11 of the best places to eat on Ko Samui

Wherever you travel in Thailand, dining out is always an experience. Whether it be a no-name street stall, a cheap and cheerful family-run restaurant or somewhere more upmarket, Thai food is integral to the holiday experience.

Part of the joy of visiting any destination is discovering your own favourite places to eat. Although our advice is to follow your nose, we also understand some visitors look for restaurant recommendations. With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of places to try if you’re travelling to Ko Samui. Although this isn’t a definitive list of the best restaurants on Ko Samui, we’ve included a range of dining venues (shown here in alphabetical order) to provide you with a flavour of what the island has to offer.

1) Baan Suan Lung Khai

Located inland in a coconut grove, Baan Suan Lung Khai isn’t the easiest restaurant to reach without your own transport. This means it tends to draw more of a local clientele so you can be sure you will be served authentic Thai food and not dishes toned down for Western palates. Seafood dishes here are a speciality including local dishes such as wai kua (squid simmered in coconut milk) and gaeng som (southern Thai fish curry).
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2) Bang Por Seafood (Takho)

This restaurant on Bang Po (also written as Bang Por) Beach on Samui’s north coast is a long-standing favourite for locals. As the name suggests, seafood is the speciality here with grilled fish, spicy stir-fried squid, oysters, and home-made shrimp paste among the the most popular dishes on the menu. You’ll get sea views to complement your seafood at this value-for-money venue that gets a mention in the Michelin Guide Thailand.
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3) Dr Frogs Bar & Grill

Dr Frogs is another of Samui’s well-established venues. It was originally known for its Italian food, but now offers a well-rounded selection with Thai dishes sitting alongside Western favourites on the menu. Located in Chaweng Noi with elevated sea views from the terrace, Dr Frogs is open daily from 7 am until 11 pm for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
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4) Fisherman’s Village, Bophut

On the north coast of Ko Samui, Bophut was first settled by migrant fishermen from Hainan in southern China. The fishermen established a community here with wooden houses and shops and some descendants of the original settlers still live in the Bophut area. When you visit, you may notice Chinese lanterns which hint at the heritage of the area.

You’ll find an array of restaurants to choose from in Bophut, but for tasty street food and a relaxed ambience, look out for the enjoyable Walking Street Market. The market sets up daily in the high season from late afternoon until late evening.
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5) FishHouse

This beachfront seafood restaurant on Choeng Mon Beach is part of the Kimpton Kitalay resort. Open to all, FishHouse serves premium Thai seafood and top-quality meats. Combining a sophisticated menu with a relaxed beachfront vibe, FishHouse is another Samui dining venue that gets a nod from the Michelin Guide.
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6) Jungle Club

We’ve included the Jungle Club for the atmosphere and views more than the food. Although you won’t be getting a fine-dining experience here, you will be getting fabulous views over Chaweng and a relaxed ambience. Jungle Club can get busy, especially in the early evening, so contact them in advance for a reservation. Open daily from 10 am to 9 pm.
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7) Kapi Sator

Kapi Sator specialises in southern Thai food. With an emphasis on seafood, this restaurant has earned recognition from the Michelin Guide Thailand and the quality of the ingredients will not disappoint. Kapi Sator is popular with Thai diners so you can expect authentic Thai dishes rather than toned-down versions aimed at tourists. Signature dishes include the local favourite, stir-fried shrimp with sator beans and shrimp paste.
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8) Khao Horm

Great value food in a no-nonsense setting have made Khao Hom a popular venue for Thais and expats alike. With a location near Ko Samui airport, this restaurant is the perfect option for anyone needing their last fix of southern Thai food before departing the island. Khao Hom is family-owned with some of the recipes passed down from generation to generation.
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9) Lamai Walking Street Market

Open every Sunday from around 5 pm to 11 pm, Lamai Walking Street Market is a good option for street food. Setting up along Had Lamai Road, you’ll find an array of food vendors here to satisfy your craving whether it be for pad Thai, pad kaprao, grilled chicken or a gourmet burger. Wash it down with a fruit shake, cold beer or cocktail while listening to local musicians and you have the perfect evening meal. The market is also a good option if you are shopping for souvenirs or handicrafts. There is also a Night Market in Lamai which is open daily, but our preference is for the Sunday Walking Street Market.
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10) Sabienglae

Sabienglae has two branches on Ko Samui. The original restaurant (and most famous for Thai visitors) is at Lamai Beach located near the famous Hin Ta Hin Yai (Grandfather and Grandmother rocks) at the southern end of Lamai. The second branch can be found at Bangrak Beach. Whichever venue you visit, the speciality is seafood with local dishes like wai khua (squid cooked in coconut milk) popular with Thai diners.
Location (Lamai) | Location (Bangrak)

11) The View Dining

Located in the north-east corner of Ko Samui, The View Dining is part of the Ritz Carlton resort. The Ritz encompasses several dining venues (including the excellent Pak Tai) and you can expect a quality dining experience at all of them. We’ve picked out The View Dining for the panoramic views combined with a high level of service and quality food.
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Don’t be offended if your go-to restaurant on Ko Samui isn’t listed! Let us know on our Facebook page your favourite places to eat when you visit Samui.

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