Lotus Restaurant — Restaurant in Ko Tao

I visited here on three different occasions while enjoying the fire show they perform here every evening on the beach. It's a great show where the performers juggle and spin burning balls attached to chains as well as burning sticks. These guys are incredibly talented and experienced. There are moments where the show is a little unorganised because all the performers are doing there own tricks; some choreagraphy could definitely make it even more appealing but it's still a very good show, don't get me wrong.

But as cool as the show is, there seems to be little concern about safety. There's a big, open bucket of lighter fluid on the beach which is used to dip the props in, and a lit beer bottle-torch just three feet away from it, plus two big plastic jerry cans of lighter fluid. And all this gasoline is at risk of catching fire by a number of things: the performers smoking cigarettes next to it, the burning props tossed and juggled high up in the air by the performers, anyone that accidently knocks over de bucket, and then there's the local kids playing next to all of this. Other safety concerns are the tricks being performed within the audience and people on the beach walking through the acts. And then there's the fact the performers are drinking alcohol. But I'm sure most people won't be...

I had a bad experience here. I would say that the food was sub-par compared to the excellent places elsewhere on the island. The chicken didn't taste too fresh. I also had a bad experience with the servers who spoke to me very rudely. The incorrect dish was brought out for me. I didn't think it looked right but given there was only one other table with people on, i didn't think to question it. The servers also didn't think to correct this mistake until I had nearly finished, brought out the correct dish. By this point I was already nearly full. Long story short, they charged me for both dishes which I don't feel was right. The way the lady spoke to me at the end when I made this point was extremely rude which is why I can only rate...

I got two very different options about Lotus Bar/Restaurant.

The Bar (on the beach) is a great place for a sunset drink, they have comfortable bean bags on a bamboo mat to lounge and enjoy the sunset. Happy hour is until 7pm. There’s a daily fire show that starts when the sun is nearly set and is quite entertaining. Depending on the wind direction you might get a bit much of paraffin oil fumes though.

The restaurant (closer to Sairee walking street) was a complete let down. The massaman curry was obviously made from a factory made paste mixed up with some coconut milk, potato and chicken. No fresh ingredients at all.

My suggestion: come for a drink at the beach and don’t bother about...