Visiting Koh Samui has become very popular for honeymooners and leisure travelers. More and more people are traveling to the area due to its amazing beauty of the pristine beach and crystal clear water. The island is known by many as an exclusive destination with many luxury accommodations such as beachfront private villa rentals and 5-star resorts, catering to the high-end market. Therefore, there are plenty of luxury dining options serving quality cuisine available on the island.
The following are the five classy dining places in Koh Samui that promises great food and an incredible view. The selection is based on customers’ reviews on TripAdvisor so be sure that it is an unbiased list that readers can trust.
1. The Boudoir
Ranked second on the best restaurant in Koh Samui on the famous travel site, The Boudoir is a small and intimate restaurant that offers mood lighting, comfortable seating and a lovely décor in rich colors.
This is a French restaurant and dishes are available at reasonable prices. The restaurant is located in the Samui jungle inside a house. So instead of one large dining room, you come across a number of small rooms that act as dining areas. The menu is written on a large blackboard in both English and French. The imported French wine that is served here is very popular, and it is only THB 750 per bottle.
The interior of the restaurant is simply fantastic as it is decorated with beautiful Chinese lanterns, parasols, plush cushions and fairy lights. The signature dishes include the rabbit with mustard and cream (THB 500) and foie gras salad and frog legs (THB 380). The prices are not particularly cheap, but it does compare well to the other Western restaurants on Koh Samui.
2. Tree Tops Restaurant
If you are in Koh Samui for a real unique dining experience, then you simply cannot ignore Tree Tops Restaurant in North Chaweng. The environment is very rustic in nature as one needs to enter through a wooden entrance. Just follow the wooden path through a series of raised walkways and you will end up in the treetops.
There are huge boulders along the way that are great for photographs. The unique feature of this restaurant is there are 8 open-air tree houses that ensure private dining.
Each dining room can seat between 2 to 8 people which provides for a unique experience. The treetops afford an excellent view of the ocean and the distant islands. The most popular dishes here are the Scallops seared on smoked beetroot and the very delicious Quail that is lacquered in ginger and soy sauce. Tree Tops opens at 6:00 hr in the evening and closes at 11:00 hr at night.
3. Jungle Club
The Jungle Club is a hillside resort restaurant that offers some of the best views on this island. The restaurant is made from entirely natural products and has bamboo sofas with colorful cushions. The multilevel restaurant has many dining spaces, and you may choose a wooden deck with traditional Thai cushions or the thatch and bamboo pavilions.
The menu is very basic and comprises of a good selection of salads, steaks, chips, and baguettes. People mainly come here for the good food and the mesmerizing views of Chaweng, Bang Rak, and Lamai.
4. 9Gems Lounge Restaurant
The 9Gems Lounge Restaurant is near the Chaweng Beach Road. The restaurant offers the most panoramic view of the Chaweng Bay and the surrounding mountains. You may opt for open-air seating among the frangipani trees around the pool or choose to seat within the restaurant complex itself. The Terrazzo flooring and the white marble tops along with the floor-to-ceiling glass walls lend a sense of class and elegance to this restaurant.
The most popular dishes here include Chicken Tandoori salad with veggies and fruits, Coconut squid and the Tenderloin steak with red wine chocolate sauce. They also have a wide variety of bread, pasta and patisserie items on the menu. Once you visit this restaurant, you will fall in love with this place.
5. Zazen Restaurant in Bophut
Some of the travel guides suggest that Zazen is the most popular restaurant in Koh Samui. It was renovated and re-launched in May 2010. The restaurant is beautifully decorated, and seating is very comfortable. This is a 40-seater restaurant and decorated with glass-topped tables, Moroccan chandeliers, terra-cotta tiled flooring and lots of plants.
The atmosphere is warm and friendly, and the atmosphere is very relaxed in nature. The menu has a number of Set Meal options, and you should try some of the International dishes that are on offer here. The champagne and tea bar is a new addition to the restaurant that makes dining here all the more enjoyable.
Image source: kosamui.com, samuizazen.com
