Alan’s Guidebook - Our Local Favourites!
Great Local Places to Eat
These are local places on Koh Samui that my family and I personally love to visit! Most of them are just a few minutes from our villas, and you can Google the restaurant name to get more details about the menus. Enjoy!
Fisherman’s Village Samui is a historical part of Bophut, with rustic-style buildings housing boutique stores, trendy restaurants and a small selection of hotels lining the narrow Beach Road. Every Friday, the whole area becomes the site of the Fisherman’s Village Walking Street market, attracting huge numbers of shoppers from across the island for the amazing variety of wares and the lively atmosphere.
264 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Fisherman's Village Bophut
Fisherman’s Village Samui is a historical part of Bophut, with rustic-style buildings housing boutique stores, trendy restaurants and a small selection of hotels lining the narrow Beach Road. Every Friday, the whole area becomes the site of the Fisherman’s Village Walking Street market, attracting huge numbers of shoppers from across the island for the amazing variety of wares and the lively atmosphere.
This is a “must-visit” restaurant located in the hills above Chaweng. Enjoy stunning views as you sit on a large deck with oversized bean-bag chairs. Food and drinks are excellent and match the view. Reservation is recommended - ask for a table next to the hillside.
139 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Jungle Club
This is a “must-visit” restaurant located in the hills above Chaweng. Enjoy stunning views as you sit on a large deck with oversized bean-bag chairs. Food and drinks are excellent and match the view. Reservation is recommended - ask for a table next to the hillside.
A real favorite, this authentic English pub has amazing burgers, fish & chips, pies, and other English fare. We’ve never been disappointed!
The Shakespeare pub
A real favorite, this authentic English pub has amazing burgers, fish & chips, pies, and other English fare. We’ve never been disappointed!
On the other side of the island, with breathtaking views. A great place to visit for food or just a cup of coffee while exploring the other side of the island.
Giant Summit Samui
On the other side of the island, with breathtaking views. A great place to visit for food or just a cup of coffee while exploring the other side of the island.
Great food and ambiance, amazing smoothies. Local cuisine, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options.
25 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
My Cafe & Restaurant
Great food and ambiance, amazing smoothies. Local cuisine, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options.
Healthy, natural food, great salad and fresh juice options. This is also one of our favorite breakfast places.
15 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Art cafe by june bo phut
4169Healthy, natural food, great salad and fresh juice options. This is also one of our favorite breakfast places.
Wonderful restaurant with international food and a beach-side setting, healthy and vegetarian options available.
50 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Secret Garden
Wonderful restaurant with international food and a beach-side setting, healthy and vegetarian options available.
If you are a “Foodie”, love exquisite French food and wine and are not so worried about the price, this place is a rare treasure, easy to miss if you’re not looking for it. Find reviews on Google or TripAdvisor. If price is not an issue, you won’t be disappointed, reservations are required! Near Fisherman’s Village.
44 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Chez Francois
If you are a “Foodie”, love exquisite French food and wine and are not so worried about the price, this place is a rare treasure, easy to miss if you’re not looking for it. Find reviews on Google or TripAdvisor. If price is not an issue, you won’t be disappointed, reservations are required! Near Fisherman’s Village.
Great Vegan restaurant in Fisherman’s Village.
12 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Greenlight Cafe and Bar Koh Samui
Great Vegan restaurant in Fisherman’s Village.
Our favorite for Indian food, + DELIVERY right to the villa. Phone, LINE, WhatsApp: +66 (0)84 877 6034, Facebook: @babusindianhot
Babu's Indian Hot Restaurant
Our favorite for Indian food, + DELIVERY right to the villa. Phone, LINE, WhatsApp: +66 (0)84 877 6034, Facebook: @babusindianhot
Great International food on the beach, excellent place for American or English breakfasts with a view.
13 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Angela's Diner
67Great International food on the beach, excellent place for American or English breakfasts with a view.
Amazing Western and Thai food choices, set right on the beach in a beautiful setting and laid-back “beachy” atmosphere.
26 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Treehouse Silent Beach Koh Samui
Soi RainbowAmazing Western and Thai food choices, set right on the beach in a beautiful setting and laid-back “beachy” atmosphere.
Great Pizza + DELIVERY! Phone, WhatsApp: +66 (0)95 271 1804, www.7tastesamui.com
Spago' Restaurant Wine & Bar
Great Pizza + DELIVERY! Phone, WhatsApp: +66 (0)95 271 1804, www.7tastesamui.com
Bangrak cafe and restaurant
4171Great International breakfast, not necessarily so healthy… ;-)
Thai and International – One of our favourites, the owner/chef of this little road-side restaurant formerly was a chef at one of Samui’s 5-star hotels. Both the Thai and international foods are delicious, the pizza is amazing! (950m)
Baitong Restaurant
Thai and International – One of our favourites, the owner/chef of this little road-side restaurant formerly was a chef at one of Samui’s 5-star hotels. Both the Thai and international foods are delicious, the pizza is amazing! (950m)
Thai and International - Sit right on Bangrak beach and enjoy inexpensive food and drinks. Thai and international options available. Chairs and drink tables available right near the water.
CHAOREAU RESTAURANT
Thai and International - Sit right on Bangrak beach and enjoy inexpensive food and drinks. Thai and international options available. Chairs and drink tables available right near the water.
Sightseeing
We've marked our personal favourites with "***"...have fun!
Gran Buda
Wat phra yaiTourist favorite
***Koh Tao – meaning ‘Turtle Island’ – lives up to its name, being the scuba diving destination of choice in Thailand. The perfect white-sand beaches which ring the hilly 21 km² island are surrounded by the crystal-clear waters of the Gulf of Thailand. The vibrant coral reefs there are home to a wide range of exciting and colourful sea creatures, including turtles!
25 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Ko Tao
***Koh Tao – meaning ‘Turtle Island’ – lives up to its name, being the scuba diving destination of choice in Thailand. The perfect white-sand beaches which ring the hilly 21 km² island are surrounded by the crystal-clear waters of the Gulf of Thailand. The vibrant coral reefs there are home to a wide range of exciting and colourful sea creatures, including turtles!
***Although Samui has several waterfalls, the two Na Muang waterfalls are probably the most picturesque. The name Na Muang refers to the massive purple rocks at the waterfalls. Rocks and tree roots form a natural staircase that leads to the base of Na Muang 1. A large natural pool sits under the waterfall. A 10-minute walk further up the mountain leads to Samui's most beautiful waterfall, Na Muang 2.
104 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Na Muang water fall 2 - upper natural pool & rocks
***Although Samui has several waterfalls, the two Na Muang waterfalls are probably the most picturesque. The name Na Muang refers to the massive purple rocks at the waterfalls. Rocks and tree roots form a natural staircase that leads to the base of Na Muang 1. A large natural pool sits under the waterfall. A 10-minute walk further up the mountain leads to Samui's most beautiful waterfall, Na Muang 2.
***Winners of Best Animal Welfare Award by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (November 2019). We are very proud to bring the first truly ethical elephant sanctuary to Koh Samui in Southern Thailand. We offer a retirement home for elephants who have worked exhausting hours in the logging and tourism industries. Feed, walk with, and observe our gentle giants as they roam, socialise, bathe and enjoy a peaceful life that they so deserve. ***Visits by appointment only***'
50 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Santuario de elefantes Samui
108/52 Taweerat Pakdee Rd***Winners of Best Animal Welfare Award by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (November 2019). We are very proud to bring the first truly ethical elephant sanctuary to Koh Samui in Southern Thailand. We offer a retirement home for elephants who have worked exhausting hours in the logging and tourism industries. Feed, walk with, and observe our gentle giants as they roam, socialise, bathe and enjoy a peaceful life that they so deserve. ***Visits by appointment only***'
***Koh Madsum (Pig Island): Koh Madsum is a tiny island located south of Koh Samui and close to Koh Taen (Coral Island). You can get to Koh Madsum by long tail boat, and you may be surprised that pigs are living here, having swam across the sea to live on this island. Activities here include kayaking, strolling along the beach, swimming, and of course, taking pictures with the beach pigs! There is a nice little beach bar on the island that serves food and drinks.
15 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Ko Mat Sum
***Koh Madsum (Pig Island): Koh Madsum is a tiny island located south of Koh Samui and close to Koh Taen (Coral Island). You can get to Koh Madsum by long tail boat, and you may be surprised that pigs are living here, having swam across the sea to live on this island. Activities here include kayaking, strolling along the beach, swimming, and of course, taking pictures with the beach pigs! There is a nice little beach bar on the island that serves food and drinks.
Hidden away high in the hills in Koh Samui's interior, offering majestic views and an unusual collection of statues amid lush jungle surroundings. The gardens are a creation of an old Samui fruit farmer, Nim Thongsuk, who in 1976 began erecting several statues and temples around his family's verdant land.
110 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Jardín Secreto de Buda
Hidden away high in the hills in Koh Samui's interior, offering majestic views and an unusual collection of statues amid lush jungle surroundings. The gardens are a creation of an old Samui fruit farmer, Nim Thongsuk, who in 1976 began erecting several statues and temples around his family's verdant land.
***Fire Show at Fisherman’s Village: 9pm fire show on the beach at Coco Tam’s restaurant. The show is free, and you can sit on the beach-side tables if you order drinks from the bar. Well worth the slightly higher-priced drinks though!
264 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Fisherman's Village Bophut
***Fire Show at Fisherman’s Village: 9pm fire show on the beach at Coco Tam’s restaurant. The show is free, and you can sit on the beach-side tables if you order drinks from the bar. Well worth the slightly higher-priced drinks though!
Massages & Spas
There are many good massage places available in the area of Bangrak, including spas that are part of some of the larger hotels. If you want an inexpensive, professional massage that is nearby the villa, some of our favourites are here.
Note: Many places, especially if they have girls sitting outside waving at you when you go by, are known for offering extra “services” - you have been warned… ;-)
If you want an inexpensive, professional massage that is nearby, one of our favourites is the “A’Lanna Spa”, located about 2km away from our villas near Bangrak beach.
A'lanna Spa
4171If you want an inexpensive, professional massage that is nearby, one of our favourites is the “A’Lanna Spa”, located about 2km away from our villas near Bangrak beach.
FULLMOON Health Massage
Great place for inexpensive but professional massages.
Our Favourite Beaches
Don't miss this beach - you need go through resorts to get there, so a lot of people miss it!
35 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Silver Beach
Don't miss this beach - you need go through resorts to get there, so a lot of people miss it!
One of our little-known favourites is one we call “Secret Beach” (it’s actually called “Samrong Beach), about a 12-minute drive away from our villas. It’s a beautiful sandy cove, with a bar right on the beach, and on a nice night, they often put out beach bags and tikka lights for guests at the bar. Search Google for the “Bay Samui Beach Resort”. Just park your car on the road and walk down to the beach, right through the resort. Beaches are public property, so don’t worry about the resort giving you trouble, especially if you use their bar (swimming in the pool is for guests only).
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Samrong Beach
One of our little-known favourites is one we call “Secret Beach” (it’s actually called “Samrong Beach), about a 12-minute drive away from our villas. It’s a beautiful sandy cove, with a bar right on the beach, and on a nice night, they often put out beach bags and tikka lights for guests at the bar. Search Google for the “Bay Samui Beach Resort”. Just park your car on the road and walk down to the beach, right through the resort. Beaches are public property, so don’t worry about the resort giving you trouble, especially if you use their bar (swimming in the pool is for guests only).
This beautiful, long, white-sand beach is just minutes away from our villas. There are some great, inexpensive restaurants located right on the beach (see our restaurant recommendations), for a great day relaxing and strolling.
10 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Bangrak Beach
4171This beautiful, long, white-sand beach is just minutes away from our villas. There are some great, inexpensive restaurants located right on the beach (see our restaurant recommendations), for a great day relaxing and strolling.
Shopping
Great place to shop for souvenirs!
264 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Fisherman's Village Bophut
Great place to shop for souvenirs!
Koh Samui's official Shopping Mall - and it's pretty good!
424 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Central Festival Samui
209/1-2 หมู่ที่ 2 ตำบล บ่อผุดKoh Samui's official Shopping Mall - and it's pretty good!
Food, shopping, souvenirs - a real hotspot!
74 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Chaweng Walking Street
Food, shopping, souvenirs - a real hotspot!
Consejos para la ciudad
Facilidad para moverse por la casa
NaviGo: The "Uber" of Koh Samui
NaviGo Thailand: This one is a real life-saver! This is an App (similar to Uber) that can be downloaded onto your mobile phone and is one of the most economical ways to get a taxi in Samui. You can use it to get to and from the airport, and the App gives you the approximate cost in advance. There are usually cars available even for early morning pick-ups.
Facilidad para moverse por la casa
Airport Transfer
We can arrange a driver for you to and from the airport at a reasonable cost (around 350-400 baht). Please let us know if you’d like us to arrange this for you. There are also a number of other transport options available at the airport, and most of them can get you to the villa for around 4-500 baht.