Eating is one of the great joys of Koh Samui, where a plate of street food can be every bit as memorable as a candlelit dinner by the sea.
Thai food needs no introduction, but Koh Samui rewards the curious eater more than most places. The island spans the full range, from smoky street carts to refined restaurants with ocean views, and the quality is high across the board.
Street food and local markets
For the most authentic and affordable flavours, follow the locals. The night markets at Fisherman's Village and Lamai are full of grilled seafood, fresh papaya salad, mango sticky rice, and curries simmered all day. Eat where there is a queue and you will rarely go wrong.
Beachfront and fine dining
- Fresh seafood grilled at the water's edge in Thong Krut
- Refined Thai and international menus along the Chaweng and Bophut waterfronts
- Sunset cocktail bars perched on the island's western cliffs
The finest table of all
For all the island has to offer, the most memorable meals of a villa holiday are often the ones you never leave home for. A private chef who shops the morning markets and cooks to your table means breakfast on the deck, long lazy lunches by the pool, and dinners under the stars, all without a reservation or a drive.
Many of our own guests say the same thing: they came planning to dine out every night, and ended up barely leaving, simply because the food at the villa was that good.