Our most popular blog from 2022 was ‘The best restaurants in (and around) Fisherman’s Village, Bo Phut, Koh Samui‘ so I thought as we’re back I would update it for 2023.

For anyone new to the blog, or anyone just stopping by, I’m Lauren and along with my partner Carl, have been full-time travelling for over two years. During that time we have spent almost ten months living in Thailand and of those ten months, almost five of them in Bophut, Koh Samui. We spend any free time we have eating and drinking our way around the island, so we like to think we know a thing or two about good food.

If you’re planning a visit to Koh Samui then you absolutely must make time to visit Fisherman’s Village. During the day you can enjoy boutique shopping, art galleries and long lazy lunches with ice-cold drinks and picturesque sea views. At night expect a bustling night market, thumping fire shows, happy hour cocktails and busy beachside restaurants serving some of the best food on the island.

First up, there’s a couple of things you should know…

7 things you need to know before visiting Fisherman’s Village

1. Walking Street Market now runs on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays and is well worth a visit, expect cheap cocktails, live music, street food and stalls selling everything from football shirts and designer handbags to handcrafted decor and cute souvenirs.
2. The street is closed to all traffic, including bikes, from 6pm to 10pm every day. You can park your bike around the village at designated spots which costs ฿40 – ฿50 (£0.90- £1.15).
3. The island (even during low season) is definitely much busier than it was in 2022, so arrive early for the best spots to watch the fire shows and enjoy the live music at the market and beachside tables at the restaurants.
4. This area is more expensive than the rest of the island but we truly believe that the restaurants here are some of the best you’ll find in Koh Samui. Think of it as a special treat for an evening and enjoy.
5. Many of the restaurants and bars here don’t open until later in the day so make sure to check online for opening times as they do vary, some of the restaurants will also be closed on Mondays and/or Tuesdays.
6. One half of the village is ‘beachside’ and the restaurants and bars on this side will offer you beach tables if they are available, to make things easier I have noted whether the restaurant is beachside or not.
7. Lastly, if you like the look of a restaurant, please, please, make a reservation to avoid disappointment, so many of the restaurants in the village get booked up in advance.

OK, let’s get stuck in…

THAI RESTAURANTS

The Thai Tapas

This stunning little restaurant is close to the entrance of Fisherman’s Village. Expect small plates of elegant and delicious Thai dishes… with a twist.

They have a large selection of meat & fish dishes to choose from, only a couple of vegetarian options but it is suggested to choose two or three small plates per person and you also receive a colourful rice bowl to enjoy alongside your dishes.

With beautifully presented food, a great selection of wines & cocktails and an eco-friendly ethos, it’s no wonder this place is such 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).

our top picks were the CHILLI CLAMS, CHICKEN TACOS, shrimp cakes and to finish a stunning MANGO tarte tartin.

SEAFOOD RESTAURANTS

La Brisa (Beachside)

La Brisa is such an underrated restaurant in our opinion, it’s got a very cool and laidback atmosphere and is definitely one of the more reasonably priced beachside restaurants.

During the day it’s a very quiet beachside venue, so it’s the perfect opportunity to grab one of the comfy seaview booths and enjoy a leisurely afternoon where you can spend your time enjoying delicious juices, smoothies and classic Thai dishes with unspoiled views of the perfect turquoise waters with the mountains of Koh Phangan in the distance.

But it’s at night when La Brisa really comes to life. As you arrive you’ll notice the fresh seafood display and we would highly recommend the set menu on offer. It includes four large tiger prawns, whole blue crab or squid and a grilled local fish with sides of fries, rice & side salad, all this for just ฿990 (£22.20). They also offer a larger set which includes lobster. Everything is prepared to order and is absolutely delicious, our favourite is the curried blue crab.

You do have the option to dine on the beach but tables are limited and so if you want to enjoy your dinner by the sea, make sure to pop in before 6pm to see the amazing managers, Ton and Angel, to reserve your beachside spot.

Our top picks are the seafood platter, fried rice dishes and papaya salad.

ITALIAN RESTAURANTS

2Fishes (Beachside) (5 minutes from Fisherman’s Village)

2 Fishes Italian restaurant on the beach is just 5 minutes from Fisherman’s Village as you head towards Bangrak. You can walk it, although please note that there are no pavements here, so this is only advisable in the daylight.

The head chef, Leandro, really knows his flavours and combines this knowledge with fresh, local ingredients and beautiful plating. Everything here is exceptional from the rich and indulgent pasta dishes to the grilled local fish and steaks served with perfect potatoes and salads.

It’s a very popular spot so you’ll want to book in advance, as you do not want to miss out on this one. *The restaurant is closed on Mondays*

Our top picks are the barbecued Threadfin with crushed buttery potatoes and the CREAMY MUSHROOM PASTA.

Coco Tams (Beachside)

Coco Tam’s is a very popular, very ‘Instagrammable’ beach venue with a large restaurant, a big outdoor bar & even a separate brunch space.

We’ve visited on a few occasions and tried several of the inventive cocktails and a number of their flavourful pasta dishes, all of which were delicious. They also have a pretty impressive selection of pizzas made in their wood-fired oven.

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.

There are just a couple of points to note:

• It is more expensive than many others in the village
• The bar & beach area is cash only (you can pay by card if you’re eating in the restaurant area)
• The service can be slow, especially in the evenings due to how busy they get for the fire show
• If you want a front-row seat to the show then you’ll need to arrive around 18:00

OUR TOP FOOD PICKS ARE the mushroom, garlic & truffle spaghetti AND the SEAFOOD spaghetti

Gusto Italiano/Amare Italian Fish Bar (Beachside)

I’ve grouped these restaurants together as they are both owned by the same wonderful Italian couple and are practically next door to each other (there is just one restaurant in between called Nirvana).

These two beachside restaurants are a little slice of Italy in Koh Samui, both offer a selection of delicious Italian meats and cheeses to start, homemade pizzas from their wood-fired oven and a large selection of pasta dishes. Some of our favourites are the spaghetti alle vongole (with clams), giant ravioli with mushroom and truffle sauce, fettuccine alla bolognese and fettuccine alla Salentina (with fresh red tuna, sundried tomatoes, pistachios and cherry tomatoes). They also have a fantastic selection of wines and gins available.

As with most of the beachside restaurants, the outdoor tables do get snapped up very quickly so if you wish to dine on the beach, make sure to reserve a table before your arrival.

And a little top tip from us is that if you visit Amare between 5 pm & 7pm you’ll receive a free tapas selection when you order drinks, this will usually include a small slice of homemade focaccia and tomato sauce, deep-fried fish ball and some classic bar snacks. * This information is correct as of June 2023 *

OUR TOP PICKS ARE THE SPAGHETTI VONGOLE, Fettuccine alla Salentina & THE CLASSIC Tiramisù TO FINISH

GRILL/BBQ RESTAURANTS

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 barbecue 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 which include truffle mash, macaroni 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.

INDIAN RESTAURANTS

Kohinoor

Indian food is up there as one of our favourites, Carl’s family are of Indian descent and so whenever we go to a family party there are always huge portions of rich and flavourful Indian dishes, so we like to think we know what we’re talking about.

Kohinoor is an authentic Indian restaurant in the heart of Fisherman’s Village (opposite Happy Elephant), here you will find a variety of curries, dhals and tandoori dishes plus a huge selection of rice and bread and all reasonably priced.

We’ve eaten here on a number of occasions and always get over-excited by the menu so end up ordering too much food, if you end up doing the same then make sure you ask to take the leftovers home, we think it tastes even better the next day.

OUR TOP PICKS ARE THE CHICKEN BIRIYANI, CHANA MASALA, DHAL & ROTI

CAFES

Cafe de Fisherman

At the entrance to Fisherman’s Village, you’ll find this quirky little cafe, adorned with trinkets from around the world. Owned by Nan and Paul, you will always receive a warm welcome, they are both passionate about good local and organic produce and make sure that every dish tastes great and is perfectly plated.

Stop here for breakfast, brunch or lunch with perfectly poached eggs and avocado toast or check out the homemade pasta and pizzas from the wood-fired oven and you won’t be disappointed. Don’t believe me? Check out their Google reviews.

OUR TOP PICKS ARE THE BREAKFAST TOASTS – AVOCADO & FETA/GARLICKY MUSHROOMS & ICED COFFEES

Summer (Beachside)

This brunch spot by Coco Tams is as Instagrammable as the main restaurant and bar area and is open from 7 am. Here you will find a great selection of breakfast and brunch classics, think avocado toast with poached eggs, fresh juices and a selection of fancy iced drinks plus some healthier lunch options such as quinoa salads and light and flavourful pasta dishes.

OUR TOP PICKS ARE THE BUTTERFLY PEA COFFEE, WATERMELON JUICE AND ANY OF THE DELICIOUS PASTA DISHES

Bar Baguette

Bar Baguette is a very popular spot (opposite Coco Tams bar area), with a large outside terrace, here you’ll find a huge variety of pastries and breakfast toasts as well as classic English breakfasts and a wonderful selection of iced coffees and fruit teas.

But it’s not just for breakfast, they also have bruschetta, sandwiches, burgers and pasta dishes to enjoy for a leisurely lunch, all washed down with an ice-cold beer or a cocktail.

We’ve only eaten here once and opted for the fish burger, cheeseburger and side of potato wedges, the burger buns were soft, the fish was crispy, the beef was perfectly cooked and the wedges were hot, crispy on the outside and soft in the middle. So if you’ve had your fill of Thai food and are looking for a quick and tasty lunch, this is the place. 

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We love the foodie scene here in Koh Samui and these restaurants in Fisherman’s Village are easily some of the best on the island. Tourism in Koh Samui is getting back to its pre-Covid numbers and so even during low season restaurants are busy in the evenings, if you do like the look of any of these restaurants please make sure you book a table to avoid disappointment.

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Until next time,

While you’re here why not check out some of our previous posts for travel tips & inspiration