The 7 Best Restaurants in Koh Samui (Where I Actually Tried & Loved) 2026

With Koh Samui being one of the busiest and most popular islands in Thailand, it obviously has a massive range of restaurants, cafes, and local food spots. You can find everything here, from tiny local Thai joints and fresh seafood to high-end international restaurants.

I personally love Thai food and could probably eat it every single day, but when I was in Koh Samui, my family came to visit me, so we mixed it up quite a bit. We went to a bunch of different places, from local Thai restaurants to international places and even a pizza spot and honestly, they were all fantastic.

I’m not saying this is a Michelin guide or anything like that. I’m sure there are plenty of other amazing places to eat on Koh Samui, but these are my personal best restaurants in Koh Samui, I’ve actually been to. Whether it was for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, these are the spots where we actually went, loved the food, and I would definitely recommend them to you.

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The 7 Best Restaurants in Koh Samui (Where I Actually Tried & Loved) 2026

Best Restaurants in Koh Samui – My Experience

Before I came to Koh Samui, I had already been traveling through Thailand for a while, eating at local Thai restaurants pretty much every single day. But when my family came to visit me in Koh Samui, we definitely switched things up! We went to all sorts of restaurants, so this list has a big mix of everything.

I really loved how many different types of restaurants there were in Koh Samui, but I definitely had some favorites.

One of my top places for dinner was Nahm. It’s a small restaurant that’s a little on the fancier side, and it has some stunning sunset views over the ocean. We had some nice glasses of wine and a really great seafood dinner there. We actually went on our last day as a farewell dinner for my family, and it was just perfect.

I also absolutely loved Coco Tam’s. It’s not necessarily known for fancy gourmet food, but it’s a beachside restaurant and bar where I had an amazing burger and pizza. The highlight is the fire show, they have one of the best fire shows I’ve ever seen. It’s so incredible that I’d highly recommend going even if it’s just to grab drinks and watch the show.

Lastly, I really liked a place called Tiki Beach Club. It’s more of a beachside restaurant right on Lamai Beach. I had some super yummy happy hour cocktails there and some of the best shrimp Pad Thai I’ve ever had. It was like the perfect lunch spot for when we were just hanging out and enjoying the beach.

1. Nahm // Best Koh Samui Restaurant for a Romantic Dinner

Opening Hours: 1pm-9pm
Price: $$$
My Rating: ★★★★★
Menu & Location

One of my favorite dinner experiences I had in Koh Samui was at a restaurant called Nahm. We went there for our last family dinner on the island before my parents left the next morning, and it was the perfect choice.

I absolutely loved the atmosphere; it’s located on a small cliff right over the ocean with beautiful sunset views. We made sure to make a reservation specifically for sunset, of course!

I had the seared salmon here as well as the carpaccio for an appetizer, and everything was delicious. The wine was good too, so overall, it was an amazing dinner experience.

One thing I want to mention is that they do have a minimum spend for their “best” tables with a view. I assume that’s so people don’t block them just to get one drink during sunset, which I think is totally fair. We ordered enough anyway to make it work, so it wasn’t a worry at all for us!

2. Coco Tam’s // Best Fire Show in Koh Samui

Opening Hours: 12apm-12am
Price: $$$
My Rating: ★★★★
Menu & Location

Another one of my favorites, where we went for dinner and drinks with the whole family, was Coco Tam’s. To be honest, Coco Tam’s isn’t necessarily famous just for the food, but the overall experience we had there was amazing.

We started off on the bean bags in the sand at their beach bar area to grab some drinks and watch the fire show. It was incredible, the best I’ve ever seen and it happens right there on the beach.

After the show, we moved into the restaurant section, which is still right by the water with beautiful ocean views. It was such a fun experience; they played great music, we all had cocktails and pizza, and the atmosphere was just so lively. I highly recommend it for a fun night out!

3. The Cocoon // This is my Go-To Breakfast Spot

Opening Hours: 9am-11pm
Price: $$
My Rating: ★★★★
Menu & Location

The Cocoon is probably my favorite cafe in Koh Samui because it hits the jackpot with both incredible views and amazing food.

The restaurant is located on top of a hill, giving you panoramic views over the island and honestly, some of the best views I’ve ever had at a restaurant. Even if the food wasn’t great, I’d come back just for the scenery, but luckily, the food was a 10/10 too.

They are open late for dinner and drinks, but we went in the morning for breakfast. I had a latte and their eggs benedict, and it was all delicious. The whole family was happy with their meals, which is always a win. Just a heads-up: it was fairly busy when we went, so I definitely recommend making a reservation beforehand just to be safe and make sure you get a good spot!

4. Tiki Beach Club // I had the most amazing Pad Thai here!

Opening Hours: 10am-10:30pm
Price: $
My Rating: ★★★★
Menu & Location

Tiki Beach Club was one of my favorite casual beachside restaurants in Koh Samui. As I mentioned before, Lamai Beach is one of my favorite spots on the island because it’s way less crowded than Chaweng, but it still has plenty of places to eat.

I came here one day with just my mom, and we ended up having quite a few happy hour cocktails. They were really good and actually surprisingly strong! We also stayed for lunch, and their shrimp Pad Thai was honestly one of the best I’ve ever had.

If you’re spending the day at Lamai Beach (which you definitely should), I highly recommend stopping by Tiki Beach Club for lunch and drinks. Just a heads-up: despite the name, it’s not a “proper” fancy beach club; it’s actually a very chill, cute Thai restaurant right on the sand. Nothing fancy, just great vibes.

5. Green Bird

Opening Hours: 12pm-10pm
Price: $
My Rating: ★★★★
Menu & Location

Green Bird is exactly the type of place I love most when I’m in Thailand. I’m obsessed with Thai food, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that the local spots with the plastic chairs and cheap prices usually make the absolute best food. There are loads of places like this in Koh Samui, but Green Bird was definitely my favorite.

We actually came back here a few times because it was so delicious and super cheap. I tried their cashew chicken, which I loved, but I also had their Pad Kra Pao (basil stir-fry), which is by far my favorite dish in all of Thailand. If you’re new to the culture, please don’t be afraid to go to these local-looking places, they have the best food, I promise!

6. Prego Samui

Opening Hours: 12pm-11:30pm
Price: $$$
My Rating: ★★★
Menu & Location

I’ll be honest, as much as I love Thai food, there usually comes a day about once a month where I just need a pizza. Sorry, that’s just how it is! I definitely get Western food cravings quite a bit, and for a pizza fix while I was in Koh Samui, I decided to go to Prego Samui.

I was so surprised by how amazing the pizza here was. Honestly, it was fantastic and easily one of the best pizzas I’ve had in Thailand.

The restaurant itself was really nice, and the staff were lovely, so if you’re looking for a pizza, I definitely recommend this place. I did feel like it was a little expensive considering we’re still in Thailand, after all, but compared to prices in the USA or Australia, it was still super cheap.

7. The Thai Tapas

Opening Hours: 12:30pm-10pm
Price: $$$
My Rating: ★★★★
Menu & Location

Last but definitely not least on my list is The Thai Tapas. This was actually one of the very first restaurants we went to in Koh Samui, and it’s also one of the nicest.

It’s located in Fisherman’s Village, which is a really cool area with a night market. We spent some time walking through the market first to grab some souvenirs and then ended up here for dinner afterward.

I actually really liked the concept, it’s Thai fusion served tapas-style, so you get loads of smaller plates. We just ended up sharing a bunch of different things, which was great. If I’m being honest, it’s definitely on the pricier side, but the restaurant is beautiful and the food was fantastic, so it was absolutely worth it.

FAQs About The Best Koh Samui Restaurants

Is Koh Samui worth visiting?

Absolutely, Koh Samui is worth visiting! But from my experience, it depends a bit on what type of vacation you’re looking for. Personally, I love Koh Samui for a resort-style family vacation because it has some of the best hotels in Thailand. If you want to relax in a beautiful villa with great amenities, it’s perfect.

What is the best food in Koh Samui?

Well, the best food is definitely the Thai food! I love a good cashew chicken, but Pad Kra Pao (basil stir-fry) is actually my absolute favorite dish in the world. For the best local flavors, I highly recommend heading to Green Bird, it’s my favorite Thai restaurant on the island.

What is the best Thai food in Koh Samui?

As I mentioned, I’m obsessed with Pad Kra Pao, and Green Bird does it best. However, I also really loved the shrimp Pad Thai at Tiki Beach Club and it’s surprisingly good for a beachside spot!

Where should I go for a romantic dinner in Koh Samui?

For sure, I’d say Nahm. I went there for a sunset dinner, and it’s a beautiful, slightly more upscale restaurant with incredible views and amazing food. Just make sure to make a reservation ahead of time to snag a spot for the sunset!

What is the best cafe in Koh Samui?

My favorite is The Cocoon. It has a super tasty breakfast (I loved the eggs benedict!) and the views over the ocean and the island are just insane. It also served some of the best coffee I’ve had during my stay in Koh Samui.

Final Thoughts on Where to Eat in Koh Samui

All in all, I have to say that the food in Koh Samui actually surprised me. I expected the Thai food to be amazing, because honestly, no matter where I go in Thailand, the local food is always a win, but the international food scene here was great too.

I had some amazing pizza at Prego Samui and really delicious salmon at Nahm, so there’s a really nice mix of international and local spots. That’s exactly what I want on a vacation: a bit of variety! As much as I love Thai food, I don’t necessarily need it for every single meal, every single day. I hope this list gives you some good ideas for your next foodie spot on the island!