Koh Samui

Koh Samui's Mexican food is mostly casual and relaxed, found in Fisherman's Village in Bophut, in Lamai and in Plai Laem in the north-east. Holidaymakers make up most of the crowd, along with island residents looking for tacos and margaritas.

Centrico Mexican Restaurant in Fisherman's Village is a branch of a Thai island chain that started on Koh Tao, and uses spices brought in from Puebla for its tacos and enchiladas. At the quieter end of the same street, La Cantina is an open-sided Tex-Mex cantina with sea-facing tables and margaritas until 1am. In Lamai, Tip's Tacos is a family-run taco joint known for crispy shrimp tacos, fajitas and Taco Tuesday deals. MexSiam Bar and Restaurant at the Padel Samui courts in Plai Laem serves tacos and nachos from breakfast to dinner.

Fisherman's Village and Lamai are some distance apart, so plan around where you are staying, and book La Cantina's sea-facing tables for weekend evenings. Most places are casual and inexpensive; La Cantina and MexSiam are mid-range.