Wining and Dining on Koh Samui in Thailand

Southern Thailand is home to some of the world’s finest cuisines, this can be seen by the number of Thai restaurants that have appeared throughout the world over the last number of years. Koh Samui is no different; the people here are highly imaginative when it comes to selection and presentation of food. Whether it is a local street vendor or a top end restaurant you can be sure that you’ll find something to suit any palate and budget.

There are three main areas on Samui for restaurants and bars; with a further four more secluded areas to explore. The first and most popular area is Chaweng beach. Here you can find a huge range of restaurants to choose from, including French, Japanese, Italian and Royal Thai, just to name a few. All of these can be enjoyed on the beach under the stars, beneath a thatched roof or in cool air-conditioned comfort.

Situated near the famous Big Buddha, in the north of the island, is Bophut beach. This once predominately fishing area has given way to a range of restaurants and is now the culinary heart of Koh Samui. The quiet and picturesque setting makes it an ideal place for a romantic night out.

The fisherman’s village, which is considered by most to be one of the oldest areas on the island, is littered with wooden houses reminiscent of a by gone era that have been lovingly restored and now serve as shops and restaurants. Here you’ll find French, Indian, Thai, Italian and seafood restaurants all of which are a stone’s throw from the waterfront.

Big Buddha beach has plenty of excellent Thai restaurants to choose from alongside international cuisine. Exceptional and inventive pub grub is available from funky caf?s which are scattered throughout the area.

In the south of the island you’ll find Samui’s second largest beach – Lamai beach. In general dining here is cheaper than Chaweng beach and is where you will find a plethora of small, family run Thai eateries. Although, there is still an eclectic mix of restaurants from European to Asian fusion, ensuring all tastes are catered for.

One of Samui’s quietest and most picturesque beaches is Maenam. The restaurants here will cater to every budget and offer food from around the world. The area is packed with street stalls where you can purchase a portion of Pad Thai and eat it on the beach for an inexpensive but memorable dining experience.

For the more adventurous and those who enjoy heading off the well trodden tourist trail should make for the south-east and west coasts. As most of the island’s fresh fish is caught just of these coastlines, seafood lovers will be in culinary paradise. Some of the restaurants here are so small they don’t even have names but you are nearly always guaranteed a delicious meal and a warm Thai welcome. However, it’s not only the welcome that is warm; the dishes are spicy enough to blow your socks off!

Koh Samui is a gastronomic delight for food lovers and you will leave dreaming of all the fantastic dishes you ate and magnificent restaurants visited.