As the name suggests this area was once home to a thriving fishing community now it’s home to boutique clothing stores, trendy beachside restaurants and cosy guest houses. It’s also home to one of the most popular night markets on the island, the Friday Walking Street Market.

I visited Fisherman’s Village back in 2015 and it has changed quite dramatically in the last nine years. I put a lot of that down to Covid as this area thrives (and survives) on tourism and with the borders closed for so long many of the smaller boutiques and takeaway vendors in The Wharf had to close or move back to the mainland for work.

But since the end of 2022 we’ve noticed an increase in tourists visiting Koh Samui and more specifically, Fisherman’s Village, the bars & restaurants are busier, and the night market is vibrant and filled with stalls selling everything from banana pancakes & ice cream rolls to football shirts & ‘designer’ handbags.

An important thing to note is that this area is more expensive than the rest of the island, they have some beautiful restaurants with some great food and after living here for the best part of two years we’re pretty confident that we know all of the best restaurants in (and around) Fisherman’s Village.

Let’s get stuck in…

RESTAURANTS

2 Fishes (5 mins)

2 Fishes Italian restaurant is located just 5 minutes from Fisherman’s Village. The chef-owner, Leandro Panza, really knows his flavours and has crafted a menu of modern Italian dishes using fresh, local ingredients.

Our top picks are the whole barbecued Threadfin with crushed buttery potatoes, and the steak, which is grilled to perfection and served with sweet onions & parmesan shavings and the Pappardelle con Funghi di Bosco.

This is a very popular spot so you’ll want to book in advance, as you do not want to miss out on this one. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 17.30 until 23.00, to book your table send a direct message to the team via their Facebook page.

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The Thai Tapas

Brand new to Fisherman’s Village for July 2022, The Thai Tapas have created a small, carefully thought-out menu of classic Thai dishes with a twist.

They have a large selection of meat & fish dishes to choose from, sadly only a couple of vegetarian options but it is suggested to choose three small plates per person and you also get a unique colourful rice bowl as a side – our top picks were the garlic pepper shrimp, pomelo salad, shrimp cakes and to finish a stunning tarte tartin and passionfruit creme brulee.

With elegant food, a great selection of wines and an eco-friendly ethos, it’s no wonder this place is already a popular dining spot. We would highly recommend booking to avoid disappointment. (As with all our blogs the restaurant name is linked, so go check them out).

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La Brisa

A relaxed beachside bar & restaurant with very cool decor. It is quiet for lunch service, so it’s the perfect opportunity to grab one of the comfy seaview booths and enjoy a leisurely afternoon.

If you visit in the evening you’ll notice the beautiful fresh seafood & wine display as you arrive, our top pick is the seafood sharing platter for two which includes 4 large tiger prawns, whole blue crab & grilled snapper with fries & side salad for 990฿ (£23.10).

In the evenings you can also dine outside on the beach, but these tables are in high demand so make sure to book.

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The Shack

The Shack has been impressing diners with its flame-grilled steaks & seafood for almost 20 years, set in a beautifully decorated rhythm & blues-themed steakhouse at the centre of Fisherman’s Village.

As the number 1 steak restaurant in all of Koh Samui, it’s a must-visit for any BBQ lovers out there. Famous for their Prime Australian Black Angus Grainfed steaks which are cut to size, you can choose from Sirloin, Ribeye, Fillet Mignon or even the legendary Tomahawk.

But fear not, if steaks are not your thing they have some impressive seafood options, including Maine Lobster, Sweet Sea Scallops and even Japanese Saku Tuna Steak (which is sushi-grade tuna). And not forgetting their epic side dishes – truffle mash, mac n cheese, buttery asparagus, and onion & bacon sauteed potatoes, just to name a few.

With a fantastic soundtrack, an impressive menu and a great atmosphere, you have to check them out when visiting Koh Samui – just make sure to book a table, it’s super popular and usually with a long wait for anyone without a reservation.

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Coco Tam’s

Coco Tam’s is a very popular, very ‘Instagrammable’ beach venue with a large restaurant, a big outdoor bar & even a separate brunch space named ‘Summer’ which serves up beautiful breakfasts and healthier options.

We’ve visited on a few occasions and tried several of the beautiful cocktails and a number of their indulgent pasta dishes, our favourites have to be the mushroom, garlic & truffle spaghetti & the seafood spaghetti.

And if you want to experience one of Thailand’s famous fire shows then head down to Coco Tam’s for their 19:30 & 21:00 shows, just pull up a beanbag on the beach and enjoy the great soundtrack & exciting stunts. It’s also the only place we’ve found in Koh Samui that offers shishas if that’s your thing.

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Koh Co Beach (5 mins)

Part of the Cielo hotel, Koh Co Beach is a beautiful beachfront restaurant just a 5-minute drive from Fisherman’s Village. Their specialities are fish, seafood & Mediterranean classics, using the freshest and most delicious local produce.

With a big open dining space, the decor mirrors the colours of the beach below, with a mix of natural textures, soft linens and stunning turquoise, plus, some statement cacti.

It is one of our favourite places to go for a long leisurely lunch or an indulgent evening meal. Our top picks have to be the seared salmon sashimi with crunchy spring vegetables & an Asian dressing and local calamari with garlic & parsley and not forgetting the affogato to finish.

And if that wasn’t enough they have special monthly events, beach barbecues and live music on Sundays. It’s a wonderful venue and well worth a visit when in Koh Samui… oh and if you’re heading there for lunch you can even use their stunning infinity pool.

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Karma Beach (5 mins)

Next door to Cielo you’ll find Karma Resort which is set in its own tropical gardens and also boasts a beautiful beachfront location. During the day the restaurant has a cool, laid-back vibe with a great view of the beach and the pool. The menu has a mix of classic Thai and Mediterranean flavours, there really is something for everyone.

Our top picks have to be the seared tuna steak with black olive tapenade & roasted veggies and the grilled beef fillet with homemade french fries & a fresh and crispy salad.

It’s a beautiful venue with a wonderful ethos – to live in the moment and appreciate great food.

Your life is your message to the world. Make sure it’s inspiring.

Karma Beach

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BEACH CLUBS

Ok, so I just had to tell you about these beach clubs, I mean, who doesn’t love a beautiful beach club? Koh Samui has plenty to choose from but here are a few of our favourites that are within a short 3 – 5 minute drive from Fisherman’s Village.

The Deck Beach Club (3 mins)

Opened in August 2022, The Deck is Samui’s newest beach club, owned by a wonderful French couple, who have created an amazing space, which is comfortable, chic and family-friendly. It’s the perfect setting for a spot of sunbathing with a cocktail in hand, or enjoying a wonderful lunch with some delicious food on the covered terrace.

The decor is beautiful, with neutral and calming tones, some striking murals, comfortable cushions and a hint of brilliant orange. It’s going to be a super popular daytime venue in high season.

The chef has created a wonderful menu of brunches, small plates, sandwiches & burgers and plenty of grilled dishes. Our top picks are the mezze sharing platter for 2, with falafel, houmous, crudites, chicken satay & more, the grilled king prawns with lemon butter (special) and the vegetarian sliders with sweet potato wedges & tahini dressing.

I suppose you could call us regulars as we visit at least once a week and it never lets us down. With great daytime DJs, wonderful staff, delicious food and a great wine list it just had to be included in Bophuts Best.

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Chi Samui (5 mins)

Chi is a luxury beach club located in Bang Rak. Famous for Sunday roasts, epic DJs and fire shows, and now that weed is legal in Thailand they’ve expanded the CBD range already on offer to include pre-rolled joints.

If you’re planning a visit on a weekend then you absolutely must book. Tables and sunloungers are free but the daybeds and sofas both have a minimum spend of 5,000฿ (£118.50) & 3,000฿ (£71.20) respectively. The decor is cool and laidback with touches of luxury, they have a huge temperature-controlled wine room, a wooden pool table, a large dining table that doubles as a waterfall, plenty of comfy bar swings, floating beanbags for the pool and a very nice swim-up bar.

We visited on Sunday to try out the legendary Sunday roast and we were not disappointed. The nut-roast option was just insanely good, better than any I’ve ever had before and Carl tells me the lamb was melt-in-the-mouth good, very high praise indeed. As with any good roast, the potatoes were crispy and delicious, the Yorkshire puddings were huge and the veggies were delicious – especially the roast pumpkin *chefs kiss*. The cost per plate is 590฿ (£14) and is worth every penny.

Highlights for us (aside from the roast) were the frozen pornstar martinis, the brilliant DJ – who kept the party going all day long and the insane fire show after sundown. An absolute must-visit for anyone looking for a great party venue with amazing food, a great wine list and a touch of luxury.

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Tembo Beach Club & Resort (5 mins)

Tembo is a beautiful new club located on Bang Rak beach, just a 5-minute drive from Fisherman’s Village. Its beachy blue and white decor is relaxed and very chic, with floating beanbags, big comfortable love seats, cabanas (minimum 1,000฿ (£23.75) spend) and even a pool bar.

The restaurant offers a variety of cuisine, from Spanish tapas to traditional Thai food and everything in between and the vegetarian and vegan options here are some of the best we’ve found in Koh Samui. Our top foodie picks are the gambas a pil pil, patatas bravas and the prawn & mango salsa mini tacos.

The location of the club means you get some fantastic sunset views, despite not being on the west coast, this is made even more spectacular by the BOGOF happy hour cocktails available from 5 – 7pm, our recommendation would be the margaritas or a classic mojito.

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SPECIAL MENTION

Frog & Gecko

A British-style pub with direct beach access. The reason for the special mention is that every Wednesday at 7:30pm they have a fantastic pub quiz. We have attempted it many times, with limited success but it’s great fun. Graham is your host and he puts together picture rounds, music rounds and a few twists and turns to keep it interesting. The entry fee is 100฿ (£2.30) per person and with plenty of local beers, premium spirits & tasty food on offer, you’re sure to have a good evening.

Oh and for any football fans out there, they also show most Premier League games – so if you’re looking for somewhere to watch the football whilst your uninterested partner can enjoy a nice G&T on the beach, this is the place.

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We love the foodie scene here in Thailand and these restaurants in Fisherman’s Village are easily some of the best we have ever visited.

If you’re heading to Thailand in 2023, make sure to check out our 200-page ebook, giving you insider hints and tips as well as some of our favourite places to eat, sip, stay and play. The guide is only £10 and is available as an immediate digital download. To get your copy CLICK HERE.

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Hope to see you then,

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