Secret Kitchen
Tucked along Thanon Khlong Hang in Ao Nang, this small local kitchen has built a loyal following among both repeat visitors and travellers discovering it for the first time. What sets it apart from the many Thai restaurants in the area is the care that goes into the cooking — dishes are prepared with a level of attention that makes itself felt in the flavour, even if it is difficult to pin down exactly why. The menu covers familiar Thai staples executed with genuine skill, including pad see ew, braised chicken noodle soup, vegetable stir fries, and a well-regarded beef and rice dish. The atmosphere is unpretentious and relaxed, with an open kitchen and friendly staff who keep service moving quickly. Daytime dining can feel warm given the open setting, so visitors who are sensitive to heat may find early afternoon or later in the session more comfortable. Portions are generous relative to the price, and the kitchen accommodates spice preferences directly — though reviews suggest the heat levels lean toward a binary choice rather than a fine-tuned scale. Good to know: Secret Kitchen opens daily from midday until 19:30, making it well suited for lunch or an early dinner. It sits a short walk from the main Ao Nang strip, so arriving on foot from nearby accommodation is straightforward. During high season, arriving before the early evening rush helps secure a table without a wait.
Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Secret Kitchen, round out your day in Krabi with contrasting stops nearby.
Visitor Reviews
Absolutely great value! We went for the beef, rice and egg from the recommended page and it did not disappoint. We were asked whether we wanted spicy or not spicy (nothing in between haha), I went for spicy and it was definitely hot but not crazy. My friend had not spicy and it contained no spice at all, unlike some places which say not spicy and what they really mean is mild. Drinks are limited to water/soda (no beer) but also very cheap! Price for the food was 65 baht and a Fanta for 25 baht. Great value for Krabi. This place is definitely about the food and not the decor, it’s very basic but the tables had condiments, napkins and bug spray so what more can you ask for! Especially for the price. Can be a little tricky to find since there was no sign and if you’re walking north up the road towards it you can’t see the seating area either so be in the lookout for chalkboard which has secret kitchen written on it! Definitely lives up to the name! 10/10 would recommend if you’re in Krabi and looking for great value Thai food.
Thai food is very good, which is to say, lots of places can get away with not giving their all. But this place goes all in. There’s something extra here, subtle but noticeable. The flavors pop, there’s complexity and richness that I don’t have words for. The chicken soup with yellow noodles would’ve been excellent on its own but it has a tom yum kick, the soy squid was fresh, the garlic shrimp was buttery. Delicious plus some
the food is really nice. Everything was good, price is very reasonable and taste is great. If you are around here you should definitely try this place. In day time it could be hot and ambience is decent, not great I would say. But pricing and taste makes up for it.
Location Info
12/7 Thanon Khlong Hang, Tambon Ao Nang, Amphoe Mueang Krabi, Chang Wat Krabi 81000, ThailandTips 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.
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Location Info
Visitor Information
Best time to visit
November – April
Avoid: June – September (rough Andaman seas)
Rainy season
May – October
Avg. temperature
23°C – 33°C(73°F – 91°F)
Crowds
Peak: December – February
Getting there
Krabi Airport (KBV) has direct flights from Bangkok (1.5 hrs). Ferries connect to Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi, and Phuket. Bus/minivan from Phuket takes ~3 hrs.
Getting around
- •Long-tail boats (islands & Railay Beach)
- •Songthaews in Ao Nang
- •Grab (limited, mainly Ao Nang)
- •Motorbike rental