As of 2026, this Koh Samui food guide covers 13 restaurants by category — including Krua Chao Baan, Krua Bophut, Bang Po Seafood. See prices, locations and must-try dishes below.
Koh Samui is Koh Samui is southern Thai island food — massaman, tom yum, fresh seafood, som tam, and mango sticky rice — from Fisherman's Village beach tables to Michelin Bib Gourmand local kitchens. We've organized 13 restaurants across 5 categories. Each entry includes prices, hours, local tips, and a Google Maps link so you can plan straight from the page.
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Krua Chao Baan
Bophut / Fisherman's Village · Southern Thai & Local
Bold southern-Thai cooking — gaeng som sour curry, gaeng tai pla, khao yam rice salad, and Thai classics done well
Krua Chao Baan
ครัวชาวบ้าน · Bophut / Fisherman's Village
1
#1
MUST TRY
Southern-style fish curry, fresh seafood dishes, classic Thai stir-fries
A well-known local Thai kitchen in the Bophut area recognized with a Michelin Bib Gourmand for serving fresh seafood and home-style southern Thai cooking at honest prices. A reliable, unpretentious spot for the real flavors of the region.
$5-15
(฿150-500)
Roughly 11:00-22:00 (check current hours)
Local tip: Order southern-Thai dishes and whatever seafood is fresh that day — the cooking leans spicy in the local style, so flag if you want it milder. Good value versus the resort restaurants. Busy in the evenings; go a little early or expect a short wait.
Local Thai street food, grilled meats, fresh seafood snacks, Thai desserts
Lamai's lively evening walking street, weighted more toward street food than souvenirs — a popular, more local-feeling alternative to the Chaweng and Bophut markets. A cheap, authentic way to eat through southern-Thai snacks.
$1-8
(฿40-300)
Set evenings from ~17:00 (check current schedule)
Local tip: More food-focused and less touristy than some other markets. Bring cash and small notes. Runs on set evenings (commonly Sunday — confirm the current schedule locally), so check before planning your Lamai night around it.
Pad thai, grilled chicken and pork skewers, som tam, roti, mango sticky rice
The cheap-eats heart of Chaweng — street stalls and the night market behind the main strip, where local cooks turn out pad thai, grilled skewers, som tam, and Thai desserts at a fraction of restaurant prices. The go-to for budget dining in the busiest beach town.
$1-10
(฿40-350)
Roughly evenings from ~17:00 onward
Local tip: The best value in Chaweng — eat where the queue of locals and expats is. Roti (Thai-Muslim sweet pancake) and grilled skewers are reliable. Cash only; busiest mid-evening. A great pre-night-out fuel-up before the Chaweng bars.
A long-running, locally loved seafood restaurant on the quieter north coast at Bang Por, set right by the water. Known among residents and repeat visitors for fresh, simply prepared Gulf seafood in an unfussy beachside setting.
$8-25
(฿250-900)
Roughly 11:00-21:00 (check current hours)
Local tip: Out on the north coast away from the tourist strips — worth the drive for fresh fish at fair prices with a sunset view. Seafood is often priced by weight, so confirm the price before it's cooked. Best reached by scooter, taxi, or as part of a north-coast loop.
A long-established clifftop restaurant perched on the rocks between Chaweng and Lamai, known for sweeping sea views and a menu of seafood and Mediterranean-leaning dishes. A popular spot for a scenic dinner or a sundowner.
$15-40
(฿500-1,400)
Roughly 11:00-23:00 (check current hours)
Local tip: Book a table at the rail for the view, ideally around sunset. Pricier than local eateries but the setting is the draw. A good mid-to-upscale option that's not inside a resort — easy to combine with a Chaweng-Lamai drive.
Whole steamed or grilled fish, prawns, seafood with sunset over the water
A beachfront seafood restaurant on the quiet southwest coast at Lipa Noi, well placed for west-facing sunsets over the water. A relaxed, long-standing spot for fresh Gulf seafood away from the busy east-coast strips.
$10-30
(฿350-1,100)
Roughly 11:00-22:00 (check current hours)
Local tip: The southwest coast is the island's best sunset side — time dinner for golden hour. Seafood is often by weight, so confirm prices first. Pairs well with a day exploring the quieter west and a visit to the Nathon area or ferry pier.
Bophut's shophouse strip — street stalls to fine dining, plus the Friday Walking Street market
Krua Bophut
ครัวบ่อผุด · Bophut / Fisherman's Village
2
#1
MUST TRY
Traditional Thai curries, grilled seafood, tom yum goong
One of the most popular restaurants in Fisherman's Village, with dining both inside and directly on Bophut beach. One of the few spots in the village that specializes in traditional local Thai cuisine rather than international fare.
$6-20
(฿200-700)
Roughly 12:00-22:30 (check current hours)
Local tip: Ask for a table on the sand at sunset. It does proper Thai classics — curries, tom yum, fresh seafood — in a prime beachfront setting, so it's a good blend of atmosphere and authentic food. Reserve for a beach table in high season.
Grilled seafood skewers, pad thai, som tam, mango sticky rice, fresh coconut
The weekly Friday-evening market that takes over the Fisherman's Village shophouse street from around 5pm — street-food stalls, live music, crafts, and a buzzing crowd. The single best place to graze across many southern-Thai and street dishes cheaply.
$1-8
(฿40-300)
Fridays from ~17:00 (evening market)
Local tip: Come hungry and eat your way down the street — skewers, noodles, som tam, fresh fruit, coconut ice cream. Cash only at the stalls. Arrives early evening and gets very busy after dark; Friday only, so plan your Bophut night around it.
Cocktails in the sand, swing seats, and fire shows — Samui's beach-bar ritual at sunset
Coco Tam's
Coco Tam's · Bophut / Fisherman's Village beach
9
#1
MUST TRY
Cocktails in jars, beachside small plates, the nightly fire show
The classic Bophut beach bar — beanbags on the sand, swing seats at the bar, cabanas, and signature cocktails served in jars, with nightly fire shows after dark. The quintessential Samui sunset-into-evening spot on the beach by Fisherman's Village.
$6-20
(฿200-700)
Roughly 16:00-late (evenings)
Local tip: Come at sunset, grab a beanbag, and stay for the fire show. It's a bar more than a restaurant — drinks and snacks rather than a full dinner — so eat in the village and drink here. Gets busy in high season; arrive before sunset for the best spots.
The cluster of beachfront bars and grills along Bophut beach beside Fisherman's Village — relaxed, table-on-the-sand spots for a drink and grilled seafood as the sun goes down. The mellow counterpoint to Chaweng's club scene.
$5-18
(฿180-650)
Roughly 16:00-late (evenings)
Local tip: Bophut is the laid-back side of Samui nightlife — sunset drinks and beach dining rather than clubbing. Pair with the Friday Walking Street market. For a louder night, head to the Chaweng strip and the Green Mango area instead.
The celebrated fine-dining restaurant at the Six Senses Samui resort, set on a series of timber decks built into the clifftop rocks above the sea. Known for a creative tasting-menu approach with an emphasis on sustainable and organic produce blending regional and international cuisine — widely cited among the island's best meals.
$80-180
(฿3,000-6,500)
Dinner; reservations required (check current hours)
Local tip: The big-splurge dinner on Samui — book well ahead and aim for the sunset seating for the clifftop view. Smart-casual dress. Tasting menus are the way to experience it. Non-resort guests are welcome with a reservation.
A romantic beachfront restaurant at the Zazen boutique resort on Bophut beach — white tablecloths, candlelight, and a menu reaching across French, Italian, and Thai. A popular special-occasion table with sea views, sometimes with traditional Thai dance.
$25-60
(฿900-2,200)
Dinner (check current hours); reservations recommended
Local tip: One of the island's go-to romantic dinners — reserve a beachfront table and check whether a Thai dance evening is on. A step below resort-fine-dining prices but a clear cut above the casual village spots. Smart-casual; book ahead in high season.
A well-regarded American-style burger and grill restaurant in the Choeng Mon area, popular with travelers wanting a high-quality Western meal — gourmet burgers, steaks, and cocktails in a polished casual setting.
$12-30
(฿400-1,100)
Roughly 12:00-22:00 (check current hours)
Local tip: The island's go-to when you want a proper burger or steak break from Thai food. Portions are generous and quality is consistent. Easy to reach from the Choeng Mon and northeast resorts; can get busy at dinner, so consider booking.
Street pad thai/som tam + a beach seafood plate + mango sticky rice.
Mid-Range
$25-55/day
A Fisherman's Village dinner + a Bib Gourmand Thai kitchen (Krua Chao Baan).
Luxury
$90+/day
Dining On The Rocks (Six Senses) + a private-boat seafood lunch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about food and restaurants in Koh Samui.
What food must I try in Koh Samui?
Lean into bolder southern-Thai cooking: gaeng som (sour turmeric fish curry), gaeng tai pla (pungent fermented-fish curry), and khao yam (a southern rice salad), alongside fresh Gulf seafood — whole grilled fish, prawns, squid, and crab, often priced by weight. The Thai classics are everywhere and done well: massaman curry, tom yum goong, som tam, pad thai, and mango sticky rice (best Mar-Jun). Fresh young coconut water is a Samui signature — the island is famous for its coconuts.
Where's the best place to eat in Koh Samui?
Fisherman's Village in Bophut is the top dining hub — a strip of restored shophouses with everything from street stalls to fine dining, plus the famous Friday Walking Street market (from ~5pm). Krua Bophut and the Michelin Bib Gourmand spot Krua Chao Baan do proper Thai right here, while Coco Tam's handles the beachside sunset drinks. Chaweng and Lamai have the broadest budget-to-mid range plus their own walking-street markets.
How much does a meal cost?
Street food and local eateries run ฿50-150 ($1.50-4) a dish; a mid-range tourist restaurant is ฿250-600 ($7-17) per person; a fresh-seafood dinner (by weight) ฿600-1,500; beach clubs and resort restaurants ฿800-2,000. Fine dining like Dining On The Rocks at Six Senses is a splurge at ฿3,000-6,500+ per person. The Friday Fisherman's Village market is the cheapest way to graze widely. Prices use roughly 35 THB ≈ $1.
Is the street food safe to eat?
Generally yes — busy stalls with high turnover serve food cooked fresh to order, which is the safest bet. Stick to hot, freshly cooked dishes and peelable fruit; be cautious with pre-cut fruit left out and ice from unclear sources (ice in established restaurants is purified and fine). The Friday Fisherman's Village market and the Chaweng and Lamai walking streets are reliable. Ease into the spice levels and carry hand sanitizer.
Can I find Western and vegetarian food?
Easily. Chaweng, Bophut, and Lamai are full of Western options — burgers (Stacked is a favorite), pizza, breakfasts, French and Italian — alongside the Thai. Vegetarians and vegans are well served, especially around Fisherman's Village and the northern wellness scene; ask for 'jay' (vegan) or 'mang-sa-wirat' (vegetarian). Many Thai dishes use fish sauce or shrimp paste, so specify if you need them left out.
Where should I go for sunset drinks and a special dinner?
For sunset drinks, Coco Tam's on Bophut beach is the classic — cocktails in jars, swing seats, beanbags, and a nightly fire show. For a romantic dinner, Zazen on Bophut beach (Thai-French, candlelit) or The Cliff between Chaweng and Lamai (clifftop sea views). For the big splurge, Dining On The Rocks at Six Senses is the island's standout, with clifftop tables and a sustainable tasting menu — book well ahead.
Cards vs cash — where do I need baht?
Cards work in most hotels, resort restaurants, dive shops, and the smarter restaurants, though many add a ~3% card surcharge. You'll need cash (Thai baht) for street food, the walking-street markets, beach vendors, small local eateries, songthaews, and scooter rental. Carry ฿2,000-3,000 a day. ATMs charge a fixed ฿220 foreign-card fee per withdrawal, so take out larger amounts less often, or use a fee-friendly travel card.
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Jimmy Kong
TripPick founder · Travel content creator
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.
8+ years analyzing travel data
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