffee-on-the-go type place. There are only about four seats placed by the window that overlooks the sea and not much more inside.
I think at some point it was set up as a proper cafe, but that’s no longer the case. Even the outdoor seating was closed down while I was there. I’m not sure if this is temporary, but it didn’t really matter to me because the coffee itself is quite good!
The barista, who I believe is the owner, is clearly trained, and the espresso machine setup is pretty unique. There are long filter apparatuses for drip coffee, which the menu stated you can ask about and are the cafe’s specialty.
There are various types of beans here, including foreign roasts and more local Thai ones. The shop is also conveniently placed across from the coastal promenade almost directly at the midpoint between the Saranwithi Pier and the military base.
Opening Hours | Every day from 8 am to 4 pm
Work-Friendly | No, it’s effectively a takeaway coffee shop now.
Location (maps) | Building number 68 on the main beachfront road in Prachuap Khiri Khan.
REST & ROLL
The first thing that comes to mind when I think of Rest & Roll cafe is that it’s for the serious coffee drinker. At its core, this is a specialty coffee shop that focuses on high-end brewing and preparation.
They have more than a half dozen featured roasts, including several single-origin beans from around the world. These come from popular coffee-producing countries throughout Central America, South America, and Africa. You can even order a few exotic “Geisha” roasts, which are most commonly grown in Panama on higher-altitude farms.
Aesthetically speaking, Rest & Roll is a cozy, modern cafe with a simple but sleek design. It feels upscale, but then again, this is a specialty cafe with top-of-the-line roasts at a premium price.
While you’re there, it’s worth trying one of their cakes or pies. They make great desserts, including cheesecakes, orange cake, matcha pie, and my favorite banoffee pie.
Opening Hours | Every day from 9 am to 5 pm
Work-Friendly | Yes, there’s enough space between the indoor and outdoor seating.
Location (maps) | On the corner of Sue Suk Cultural Street and Soi Su Suek 3.
AO MANAO COFFEE SHOPS
In all likelihood, you’ll be spending your days relaxing at Ao Mano Beach within the Wing 5 military base. This is the most popular beach in Prachuap Khiri Khan, and despite its location, it is easy to enter and stay for the day. All you need to do is fill in your name on the sign-in sheet and follow the road directly to the beach. Once there, you’ll have everything you need for a nice day in the sun, including multiple food courts, beachfront stalls, and of course, a few cafes.
Besides Cafe de Wing, most of these are just smaller booths with an espresso machine and a barista or two. Each food court has one or two, plus there are some lone ones like ร้านกาแฟ Coffee Mom. My go-to was an unnamed shop next to the tourist service center and gym. It was run by a lovely older couple, is set under the trees in the shade, and is a few steps from the beach.
All of these places serve in to-go cups with the assumption you’ll take your coffee to the beach. However, they all have some sort of seating next to them, too.
A FEW MORE PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN CAFES FOR GOOD MEASURE
Here are some other cafes in Prachuap Khiri Khan for those of you staying longer in the city. These are all great options, but for one reason or another they didn’t quite get into my top list.
Coco Cafe | This little open-air cafe seems to be quite the hit with expats residing in Prachuap Khiri Khan, as there were always a half dozen or so sipping on coffee and watching the passing cars and motorbikes at any given time. However, I tried visiting on a day when the power lines were being fixed. So half the city, including Coco Cafe, was without power, which meant I couldn’t try the coffee. They do serve fresh coconut too, though, which I guess was the inspiration for the cafe’s name.
Cro-Magnon Cafe | A cup of coffee here is decent, but really the specialty is in the sweet desserts that you can get with it. They have ice cream, banana and chocolate pancakes, brownies, and a unique pandan custard toast. It’s an indoor cafe, so there’s air conditioning too. The last two cafes are both on the large road that runs parallel to Sue Suk Cultural Street.
Prachuap Khiri Khan Slow Bars | There are a few “slow bars” around Prachuap Khiri Khan that are similar to the Paradise Mobile Cafe, in that they are served from a vehicle. Some are connected to a motorbike, while others, like Tada Slow Bar, are served from the back of a jeep. These are great on-the-go options; the baristas are quite good, and they usually set out some camping chairs for you to relax in.
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