I guess the beach was too far for the owners of Blue Island Cafe บลูไอส์แลนด์คาเฟ่. They decided to make their own piece of paradise. A marvellous way to chill out for the day on the white sandy beach or inside a kratom beach hut.

Blue Island Cafe is located about 20 minutes out of Ratchaburi City or around 90 minutes from Bangkok depending on what side you are on. A side trip to Blue Island Cafe บลูไอส์แลนด์คาเฟ่ would be possible if you were traveling from Kanchanaburi south towards Hua Hin or the other way around.

The Menu at Blue Island Cafe

A reasonable selection of food available all around 99 baht a dish
All the house-made beverages are 69 baht the same price as the cake selection

I would recommend you try the Tom Yum Dragons Egg.

A reasonable selection of food available all around 99 baht a dish
All the house-made beverages are 69 baht the same price as the cake selection

Video Walkthrough – Please Subscribe!

Opening Hours

Thursday to Sunday 10 am to 7 pm
Closed Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday

Getting to Blue Island Cafe

Overall Thoughts

If you are in the area definitely worth dropping in for a drink or for the day especially if you need some beach vibes in your life.

The one thing that would be nice to see is for them to not use disposable packaging and plastic cutlery for every item on the menu. I hate using plastic single-use plastics at the best of times and felt a little bummed that our family created so much waste for our lunch visit.

Baanna kafe บ้านนากาแฟ coffee shop is not called banana cafe as your eyes may trick you to reading. We stopped past last year but realised we only explored half of there venue. Once you walk past the lake through the pine trees down the back there is a big hill that has some magnificent view overlooking the mountain and rice field.

If you turn the other way on top of the hill you can overlook which looks like accommodation of caravans all parked in a row with a little wooden bridge going to a small island. It looks like there used to be an island of sunflowers although they are all pretty sad looking now.

Overlooking the lake there is a platoon with a table and chairs if you wish to have the floating feeling whilst slurping your beverage. In the lake is a still floating duck paddle boat which has started to fill with water.

You may purchase some fish food for just 10 baht (50 cents) and feed the hungry koi fish in the lake. There is no shortage of fish as you can see below.

Baanna kafe บ้านนากาแฟ have a small selection of food and cakes to enjoy. Luna sampled the soup which was simple but tasty. As well as cake!

Baanna cafe have a Great Dane dog strolling around freely who is very friendly although he may check you out for a snack if you have food in your bag. He loves a good old scratch on the back and he loves to take selfies with you.

Inside the coffee shop you can rent a picnic basket that has a blanket, empty wine bottle and some fake fruit if you wish to have a photo shoot anywhere on the venue. The cost is just 20 baht for as long as you are there.

Getting to Baanna Kafe

As a tourist, I never realised how many amazing coffee shops there are scattered around Thailand. Now that I am living half the year here I find my family members on their days of love to go to visit the jaw-dropping ones. We are obsessed with driving all over Thailand & our friends can never keep up what province we are in.

This page will be an index of all of the posts. I will update this post after going to a new one so be sure to check back.

If you know of a good one I have missed please comment below!

Southern Cross Cafe

At Southern Cross, as you walk in you are greeted by the petting zoo of statue animals. Although the food is what makes this place stand out. Almost everything is made to order there and the best flavours of International and Thai cuisine can be tasted here.

I have almost made it through there whole menu you can read about it here

Moai Coffee ร้านกาแฟ โมอาย คอฟฟี่

Escape from Thailand to the Easter Islands for just long enough to take some photos. We saw this place on the drive camping in Suan Phung and stopped on the way home. I would not go out of my way to visit here but if it is on your way to where you are going definitely stop through.

If you want to see more pictures I from our visit CHECK THEM OUT HERE

House 1,000 wood Cafe & Farm – บ้าน ๑,๐๐๐ ไม้

Alongside the Bang Toei river is the great cafe and small farm. It has some fun free activities for the kids like getting water from the well, sandpits and has never-ending beautiful photo spots. If you are traveling from Bangkok to Ayutthaya or vice versa this would make a perfect stop for a bit of chill time.

If you would like to see my full post click here

Baanna Cafe – บ้านนากาแฟ

Baanna Kafe is in a beautiful location on a large rice field with a backdrop of mountains. There is an endless photo opportunity for a great photo and there is a resident Great Dane who is ever so friendly.

Our previous post on Baanna Kafe is here

Na Krung Kao – นากรุงเก่า

Na Krung Kao would have to be the biggest coffee shop/ restaurant we have been to in Thailand. The grounds have been designed over many rice fields to truly leave people wowed! If you were traveling from Bangkok to Ayutthaya this would be a great choice to stop by for a look!

If you would like to read more about Na Krung Kao I have a post here all about it

Menna มีนา cafe’ Kanchanaburi

Thai people love to do a day trip to Wat Tham Suea. Followed by a stop to the famous noodle cafe and Menna Cafe. It is a beautiful site located in Kanchanaburi overlooking a rice field and you can see the temple at the top of the mountain. I recommend you do all 3. But this post all about coffee shops so you will have to read about on the link below

You can read about this day trip here.

Ma Ha Cafe Boon – มา-หา กาแฟบุญ วัดหุบกระทิง

Ma Ha Cafe Boon is a great project that was started by the local temple. The head monk had a vision of empty land to be transformed into a paradise that benefits their community as well as teaches farming techniques and the way of Buddhism. That’s right all the profit goes back into increasing this project and supporting the locals.

You can read the full story here and check out more pictures of Ma Ha Cafe Boon – มา-หา กาแฟบุญ วัดหุบกระทิง

Tara Coffee ธาราคอฟฟี่

Tara coffee has a relaxing vibe to it with bean bags to chill on next to the Mae Klong river. Their menu is all presented with love. They truly give 110% in the presentation of food.

Check out my previous post on Tara Coffee here!

Rain Tree Coffee

Rain Tree Coffee Shop was one of the first themed coffee shops I visited outside of Bangkok. I really enjoy walking around there garden and looking at everything. You can combine a trip here with the unique77 as they are next door to each other

You can see my previous post here definitely worth a look

Unique 77 Cafe

If you are a car enthusiast Unique 77 is the place for you to go. The owner has a private collection of ever-changing cars you can go and drool over. Located next to Rain Tree Coffee why not just do both?

Check my earlier post about Unique 77 and see more cars!

Cafe Chedi – คาเฟ่-เจดีย์ – Suphan Buri

Cafe Chedi คาเฟ่-เจดีย์. It is located along the Song Phi Nong river overlooking the Sapan Khong Floating Market. If your feeling adventurous, They have hammock style nets to chill in overhanging the river.

Check out my full post on Cafe Chedi here!

Pin Fah Farm – ปิ่นฟ้าฟาร์ม -Pathum Thani

On the border of Ayutthaya district is this great farm where you can enjoy the surroundings of nature with some activities for the kids. The food is cheap, There is a petting zoo, paddle boats and can also feed the fish! Enough to keep everyone entertained.

Read more about pin far farm by clicking here

I never thought I would walk such a dangerous yet beautiful path for a coffee. The lush never-ending lily field with a raft of ducks running through the shallow muddy waters as we ventured closer to our destination. A tall tower in the far distance overlooking the plantation I am sure to conquer after replenishing my thirst of a much-needed coffee after my hour drive through the chaotic narrow soi’s of the rural roads. เวียน เดอ บัว คาเฟ่

A brief thought as crossing the rickety bamboo pathway “Is this going to hold my weight” as a bamboo panel becomes dislodged as we cross.

We arrived at the cute little coffee shop where there where a paddle of ducks leaving just as we arrived. Upon entering to the swift sounds of jazz music and a swing to take the perfect photo.เวียน เดอ บัว คาเฟ่

Climbing the tower of terror with the mother in law had a design that completely freaking us both out. The steps are spaced further apart than comfortably normal with nothing to break your fall other than the grass on your ass below. The slight sway as if we where a leaf falling from a tree in the storm that approached us. The view is worth the risk I must say

As we walked back from the tower of terror we took a safe path along the dry land. The path of a hobby farm where we witnessed the farmer watering his crops with a hose way past its expiry date to find a bucket catching the leak only to overflow into the lake below.

As we returned to the car the storm had set in and we said goodbye to the smiling cows and farm animals that never moved.

เวียน เดอ บัว คาเฟ่ –
Come visit the lotus cafe

Check our other coffee shop reviews

Escape from Thailand to the Easter Islands for just long enough to take some photos at Moai Coffee. We seen this place on the drive camping in Suan Phueng and stopped on the way home. Unfortunately I found the coffee to be expensive and just average in taste. I would not go out of my way to visit here but if it is on your way to where you are going definitely stop through for some instagram worthy photos.

Check my other coffee shop posts

Today we visited Ma Ha Cafe as we love going to new amazing coffee shops in Thailand. a great peaceful place to relax and unwind. It has an affiliation with the local temple next door. I believe they serve only snacks like cookies and possibly cake along with their beverage options.

During our visit in June 2020, there was still a little construction going on. Although I would say it is close to 90% finished. After translating the story I feel this place will just get better and better over time.

Translation of the story

So the story is all in Thai I will have Luna translate it for you. I apologize if get slightly wrong as some of the words are hard to translate into English.

The story is quite touching and makes me like the buddist religion more

Inspiration

In 2018
The head monk said I have a hope and dream to become the centre of the village on the 6 rai we have of empty land. He asked all the neighbour’s and people of the village to come to the empty land and to help do something to support the village.
1st invited to plant sunflower plants
2nd to plant a Rice plantation
3rd Vegetable garden
The idea was a community garden. Where people of the village come and take care in their spare time. All the benefits of the produce to give back to the people of the village. If they grew more than they needed they can sell some produce to help to survive
With the main intent to teach
the Buddhist way to share happiness and share benefit and to not be selfish

Start the project

When they first started the Buddhist learning centre project they had a lot of people come to visit to take photo’s and some came to buy produce that they grew. Some people just to come to look at the idea of the project 

Then beginning of 2019 the same head monk has the idea to have a cafe to sell drinks for visitors because it’s hot and people can relax and enjoy the serenity of the area more. After his great idea, it attracted even more people to come to visit.

Between all the monks in the temple and the people of the village, They came together to help create the idea and had everything built in just a 1 year. 

Then they come up with the name MA HA which is hard to translate as its a play on words but in general terms means  “Great” 

They have designed the area to be a mix of local Thai style mixed with modern style.

Come try come chill

Every one who come to visit the shop and project will fill up with knowledge, happiness and leave well rested after tasting quality coffee and enjoy the fruits of the seasons which benefits the local village when you buy.

Come collect good karma

All the money from the project of selling fruits and cold drinks goes to the temple and all the profits goes to the public benefit of the people and extending the project further. 
For visitor’s who come visit, they can relax and enjoy the atmosphere and drinks. They can also feel good because in buying something they have donated to a great cause which supports the project and helps it grow more as well as supports the people.

Come learn

In the Buddhist learning centre, they teach how to grow rice plantations & grow organic vegetables. They also have a banana park (which has many different spices of bananas) 
Another thing the can teach is how to farm many different species of animal’s and how to use the manure as fertilizer for growing organic. The Buddist learning centre has created a network for people who want to learn.

Rama 9 (the previous king) taught the Thai people to live within their means. They do not have to be rich to be successful or have happiness. If you have a small house and can take care of chickens, a cow, grow vegetables or can go catch fish what else do you need to have to have happiness. Not to feel money controls your life. To be happy with what you have around you and learn to survive off your land. This idea has helped influence this project.

Come shop

They changed from teak forest to become a local market to let people in that village come to sell anything they produce or craft on Saturday, Sundays and public holidays to create jobs, to create careers and money for the local people.

Take a look around

Feed the buffalo

You can make a donation of 10 baht and feed the buffalo grass that is placed next to the donation box. There was a massive male who looked a little intimidating at first although he just really wanted some grass.

He was friendly and let me pat him. Supa Larb (the pug) was not to impressed to get so close. There was a calf also who seemed excited and wanting to play with Supa Larb although his confidence was lacking.

Location

Pad Thai is the first dish that will come to mind for many when thinking of Thailand’s food. If your leaving Bangkok and heading west to Banpong, Ratchaburi, Kanchanaburi or possibly Suan Phueng for a day or longer I will share with you my favourite places to stop on the way for lunch/dinner for the best Pad Thai’s west of BKK.

I have been living in Banpong on and off for the last couple years so have been lucky enough to find the best for you to try. If you have never heard of Banpong it is in the Ratchaburi province and known as the city of nice people & I must say they are very friendly here.

Southern Cross Banpong – Quality

Would be my #1 favourite. It is in my opinion the highest quality ingredients and the sauce is to die for! I have enjoyed many consistently the same. The price is slightly higher but the flavours definitely are worth the wait!

You can read more here. I have reviewed this business previously.

Rain Tree Coffee – Funky Venue

I really enjoy the ambiance of Raintree Cafe, it has a homely feel and there Pad Thai Gung is fantastic. If your looking to take some photos as well they have a lovely garden area.

You can read more here. I have reviewed this business previously.

Banpong’s City Pad Thai – Street Food

Well i’m not sure what they are officially called but don’t let that stop you trying it. I have had alot of street Pad Thai’s over the years and would have to say this is by far my favourite. I always get the Pork (moo) and served with some crunchy pork fat on the side which I have never encountered before.

The map points to a tire shop. They pull up in the late afternoon to evening there. They don’t have an official google map point. Just look for the blue shirts!

Check our other resturants reviews

We love great food and quirky restaurants. To see more CLICK HERE

This is one of my favourite restaurants located in Ratchaburi. Nestled alongside the river with bean bags you can really kick back and relax and enjoy the river views. I love the way all there food is presented here at Tara, will a lot of love and passion. I would say don’t overfill on their main meals! Their desserts are amazing and you are not going to want to miss out on them.!

UPDATE– We were excited to pop back in as soon as the open-air restaurants re-opened after coveit 19 had us stuck inside for what felt like an eternity. We took Luna’s mum here for her first time and she loved it. Added some new pics for you to drool over!

Take a look at their food

Menu at Tara

Getting There

You will need a car to visit Tara Coffee.

If your looking for an amazing Pad Thai in a funky venue. This is a definite stop to make. Im sure their other food is too but i’m stuck eating the Pad Thai now.

Do 2 in 1 go

You can combine a visit here with Unique77 as Rain Tree is just in front of Unique. I would suggest having lunch here at Rain Tree and followed by a coffee & cake at Unique77. Pictures will tell the story of this venue so look on down and enjoy singing in the rain. The prices are really fair for this type of restaurant in this area!

Chill out

They have air conditioned area but were told the air conditioned area was Japanese style sitting on the floor. It wasn’t a hot day so we just sat under a fan more than happily

No vouchers required

When the bill came we had a discount applied to the bill for no reason. No one can complain with that. We normally order the Pad Thai Moo (pork) but on this occasion Luna forgot. I will update with more photos on our next visit.

Food

Pad Thai Gung (Prawns)

Take A Look Around

Getting There

If your driving through Banpong Ratchaburi whilst in Thailand stopping in at Southern Cross Cafe Restaurant is a must for any foodie. Champ the owner spares no shortcuts in the preparation of his menu from in house-made pasta, Japanese noodles to crispy pizza bases. I have made many stops here now to not be disappointed.

Many stars are coming

The name caught my attention as it is a common reference in Australia referring to the stars in the sky. After talking with Champ for a period of time, I learned he studied in Melbourne for 3 years and building this restaurant with his family was a dream come true for him.

Kitchen tour and secret recipes tastings

From one chef to another he showed me through his well equipped western cross Asian style kitchen and was kind enough to let me taste some of his secret recipes. This has to be one of the cleanest kitchens I have seen in Asia in my time here.

Let me try the whole menu!

After my first meal was in love with the food they passionately served here and have made a few stops now trying to sample my way through their menu which has influences of Thai, Japanese, Italian & Australian on the menu. They have great quality coffee and Champs wife Aui is always serving it with a big smile.

Food & Drink

Look Around Southern Cross

Menu at Southern Cross Cafe

Getting There

Address:
250 หมู่10 ถนนเพชรเกษม ตำบลหนองอ้อ อำเภอบ้านโป่ง จังหวัดราชบุรี (2.29 mi)
Amphoe Ban Pong 70110

Southern Cross Cafe Restaurant Thailand Official Details

Phone: 065 627 9126 – Yes they speak english!

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