Coco River Kwae
Positioned directly on the banks of the River Kwae in central Kanchanaburi, this open-air restaurant offers one of the more scenic dining settings in the province, with unobstructed views of the famous River Kwai Bridge from a platform built out over the water. It operates exclusively as an evening venue, opening daily at 5 PM and running until midnight, making it a natural stop after a day spent visiting the region's war history sites.
The menu leans into Thai classics, with dishes like crab fried rice, crispy shrimp salad, and seafood with curry powder appearing among visitor orders. Reviewers have noted the presence of traditional Thai flavours, including dishes prepared with cannabis leaves, which are legal as a culinary ingredient in Thailand. The waterfront platform creates an atmospheric setting after dark, particularly on clear evenings when the sky and river views come into their own. The restaurant also offers sunset yacht experiences for groups, making it an option worth considering for those travelling together.
Service consistency has received mixed feedback from visitors, so arriving earlier in the evening — around 6 PM — can help avoid the busiest periods and may improve the overall experience. The outdoor platform setting means river breezes can make the air noticeably cooler after sunset, so a light layer is worth bringing. Mid-range pricing keeps it accessible for most travellers. Updates and inquiries can be directed through the restaurant's Facebook page.
Taste more of Kanchanaburi
Street-food tours, market visits, and Thai cooking classes near Coco River Kwae — a guided way to eat like a local.
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Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Coco River Kwae, round out your day in Kanchanaburi with contrasting stops nearby.
Reviews from Google
We had dinner in Coco River Kwea around 6:30, the night was cloudy but the view was still stunning to see the sky & river when sitting by the river. The outside area was built on a platform so whenever there's boat across, you will feel the wave after. Food was good, although we only had fried rice with crabmeat, chicken wings & seafood vermicelli salad (yum woonsen talay) Everything was beyond my expectations. Live music is on from 5:30 to 7:30 outside but the large indoor area will have extended music till midnight. I didn't go to explore the nightlife of Kanchanaburi much & I believe this bar & restaurant is quite luxury in this province yet affordable. Service was good, servers were polite & attentive. Also they have pretty & sexy PR around to interact with customers. We were staying in the hotel on the opposite river side so we gave a try in Coco River, which was satisfied.
We visited the place despite the recent bad reviews. It was deserted, and there was only another table besides ours at 6pm on a Friday. It had very good unblocked views of the River Kwai Bridge. The food was above average, and the beers were reasonably priced. There were cannabis dishes on the menu but we did not try. There was a live music band which started at 7pm and it was pretty decent. The staff were friendly and on hand to serve. Gauging from the reviews it seemed like it is now a pale shadow of its former self. Hopefully the place will make a strong comeback soon. Its great location against the backdrop of River Kwai Bridge certainly deserves more.
What a Pitt to have a beautiful place with very pool service. Ordered 3 simple dishes - Crab fried rice, crispy shrimp salada, and seafood with curry powder Crab fried rice came 20 minute late cold assorted with old withered lettuce. Asked to change but came slightly better, not new Sea food curry came on sequence, but salty My portion of salada, which supposed to come first, came after call attendant several times, after 50 minute. Probably they missed Such a “ high “ level restaurant, never see a low qualified staff like this, running back & forward, seems they are not aware what they supposed to do. First impression at any restaurant is a good service provided by staff Treat serious and with responsibility, require qualified staff. No matter if is holiday with many customers, but respect is essential to ensure customer return
A sample of visitor reviews from Google. Read all 215 reviews on Google.
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Coco River Kwae: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Coco River Kwae worth visiting?
Coco River Kwae holds a 4.4★ rating from 215 Google reviews — a strong rating for restaurants & food in Kanchanaburi.
What are the opening hours of Coco River Kwae?
Coco River Kwae is typically open 17:00-00:00 — see the full day-by-day schedule in the location info on this page. Hours can change on Thai public holidays, so check ahead for holiday visits.
How expensive is Coco River Kwae?
Coco River Kwae is moderately priced (฿฿) relative to other restaurants & food in Kanchanaburi.
When is the best time to visit Coco River Kwae?
The best months to visit Kanchanaburi are November – February, with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in November – February — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: April – May (extreme heat).
Where is Coco River Kwae located?
Coco River Kwae is at Saphan Kwae Yai, Tambon Tha Ma Kham, Mueang, Chang Wat Kanchanaburi 71000, Thailand, in Kanchanaburi. Getting around Kanchanaburi: Bicycle rental (town is flat); Motorbike rental.
Location Info
Saphan Kwae Yai, Tambon Tha Ma Kham, Mueang, Chang Wat Kanchanaburi 71000, Thailand+66 98 838 2999www.facebook.com/Coco-River-Kwae-105299505011197Visitor Information
Best time to visit
November – February
Avoid: April – May (extreme heat)
Rainy season
May – October
Avg. temperature
20°C – 38°C(68°F – 100°F)
Crowds
Peak: November – February
Getting there
Train from Bangkok Thonburi station (~3 hrs, scenic). Minibuses from Mo Chit take ~2.5 hrs. Car hire is recommended if you're exploring beyond town.
Getting around
- •Bicycle rental (town is flat)
- •Motorbike rental
- •Songthaews along the river
- •Long-tail boat tours on the river
Where to stay near Coco River Kwae
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Tips for Visiting Restaurants & Food
Learn the Spice Scale
Say 'mai pet' for no spice, 'pet nit noi' for a little spice, or 'pet mak' if you want it Thai-hot. Most cooks will default to a toned-down version for foreigners unless you specify otherwise.
Follow the Crowds
The busiest street stalls are almost always the best — high turnover means fresh ingredients and a recipe that locals vouch for. An empty restaurant at dinner time is a red flag.
Ice Is Safe
Factory-made tube or cylinder ice (used in virtually all restaurants and stalls) is made from purified water and is safe to consume. You don't need to skip the iced Thai tea.
Nearby Places
KAAN Riverkwai Restaurant
Thai food by the Khwae with a long, unhurried lunch or dinner in mind, not a quick refuel.
By De River
Riverside Thai restaurant on the River Kwai, open daily noon to midnight with fresh seafood and scenic views.
Keeree Tara
You're paying for a ringside view of the River Kwai bridge, and honestly, it's worth it.
Jit Sod Chuen
A well-regarded local Thai restaurant in Kanchanaburi, open daily for lunch and dinner.
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Where to stay near Coco River Kwae
Find hotels in Kanchanaburi on the booking sites travellers trust most.
- Compare prices across sites
- Filter for free cancellation
- Secure checkout on the partner site
Compare rates on Booking.com
Largest selection
Compare rates on Expedia
Bundle & save
Compare rates on Hotels.com
Member prices
We may earn a commission from bookings made through these links — at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Location Info
Visitor Information
Best time to visit
November – February
Avoid: April – May (extreme heat)
Rainy season
May – October
Avg. temperature
20°C – 38°C(68°F – 100°F)
Crowds
Peak: November – February
Getting there
Train from Bangkok Thonburi station (~3 hrs, scenic). Minibuses from Mo Chit take ~2.5 hrs. Car hire is recommended if you're exploring beyond town.
Getting around
- •Bicycle rental (town is flat)
- •Motorbike rental
- •Songthaews along the river
- •Long-tail boat tours on the river