Samui has a reputation for being expensive. That is true for tourist-zone restaurants and hotel buffets. But beyond that world — at markets, street stalls and local eateries — you can eat satisfyingly well for 100–300 baht. Here is how.

Night Markets — the Main Source of Cheap Food

Chaweng night market (Laem Din Market), the Bophut Friday Night Market and Lamai market are the three main evening markets on the island. For 60–120 baht you can have a complete dish: pad thai, fried rice, noodles with seafood. Desserts — mango sticky rice, banana pancakes, coconut pudding — run 40–70 baht. A drink — fresh juice or coconut — 50–80 baht. Full dinner for two: 400–600 baht.

Roadside Stalls on Route 4169

The ring road (Route 4169) and the roads cutting through the interior are lined with round-the-clock food stalls. Soft Thai omelettes, fried bananas, filled rice cakes, grilled corn. Prices: 20–50 baht per item. The stretch from Chaweng to Lamai along the outer coast is especially dense with street food.

Local Thai Restaurants

Spot them by the absence of an English menu at the door and the presence of Thai customers inside. A two-course set lunch with rice and a drink: 120–200 baht. Curry over rice (khao kaeng) is the classic: choose two or three curries from pots at the counter and they are ladled over rice. A plate: 70–100 baht. These places open from 10–11 am and often sell out by 2 pm.

Morning Markets

Maenam and Lamai run small morning markets from 6:30 to 9:30. Breakfast at the market: 80–150 baht — rice congee, pa thong ko doughnuts, omelette, chicken rice (khao man kai). Fruit — sliced mango, watermelon, pineapple — 40–60 baht per tray.

Lotus's and BigC

Supermarket hot counters sell ready-made food at below-restaurant prices. Tofu pastries, boxed fried rice, grilled chicken legs: 35–80 baht each. Dinner for two including drinks: 200–350 baht. Not atmospheric, but honest food at an honest price.