Bophut Restaurants and Dining

There is no better way to spend a quiet meal, than at Bophut Beach. Reported to be one of the best places to eat on the island, it certainly proves an excellent option. Gracing the skyline, as one looks out on the bay from one's resort or street-side restaurant the islands of Koh Phang Ngan and Koh Tao create a picturesque backdrop. A charming feature of Bophut is that it's not quite as crowded as the famed, somewhat hectic, Chaweng Beach, thus if seeking a more romantic lunch or dinner escape, you won't go wrong, dining here.

One of the more popular eatery areas here; considered one of the oldest places on the island, is at Fisherman's Village. Step back in time and dine in style as you gaze out on nostalgic wooden houses and quaint local shops reminding one of days gone by in Samui. In addition to a wealth of Thai dishes you'll find French, Italian, barbeque, Indian and seafood outlets. There are also several pubs and a couple of bakeries offering standard European style snacks and typical British and Australian pub food. If you are a lover of fresh fish...don't miss a chance to satisfy your hunger pangs at one of the proven seafood eateries found here.

The beach road rich in its unique variety of restaurants, from the most elegant to the most basic, offers further dining discoveries. Here visitors can opt for a variety of both international and local cuisines that can be found within charming old Chinese shop-houses now converted to use as restaurants and cafes. Crowding the narrow street, these are well worth trying and you are bound to be enamoured with your choice.

All up, no matter what cuisine you prefer, Bophut has a lot to offer, food wise. And at night, the place is charming, making it a perfect location for a romantic evening with someone special.

Alla Baia Restaurant

Angela 

The island's best bakery and delicatessen, perfect for pies, bagels, scones, muffins, breads, pates, cheesecakes, relishes, pickles and all manner of baked goods.  The roadside location may not be the most attractive on the island, but Angela's has a genuine European cafe atmosphere and tempts diners with glass-fronted fridges full of produce.

The huge Full English Breakfast is recommended if you're feeling particularly hungry and most of the baked goods are available to take away too.  There's also a branch in Fisherman's Village, which has almost the same range of food and a picturesque seaside location. Angela's Bakery, Maenam, Tel. 077 427 396. Open 7am - 6pm. Angela's Harbourside Cafe, Fisherman's Village, Bophut, 077 427 212. Open 8am - 11pm.

Beatles Bar

Cafe Del Mar

This restaurant offers a great place to chill-out and enjoy Samui. The cuisine options are reasonably priced, and although not particularly well known; is worth trying, at least once.
Jetty Area, Bophut Tel: +66 (0)77 425 172

Chez Ban Ban

Happy Elephant

Located in the Village, is proving to be a highly popular seafood eatery with an extensive menu. The selection of cooking styles here begs to be experienced. Fresh and tasty you can choose your dinner from today's catch. The restaurant is owned and managed by Thais and also offers a large choice of international dishes as well as Thai food. The service is friendly and the staff, able to communicate in English. 78/1 Bophut Beach Road. Tel: +66 (0)77  245347 or 081 8915193.

Healthy & Fun Yoga Cafe

Owned and run by Lorraine and Carole, both ex-employees of the Sanctuary in Koh Phangan, Healthy & Fun, as the name suggests, takes a relaxed approach to achieving spiritual enlightenment. The cafe offers yoga, dance and life mapping classes on a daily basis and also happens to serve some of the best salads on the island, which are a must if you're in the area around lunchtime.  The portions are substantial, so it's advisable to work up an appetite on the yoga mat first.

Drinks include authentic Indian tea and a wide selection of infusions and smoothies. One of their most popular draws is the Saturday theme nights, which feature music, food (and dressing up) from places like India, Latin America and Greece. Movie fans should also check out Thursdays when the Cafe shows cult movies, complete with 'matching' cuisine. Healthy and Fun Yoga Cafe, Fisherman's Village, Bophut.

Juzza Pizza

Now over eight years old, Juzza Pizza almost qualifies for its pension in Samui restaurant years and is clearly doing something right to have remained so successful for so long.

In an apt reflection of its advancing years, the restaurant has recently left its long-term home on party centre Soi Green Mango and moved to the more sedate surroundings of Fisherman's Village. The setting may have changed - considerably for the better if you prefer a sea view to one of bar girls and tattooed party folk - but the food remains as fine as ever.

The menu is worth reading for entertainment value alone - where else do you find Oh! Ohhh!!! (Mussels with anchovies, olives and sun-dried tomato in tomato sauce and pizza bread) and Satay Chicken Pasta served? Juzza Pizza, Fisherman's Village, Bophut, Tel. 077 245 662. Open 5pm - 11pm.

L'Orienteek

This is located in the heart of the fisherman's village and is set in one of the charming teak houses that line the main strip. The interior has an oriental feel and is a great place to relax. On the food front, they offer light meals daily and a free buffet between 8-10pm on Wednesdays. Happy hour is from 17.00 - 19.00pm daily.

La Sirene Restaurant

A French-Thai restaurant with a good seafood selection and pleasant atmosphere. Similar in price range to the ever popular Villa Bianca it offers a reasonable selection of wine and liquor, to go with your meal.
Tel: +66 (0)77 425

Shades

Recently opened at the quiet northern end of Fisherman's Village in Bophut, Shades is a welcome new addition to the area's dining scene. The small restaurant makes the most of its romantic beachside setting with plenty of candles, plus chilled music, unobtrusive service and private salas for couples to dine in.

The menu has an excellent selection of Thai favourites and top notch seafood dishes including Char-Broiled Tiger Prawns served on a lightly creamed seafood sauce, buttered asparagus and a nest of angel hair pasta, Stove Grilled Peppered Tuna Steak with sauted leek and fried butter rice and Lemongrass Steamed Prawns & Avocado in a light brandy cocktail dressing. Highly recommended if you're staying in the area and well worth seeking out if you're not. Fisherman's Village, Bophut, Tel. 077 245 688. Open 11am - 10pm.

My Friend Restaurant

Located between the villages of Bophut and Big Buddah Beach, is a popular spot and very different to some of the more up-market dining options. Although the place lacks any true character it does however serve the most amazing Thai seafood at incredibly low prices. If you are looking for a bargain meal without too much style, it's not to be missed. Tel: +66 (0)77 425 187

Starfish and Coffee

One of longest established restaurants in Fisherman's Village,  Starfish and Coffee is also one of its most atmospheric. Split into separate dining and bar areas,  S and C's decor  - heavy, opulent deep red hues - combines with ambient chill music to accurately create a Buddha-Bar-On-Sea vibe.  Even the pool table has sexy red baize.

The food is surprisingly cheap Thai, aimed squarely at the tourist trade, so doesn't tend to be very spicy. There's also an attached boutique, which sells an impressive range of silk covered ladies shoes, amongst other things. Fisherman's Village, Bophut.

The Shack

Take a simple idea: fresh from the barbeque steaks, ribs and burgers. Use only the highest quality meats and fish and serve it all up in large portions with lots of different salads, marinades, dips and dressings and the result, despite the inauspicious, roadside location: a packed restaurant 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 lots of beer and a healthy dose of American hospitality and you're pretty much there. Fisherman's Village, Bophut. Open 11am - 2pm, 6pm - 12am.

The Boat Gallery

Here diners will find everything from classic hamburgers and salads to Thai food served on the water's edge in Bophut Village. Open 11.00am-midnight. Tel: +66 (0)77  427 212

Villa Bianca

Fisherman's Village's chicest Italian restaurant Villa Bianca looks classier than ever following a recent revamp. The new bar area is a perfect place to chat with the affable owners Guido and Malcolm, before or after a meal. There's also one of the best selections of champagnes and sparkling wines on offer anywhere on Samui.

If you're feeling extravagant, splash out on a bottle of Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin 93' for 19,300 baht. If not, then the Italian Moscato Dolce Mionette and half bottle of Laurent Perrier are great value at under 2,000 baht. The restaurant is now also one of the few places on the island to serve tank fresh lobsters, which find their way into a variety of dishes - the Lobster Tagliatelle is especially highly recommended. Fisherman's Village, Bophut. Open 1pm - 2am daily

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