Koh Samui

Koh Samui — Editorial Overview

Koh Samui is the Gulf of Thailand's luxury-resort capital — the island where the country's finest hotels have concentrated their Thai fine-dining rooms. The four properties that shape the scene are Six Senses, Four Seasons, Anantara Lawana and the Ritz-Carlton. Most of the island's serious eating happens inside their grounds.

Dining Neighbourhoods

Choeng Mon on the north-east is the Six Senses / Anantara Lawana corner — quieter, more luxurious, home to the island's signature dining rooms. Chaweng is the mainstream tourist beach with a strip of international restaurants. Bophut's Fisherman's Village is the most atmospheric dining street — a wooden pier-town with independent Thai, seafood and French rooms. The south-west coast (Laem Yai, Taling Ngam) is where Four Seasons and InterContinental hide their beaches.

Dining Culture & Reservations

Samui's kitchen is Southern Thai — coconut-heavy curries, fresh fish, young coconut (the island's emblem), and a lighter touch than Bangkok. Most resort rooms offer a full international option alongside Thai. Dress is resort-smart (no swimwear or wet flip-flops at fine-dining). Tipping 10 per cent is standard on top of service charge. Book Dining on the Rocks three to four months ahead — it is the single most booked table on the island.

Tips From the Editors

Pick one resort evening and one village evening. A night at Six Senses Samui (Dining on the Rocks) or Anantara Lawana (Tree Tops Sky Dining) delivers the iconic Samui dinner. Bophut's Fisherman's Village is the best independent dining — drive at dusk and walk. Four Seasons' beach restaurants (Pla Pla, Koh Thai Kitchen) are the best group format.