In Koh Samui you never have to eat the same food twice, (unless of course you find your ideal meal, which is likely).
One night you can grab a plate of authentic Thai food from a market stall, the next you can enjoy fresh seafood on the beach, and the next a long, leisurely dinner with elevated cocktails and a sunset view.
Coconut, lime, mango, garlicky chilis, Sour Fish Curry, its deliciousness everywhere you go.
Whether you are looking for local flavours like coconut dishes or Southern Thai curries, family-friendly restaurants, Italian comfort food, fresh seafood, or somewhere special for a celebration, Koh Samui has an incredible array of options. And you definitely don’t have to spend a fortune to eat well.
So, where to eat in Koh Samui? Here are some of our favourite options!
1. Eat with the Locals: Thai Food Without Fuss
If you come to Thailand and don’t eat plenty of Thai food, you’re missing out on one of the best cuisines in the world!
For a focused Thai menu close to Kerem Villas, Baan Ya Jai in Chaweng is a great option. This popular restaurant concentrates exclusively on Thai cuisine, with a menu created by local chef, Atitaya Paitoon. As usual with Thai food, there are plenty of vegetarian options too. It is walk-in only and no longer takes bookings, so be prepared to wait if it is busy. It is about 15 minutes from the villas.
For something even closer, Mr. Eung Seafood in Choeng Mon is around seven minutes from Kerem Villas. It specialises in Thai seafood, with fresh fish and crispy salads, it’s affordable, and always gets great reviews. Try the butter fish with green mango salad!
Another excellent, adventurous choice is Krau Bann Mui, which focuses on authentic local food, cook-to-order dishes, homemade chilli curry and fresh seafood boxes. It also offers free delivery on orders over 500 THB, making it particularly wonderful for a relaxed Thai meal without leaving the villa.
2. Fresh Seafood by the Sparkling Sea
There is no better place to eat fresh local seafood than a tropical island in the sparkling Gulf of Thailand – believe me.
Sabienglae Restaurant, with locations in Lamai and Bangrak, specialises in fresh seafood sourced locally from fishermen. The Bangrak branch is only about 10 minutes from Kerem Villas, while the Lamai location is around 40 minutes away. Reservations are required at least one day in advance.
For a beachfront experience closer to home, The Blue Spice Samui in Choeng Mon combines seafood-focused dining with tables directly on the sand. There is live acoustic music from 6pm and a nightly fire show at 7:15pm, making it a fun choice for an evening when dinner is part of the entertainment. Happy hour runs from 4–7pm. It is only about eight minutes from Kerem Villas.
Happy Elephant in Fisherman’s Village is another delicious option for Thai and seafood dishes, with oceanfront dining and both indoor and outdoor seating. It is around 15 minutes from the villas.
3. Casual Dining for Comfort and Value
Not every holiday meal needs to be an occasion. Sometimes you just want something tasty, relaxed, and easy. Koh Samui is an ex-pat heaven, so there’s plenty of food from everywhere, for everyone.
Big Horn Restaurant in Chaweng is particularly versatile, with Thai food, daily fresh seafood, Australian steaks, pasta and pizza. It is open from 11am to 11pm and is about 15 minutes from Kerem Villas.
For something different, Hot Point Restaurant serves Israeli and Mediterranean favourites including falafel, shakshuka, hummus and sabich. It also offers free delivery to Chaweng, Bophut and Bangrak with a 300 THB minimum order.
Basilicom, another awesome Israeli-Mediterranean option in Chaweng, has been around since 2009 and is open daily from 10am until 10:30pm.
And if you’d rather cosy up with the family on your private terrasse, Koh Samui has several food delivery services. Foodpanda, Grab Food, Line Man and Ant Delivery can all bring meals and other essentials directly to the villa.
4. Italian Food in Koh Samui: È molto buono!
Sometimes, after several days of curries, seafood, and spicy salads, you find yourself craving pasta or pizza. For anyone with kids, of course this could happen on day one.
Prego Samui on Chaweng Beach Road is a well-established gourmet Italian restaurant offering vegan cheese as well as gluten- and lactose-free options. Chef Marco will take care of you! Reservations are recommended, and it is about 15 minutes from the villas.
For something smaller and more intimate, Giulietta e Romeo offers cosy, authentic Italian dining near North Chaweng Beach. It is open Thursday through Monday in the evening and is approximately 10 minutes from Kerem Villas.
If you’re staying around Choeng Mon, Spritz Samui is another option, combining Italian-Mediterranean food with cocktails in a plant-filled courtyard. The restaurant offers dine-in, kerbside pickup and delivery, with the guide listing 400–1,000 THB per person.
5. Fisherman’s Village: Wander and Graze
Fisherman’s Village in Bophut is one of the easiest places to spend an evening simply wandering around and deciding what looks good…or tasting it all.
For a more creative dinner, Charm Samui offers Asian-European fusion, with dishes such as red snapper with miso glaze and slow-cooked beef cheek massaman. It was opened by MasterChef UK alum Renata Winters and also serves burgers, pizza and handcrafted cocktails.
For Italian fine dining, 2 Fishes serves handmade pasta, premium imported ingredients and fresh seafood. Reservations are recommended, particularly for larger groups.
If steak is what you’re after, The Shack Steakhouse & Grill has been around since 2003 and specialises in hand-cut Australian Black Angus, sushi-grade tuna, Maine lobster and Tajima Wagyu.
And then there is Coco Tam’s, where the experience is as much about the setting as the food. Beanbags directly on the sand, sunset views, nightly fire shows, fireworks, and live DJs. Seating is first come, first served, so arrive before sunset.
6. Special Food for Special Nights
Koh Samui also has plenty of restaurants for those nights when you want to dress up and enjoy a memorable dinner.
Guilty Samui at Anantara Bophut offers South American cuisine with Nikkei influences, including ceviches, steaks, hibachi and langosta, alongside an extensive cocktail list. The restaurant is a step up in price point and is particularly suited to a special occasion.
For another special evening, Pi Samui in Choeng Mon combines Italian, Mediterranean, and Thai influences with an impressive circular beachfront setting and sunset views. It is only around 11 minutes from Kerem Villas.
And if you are looking for a break from Thai food altogether, Kohinoor Indian Restaurant in Fisherman’s Village serves curries, tandoori, biryani and fresh breads. It is around 25 minutes from the villas.
Our Tip for Peak Happiness: Mix It Up
Let no one tell you that you have to choose between local food and luxury dining in Koh Samui. You’re in the land of legendary local cuisine and ex-pat chefs from around the world. Do both!
Try a Thai restaurant along the roadside one night, have fresh seafood on the beach the next, enjoy an Italian dinner after that, and finish the holiday with cocktails and a sunset at a luxury beach club.
And remember that some of the best meals on the island are served with no reservation, dress code, or big cheques. Sometimes all you need is a local restaurant, a plate of fresh fish and salads, and a cold mango mojito.
While staying at Kerem Villas, your villa manager will provide insider tips on the best current spots to eat in Koh Samui. We can also arrange transportation and help with reservations where needed.
And if you’d rather stay in, you always have access to your own private chef while at the villa.
In Koh Samui, no one goes hungry.
