Common sense will tell you to head west for the best sunset views, but Koh Samui’s curves offer fantastic sunset drinks and dining in many parts of the island. Need a front row seat to watch the sinking sun? Here are a few ideas for sunset drinks and dining on Koh Samui.
Koh Samui’s best sunset spots
Where’s the best place to watch a Koh Samui sunset? If you’re still choosing a hotel and sunset views are a top priority, consider staying in:
- Taling Ngam (at Conrad Koh Samui or InterContinental especially)
- Lipa Noi
- Bang Po
The lazy sunset
Otherwise, take the lazy option! Watch a Koh Samui sunset, wherever you are – no planning required. If you’ve already booked your accommodation – you’ll probably realise that the best Samui sunset is wherever you are. Enjoy beautiful Koh Samui sunsets all over the island, even on:
- east-facing Choeng Mon, Chaweng and Lamai beaches
- north-facing Bophut and Maenam beaches
If you’re hoping to enjoy some pinks and purples while you drink something equally vivid – very likely – you can sit down on the closest beach or comfy chair and enjoy something spectacular.
Koh Samui sunset drinks
In a place where even the humblest beachside restaurant will pull together a passable Manhattan, what goes for best is usually down to two things: how nicely the clientele scrubs up, and the view. With that in mind, consider the following:
Spendy but worth it
Air Bar, Taling Ngam, at InterContinental Samui Baan Taling Ngam Resort – What mighty things might 180-degrees of ocean panorama do for your sunset drinks? The Intercontinental’s Air Bar faces due west and ticks every five-star box a sunset experience might require. Accompany your mixologist-ed drinks with sushi or cheesecake, while a DJ adds a sunset soundtrack. Bar seating is available if you like to watch cocktail magic or make new friends. Otherwise, lounge on daybeds (dusk-beds?) and comfy outdoor sofas.
Trendy
WOOBAR® and SIP, Maenam, at W Retreat Koh Samui – Extremely Instagrammable with near-certainty there’s a DJ hard at work – are you trendy enough? WOOBAR® keeps you high up in the hilly peninsula between Bophut and Maenam, whereas SIP is at beach level (and offers movie nights on Mondays once the sun goes down). Very unusual for Samui, SIP is no-smoking.
Wine on the beach?
If you feel like a more DIY approach, grab a bottle of wine or two and head to the beach. Depending on where you come from, you may be delighted to discover that you’re allowed to do this without being slapped on the wrist by the police. As for wine or champagne, Tesco-Lotus has a reasonable selection, but don’t get caught out: you cannot buy alcohol before 11 am, or between 2 pm and 5 pm. Mini-marts don’t suffer from these restrictions, and some have surprisingly good selections. Try Tops Minimart in Chaweng, or Arnon’s Minimart in Fisherman’s Village (near The Shack Restaurant).
Prefer champagne? At US$100 or more for a normal bottle on Samui (!), it’s best to bring it from home. The Koh Samui Guide is chock full of helpful tips like these – to make absolutely-totally-positively-certain you have a perfect holiday!
Koh Samui sunset dinners
Hungry for a beautiful Koh Samui sunset dinner? Samui is teeming with atmospherically lit restaurants in scenic spots. Many manage that unique Thai feat of being both very romantic and family-friendly. If you’re not so inclined to wade through a sea of euphoric superlatives in choosing a restaurant, I heartily recommend the following:
French
Le Jaroen Restaurant, Bang Rak, at The Scent Hotel – French food in a small restaurant on a very quiet beach. Brace for 5-star hotel prices for a romantic meal that might equally include foie gras or seafood, and hopefully a big slice of mille-feuille. A popular honeymoon spot.
French-Thai
Orgasmic Restaurant, Bang Rak – offers a similar style of food to Le Jareon (it bills itself as “east meets west cuisine”), though a notch closer to beach casual with just a few less baht required. A night at Orgasmic requires a reservation so while you’re at it, ask for a beach-front table. For its beach-front location and gardens, it’s a good choice for children.
Both of these are recent tripadvisor ‘Certificate of Excellence’ recipients. Reviews for both reference slow service – call it island time and order your beloved another drink.
French/Thai fusion
‘Beach Sala Romantic Dinner‘, Bophut, at Zazen Boutique Resort – While many hotels are happy to arrange a romantic dinner for two in their prettiest setting, I think Bophut beach has a particular magic and Zazen’s food quality is unrivalled – it’s truly a foodie resort, with a wine cellar to match.
Thai
Poppies Restaurant, Chaweng Noi, at Poppies Samui – A consistent contender in Chaweng with insanely good food. Book ahead to reserve a table on the beach, or enjoy the ambience of the teak restaurant in Thai style – it’s very pretty; the service is gorgeous too.
If you’re staying elsewhere, these resorts (and many others) can arrange transport to/from their restaurants (for a nominal fee). Much easier than trying to find your own taxi or songthaew, especially if you’re dressed up.
Koh Samui’s best food and drink?
How to eat the best of the island, for every meal of your vacation? The Koh Samui Guide has 70+ recommendations for restaurants, beach bars, holes-in-the-wall, cafés and food carts – all of which we’ve tried personally. Find out how to find healthy food on Koh Samui – or avoid it entirely!
Koh Samui sunset FAQs
- What time is Koh Samui sunset? Learn when to make reservations for sunset
- What to wear to a sunset dinner? Find out what to wear at night in Thailand
- How to avoid mosquitoes? Properly protect yourself from sunset mosquitoes
