Bon Island Restaurant exposed: deserted island charm and excellent fried jackfish but watch the pay to sit chairs and inconsistent cooking
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Bon Island Restaurant: the pretty island shack that mostly delivers — with caveats
Quick verdict: 4.2 stars from 251 reviewers suggests a dependable little stop, not a destination dining miracle. The place trades on scenery and solitude more than consistent kitchen standards. Go for the island, not for Michelin precision.
What the rating hides
The aggregate 4.2/5 feels honest when you look at the on-the-ground reports. Multiple visitors rave about the setting and friendly staff; a few flag service rules and sloppy cooking. That mix explains a respectable score with occasional sharp dips. This restaurant is dependable for a relaxed island lunch, but fragile when expectations rise.
First impressions and physical reality
- The restaurant is exactly what reviewers describe: a big wooden shack with plastic chairs. No pretense or polish.
- Operating hours are consistent: open daily from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Plan your boat trip within those windows.
- Accessibility is limited: there is no wheelchair accessible parking and no wheelchair accessible entrance. If mobility is a concern, this location is a hard pass.
- It sits at Honeymoon Beach, so the scenery is a primary selling point — not the dining room.
How to get there, and the real cost of paradise
One reviewer who booked a long-tailed boat from Rawai Beach reports a round-trip cost of 1,200 baht for a 9:00 AM pickup and 3:00 PM return. The boat trip is short — roughly 10 minutes — and scenic. That price frames the outing: you pay for access to near-solitude as much as for the food.
Expect small add-on charges. Beach chairs can cost 100 baht each to rent, charged after lunch in at least one documented trip. Reviewers note menu prices run about 10% higher than comparable restaurants back in Rawai Beach, although one two-person lunch (fish, som tum and a couple of small beers) came to 820 baht and was judged excellent value given the location.
Ordering strategy: what to trust, what to avoid
Use the limited data here to reduce culinary risk. Freshly caught fried fish is a clear win: reviewers chose their own fish and reported it fried to perfection — firm, lightly salted, with a touch of sweetness. Pairing with som tum worked well in that account.
Red flag dishes: shrimp preparations are inconsistent. One reviewer received overcooked, flavourless shrimp with only a squeeze of lemon and some garlic; the portion size was generous but the execution left them eating dry rice and bland shellfish. That suggests the kitchen can be careless with timing and seasoning on more delicate proteins.
Drinks appear basic. A pina colada was praised, but another reviewer noted no shakes and uncertainty about food availability on a separate visit. Assume the bar is functional but not exhaustive; if you need a specific cocktail or a specialty item, check before you ride over.
Service, rules and the invisible chair tax
Staff get consistent praise for being helpful and attentive on several visits. The island feels relaxed and the team leans friendly — a big part of why guests recommend the trip.
That said, policies around seating create friction. One guest gave a 2-star rating because they were charged extra for chairs even though they were buying food and drinks. The guest concluded the rules were the reason the restaurant was empty that day. The takeaway: confirm chair rental and seating policies before you order. Assuming a table is free just because you buy something is risky here.
Timing matters: arrive early if you want isolation
A useful timing pattern appears in the reviews. Arriving at 9:00 AM means near-solitude and the chance to explore rock pools and beaches without crowds. More tourists start landing after 10:00 AM and activity noticeably increases by late morning; one party visited the restaurant around 11:30 AM after initial beach time. If you want quiet and choice in fish selection, aim for first boat out.
Value math: island premium vs. what you actually get
- Boat: roughly 1,200 baht round trip (as reported for one boat ride from Rawai Beach).
- Lunch example: two main dishes plus a couple of small beers totaled 820 baht in one report, described as excellent value weight-of-location considered.
- Extras: beach chairs 100 baht each.
That combination makes the trip an experience purchase. If you value solitude, scenery and relaxed service, the price is reasonable. If you want restaurant-quality consistency, the premium can feel expensive for hit-or-miss cooking.
Who should go, and who should skip
- Go if you want a quiet island day, good views and a casual meal; pick the fried fish and arrive early.
- Skip if you need wheelchair access, strict culinary standards, or predictable menu availability.
- Bring a willingness to pay small island fees and to confirm seating rules up front.
Bottom line
Bon Island Restaurant is an honest island shack that delivers when expectations match reality: scenic setting, friendly staff, reasonable prices for location, and a kitchen that can nail simple, fresh fish. The restaurant stumbles when it tries to serve delicate dishes or when unclear seating policies annoy customers. If you plan your timing, confirm the chair rules, pick the safer dishes and treat the meal as part of an island outing rather than a gourmet event, you will likely leave satisfied. Otherwise, it will reveal the exact gaps its 4.2-star average predicts.
🕒 Opening Hours
7.761946, 98.33461
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