Phu Quoc cuisine is a combination of the quintessence of the ocean and human ingenuity, creating dishes that are both rustic and rich in local identity. Each specialty dish is a beautiful memory in the journey to explore the pearl island. If you can choose the best Sao Beach restaurants selling each dish, you can taste the best flavor of Phu Quoc.
Introduction Sao Beach
Sao Beach is one of the most famous and beautiful beaches on Phu Quoc Island. The beach is located in the south of the island, about 25 km from Duong Dong town. This place is known as a “tropical sea paradise,” thanks to its creamy white sand, clear blue water, and rare peaceful scenery.
The name “Sao Beach” comes from the image of thousands of starfish that often appear along the shore every evening, when the sun has just set creating a shimmering and magical scene that few places have. Sao Beach is nestled between two long mountain ranges, so the waves here are always gentle, the water is shallow and clear, very suitable for swimming, kayaking, diving to see coral or simply relaxing on a lounge chair watching the sea.
Around the beach, there are also many seafood restaurants, coastal cafes, and entertainment areas that serve tourists, creating an experience that is both wild and convenient. In the dry season, the sea surface is calm, the sunlight shines down, creating a mesmerizing blue color – an ideal background for those who love to check-in and travel.
Read more: Sao Beach Phu Quoc: The untouched splendor you’ll never want to skip
Morning delights – breakfast and coffee by the sea
Enjoying breakfast with coffee in Sao Beach restaurants is a wonderful way to start a new day in the fresh air of Phu Quoc. Mornings in Sao Beach are often quiet, with light sunshine and cool sea breezes. You can make your morning perfect with a small corner by the coconut trees or in Sao beach restaurants. You can try to order a cup of strong coffee and watch the waves gently lap against the smooth white sand.
You can choose cafes or restaurants along Sao Beach such as Paradiso Beach Club, Long Beach Restaurant or My Lan Resort, which serve a simple but sophisticated breakfast: egg bread, seafood sticky rice, fresh fruit, and Phu Quoc coffee or tropical juice. The feeling of enjoying the rich flavor of roasted coffee while listening to the sound of the waves and breathing in the salty sea breeze brings a special relaxation that is rarely found anywhere else.
If you prefer a more private space, you can bring ready-made coffee or choose a package of filter coffee, find a quiet place right on the sand, sip while watching the sunrise from the sea. The moment the sun gradually appears, the golden light shines on the shimmering water, and the aroma of coffee mixed with a sea breeze will make the morning at Sao Beach an unforgettable memory for anyone who has ever set foot here.
Midday flavors – lunch at local seafood huts
Enjoying a midday seafood lunch at Sao Beach restaurants is one of the most memorable experiences when coming to Phu Quoc. After a morning of swimming and walking on the white sand, visitors can go to coastal restaurants such as Long Beach, My Lan, Paradiso or Lang Toi – places famous for fresh seafood caught directly from the sea around the island.
In the bright yellow sunshine of the South Island, sitting in an open space, listening to the sound of waves and the sea breeze blowing through the coconut trees, you can start your lunch with herring salad – a typical dish of Phu Quoc, rolled with wild vegetables and grated coconut and dipped in sweet and sour fish sauce.
The next are Ham Ninh steamed crab, grilled squid with salt and chili, and charcoal grilled tiger prawn or braised grouper. These dishes both retain the natural sweetness of seafood and are full of coastal flavor.
To make your lunch more complete, you should use genuine Phu Quoc fish sauce for its salty taste and natural sweet aftertaste. A glass of cool coconut water or local beer will be the perfect highlight to cool down on a hot summer afternoon. And if possible, choose a seat near the beach to eat while watching the clear blue water because it is not just a meal but also a moment of absolute relaxation amidst the fresh nature of Sao Beach.
Afternoon treats – cool down and relax
Afternoon at Sao Beach is the ideal time for you to enjoy a light meal amidst the peaceful space of the South Island sea and sky. When the sun has softened, the sea breeze blows coolly, and the sunset begins to cover the water surface, you can choose a cafe or restaurant by the sea to relax, order some snacks, and enjoy the view in a rare moment of tranquility.
Afternoon snacks at Sao Beach often have a fresh sea flavor, such as seafood salad, crispy fried squid, fried fish balls, grilled fish bread, or dried shrimp and mango salad – dishes that are just delicious enough but not too filling, suitable for mid-morning. If you want to relax more, choose a glass of fresh fruit juice, a mango smoothie, cold coconut water, or a light cocktail to sip while watching the sun gradually set in the sea.
Another option for those who prefer privacy is to bring snacks, spread a towel on the sand, and organize a small picnic right on the beach. The feeling of listening to the sound of the waves while enjoying some simple dishes in the golden afternoon light will surely make you love the peaceful beauty of Sao Beach even more. This is not only a light meal but also a wonderful moment of relaxation and connection with nature in the heart of Phu Quoc.
Sunset dining – romantic and scenic experiences
Sunset at Sao Beach has a completely unique beauty. When night falls, the moonlight reflects on the sparkling water, and the sea breeze blows cool. The evening is the ideal time for you to enjoy a relaxing and comfortable dinner by the beach.
You can choose coastal restaurants, such as Long Beach, My Lan, or Paradiso Beach Club, which serve fragrant grilled seafood right at the table. You can enjoy the warm yellow light, the murmuring sound of waves, and the smell of fresh seafood grilled on hot coals. You can also enjoy specialties such as steamed crab, grilled shrimp with salt and chili, grilled fish in foil, scallops with scallion oil, or spicy and sour grouper hotpots. Each dish has a rich flavor, perfectly combined with genuine Phu Quoc fish sauce – the soul of the pearl island’s cuisine.
After dinner, you can go for a walk along the beach, watch the moon, or sip a cocktail, cold beer, or fruit juice at a small bar by the beach. The evening atmosphere at Sao Beach is hushed, suitable for chatting, listening to soft music, and feeling the steady sound of waves under your feet. For those who like privacy, you can spread a towel on the sand, light a few small candles, and organize a romantic picnic dinner amidst the nighttime seascape.
Whether enjoying the luxurious space of the resort or simply on the sand, dinner at Bai Sao always brings a feeling of absolute relaxation, where time seems to slow down, leaving only the sea, the wind, and peaceful moments with relatives or companions.
Authentic seafood dishes you shouldn’t miss
Phu Quoc not only attracts tourists with its clear blue beaches, golden sunshine, and white sand but also with its rich coastal cuisine. Each dish here has its flavor, telling the story of the locals and their life on the pearl island.
Phu Quoc fish sauce
Phu Quoc fish sauce is the most famous cuisine. This dish is a golden brown condiment that is considered the pride of the people here. Phu Quoc fish sauce is made from fresh anchovies fermented in wooden barrels for more than a year, producing a fish sauce with a mild aroma, salty taste, and natural sweet aftertaste. You can visit barrel houses such as Khai Hoan, Thinh Phat or Hung Thinh fish sauce factory to watch the traditional production process and buy some as gifts.
Phu Quoc pepper
The famous Phu Quoc pepper is a must-try specialty. Pepper here is grown on fertile red basalt soil, producing small, spicy and aromatic grains that last longer than pepper from other places. The green pepper gardens in Cua Duong or Suoi Da are not only fascinating places to visit but also places for tourists to learn about the traditional pepper-growing profession of the islanders.
The fresh seafood
Coming to Phu Quoc, tourists must definitely enjoy fresh seafood – a gift that the sea has bestowed. Dishes such as grilled sea urchin with scallion oil, grilled sea urchin with salt and chili, steamed Ham Ninh crab or grilled grouper all retain the sweetness of the sea. Ham Ninh fishing village or Duong Dong market are ideal places to enjoy fresh seafood at reasonable prices.
Vietnamese herring salad
In the list of typical cuisines, Vietnamese herring salad is a “must-try” dish that anyone coming to Phu Quoc should try. Herring is cleaned, thinly sliced, mixed with grated coconut, onions, herbs, then rolled in rice paper. You can try this dish with a dipped sweet and sour fish sauce. The dish is both refreshing and full of the flavor of the sea, leaving an unforgettable aftertaste.
Bun Quay Kien Xay – “Stirred” noodle of Phu Quoc
Another rustic but unique dish is Kien Xay stirred vermicelli – a specialty only available in Phu Quoc. Vermicelli, fish cakes, and shrimp cakes are made right at the restaurant, and the broth is “stirred” directly from fresh seafood, so it retains its natural sweetness. The light, spicy taste of chili and pepper blends together to make the seemingly simple dish memorable for diners.
Ruou Sim – Phu Quoc local berry liqueur
After enjoying the main dishes, visitors can try Phu Quoc local berry liqueur – a wine fermented from ripe wild sim fruit. The wine has a slightly sweet, mildly astringent taste and a characteristic aroma, excellent for digestion. Famous establishments, such as Sim Son Garden or the Bay Gao Factory, allow you to visit, try wine, and buy it as a gift.
Banh Kheo – pies of skillfulness
If you love sweets, Banh Kheo is a wonderful dish. These small, attractive cakes, filled with coconut or green beans, have a mildly sweet and fatty taste and are sold a lot at Duong Dong night market. This meal is also a meaningful gift from Phu Quoc.
Dried seafood
Finally, dried seafood is the perfect choice to bring the taste of the sea home. Dried squid, dried shrimp, snakehead fish, and scad fish are naturally sun-dried, preserving the salty taste of the sea. Visitors can easily find them at Duong Dong market or specialty shops on the island.
Dining tips for first-time visitors
When dining at Sao Beach for the first time, you should keep in mind a few tips to have a complete experience and enjoy the local flavors.
First of all, choose Sao Beach restaurant that is located close to the beach but still crowded with local customers – this is often a sign that the food is fresh and the price is reasonable. Some famous restaurants, such as Long Beach Restaurant, My Lan, Paradiso or Lang Toi all serve fresh seafood right on the sand, eating while watching the sea is very relaxing. When ordering, you should choose seasonal seafood such as Ham Ninh crab, grilled grouper with salt and chili, or herring salad – typical dishes of Phu Quoc.
In addition, you should ask for the price before ordering, especially with fresh seafood sold by the kilogram to avoid confusion. Sao Beach restaurants in tourist areas often have slightly higher prices, but you can negotiate lightly or ask the staff to advise you on dishes that suit your budget. If you want to save money, you can visit An Thoi market or Duong Dong market to buy fresh seafood and ask a Sao Beach restaurant to cook it for you. The seafood is both affordable and guaranteed to be fresh and delicious.
Finally, please remember to try authentic Phu Quoc fish sauce in braised or dipping dishes, because the condiment is a famous specialty associated with the cuisine of the pearl island. Combine your meal with fresh coconut water or cold beer and you will fully feel the unique flavor of the ocean that only Sao Beach can bring.
FAQs about Sao Beach restaurants
There are some questions you should keep in mind when choosing Sao Beach restaurants.
Are restaurants open year-round?
Most of Sao Beach restaurants are open all year round, especially those located right on the beach, such as My Lan, Paradiso or Long Beach restaurant. Usually, these Sao Beach restaurants operate from 8am to around 10pm, serving tourists all day with full meals.
However, during the rainy season or low season, some small restaurants may temporarily close for a few days for maintenance or rest. Therefore, if you come during the off-peak season, it is best to call or check the opening hours in advance to avoid arriving when the restaurant is closed.
In addition, during the peak tourist season (from November to April), restaurants often stay open longer than usual to serve guests who come to watch the sunset or have a late dinner by the sea. In general, regardless of what time of year you come, there are still many attractive and convenient dining options in Sao Beach.
Do they serve vegetarian options?
Not all Bai Sao restaurants have vegetarian menus, but you can still easily find restaurants that serve or prepare vegetarian meals upon request. In large restaurants and coastal tourist areas, such as My Lan, Paradiso or Long Beach, chefs are often very flexible and ready to prepare vegetarian dishes if you notify them in advance.
Vegetarian culture is quite popular in Vietnam, so requesting vegetarian dishes when traveling is not difficult. You can call in advance to ask about the menu or ask the restaurant to prepare special dishes, such as stir-fried vegetables, tofu, vegetarian fried rice or stir-fried noodles with vegetables. Some high-end resorts around the Sao Beach area also have Asian-European vegetarian meals, suitable for many different tastes.
In general, although there are not too many vegetarian restaurants, eating vegetarian at Bai Sao is still effortless if you prepare a little in advance, helping your meal to be full of flavor and light amidst the peaceful seascape of Phu Quoc pearl island.
What is the price range for seafood?
In the Bai Sao area (Phu Quoc), seafood prices at restaurants fluctuate as follows:
- General prices for seafood dishes range from about 100,000 VND to 500,000 VND/dish.
- There are smaller, more popular dishes, ranging from about 50,000 VND to 250,000 VND/dish. For example, at a restaurant near Sao Beach: herring salad is about 150,000 VND/dish, cobia is about 400,000 VND/dish.
Are Sao Beach restaurants family-friendly?
There are many Sao Beach restaurants suitable for family meals or gatherings with friends. In particular, Long Beach restaurant is a popular choice due to its spacious layout, which can accommodate hundreds of guests simultaneously. Located right next to the beach, the restaurant has a cool, comfortable feel and is ideal for sharing meals, chatting, or organizing small parties by the sea. Long Beach’s menu is diverse, including many fresh seafood dishes, such as shrimp, crab, grouper, grilled squid, and traditional Vietnamese dishes suitable for many ages.
In addition, Paradiso Restaurant is also a favorite place for many tourists. The restaurant is located right on the white sand beach, with an open design facing the sea with bamboo chairs, swings and cool coconut trees, creating a relaxing, youthful atmosphere. This is an ideal place for groups of friends or family to enjoy lunch or dinner or watch the sunset in the romantic sea space.
Is it possible to book tables in advance?
Normally, when dining at restaurants in Bai Sao Phu Quoc, visitors are not required to book a table in advance, especially on weekdays or in the low season. However, during peak tourist season (from November to April) or holidays and weekends, the number of guests is often very high, so booking a table in advance is a must to ensure a good seat, especially for tables near the sea.
Famous restaurants (such as Long Beach, Paradiso, or My Lan…) are often full at noon and in the evening, especially from 11:30 to 13:30 and 18:00 to 20:00. If you go in a large group or with children, booking a table in advance also helps the restaurant prepare a suitable space and serve faster.
Currently, many restaurants in Bai Sao have their own phone numbers or fan pages, so you can easily call or text to book a table. For guests staying at nearby resorts or hotels, the reception can also assist with booking reservations, which is very convenient and saves time.
Sao Beach is not only a “must-visit” destination of Phu Quoc, but also a symbol of the pristine, natural beauty that the pearl island brings to domestic and foreign tourists. If you can enjoy the typical dishes at famous restaurants, your trip will be more complete. Therefore, you should look for restaurants that can bring meals with the rich flavors of Phu Quoc.
If you do not know what to choose, you can book through tour agencies. That will also be a useful solution. Lily’s Travel with more than 25 years of experience in tour operation, will have all the information about restaurants for you. Lily’s Travel always knows which restaurants have the most typical and unique dishes. These will be useful experiences for foreign tourists when coming to Sao Beach.
