Koh Chang’s Best Beachfront Bistro
OK, so technically it’s not on a beach, just the stony shoreline of Pearl beach, but after a few visits Tastory is definitively is up there with the best places on the island to grab a coffee, have a meal or enjoy great value sunset happy hour.
The owners are a Thai couple, Pui & Note. Pui has lived on the island for many years and is known to many people as the former owner of Warapura Resort in Lonely beach. Having sold Waraprua during covid she set up a small café on White Sand beach, also called Tastory. This is located roadside near Kacha Resort. It’s just a hole in the wall place but has excellent coffee and a small menu of simple breakfast items. That quickly became a success and in late 2023 she opened the much larger Tastory Pearl beach.
The restaurant comprises an bright, airconditioned coffeeshop with several tables plus an outdoor garden area with seating at regular tables or in reclining deckchairs. Sun parasols are on hand for anyone wanting to sit outside in the heat of the day, but for me aircon is the best option. Unless you’re visiting at sunset, in which case get there early as the prime spots by the shore get taken quickly. There’s a daily happy hour from 17:00 – 19:30 and prices for cocktails and beer are as cheap as you’ll find anywhere. But unlike many beach bars the cocktails are real cocktails – not watered down versions of the ones they sell at full price.
Tastory opens at 9am daily, which is early enough for the majority of visitors to the island who are up and about at that time and looking for a place for their morning caffeine fix. All manner of coffee based drinks are available plus a selection of parties, cakes and croissants. And if you need something more substantial the breakfast menu has enough choice for most people. The Eggs Benedict are better than I’ve had in many 5 star hotels and any of the sandwiches will the hungriest of stomachs.
A large photo menu is on hand for diners having lunch or dinner. There’s a bit of everything from Thai food to pizza, ribs, pasta and more. Prices reflect the quality of the ingredients. Veggies are all organic and locally sourced where possible. Meats are from ethical suppliers rather than the local supermarkets. You can tell the difference.
Add to all that friendly staff, laid back music, simple but tasteful décor and it’s rapidly become one of the places I can happily recommend to our guests.
Open daily. From 09:00 to 21:00
Price: $$ – $$$
Photos:
Location: By the sea behind Lotus Supermarket, midway between White Sand beach and Pearl beach. There’s a large sign roadside. Drive past the campsite to the shoreline. Free car parking is available.
These restaurant reviews are just my thoughts on a place at the time I visited. I’ll mention if I know the owner well or get any freebies. But for the most of the time I am happy to play tourist and don’t mention this site at all. Obviously it isn’t possible to sample every dish on the menu and the type of food you have for lunch will differ to evening. In addition, owners and more importantly chefs, can change and your experience may differ from mine. If it does, post a comment below.
