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Viewpoint Cafe on the Big Buddha Road

11,655 viewsBy Willy Thuan · Living in Phuket since 1994

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Star Mountain Cafe is a small open-air restaurant on the road leading up to the Big Buddha, on Nakkerd Hill. It sits on the hillside between Chalong and Karon Beach, and the main reason to stop here is the panoramic view of Karon Beach stretching out below. On a clear day, you can see the full curve of the bay, the sea turning from pale green to deep blue as it reaches the horizon.

Location

The cafe is on Soi Yot Sane 1, the only road up to the Big Buddha. You will pass it on the way up, a short distance before reaching the top. It is one of several small cafes and restaurants that have appeared along this road over the years, each taking advantage of the elevation and the views. Star Mountain is easy to spot from the road. There is limited parking, but most visitors arrive by motorbike or grab a table on the way back down from the Big Buddha.

What to Expect

The setting is simple. A few tables are arranged on a terrace facing west, towards Karon Beach. The menu covers basic Thai dishes and drinks. It is the kind of place where you order a cold coffee or fried rice and sit there longer than you planned, just watching the view. Sunset is a good time to visit if you want the best light over Karon Bay, but the cafe is also pleasant during the day.

Since the Big Buddha has been closed to visitors following the August 2024 landslide, traffic on this road has dropped. The cafes along the route still operate, and you can still drive up for the views even if the statue itself is not accessible. I occasionally stop at Star Mountain or at the nearby Nak-Kerd Seaview Cafe when I drive this road. Both are worth a quick break for the scenery alone.

Star Mountain Restaurant Photos