International Cuisine on Koh Samui

As Koh Samui has become increasingly more popular, so more and more restaurants have opened to appeal to the broad spectrum of visitors that some to the island each year.

Of course, you will find restaurants everywhere, from small local Thai eateries to Subway-style sandwich shops, right through to 5-Star fine-dining. (See restaurants.) Here, we're not concerned with the overall quality, but more the range of different cuisines that you'll be able to explore on Samui. And, as usual, the region of Chaweng offers the largest concentration of choices on Koh Samui.

Italian Cuisine

Italian fare is very popular. Right in the centre of Chaweng, opposite the Soi Green Mango, there is the very modern restaurant, 'Rice', with its open front and contemporary Italian Cuisine. And another high-end restaurant – more traditional and favoured by our Italian visitors – is 'Olivio', at the Baan Haad Ngam Resort, at the northern end of the Beach Road.

Indian Cuisine

Indian food is always popular, and one of the best is Chaweng's Noori India, at the southern end of Chaweng Beach Road. But Fisherman's Village in Bo Phut features a Balti restaurant, also.

Chinese Cuisine

There are no so many Chinese eateries on Samui, but one of note is to be found at the luxurious Samui Palm Beach Resort in Bo Phut, named the 'Guilin' restaurant.

French Cuisine

Interestingly, there seem to be no classical French restaurants on the island, but outstanding fusion/French cuisine can be found at the Red Snapper in Chaweng and also at SALA Samui in Choeng Mon.

Mexican Cuisine

Mexican restaurants are quite popular, with Gringo's Cantina, behind the Islander in Chaweng, being the most accessible.

German Cuisine

German and Swiss restaurants can be found everywhere, with the Magic Light, near Laem Din Market being very popular. There are also quite a few German bakeries scattered around Samui, too.

Vietnamese/Cambodian Cuisine

There are no Vietnamese or Cambodian restaurants, but the beach restaurant of Bo Phut's Bandara Resort offers a superb 'Taste of Asia' beach buffet that features Vietnamese and Mongolian dishes.

Brazilian Cuisine

Brazilian cuisine is represented by Zico's Brazilian Bar & Grill, opposite the Centara Grand Resort.

English Cuisine

And you'll find several English-style pubs in Chaweng, such as The Islander and Tropical Murphy's, which offer a wide selection of traditional English food.

Thai Cuisine

Naturally, Thai food is available everywhere, from the 5-Star resorts, down to the food stalls on the street. But you might be in for a surprise, as the difference in the preparation and presentation of Thai food varies hugely. Most resorts offer an adapted form of Thai cuisine that's been adjusted to what they think foreigners like. But the food on the streets and in the local Thai restaurants is usually tangy and spicy, the way the Thai people eat it.