Enjoy delicious yet affordable street food and seafood in Thailand. Check out this list of Koh Samui Restaurants and bookmark this for your next vacation.
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List of Koh Samui Restaurants
Koh Samui is the largest of Thailand’s infamous island trifecta of Samui-Tao-Phangan. It is a quintessential place to visit if you want to experience ultimate island living.
Fringed by turquoise waters, Koh Samui is an expansive beach destination. The place just perfectly hits the sweet spot between tradition and modernity. With flocks of vacationers pouring there regularly, the island’s culinary scene has also evolved. Their food has greatly improved in response to the level of tourism in the place.
Anyone would agree that food plays a pivotal role in a vacation experience. Check out below the list of top Koh Samui street food and food spots you should try.
Samui Seafood Grill & Restaurant
Address: Koh Samui, Chang Wat Surat Thani, 84320, Thailand
This restaurant deserves to carry the name of the island with how good its food is. Thailand is known for its fresh seafood and Samui Seafood Grill & Restaurant is the best place to go.
They certainly do their water harvest justice. With its offerings of prawn, lobster, and crab dishes, you will surely get your seafood fill here. What makes it different from the other seafood restaurants is that they also serve dishes from Southern Thailand. Additionally, prices are very reasonable compared to other same caliber restaurants.
Tree Tops
Address: 2 Bo Put, Ko Samui District, Surat Thani 84320, Thailand
One of the most recognized restaurants on the island is Tree Tops. It’s a fine-dining destination that allows guests to eat in tree houses. You can expect the usual fare from five-star restaurants, like red meats and wines.
But they do offer some good Thai cuisine and seafood dishes as well. Tree Tops is by no means cheap, but you can expect quality service in exchange for every dollar.
Moreover, the restaurant has its own sommelier and you can expect top service from its experienced staff. Make reservations before going there.
Spices Cafe
Address: 4169, Mae Nam, Ko Samui District, Surat Thani 84330, Thailand
One of the best things about Koh Samui is that you get so much variety in its restaurants. There are so many cuisines to choose from, which include places that you can easily afford.
Despite having its fair share of fine-dining spots, people on a limited allowance won’t ever get hungry here. One of the most popular budget hangouts on the island is Spices Cafe.
It offers world-famous Thai dishes like Som Tam, Larb Gai, and Green Curry. The place is managed by a former Four Seasons chef so you are sure to get high-quality food despite the friendly price point of its menu. The place can get crowded so making reservations are also highly recommended here.
Jahn
Address: 49/8 Hillcrest Road Ko Samui District, Surat Thani 84140, Thailand
Looking for a place where you can enjoy the island’s breath-taking views while savoring good food? Jahn, an upscale restaurant on the tip of Koh Samui, is the place to go.
Run by a seasoned chef, the place offers a menu of Thai fusion, while providing a 360-view of the island’s most picturesque spots. The spot is highly exclusive — it only seats 28 people and requires a strict casual dress code for its guests. It does take a bit of effort to reach it because it is out of the way from the usual food hunts. But the experience you get is worth the extra work.
Saffron
Address: Ko Samui District, Surat Thani 84310, Thailand
Saffron showcases the culinary beauty of Thailand’s specialties. It’s another upscale restaurant that is inspired by avant-garde culinary fusion. This elegant dining space combines traditional Thai food with other Southeast Asian food influences.
The restaurant has been praised for serving dishes that are refreshing and unique. While they give a refreshing twist to local favorites, these are not exactly far-fetched in terms of traditional flavors. The restaurant can be found inside the Banyan Tree Koh Samui resort.
Must-Try Street Foods in Koh Samui
Trying to keep the cost down during your visit? Koh Samui also has a wide selection of street foods that will keep your tummy and wallet happy! Check out some of the must-try dishes on the island below.
Roti
One of the most beloved snacks on the island is Roti or Thai pancakes. Though not a traditional treat (roti is from India), Thailand has given it a unique twist. Thais serve it with chocolate sauce, milk, bananas, condensed milk, egg, jam, and other toppings.
This quick snack is not only sweet and filling but also very cheap.
- Related: The Best Desserts in Bacolod
Pad Thai
You can’t really say you’ve made the most out of your visit to Thailand without trying the country’s most popular stir-fried noodles. Seasoned with lime, fish sauce, tamarind sauce, sugar, and red chili pepper, this dish is one of the cheapest and most filling dishes.
Pad Thai comes with a hefty serving of bean sprouts and toppings like pork, chicken, or shrimp and is best served spicy. The dish is actually popular in Bangkok, Koh Samui. But all over the country, there’s basically a version of the pad thai.
Som Tam
Also known as Papaya Salad, this is another quintessential Thai dish that you can’t miss. The cold dish is made of shredded green papaya, tomato, garlic, yardlong beans, chili, peanuts, and preserved crab. Its origins hail from northeast Thailand. Order a serving of one with a side of fish or barbecued chicken to complete the experience.
Enjoy A Foodie Adventure in Koh Samui
Koh Samui is not only a beach-lover’s paradise. It is also a great destination for those who would want a gastronomic adventure. There is no shortage of good places to visit in the area. Even the pickiest eaters can find something to enjoy in this list of Koh Samui restaurants. Sample the authentic local cuisines first to appreciate the flavors of the island.
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Yum, all of these places sound incredible! I always love trying new foods out. Koh Samui looks so lovely and their restaurants are awesome!
Tree Tops and Saffron look like amazing places to eat! Thailand has amazing dishes. And all the food pictures looked so delicious! Will bookmark this for our future trip to Koh Samui.
Oh, these places in Koh Samui look so amazing! now you’ve made me so hungry 🙂
Yes please, I love visiting awesome restaurants. Thank you so much for sharing this list of Koh Samui restaurants with us. Would love to visit this island in Thailand very soon.
To take note and try absolutely. Yummy.
To take note and try absolutely. Yummy. ^_^
These restaurants seem super amazing!!! I would love to check all of them out, can’t wait.
This all looks amazing! I love the sound of all the food at Koh Samui. I definitely will need to visit Thailand at some point 🙂 And I need to explore the island of Koh Samui — for the food and the beaches!
This island is beautiful and the places are luxurious! The foods looks so delicious. I feel the island vibes on those picture. And also i even taste the food with an eye. It is prepared very good and garnish on its perfection! I wanna go to Koh Samui!
I always love going to new restaurants and trying out new dishes. Hope to check some of these places out when I go to Koh Samui! 🙂
I so love Thai food! Visiting Thailand is on my bucket list and has been for years if only for the food! Have to include a swing by Koh Samui — it’s breathtaking!
I really love the place & they have lots of delicious foods. I’m craving for Thai Food right now.