Affordable Thai and seafood near the beach
At the north end of Karon Beach, a cluster of small Thai restaurants lines the shore of Nong Han Lake, the lagoon locals call Karon Lake. This is not fine dining. These are simple, open-air places with plastic chairs, illustrated menus propped up front, and fresh seafood displayed on ice. What they lack in polish, they make up for in location and price.
The setting is hard to beat: you eat facing the lake with the beach just a short walk away. In the evening, the area fills with locals and tourists wandering between spots, checking menus and prices before settling in.
The Restaurants
Around 8 to 10 restaurants operate along the lakefront, though names and ownership change over time. Here are the ones with the most consistent presence:
Phannee Seafood
The standout of the bunch. This family-run place has built a solid reputation, with reviewers regularly calling their pad Thai among the best in Phuket. Expect to pay around 700 baht for four dishes and drinks for two. The papaya salad and king prawns also get mentioned often.
Good for: Pad Thai, som tum, grilled prawns
Mama Jin’s Restaurant
Look for the white pavilion next to the parking area. Mama Jin’s has been around for years and draws a loyal crowd for its no-frills approach: good portions, friendly service, and barbecue prawns that keep people coming back. The beach is literally 15 seconds away. Gets busy after 7 pm, so arrive early or expect to wait.
Good for: Barbecue prawns, seafood pad Thai, casual lunch
Family Seafood (Red Peppers Family Seafood)
A slightly more polished setup with greenery and a piazza-style layout. In the evenings, they display fresh fish on ice so you can pick your dinner. The tom yam goong and steamed whole fish are the popular choices. Popular with both Thais and tourists.
Good for: Tom yam goong, steamed fish, evening dining
Limlay Seafood
Good lake views, though reviews are mixed on the food itself. Worth considering if the other spots are full, but manage expectations. The setting does the heavy lifting here.
Other Names You Might See
Several other restaurants operate in the area, including Nong Harn Seafood (named after the lake), Sabaijai Café on Soi Patak 24, and Crown Lakeview in the Karon Avenue complex. Quality varies, and some change hands frequently. Walk around, check the menus, and go with your gut.
What to Order
These restaurants share similar menus. Standard dishes across most of them: tom yam goong (spicy shrimp soup), grilled tiger prawns, steamed or fried whole fish, pad Thai and seafood pad Thai, green curry, massaman curry, som tum (papaya salad), and fried rice and noodle dishes.
Lobster and crab are available but priced higher. Ask for current prices before ordering seafood by weight.
Breakfast by the Lake
Most of these places open early and serve simple Western breakfasts: eggs, omelettes, toast with butter and jam, sausages, bacon. Nothing fancy, but sitting by the lake with coffee and eggs before heading to the beach is a good way to start the day.
Prices
Budget around 150 to 300 baht per dish for standard Thai food. Seafood dishes run higher depending on weight and type. A meal for two with drinks typically comes to 500 to 800 baht. This is significantly cheaper than hotel restaurants and the tourist-oriented spots on Patak Road.
Practical Info
- Location: North end of Karon Beach, along Nong Han Lake (Karon Lake), near Karon Park and the old football stadium.
- When to go: Lunch is quieter. Dinner gets busy from 6pm onwards. Arrive before 7pm at popular spots like Mama Jin’s.
- Parking: Available near the white pavilion and Karon Park.
- Nearby: Public showers and toilets are close by. The beach is a short walk across the road.
Seafood Restaurants By The Lake Map
Your Karon Beach Travel Guide
