26 Great Restaurants in Bophut

Dining on the Rocks is a luxurious dining experience offered at the upscale Six Senses Samui Resort, dedicated to fusion cuisine. You can expect an emphasis on sustainable and organic produce, and the food here encompasses both regional and international cuisine. The settings of the restaurants are simply outstanding. It hosts a large wooden terrace built on the rocks, as well as an open-sided dining room, both of them overlooking the sea.

There is a good range of menus to chose from, each of them with the option to be paired with wine. These include an Interpretations Menu with highlights such as Hokkaido Scallops and Turbot with a lettuce jus and almond mashed potatoes.

Chez François is rated as one of the best restaurants in Bophut, set in a nondescript building that looks like nothing more than an ordinary house. The front is a solid wooden door, which alludes to the exclusivity within. Being such a small but popular establishment, booking ahead is essential and there have been times when walk-in customers weren’t able to find a table.

The only choice on the menu is a specially prepared 4-course meal by Chef François Porté-Garcia, featuring a starter, a seafood second course, a meat or poultry main course, and a special dessert. Each course changes from one day to the next but they can also arrange for special preferences. The fine dining experience mostly consists of first-class French cuisine.

2 Fishes is an unpretentious yet stylish Italian restaurant in the heart of Bophut’s Fisherman’s Village. You can sample here the freshest local seafood prepared with love by the talented Chef Leandra Panza. With over 25 years of experience in quoted Italian restaurants in London, Sydney, Melbourne, and Singapore, Leandro Panza offers one of the best gastronomic escapades at 2 Fishes. 

Among the top dishes at 2 Fishes are grilled king prawns with hot garlic oil, chilli and lemon, and steamed red snapper fillet with sautéed kale and hot garlic dressing, olive oil parsley and aged red wine vinegar.

H Bistro is a classy restaurant that faces the seafront in Bophut. It is the flagship restaurant of Hansar Samui Resort, where diners can enjoy views of Koh Phangan from a wooden decked terrace. It is an idyllic place for sundowners, cocktails, and people watching.

French-Mediterranean themed food is the main thrust here but vegetarians are also well catered. The chef is also happy to create ‘original’ dishes for diners who have special needs. Thai cuisine is also well represented – you must try the tom yam goong. Even so, the staple of the menu is Mediterranean flavours and textures and the wine list fully reflects this.

Zazen is the signature restaurant of Zazen Boutique Resort and Spa. It is an award-winning venue that serves traditional Thai regional dishes with fine-dining touches, sprinkled throughout with culinary flair. Dining at the restaurant may be on the pricier side for Bophut, but the extent of the care put into each dish justifies it. The chef even grows his own herbs in his quest for perfection.

Many of the best Samui hotels recommend this award-winning restaurant to their guests and several international publications have mentioned it in their dining sections. Over dinner, try the Canadian lobster with saffron fettuccine and bisque sauce, or at lunchtime sample the light menu of salads or a club sandwich. Total private dining is possible here by booking ahead. Enjoy an evening in a private sala with the chef personally rustling up some gastronomic delights.

Full Moon is Anantara Bophut Resort’s signature restaurant. Set in the central area of the resort on an alfresco deck overlooking the swimming pool and Bophut Beach, this classy, contemporary styled restaurant is the perfect place for a romantic dinner in Koh Samui. Full Moon’s speciality is char-grilled fusion cuisine, but its menu also harbours a great choice of local flavours, including seafood dishes.

The restaurant’s highlights are seared yellowfin tuna loin with crushed black pepper, sundried tomatoes and wild rocket leaves, pan-fried barramundi steak on butter sautéed baby leek, fine spring onion and sugar peas, and Tajima Wagyu tenderloin char-grilled with sautéed vegetables and tender greens. Full Moon’s cuisine is original, blending European, Thai and Japanese influences.

Café 69 is a trendy venue in Bophut with colourful and modern décor emphasised by clever lighting effects to create a welcoming vibe. The cosy venue is run by an extremely pleasant host and talented chef who despite the constant hustle and bustle, usually finds some time to have a word with his guests.

The food served at Café 69 is what he refers to as a new twist of southern Thai indigenous cuisine. You can sample standard Thai and Asian dishes – duck dumplings, deep-fried betel leaves with prawns, or white snapper with mango. The smoked duck curry with lychee and grape is also recommended. The prices are reasonable and it offers comfortable seating with a zen atmosphere.

Red Moon Restaurant is a French-owned restaurant in Bophut with lovely décor and great hospitality. The restaurant’s menu offers a fusion between European and Thai, with a look that combines rustic with classy. 

Red Moon’s owner is understandably confident in the quality of his cuisine, particularly given his extensive background in fine-dining kitchens. Popular choices include beef fillets with mashed potato and truffle oil, red tuna tartar, and fried ice cream – all reasonably priced. They also have a great selection of cocktails.

Ad Hoc Beach Cafe is a cool spot to dine and drink while watching a sunset in Bophut. Down the stone pathway, the panoramic views across the bay of Bophut greet you. To your right, you'll be treated to views of the neighbouring island of Koh Phangan. The place sports a wooden-floor terrace, intimate surroundings, and classy dining right by the sand.

Ad Hoc appeals to diners who like to get away from the crowds. Japanese, Thai and international fare with some fusion are thrown in for good measure. Even if you're not craving a heavy meal, sunset cocktails and cold beers at Ad Hoc are sufficient for making memories with the sun setting over the horizon.

Alla Baia Pizzeria is an Italian restaurant in Koh Samui that's well-known for its offerings of pizzas and a terrace overlooking the great seascapes of Bophut's bay. The distinctive exterior design that looks like a cross between a trattoria and a Thai sala makes this place hard to miss along Bophut’s beach road.

Besides the great views, your dining experience at Ad Hoc is uplifted by cool jazzy tunes as well as great Italian dishes. In addition to the Italian selections, you also have the choice of Thai-style seafood dishes such as fried shrimps and deep-fried sea bass with garlic and pepper. Their homemade tiramisu is also recommended.

Café de Pier is a classy beachside venue and popular dining spot in Bophut’s Fisherman’s Village. Closely associated with the Casa Lapin brand from Bangkok, Café De Pier brings the style and sophistication of the big city to the quiet little Fisherman’s Village of Samui.

The beachside café is resplendent in dark woods and boasts an open design intended to take full advantage of the great view out towards Koh Phangan. Overlooking the town’s rather ageing pier, the restaurant serves a great selection of southern Thai-style seafood dishes, including an extensive platter as well as some unusual fusion dishes like sashimi tacos alongside excellent signature cocktails.

Copacabana at Fisherman’s Village is a restaurant set in one of the famous traditional 2-storey fisherman’s houses that have made this village so popular. The restaurant is designed in a modern and colourful style and features 2 large terraces overlooking Bophut Bay and Koh Phangan in the background.

Copacabana restaurant serves dishes from all around the world, ranging from Turkish kebab to Thai crocodile steak, as well as American burgers and a great selection of traditional Thai and fresh seafood favourites. All in all, a great place to lunch or dine in cool settings with a splendid view.

Gusto Italiano is a restaurant run by a friendly Italian couple in Bophut. The restaurant serves quality genuine Italian fare in a nicely decorated renovated shophouse overlooking the sea, with romantic dining right on the beach also available. 

Regarding the food, there’s a selection of crispy wood-fired pizzas and homemade al dente pasta prepared using many imported ingredients. If you fancy Italian food or just want to escape Thai food for a meal, Gusto Italiano is the place to go. They also have an excellent selection of reasonably priced house wines.

Happy Elephant is a beachfront restaurant in Bophut’s Fisherman's Village that offers beautifully presented Thai and international seafood dishes with a view. The restaurant is large and spacious and offers plenty of seating options – whether it be inside, on the terrace, or right on the beach overlooking the bay.  

The semi alfresco dining experience at Happy Elephant is rather atmospheric. There's a buzz in the air as the place gets busy (it can accommodate up to 150 patrons) and a jazz band regularly livens things up even more. The restaurant is Thai-owned and managed, and they have English-speaking and friendly staff. You can find Happy Elephant about halfway down the main road in Fisherman's Village.

Karma Sutra is a restaurant in Bophut that serves Thai and western dishes in an all-out retro, hippy-chic setup. Flanking both sides of the entrance to Fisherman’s Village by the pier, Karma Sutra has chunky Indonesian wooden furniture (thankfully with soft cushions to make things a little more comfortable), cool sounds, Buddha images, and muted lights.

Among the popular menu items to try at Karma Sutra is the duck breast in a green peppercorn sauce. The linguini carbonara is also a must-try. House specials include the honey and mango duck breast with balsamic vinegar as well as their classic bistro beef flank steak. Must-tries under the Thai selections include a Thai coconut soup with chicken and galangal as well as the spicy, minced salad.  

Kohinoor is the place to go for authentic Indian cuisine in Bophut, served in a cosy setting with mixed decor. Many find Kohinoor to be overstated while some find it rather understated. Its saffron-coloured walls are adorned with abstract paintings which in turn are counterpointed by more traditional Indian decor.

Off the menu are tasty lamb or chicken tikka masalas and delicious treats from the tandoori such as chicken, fish, and sheek kebabs. Small treats like chicken and vegetable samosas as well as a variety of Indian bread such as chapatti and naan are also a welcome treat to nibble on before heavier meals.

Krua Bophut Thai Restaurant is among the most popular of the many excellent restaurants lining the seafront in Bophut’s Fisherman’s Village. It is one of a surprisingly few places which specialises in traditional local cuisine, served in a lovely traditional Thai-style setting.

You actually get a choice of dining settings when you enter through Krua Bophut’s greenery-lined gate. The most popular option is down on the beach, separated from the slope down to the surf by a row of trees and potted plants. The space on the sand is limited, however, so larger groups are usually seated on the outdoor decking. Few people plump for dining in the teakwood dining hall, choosing instead to enjoy the warm evening air and cooling sea breeze.

Link Cuisine is a sophisticated Italian and Asian fusion restaurant in Bophut with a chic yet laid-back atmosphere. Their use of fresh high-quality ingredients and excellent service staff has made the place a fast favourite.

Popular choices from the menu include their fisherman lobster and tiger prawns with homemade egg noodles in a brandy and prawn bisque sauce, while cheaper options include a range of tasty pizzas. The rooftop Link Lounge, overlooking the sea, is also a popular nightspot with special live DJ parties.

My Friend is a popular spot located between Bophut and Big Buddha Beach, and which is very different to most of the more upmarket dining options in the area. Although the place lacks 'tourist pull', it does, however, serve amazing Thai seafood at incredibly low prices.

If you're looking for a bargain meal without too much style, this is a place in Bophut not to be missed. This local place with a wonderful view is family-owned and offers pure Thai hospitality. They also have bungalows for rent.

Nirvana Restaurant & Bar is a little gem of a restaurant in Bophut’s Fisherman’s Village. Staying in line with the original atmosphere of the village, this small and unpretentious venue has a charming vintage look and offers 3 dining sections.

Its front side is a great people-watching spot on the constant hustle and bustle of the street after 6 pm. Its terrace overlooks the sea with great views of Koh Phangan, and its beach dining area is a top-notch place for a romantic dinner with feet in the sand (or in the water, according to the tide). Serving Thai and international fusion food, this affordable restaurant is a great venue to dine or to take a nightcap.

Samui Pier Restaurant belongs to Samui Pier Beach Front Resort, a charming compact boutique resort located in Bangrak (between Bophut and Big Buddha) in the northern area of Samui Island. Built in a contemporary style with a Mediterranean twist, the resort and restaurant feature large open-air spaces with a manicured lawn, coconut trees and great views to Koh Phangan facing west. It is also a great place to enjoy the sunset while having a drink with friends.

The restaurant boasts an eclectic breakfast menu, with American, English, Russian, Mexican, French breakfasts and more listed. House specialities include duck breast in honey and balsamic vinegar, and the roasted Thai style duck curry is also recommended. Even if you’re not hungry, you can come for a cold beer or cocktail to go with the view.

Tapas Barcelona brings the famous late-dining Spanish concept to Bophut Fisherman’s Village in style. Run by a Barcelona-born chef, this unique Iberian restaurant in Samui offers an excellent alternative and an opportunity to sample and discover other savours than those of the classic Thai tamarind sauce and other usual international favourites.

Set in a bright orange two-storey building located right before Karma Sutra, Tapas Barcelona is a cosy venue, a perfect place to spend a lively evening with friends while drinking cocktails or wine, and enjoying fresh tapas with 40 types available. The restaurant’s menu also features varied Spanish, Catalan, and Mediterranean dishes such as seafood paella), Spanish omelette, and arroz a la Cubana (Cuban style rice).

Emerald Irish Bar is an Irish-owned dining and nightlife spot in Bophut that offers draft Guinness and Kilkenny as well as local beers. Fan cooled, the pub has live sports on three screens and occasional live music. Décor wise, Emerald has genuine Irish pub fittings and on the walls hang historic photos of old Dublin Guinness barges and whiskey ads while some of the bricks are stripped, lending the place an authentic feel.

It's one of the best places in Samui to find a good pint of Guinness to enjoy with sea views. The balcony is where you want to be for the most dramatic daytime seascapes and shimmering moonlit waves by night. They often throw a Sunday roast featuring lamb, chicken or pork.

The Hut Café is a simple and unflashy family business in Bophut serving delicious homemade Thai specialities at affordable prices. The restaurant is located toward the eastern end of Bophut’s Fisherman’s Village. 

From massaman and other curries to fresh seafood to classic Thai dishes, The Hut Café serves hearty, well-prepared food in a very Thai – in the sense of being laid-back – atmosphere. The restaurant is, in fact, the owners’ family house, to which a dozen tables have been added to seat customers inside or in front, for the alfresco experience. 

The Shack Steakhouse is a go-to in Bophut for when you’re craving mouthwatering barbeques steaks, ribs, and burgers. It features high-quality meats and fish and serves it all up in large portions with lots of different salads, marinades, dips, and dressings. And the result, despite the inauspicious, roadside location is that it gets quite packed almost every night.

The best way to describe the atmosphere in this self-confessed ‘simple Californian burger bar’, is just to imagine a summer barbeque with family and friends on a hot Sunday afternoon. Add cold beers and a healthy dose of American hospitality, and you're pretty much there.

Yin Yang is a large and stylish French restaurant set in an old shophouse overlooking Bophut Bay in Fisherman’s Village. Run by French entrepreneurs, it features classy yet unpretentious contemporary styled decor and offers wonderful sea views to the north. You also have the ‘dining with toes in the sand’ option with the staircase to the beach is at the backside of the terrace. 

Regarding food, Yin Yang serves an excellent choice of Thai favourites such as shrimps with basil leaves, fried squid with garlic and pepper, and chicken with cashew nuts. Set menus for a couples’ dining experience are also available with a Menu Sawadee featuring spring rolls, chicken satay, fried red snapper with garlic and pepper served with rice. The Menu Fisherman on the other hand features tempura shrimps, tiger prawns satay, crab red curry, lobster with garlic and pepper served with rice.