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.

If you are looking for some nice cheap eats, coffee and farm animals you should stop past Pin Fah Farm ปิ่นฟ้าฟาร์ม. If you live in Thailand they have a large garden section too you can buy a range of plants and gardening supplies. We purchased half a dozen small cactuses to decorate our bathroom.

Great place for children

If you have children with you there is a range of activities that will keep them entertained at Pin Fah Farm. They seem to have a small water park for smaller children. It was empty at the time we visited maybe because of coveit19 situation.

They have a petting zoo at Pin Far Farm ปิ่นฟ้าฟาร์ม

There is also a small petting zoo. You can either enter the safe way through the gate or across the bamboo bridge. I was a bit sceptical of crossing the 2 pieces of bamboo tech screwed together. I thought I may end up in the pond but rest assured it held my 80+kg weight and the handrail piece that had broken off didn’t stop me. Inside the petting zoo were rabbits and chickens. To the side, there is a sectioned off part of the pond with ducks and geese.

Feed the farm animals at Pin Fah

There is a range of feeding activities for the kids for around 10/20 baht (50c/$1). You are able to bottle feed Koi fish in a pond, hand-feed the pony, goats, peacocks, chickens and the ducks. If you turn left down past the koi fish feeding there is a cage of a pair of white doves. I walked down further but it seemed still under construction

Paddleboats for hire at Pin Fah Farm

If the animals are not enough to keep you entertained you can rent a paddleboat for 2 and paddle around the lake in the middle of the venue. I remember seeing a sign saying 50 baht for the boat hire but I am unsure of the conditions. I was glad to see they had a range of life jackets available as well.

The food is well priced at Pin Far Farm ปิ่นฟ้าฟาร์ม

The food was extremely cheap for a venue like this and the locals knew it. There where a lot of tables and not many of them where empty. To order food you have to write it on a piece of paper what you want and take it to the cashier pay and all the food arrived extremely fast.

They have cheese!

I was craving some cheese and indulged in their cheese balls and cheese fries with cheese sauce. So healthy I know. Then washed it down with a bowl of their famous boat noodles (black soup) and we all snacked on a plate of Satay. They have some simple food for kids as well like nuggets, chips & wings.

Seating arrangement

Pin Far Farms has tables, hammocks and sala’s (gazebos) located all around the lake. Some of the sala’s are over the lake so make sure you secure your valuables if you choose to sit at one of these. We almost lost a phone to the fishies.

How to order at Pin Fah Farm

If you are not with someone who can write or read Thai you can translate the menu if you have an internet connection with Google Translate App. Just select the camera icon and hold it still over the menu and it will translate on the fly. There were ample waiters if you pointed to what you wanted I’m sure they would fill out your paper for you.

Getting to Pin Fah Farm

Coffee Shops that will make you go WOW!

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

Whilst we were traveling north of Bangkok we come across this little but delightful coffee shop Cafe Chedi คาเฟ่-เจดีย์. It is located along the Song Phi Nong river overlooking the Sapan Khong Floating Market. 

If you wish to visit the Sapan Khong Floating Market it is only open on weekends from 9 am to 6 pm

Cafe Chedi is not a large venue with sitting no more than 20 outside and a few small tables inside. Although I highly recommend stopping in if you are passing through Song Phi Nong province. Their coffee and cold beverages where all received high praise from our group of 5.

If your feeling adventurous, Cafe Chedi คาเฟ่-เจดีย์ have hammock style nets to chill in overhanging the river. Just make sure you have nothing loose in your pockets or it may become fish food.

You are able to purchase a generous bag of fish food to feed the massive fish in the river for just 10 baht (50c)

Along the drive from Bangkok, we came across a big jewelled Buddha just by luck. It was very beautiful and if you are driving this way you can’t miss it. A map to Wat Don Manao can be found here if you wish to stop by.

Getting to Cafe Chedi คาเฟ่-เจดีย์

Check out our other coffee shop reviews!

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

Whist the name House 1,000 wood Cafe & Farm – บ้าน ๑,๐๐๐ ไม้ might not translate to what it means it Thai is not any reason to avoid stopping by. Another great coffee shop in Thailand that is in an extremely cute location with a resident macaw nestled alongside Bang Toei river.

If you are visiting on a weekend, do note it is a very popular place and maybe busier than stopping on a weekday.

Old Fashioned Photo Opportunities

There is a lot of fantastic farming style photo opportunities such as at an old fashioned water pump or on a tractor. I didn’t manage to get any photos as it was quite busy on the day we visited. We hope to stop past again soon. Although next time will be a weekday to chill and relax on a hammock overlooking the river.

For the kids

If you have children there is a range of activities around the theme of farming that they can engage in. Like getting water from the well or digging in the sandpit.

Cute little tree house to drink your coffee and there is also a platform and walkway quite high to get the perfect selfie. Let your legs dangle free along with all your worries.

The resident parrot Ga-Fair

They have a resident parrot who is very friendly and will eat fruit out of your hand if he chooses to. His name is ga-fair which translates to coffee in Thai. How many coffee shops in Thailand can say they have a resident parrot.

บ้าน ๑,๐๐๐ ไม้ have a range of western dishes as well as Thai food. Most dishes were priced at 95 baht. There is only a menu in Thai. To order you have to take a piece of paper from near the counter and fill it in and give to the cashier along with payment.

If you are not with a person who can read Thai you can use google translate app if you have an internet connection to translate on the fly.
To do this
Open google translate
Click the camera icon,
try to hold steady the paper and it will translate for you..

Getting to บ้าน ๑,๐๐๐ ไม้ Cafe & Farm

Check out our other Coffee Shop posts here

A common day trip for Thai tourist is to visit Wat Tham Suea Temple. It has breathtaking views with more to see than your normal temple. You will also be able to visit a Chinese Pagoda “Wat Tham Khao Noi” as it is located next door. There are 157 steep stairs to climb to get up to the top of Wat Tham Suea but if climbings not your thing not to worry they have a cable car that can take you up for a small fee of 10 baht.

The view – Im obsessed with panorama photos

How to dress

As with most temples in Thailand, it is advised out of respect to wear clothes that cover your shoulders & covering your knees. Watch for no shoe signs or the obvious pile of shoes and take yours off. Also, gym ware like lycra if you must take a sarong with you to cover your curves.

Opening Times

Monday – Friday 7.30 a.m. – 4.30 p.m
Saturday to Sunday 7.00 a.m. – 5.30 p.m.
Entry is free – Cable car 10 baht if don’t want to climb stairs

Rakkanna Noodle & Café

My Thai family said this was where we must eat after visiting the temple. It is a gorgeous setting of rice field overlooking the temple on the hill. The noodles where fantastic I had 2 bowls. They have some traditional Thai farming equipment & old fashioned umbrellas that you can take your next Instagram worthy picture.

Meena Cafe

Now it’s time for a coffee and one more gorgeous location. As featured in my “Jaw-Dropping Thai Coffee Shops Post” Not to worry it’s not far from the last 2 places.

Bridge on the river kwai

From this location, it is only a 30-minute drive to the famous bridge. I visited here to pay my respects on one of my first trips to Thailand and unfortunately, I have to try to find my photos to update here.

Kanchanaburi War Cemetery

Map of all these places

I have pinpointed all these places. You can easily save it to your google account and will be easily accessible.
CLICK TO OPEN
Then click the star icon to save to your account

Hotels in Kanchanaburi

Although I cannot recommend a hotel if you found this guide helpful and would like to support our page. You can by searching and booking from the link below. I use HotelsCombined and recommend them to find the cheapest hotels. We may receive a small commission from them in return which helps with our site costs. There is no additional charge to you.

If you want to Buy Souvenirs in Bali Krisna is the 1 stop you are going to want to make. It is a superstore that sells almost everything you will see at the markets. It is a stress-free air-conditioned warehouse where you can spend as little or as much time as you like browsing without being asked to buy things you have no intention to. If you have never been to Bali it will click what I’m talking about when you get there.

Buy Souvenirs in Bali at Krisna is so much less stressful than all the haggling and inflated prices you will find at the markets.

There are a few stores but the one I always go to is located less than 5 mins from the DPS Denpasar Airport named Krisna Toko Oleh Oleh Khas Bali.

It is huge & it is cheap! I highly recommend stopping past Krisna early if you have never been to Bali before. Get an idea of what the prices are of things. If you don’t want to cart stuff around come back before you leave.

What they don’t sell

They have no knock-off brand name stuff here. If you’re looking for fake Nike, Adidas, Everlast, Gucci, Rolex ect. You will have to head to any of the other markets. They are not hard to find. Close by you have Kuta there is an abundance of them there.

What they do sell

They sell almost everything you see around Bali. They have a large range of Instruments, Wooden souvenirs, Kites, Essential oils, cosmetics, Coffee / Kopi, Tea, Dried Fruits & nuts, In-sense and holders, Jewelry, Fridge magnets, Bali T-Shirts, Women’s Dresses & Maxi Dresses, Bathers & Swimsuits as well as much more

They also have a VIP clothing section which is just higher quality shirts with better quality prints. They have a lot of comical and joke T-shirts here. They generally range from 70-100k (A$7-$10)

Payment Options

They accept payment by card over 300k rupiah (A$30)
As well as cash.

If you’re from Australia, Be sure to check THIS POST to get the best value from your bank card with no international transaction fees & fee-free ATM withdrawals.

Opening Hours

They are open 24 hours! How convenient!

Getting There

Parking

There is a charge 2000 rupiah (A$ .20cents) for Motorbike Parking or 5000 rupiahs (A$ .50 cents) for Car.

If you’re wondering about transport options, THIS LINK will take you straight to the transport choices of Bali in my BALI MEGA GUIDE.

Photos

I have tried to include the price tags of what’s closest to me. If you need to convert the prices you can use XE.com to do your currency to INR (Indonesian Rupiah Code)
If your Australian the easiest way to get a close idea is to take the last two 0’s off the end and that’s your price in dollars and cents. Eg. 100,000 rupiah is A$10 which would look like this 100,0 just either ignore the “,” or move back one place there’s your $ & c

You can check additional photos by others on Google by CLICKING HERE and navigating to the photo tab.

Check Out All My Posts On BALI!

Click Picture Below For My Mega Bali Guide

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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