A serene cove along the pristine Choeng Mon Beach in the northeast of Koh Samui sets the scene for Kimpton Kitalay Samui, a laid-backoceanfront retreat that channels the easy rhythm of island life. Inspired by a coastal village, the resort’s design fuses traditional Thai craftsmanship with contemporary elegance. Beyond the view, dining takes centre stage across five distinct venues offering everything from barefoot beachside bites and breezy lunch tables to sumptuous holiday feasts by the sea. Meanwhile, if you prefer some quiet moments, floating breakfasts can be had in the privacy of your own villa.
Breezy tables and ocean catch
FishHouse Restaurant & Bar is the spot for a casual chic lunch by the water, paired with exceptional views of fishing boats dotting the horizon. Often, local fishermen come ashore to deliver the day’s catch – local fish from the surrounding waters – to the chefs.
You can have the fish grilled, baked, fried or steamed, and paired with a vibrant sauce of your choice like caper butter, salsa verde or Thai seafood. Enjoy the dish with duck fat fries or roasted portobello mushroom and balsamic roasted baby carrot. Complete your meal with lobster paella with sofrito and smoked paprika along with refreshing watermelon and feta salad or locally caught fish ceviche with taro chips. Add to that a curated list of biodynamic wines, cocktails, and spritzers, and you have the recipe for long, sun-dappled afternoons by the sea at this Michelin-Selected gem.
For couples seeking an unforgettable year-end holiday, the New Year’s Eve Countdown Feast at FishHouse presents a sublime five-course set menu woven with indulgent ingredients. Post-dinner, revellers can dance the night away at the New Year’s Eve After Party, complete with flowing drinks, a live DJ, exciting fire shows, and fireworks lighting up the sky at midnight.
Southern Thai soul
Set in the open-air foyer is the all-day dining Boho Thai Lifestyle Café serving Western comforts and Thai classics. The casual space also houses a chic gallery and an artsy lifestyle shop.
The menu showcases authentic Surat Thani flavours and other traditional Thai dishes using the freshest ingredients. The extensive range of items include poh pia pu or crab spring rolls with sweet chilli sauce, larb with rice crisp cakes, and duck red curry with pineapple and lychee. A standout is the chef’s special khao yum, a traditional southern-style pea-infused rice salad tossed tableside with shredded vegetables, herbs, spices, and traditional sauce along with your choice of chicken, fried seabass or grilled prawns.
Other dishes include pork ribs with southern Thai curry paste and deep-fried whole seabass perked up with green mango salad. Round off your meal with desserts ranging from chilled pandan dumplings with sweet coconut sauce to coconut ice cream with sticky rice, glass jelly, peanut and sweet corn. Wash it all down with juices made with fresh herbs plucked straight from the garden. Boho also serves breakfast and brunch classics all day, as well as open-air barbeques on the terrace, fired up in the Big Green Egg BBQ.
The café comes alive during the year-end holiday season. The festivities commence on 24 December with a Christmas Eve buffet dinner filled with local and international flavours and free flow drinks, along with carol singers and kids’ activities. On 27 December, the festive beach bbq by the beach will roll out premium meats and fresh seafood, all chargrilled to perfection and accompanied with a salad bar. Look out for the spectacular fire show too. To ring in the New Year, Boho stages a vibrant evening of creative cuisine, cool cocktails, live music, and lucky draws — a perfect island celebration to welcome 2026.
Sundowners and slow evenings
Situated adjacent to the lobby, Lanai Bar & Lounge is the resort’s social heart. Framed by floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the infinity pool and sea beyond, it’s a sunlit space that transitions effortlessly from day to night. This is the perfect spot to toast the sunset or settle in for an unhurried evening of local gins, craft tonics and spirits, paired with snacks.
Opened seasonally is the 30-seater Shio. Lanai Bar & Lounge transforms into this contemporary Japanese restaurant and sushi bar, which is helmed by Bangkok’s popular Chef Run (Wacharun Imarramsak). Guests can expect finely crafted nigiri sushi, signature rolls with playful flair, and a range of Japanese delicacies using premium fish flown in directly from Japan. As it is opened only during certain times of the year, check the resort’s website for updates.
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