How to Enjoy Food and Entertainment Like a Local in Koh Samui

Sunny Koh Samui has earned a reputation as one of Thailand’s top tourist resorts. The place is a sunny paradise with a huge variety of attractions ranging from gorgeous beaches and vintage temples to fab night markets. One of the more notable allures though is Samui’s excellent range of food, nightlife, and entertainment. Here’s how to eat and party like a local in Koh Samui.

How to Eat Like a Local in Koh Samui

Thai food is famous across the world, and places like Bangkok, the capital, are loved for their range of street food. Samui is no different and offers an eclectic mix of both local and international flavours for all foodies to enjoy. Stay at a popular Koh Samui family resort and you can enjoy a wide selection of cuisine that caters to the entire family. Some of the top Koh Samui hotels similar to Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort promote both local and international flavours at their in-house restaurants.

You can choose to enjoy sophisticated and elaborate dishes as well as local street food that has the perfect balance of spices and herbs synonymous with Thai cuisine. You can choose to dine at your Koh Samui resort and explore the range of eateries in town. These consist of food bazaars at the night markets, downtown restaurants and pubs, bars and beachside cafes that will soon have you enjoying the island like a local.

The vibrant nightlife is ideal for singles, couples, and families to explore, taste the range of cuisines and enjoy mingling with the locals for loads of fun and happy vibes. You can choose your dining experience from budget eateries along the coast to fine dining at the Samui star-class resorts. Some of the best restaurants in Samui are located at Fisherman’s Village, and while the place is extremely touristy, you will find that the food is fresh, bursting with flavour, and full of variety.

Enjoy Indulging the Culture Buff in You

When you are not tucking into the delights of Koh Samui cuisine, make sure to explore the arts and crafts of the island. If you are after some authentic pieces, head over to the south end of Chaweng Beach where a few galleries are dedicated to showcasing the original works of talented local and international artists. Otherwise, you can check out the small-time galleries spread across the island for cheap knock-offs of popular original artworks as well as colourful souvenirs and artefacts. These make excellent gifts, and although cheap, serve a purpose if you want to take back budget-friendly mementoes of your time on the island.

For a more in-depth experience, check out chic galleries like Cameron Hansen where you can purchase photographs depicting Asian culture and lifestyles as captured by Hansen. The gallery is located at the owner's organic farm Island Organics.

Temple Runs

Explore the temples to learn more about the art and culture of Koh Samui. Most of the shrines boast elaborate Thai-Chinese architectural styles and are pretty, serene precincts to explore. The most popular include,

Wat Phra Yai is home to the iconic Big Buddha statue. The area is exquisitely beautiful and is a noted lookout point for impressive views across the island.

Wat Plai Laem, dedicated to the Chinese Goddess of compassion – Guanyin – is a quiet nook of immense beauty.

The Beaches of Koh Samui

The island's biggest allure is the beaches. Chaweng is the largest and has a huge party central. By day it is a hot spot for swimming, watersports and being a beach bum, best of all despite being one of the most crowded beaches on the island you can always find a private spot on the sand for chilling. Chaweng is surrounded by loads of eateries, night markets and pubs and bars that turn the area into a party central by night.

Bophut Beach is a quieter chicer type of beach for enjoying loads of privacy and time in the sun away from crowds. And for times you crave a spot of adventure, hire a scooter and ride around the island, beach hopping, checking out the local villages and feeling just like a local islander.

Enjoy your time in Samui.