The Lazy Coconut, Bangtao Beach, Phuket
Words: Joanna Florento
Photos: Monica Tindall
Beach holiday life is hard. Really, it is! Between having to begrudgingly wear pants to trying hard to remember what day of the week it is, the trials and tribulations of being on holiday require even more rest for adequate recovery. Maybe it’s time to calm this mental chatter, take a seat and stare at the ocean for a while. Enter The Lazy Coconut, a lovely beachside haunt bedecked with an ocean-view infinity pool, sand loungers, and relaxed cabanas right on Bangtao Beach. Picasso once said, “Inspiration exists, but it must find you working”. Can it also find me lazy?
The Lazy Coconut Menu
Appetisers
We start off with the Mezze Plate (THB 320), featuring hummus, crudites, olives, baba ghanoush, and fresh pita bread. It’s a vibrant medley of flavours and textures, inviting us to dig in from all sides. Sliced capsicum is layered in a multicoloured cascade on top of roasted eggplant. Fresh artichoke, radish, olives, and cherry tomatoes are served on either side. We dip the homemade pita bread into the creamy hummus and baba ghanoush with ease. Our only complaint: we want more of the dips.
Mains Menu
We keep things laid-back with the Lazy Skewers (THB 590), a trio of Wagyu flank steak, Andaman squid, and chicken souvlaki bookended by roasted vegetables and sweet corn. To one side, the Josper oven works overtime to produce a medley of roasted and grilled offerings that are easy to enjoy with one hand. We indulge in this vacation-friendly practice, reclining in our seats to decimate the skewers one chunk at a time. The squid is pleasantly chewy and brushed with a little salt. The chicken has a more roasted taste. Each bite of steak is pleasantly soft, and we chew companionably as the waves crash nearby.
Before long, the Wagyu Smash Burger (THB 480) arrives and breaks our reverie. This juicy creation features two patties and generously sliced onion rings that command our full attention. The patties are crispy on the edges while deliciously meaty in the middle. The buns are easy to bite into. The thickly sliced onion rings provide some crunch, while the medley of pickles and smoked capsicum sauce add elements of tang and spice. Each bite is nice and comforting. The slightly spicy sauce warms us up while the sun climbs a little higher in the sky.
Dessert Menu
Seeking cold and creamy reprieve, we reach for the Homemade Coconut Ice Cream (THB 160). It’s beautifully served in a coconut shell and garnished with edible flowers and slivers of fresh coconut. Its nutty and creamy taste is already a winning combination. The hidden chunks of fresh coconut meat add another layer of texture that is unexpected and highly appreciated.
Heavy on fruit and light on the cream, the Açai Bowl (THB 290) features açai berry granita topped with apples, ripe mango, bananas, and raisins. The smoothie is cold and refreshing, with each bite changing slightly in texture and taste depending on the chunks of fruit we catch with our spoons.
Drinks Menu
Here at the Lazy Coconut, the drinks are the real showstopper. Immediately upon taking our seats, we each order a Fresh Lazy Coconut (THB 150). It’s served fresh, cold, and with a soft dome of coconut flesh that you can puncture with your straw. Once we’ve slurped to our heart’s content, we cut open the top and feast on the soft and smooth flesh inside. It’s a summer classic thoughtfully presented for lazy enjoyment. Instead of cutting through the top, you can plunge your straw right in. Instead of wrangling the husk, the soft flesh is easy to cut through. Instead of painstakingly scooping the flesh out through a narrow opening, the Fresh Lazy Coconut opens neatly in half, and it is child’s play to hollow it out with our spoons.
We then say hello to the eye-catching Aloha (THB 490), featuring lime juice, orgeat syrup, Havana rum, and orange curacao served in a fresh whole pineapple. Each sip is refreshing and slightly citrusy, with the rum and curacao dancing elegantly with the liquid sunshine that is fresh pineapple juice. We kick off our slippers and wander barefoot to the water’s edge, which seems to be the most fitting way to enjoy this drink.
The Papaya Colada (RM 490) commands a few moments of silence with its stunning presentation and exquisitely balanced flavour. With Chalong Bay rum, coconut cream, and passionfruit served inside a whole papaya, this cocktail soars to new heights of handcrafted perfection. I hold it carefully and advance a few steps into the ocean while taking a few gloriously creamy, fruity, and boozy sips. Can I stay here forever?
The Lazy Coconut Review
With beautifully prepared cocktails and carefully roasted skewers and burgers from their Josper oven served in a steady stream, this beachside joint is anything but lazy. Good vibes and one-handed snacks aplenty, the Lazy Coconut is an ideal beach destination, whether you’re looking to enjoy a few sun-warmed hours or contemplate a full-blown, drastic life change to stretch out your island lifestyle in Phuket (wishful thinking!). Come and savour their glorious fruity cocktails and try hard not to think about moving here permanently – don’t say we didn’t warn you!
Reasons to visit The Lazy Coconut: Beautiful ambience, delicious roasted skewers and smashburgers, showstopping cocktails served in fresh fruit, and friendly and attentive staff.
The Lazy Coconut
Bangtao Beach, 202/88, Choeng Thale
Thalang District, Phuket 83110
Link to The Lazy Coconut on Google Maps
+66 091 165 0235
@thelazycoconutphuket www.thelazycoconut.com
The Lazy Coconut Opening Hours
Daily: 10 am – 6 pm
Find more travel recommendations for Thailand here, and stay up-to-date on the latest gourmet and travel happenings around Asia via The Yum List on Instagram and The Yum List on Facebook.