Nathon Night Food Market

Come hungry and come with small notes. This is a proper local night market on Nathon's side of the island, running every single evening from 4.30pm to 10pm, which makes it one of the few dinner plans on Samui you never have to think twice about.

Grazing is the way to do it. Satay skewers at one stall, a plate of pad thai at the next, grilled meats, noodles, seafood, then something sweet on the walk back. Portions are small and prices are low, so ordering from four different vendors costs less than one restaurant main. Don't sit down at the first stall that looks busy and call it dinner. Walk the whole line first.

Nathon is a long way from Chaweng and Lamai in feel as well as distance, and this market shows it. More families doing their evening shop than sunburnt holidaymakers, which is exactly why I'd send you here.