The island of Koh Samui is a hugely popular tourist destination, home to plenty of luxury resorts and a wide range of traditional and international restaurants.
Here we’ve chosen the top 10 restaurants in Koh Samui to help to decide where to dine during your luxury villa break.
1. Antica Locanda – Bang Rak
Antica Locanda is known across Thailand for its top quality pizzas. It is held in high esteem with both the local and tourists of the area and the restaurant owner has authentic Italian roots, allowing him to deliver a genuine taste of the Mediterranean. The portions at the restaurant are regularly remarked upon for their large size and their pizzas are amongst the most popular option on the menu. There is an impressive range of fresh seafood and meat dishes for guests who don’t feel like a pizza but we’d really recommend trying at least one.
What the Guests Say
“The pizzas are excellent – some of the best we’ve had in Thailand. The house wines are good and are also reasonably-priced by Thai standards.”
2. Barracuda Restaurant – Mae Nam
Barracuda is in the north of Koh Samui nestled in the heart of Mae Nam. Though it has a German owner the restaurant has a talented Thai kitchen team who bring together a zesty fusion of Mediterranean and Thai foods. Local produce is used to complement an ever changing menu and the quality of the food cannot be questioned. Barracuda pays homage to the fishing culture of the outer Thai villages and its décor in particular highlights this important part of the area’s history. Outdoor dining is available in the external lounge and the cocktail and drinks menus offer a range of Thai-inspired beverages.
What the Guests Say
“Food is simple but well-cooked and presented. Dishes are delivered hot to the table by very efficient and polite staff.”
3. Krua Bophut – Bophut
Krua Bophut is recognised across Koh Samui for its authentic Thai cuisine. The restaurant sits on the beach front with decking to allow for al fresco dining, ideal as the view is simply spectacular. The dishes available include a range of the spiciest Thai options around but there are milder choices for those with a less fiery palate. The venue has a casual feel without being too relaxed and the authentic Thai dishes are presented with flair and attention to detail. Their food focuses specifically on the cuisine of Southern Thailand with fresh seafood a central calling card of many of their finest dishes.
What the Guests Say
“Beautiful beach side location. Service was excellent and the food was some of the best I’ve had in in Thailand.”
4. Ocean Eleven Bar & Lounge – Bang Rak
Ocean Eleven Bar and Lounge has revitalised a sixty-year old beach front property at the heart of Bang Rak Beach. Open since 2007, the head honcho behind the scenes is experienced German chef Bernd Schillig. With experience across Europe, Singapore and Thailand, Bernd pools his experience as an executive chef in 5* venues at Ocean Eleven. The kitchen has a brigade of ten professionals working in harmony to provide a range of stunning dishes which combine the finest ingredients of Thailand with the discerning palate of Schillig himself. Ocean Eleven offers a fine dining experience with an atmosphere unachievable elsewhere.
What the Guests Say
“Fine dining by the beach! Food is amazing, waiters are friendly, knowledgeable and offer great advice on menu choices.”
5. Orgasmic – Bophut
www.orgasmic-samui.comIf you can get past the slightly tongue-in-cheek restaurant name Orgasmic is one of the best relaxed dining environments in Koh Samui. They market themselves as the coolest beach restaurant on the island and focus closely on providing a laid back and simple dining experience. The cuisine Orgasmic has to offer is as simple as the décor, combining Eastern and Western flavours in innovative ways that keep diners coming back for more. As with all successful beachfront restaurants Orgasmic make sure to deliver faultless local seafood, combing with their own flavours and spices.
What the Guests Say
“Overlooking the bay and the fishermen’s village, Orgasmic uses simply furniture and is very relaxed. The food was excellent and well presented, a must visit with great ambience, friendly service and excellent value.”
6. Prego – Chaweng
Although you may not be visiting Thailand for Italian cuisine we suggest you at least give on Italian restaurant a go. We’ve picked out the two top offerings on the island and Prego is the first. Stylish and trendy, Prego has a genuine Italian chef at its helm. Authentic Italian is the name of the game at Prego so if you’re looking for a change from the Thai flavours offered by other beach side restaurants then settle into Prego for the rich flavours of the Mediterranean. Wood-fired pizzas and homemade pastas are pepped up with a touch of zesty seafood made all the more memorable by a few choice Italian imported ingredients.
What the Guests Say
“The food was fantastic and the wine was also good. Food arrived quickly despite a very busy restaurant and the service was impeccable.”
7. Sala Samui – Choeng Mon
www.salaresorts.com/samui/wineanddine-en.html
Sala Samui offers luxury dining within their resort restaurant. Their food is designed to take diners on a journey rather than satisfy their stomachs. The restaurant offers multi-course gourmet dining with attention to detail offered in every element of every meal. Sala Samui employs a large brigade of both European and Thai chefs to ensure each of their menu items is authentic and has a true feel for the cuisine it’s trying to create. Degustation and tasting menus are available for diners who are feeling truly extravagant and there are both inside and outdoor dining areas.
What the Guests Say
“Very good European cuisine, with Thai options too and an amazing wine list. The quality is really good and you can tell prime ingredients are chosen.”
8. The Larder – Chaweng
One of the newer restaurants on the island, The Larder opened in December 2012 and focuses on both fantastic cuisine and a relaxed bar atmosphere. It has tinges of a gastro pub about it and is run by a pair of ex-pats who have over 10 years’ experience in Koh Samui. The food on offer blends together the flavours of modern British and European cuisine with an international flavour. Comfort food and real old-style classics are on the menu with an extra bit of pizazz offered by the modern cooking methods and stunning presentation. The menu is buoyed by a vast array of cocktails and extensive wine list.
What the Guests Say
“The food was delicious. We recommend you try some of the speciality cocktails and the service was excellent.”
9. The Shack Bar & Grill – Bophut
The Shack is based in the heart of Bophut and offers diners with a slightly less exotic palate the chance to enjoy fine cuts of meat and something a little different to the spice-filled Thai flavours offered elsewhere. Grilled meats are the speciality at The Shack, with burgers and other barbecue style food readily available. The Shack’s extensive meat menu is peppered with sides and other offerings to give guests a wider choice. Crab claws and chicken wings are amongst the extensive range of sides to complement the wide range of steaks and burgers and delicately cooked lobster is also available.
What the Guests Say
“Great steaks in lively surroundings with great music. An extensive steak menu includes American and Australian cuts as well as lobster, oysters, king crab and other seafood.”
10. Zazen – Bophut
With an experienced French chef at the helm Zazen brings together a stunning range of simple flavours displayed in a creative and attractive way. The cooking offered by Zazen is passionate and personal, with a touch of class that won’t be found elsewhere. The flavours that stand out are innovative and almost entirely unique to Zazen. Much of the food is authentic Thai with a twist and the freshness of the food is what stands out above all. The sourcing of ingredients is exacting, with only the finest few making it onto the menu. It is one of the most recommended restaurants on the whole of Koh Samui.
What the Guests Say
“There is a wide selection of Western and Thai food, all prepared and served with excellence!”