The Story Behind Taoni

Nini is a French woman who traded the fast pace of life in France for the rhythm of the ocean. She landed on Koh Tao — the turtle island — and knew she'd found her place.

In 2023, she opened Taoni in Chalok Baan Kao, five minutes from the beach. The name echoes the island itself, and the logo — a sea turtle drawn in a single line — captures everything Taoni stands for: freedom, flow, and a life lived at your own pace. "As free as the ocean," as Nini puts it.

Taoni isn't just a restaurant. It's the place where you sit down for a cappuccino and find yourself still there at sunset, laptop open, a Balinese necklace in your shopping bag, and a second round of pad thai on the way.

The restaurant serves French-fusion cuisine made entirely from scratch — fresh pasta, pain perdu, avocado toast, Thai curries — using herbs from the garden and coffee from northern Thailand. The coworking space is the best-connected on the island, with air conditioning, a meeting room, and daily or monthly packages for digital nomads. And the boutique is Nini's personal curation of Thai and Balinese crafts: jewelry, bags, and objects that carry a piece of the island home with you.

What makes Taoni special isn't just the food or the wifi. It's Nini herself. Read the TripAdvisor reviews (4.9 out of 5, 27 reviews) and one word keeps coming back: warmth. She remembers your name, recommends the best dive spots, organizes birthday dinners, and hosts live music nights. She built a place that feels like home — and everyone who walks in can tell.

Whether you're a traveler passing through Chalok Bay, a digital nomad looking for your daily spot, or a local who wants a great meal with a friend — Taoni's door is always open. Every day, 8am to 10pm.