Wilson's Beach Bar & Restaurant

Wilson's Beach Bar & Restaurant sits on one of the quieter stretches of Bang Por Beach, where the soundtrack is more waves than traffic and nobody expects you to be in a hurry. Tables spread out across the sand, Koh Phangan sits on the horizon and the sunsets rarely disappoint.

The kitchen keeps things uncomplicated with Thai favourites, fresh seafood and familiar Western dishes, while the bar does exactly what a beach bar should do: cold beers, cocktails and somewhere worth sitting for another round. It's the sort of place where lunch quietly rolls into the afternoon without anyone noticing.

Wilson's has the feel of an independent beach bar that's grown naturally over the years rather than being designed by a hotel group. Locals stop in for a drink, regulars know the staff by name and visitors usually end up staying longer than they planned because the setting is difficult to leave.

Bang Por has never been about loud beach clubs or crowded beaches, and Wilson's fits that character perfectly. If you're looking for a relaxed meal, a few drinks with the sea a few metres away and one of the island's better sunset spots, you'll understand why so many people come back.