Common Grounds Coffee — Restaurant in Surat Thani Province

Read this for one second: this is heaven. Really. You have nature being nurtured and respected, they even grow their own plants.

The pool is covered with shadow almost all day.

And then they have THE most delicious pastries on the island (sorry for those that don’t eat gluten, dairy & sugar 😅).

And after if you actually want to eat …they cook better than any other restaurants I have been in Phangan (and I have done many top ones). It’s lunch, brunch, breakfast style. They don’t have pancakes 🥞, buuut….they have home made granola, eggs, avocado, salmon, vegetarian. So you have variety.

I absolutely love their cheese Parmesan. It’s delicious and it’s like a balm for the soul. It makes you feel warm on the inside. Don’t we all want that ? 😅

I am just getting now on the human side. The Team of people at your service is lead by Mark. A beautiful men, that looks at the slightest detail in what he does. I have observed him watching each glass as they departure the bar, and before that passing them under hot water, probably to kill all bacterias. And I hope you know we have maaaany bacteria on this island because we are coming from all over the world and we are mixing germs that wouldn’t normally. Anyhow that is another subject on why do people get sick on this island.

Coming back to Mark: he is probably the only one on this island who really cares and does everything for you to feel as if you are a king 🤴 or queen 👸🏻. Prefer goddess? Done ✔️😂.

You will probably not observe much, just they fact that their free water is beautifully arranged in a plastic French carafe, and they bring it at your table just after you arrive. This is their way of welcoming you in their house.

And after you hear “What can I get you Mam?” Yes Mam.” Which is rare cause usually Thai people say “sir” which makes me feel funky.

Everyone is at your service. And they want you to feel respected and loved.

I don’t know what you are still looking for in order to come here and have your first order?!

Ah yes, I presume that starting now, with this review, they will have less and less available places.

I say it has the potential of a closed premium club for connaisseurs, with luxurious prices. One day Mark…mark my words; one day you will run a five stars. The first one on this island.

Until then, the prices and average, even cheap dare I say, for the quantity and quality they provide you. I rarely finish an entire dish so I rage doggy bags and eat the second day as well.

There are just a few tables, and sun loungers and parasols. So it’s relatively small. That’s why I’m saying it will get more and more crowded.

The problem than becomes the time for each client. And here people tend to stay for hours and hours, even working cause they have electrical sockets for every table. Like in a coworking.

So will Mark will be faced with a dilemma on the time spent per client. And he will never ever sacrifice quality service. It is who he is: a men with an exceptional orientation to details. A beautiful man. A happy man. That brings a smile on your face in a day.

One advice for you: please pay in cash…and if you can also provide a tip, excellent. This is your way of saying thank...

During this visit, we stayed near this place and decided to try something new. The first impression was very positive: a pleasant interior, lots of greenery, and despite being close to the road, it had a calm atmosphere. There’s a pool. For me, the pool being so close to the tables seems questionable, but some people like it, so why not.

The herbal tea was brewed with several types of fresh fruits, which made it both beautiful and tasty. They brought two cups and honey in a lovely dish. I regret not taking a photo to see what might happen with it later.

The avocado toast with smoked salmon was delicious: fresh sourdough bread, ripe avocado, and a perfectly poached egg, just as it should be.

The waiters were friendly, although they didn’t know enough English to understand simple requests like "we don't need the fan, please don't turn it on." But that’s normal for Phangan.

We decided that this was a great place and came back several more times.

However, the second time, the fruits disappeared from the herbal tea, there was only one cup, and the honey was missing. From then on, it was always just a Twinings tea bag.

We ordered the avocado toast again, but the poached egg was overcooked, almost fully solid.

We figured everyone makes mistakes, so we kept coming back a few more times. We tried the bagel & lox, chicken wrap, and pasta with meatballs – everything was okay, just average, nothing more.

But today, the quality of the food was so disappointing that it prompted me to leave a review and say "never again."

Eggs and potatoes, with "sunny side egg" in the description – English isn't my native language, so I checked, and it means the yolk should remain runny. The yolk was completely cooked, completely hard, and the sausages and bread were slightly burnt.

When I mentioned this to the waiter, he responded with, "we are busy today." Nice 👍🏻 We ate half and left. 270 baht – a bit expensive for something like this.

Many people note that the prices are high; obviously, this is due to the cost of maintaining the pool, because the quality of the food is very unstable.

I know a place with the best breakfasts, where the high quality standards have remained unchanged for years – A’s Famous, highly recommend it. By the way, I saw the manager of Common Ground Coffee buying buns for their burgers there ☺️

I read the reviews, and for those customers who were dissatisfied with something, the manager or owner, instead of addressing the shortcomings and improving quality, sarcastically suggests 'to find your less expensive cafe, perfect cup of coffee, happiness and serenity elsewhere.' I’ve already done that.

In the photo: the perfect avocado and salmon toast, and the failed eggs...

I recently discovered this charming cafe, and I must say, it exceeded all my expectations! From the moment I stepped inside, I was greeted with friendly service and a warm, inviting atmosphere.

One of the standout features of this cafe is their incredible swimming pool. It's well-maintained, clean, and the perfect spot to unwind and relax. Whether you want to take a refreshing dip or lounge poolside with a book, this cafe offers the perfect escape from the daily grind.

Now, let's talk about the food. The cheese cake here is simply divine. It's rich, creamy, and has the perfect balance of sweetness. The texture is smooth and velvety, and each bite melts in your mouth. It's hands down one of the best cheese cakes I've ever had.

But that's not all – the muffins are equally impressive. They're freshly baked, with a delightfully fluffy texture and just the right amount of sweetness. you won't be disappointed with their selection.

What really sets this cafe apart is the exceptional service. The staff is attentive, friendly, and always ready to go above and beyond to ensure you have a fantastic experience. They make you feel welcome and valued, which is a rare find these days.

To top it off, the prices are incredibly reasonable. You get top-notch quality food and amenities without breaking the bank. It's a great value for your money, and I highly recommend giving this cafe a try.

In conclusion, if you're looking for a delightful spot to indulge in some delectable treats, take a refreshing swim, and experience outstanding service, this cafe is the place to be. It's a hidden gem that I'm thrilled to have discovered, and I can't wait to go back for more. Trust me, you won't regret visiting this charming...