Tongkan Café
Get there in the late afternoon. That's the whole trick with this place, because the riverside and floating tables go first, and the sunset over the Kwai is the reason you came. Sit too late and you'll be indoors in the air-con, which is perfectly comfortable but not the point.
The seating is the draw: air-conditioned rooms, garden tables, platforms out on the water, and a rooftop. Dogs are welcome, which makes it one of the easier stops if you're travelling with one. Food is local Thai and generous with it, the sea bass gets ordered often and comes big enough that two people should think twice about adding much else. Fried rice does what it should. The coconut matcha has a strong flavour, though more than one person has grumbled about the amount of ice in the glass. A Thai band plays in the evening, mostly gentle stuff with the occasional Western song, and you can pick a table near it or well away from it.
Taste more of Kanchanaburi
Street-food tours, market visits, and Thai cooking classes near Tongkan Café — a guided way to eat like a local.
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Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Tongkan Café, round out your day in Kanchanaburi with contrasting stops nearby.
Reviews from Google
We came in here after visiting the bridge at the River Kwai. We liked it because we were able to bring our dog and chill out and watch the sunset over the river. Even though it was a Monday night, it was quite busy and the service was excellent. The staff topping up my beer. They had a very good band playing. Very relaxing Thai music with the odd foreigner song. Toilets were spotless and there was space both inside with air conditioning and outside by the river. Close to the band and far away. So very nice. Atmospherically. Food wasn't anything special on our particular visit, but I would definitely come here again for the atmosphere and the service.
This coffee shop is right behind the Monaz River Kwai hotel where I stayed last Sunday. It's spacious and located right beside the Kwai river so that I could enjoy fancy music, river view. The design of the cafe is nice. Food was so delicious. We called best seller sea bass. Taste was so good, but it was a little large portion for 2. The cake and moca were yummy. Price is reasonable. The service was so nice and friendly.
Love it and recommended! A very nice café with beautiful river views at Kanchanaburi Thailand. One of the highlights is the option to eat by the river or on floating tables, which makes the experience unique and enjoyable. The café offers multiple seating options, including air-conditioned indoor seating, riverside tables, and a rooftop area, so you can choose what suits you best. The place is comfortable and relaxing, suitable for families and casual dining. Overall, a great spot to enjoy food and drinks while appreciating the river scenery.
A sample of visitor reviews from Google. Read all 1,582 reviews on Google.
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Tongkan Café: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tongkan Café worth visiting?
Tongkan Café holds a 4.5★ rating from 1,582 Google reviews, placing it among the highest-rated restaurants & food in Kanchanaburi.
What are the opening hours of Tongkan Café?
Tongkan Café is typically open 10:00-22:00 — 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 Tongkan Café?
Tongkan Café is moderately priced (฿฿) relative to other restaurants & food in Kanchanaburi.
When is the best time to visit Tongkan Café?
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 Tongkan Café located?
Tongkan Café is at 10 Lao Rd, Tambon Tha Ma Kham, Amphoe Mueang Kanchanaburi, Chang Wat Kanchanaburi 71000, Thailand, in Kanchanaburi. Getting around Kanchanaburi: Bicycle rental (town is flat); Motorbike rental.
Location Info
10 Lao Rd, Tambon Tha Ma Kham, Amphoe Mueang Kanchanaburi, Chang Wat Kanchanaburi 71000, Thailand+66 89 888 8015www.facebook.com/%E0%B8%95%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%8D-%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%B2%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%9F%E0%B9%88-106658565168485Visitor 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 Tongkan Café
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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
By De River
Riverside Thai restaurant on the River Kwai, open daily noon to midnight with fresh seafood and scenic views.
Meals n' Bites @ JP's
Friendly family-run Thai restaurant on Maenamkwai Road serving authentic dishes at budget prices.
BaanMai
A intimate Western restaurant in Kanchanaburi serving elevated dishes like duck confit and truffle cream soup.
KAAN Riverkwai Restaurant
Thai food by the Khwae with a long, unhurried lunch or dinner in mind, not a quick refuel.
Similar Restaurants & Food Across Thailand
Kodtalay The Riverfront Seafood Buffet
Open-air seafood buffet on the Chao Phraya from 599 baht, and the river seats are worth asking for.
Central Pattaya
A big air-conditioned mall on Beach Road where the food court does the heavy lifting.
Kodtalay Seafood Buffet Sukhumvit
Live river prawns from the tank, grilled at your table, and no clock ticking on how long you stay.
Pier 21
Cheap, genuinely good Thai food on the fifth floor of a mall, if you can find a table at noon.
Where to stay near Tongkan Café
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