The wonderful thing about Samui is that you can eat superb
food for very reasonable prices, whether it's a basic local
cafe or a gourmet upmarket restaurant, chances are you'll
get a great meal. Samui is gaining fame, not just for its
tropical beaches and friendly people, but lately for it’s
culinary excellence. In the last few years some exceptional
chefs have settled in the island, attracted by the lifestyle
and the range of fresh ingredients, producing some excellent
restaurants with some unusual and mouth watering menus.
Almost all of Samui's restaurants are outdoors, or at least
have a section for outdoor eating. Many are located either
along the main road, or right on the beach. For a touch
of the exotic, there are restaurants where you can recline
on cushions while you sample a tray full of tempting goodies,
wafted by the sea breeze. Or sit at one of simple candlelit
tables which seem to materialise after dark, with some particularly
good seafood or banana flower and shrimp salad, or simple
a drinks.
So where to go? Below is just a flavour of what can be sampled
on Samui.......
The Islander - great restaurant serving enormous
quantities of very good hearty food. Incredibly good value
for money with fast and polite service. "Daily Menu"
serving goodies like fish and chips and excellent no-nonsense
home cooking. Also doubles up as a bar and shows all the
live sporting events from around the world. Chaweng Beach
Road, near to the Green Mango.
If you like tapas, try Andaluz which serves not
just tapas but some excellent international food. On the
menu is their own Paella (with all the fiddly bits removed)
Pollo en Cerveza - beer-marinated chicken breast; Smoked
Duck & Cheese Quesadilla; Pincho Moruno - lamb meatballs
with a spicy Mediterranean saffron sauce and Tortilla Torcal
- a classic frittata with potatoes, chorizo and eggs. Andaluz
has tried to recreate the authentic tapas bar ambiance with
cosy alcoves and a highly polished wooden bar. Located in
the small street, opposite Samui Beach Resort. Tel: 07741
3370
For a stylish upmarket eating experience on the beach,
Budsaba must be the place. There's the main restaurant
surrounded by coconut trees, but most people head for the
Thai salas (wooden, open air covered pavilions) which are
right on the beach. Each can seat around 4-5 persons, so
you can have your own personal dining area. Eating is definitely
Thai style, sitting on cushions rather than seats and eating
from a small low table. There are also batik screens for
windy nights and/or extra privacy.
Specialties are Thai, but the menu includes an international
& Chinese selection, with a live seafood aquarium for
the freshest fish. Entertainment - traditional Thai music
and dance also provided on certain evenings. Located at
the northern end of Chaweng Beach, immediately after Amari
Palm Reef. Tel: 0 7742 2305,
For special night out, Poppies with its lush gardens,
quality food, excellent service and great ambiance, must
be high on the list. Part of a boutique hotel, the restaurant
consists of a Thai pavilion and beachside terrace all carefully
lit and landscaped, so it doesn't matter where you sit,
the ambiance is perfect. Top quality chefs deliver Thai
favourites including northern Kantoke dinners (set dinners
for two) with yummy dishes like charcoal duck roasted curry,
spicy prawn soup with lime leaf, fried chicken with ginger,
stir-fried morning glory, deep-fried prawn cake with plum
sauce and jasmine steamed rice. All that for just 850 Baht
for 2 people. Bookings recommended!
Tel: 0 7742 2419
Upstairs, as the name implies, is not a ground floor
restaurant. It’s immediately above the locally renowned
– Oriental Gallery – an art and artifact showroom,
and sister restaurant. In fact they have a good working
relationship; Upstairs’ diners wanting Thai food can
order from a selection of Oriental Gallery’s menu,
and vice versa with Upstairs’ international cuisine.
Upstairs has been featured in both Home & Decor and
World of Interiors magazines, for its individual and stylish
interior. Add to that, a warm, friendly, mellow ambiance,
and exceptional food. Hors D’oeuvres include Chicken
Liver Pate with brandy and caramelized onions on a crouton,
and Goats Cheese Souffle, served on a bed of salad with
an aioli dip. Interesting main courses - Lamb Fillet &
Balsamic Medallions – grilled imported tenderloin medallions
with balsamic gravy, steamed broccoli& potato wedges.
Yum, yum! Located Chaweng Beach Road, south end Chaweng
Beach. Tel 077 413370.
Waterfalls, fishponds teeming with carp, rustic wooden
bridges and fishing boats filled with seafood on ice. And
that's just the decor. The food at Samui Seafood
is also spectacular with classics like Lobster Thermidor
and Lobster Bisque plus tasty non seafood items and lovely
desserts like Tartufo and Zabaglione, garnished with crushed
pralinated hazelnuts & cocoa powder. Not for those watching
their waistline.
Chaweng Beach Road, Chaweng North. Tel: 0 7741 3221-2
Vecchia Napoli - 100% homemade, real Italian cuisine.
Homemade ravioli, filled with ricotta cheese & spinach
in tomato sauce, good carpaccio, super soups. Specialties
include Cannelloni Gratinati – homemade noodles, filled
with ricotta cheese & spinach, and oven baked with more
cheese. Chaweng Beach Road, Chaweng Centre Tel: 0 7723 1229
