It is possible. You might come across a more beautiful restaurant. But you’d have to go a long way. And it wouldn’t be on this island. Because although Samui’s fine-dining restaurants offer pretty much everything, Rocky’s is leading the field aesthetically – and it’s right up there in the other departments too.

Sounds like a bold claim doesn’t it? But it’s true. And it’s not just the restaurant that’s so pleasing to the eye, the resort (of the same name) as a whole has been given the same attention to detail as the restaurant. In fact, I’d even recommend visitors to go to the family-owned Rocky’s Resort just to have a look around. But when the food and service, and just about everything is as good as it is here, I highly recommend coming for an evening of culinary pleasure, and a perfect Samui dining-out experience.

It might be a little further afield than some would like to travel (it’s a few hundred metres beyond the turning for Hin Ta Hin Yai – the grandfather and grandmother rocks – just south of Lamai), especially at night. But it’s certainly worth the extra effort, for which you’ll be well rewarded!

And now the hard part. How to explain what’s at Rocky’s, because there’s simply so much? But it’s the subtle lighting within the interior part of the open-sided restaurant that’ll first take your eye. Somehow the designer has managed to illuminate the whole area uniformly, from many small individual sources such as silk hanging lanterns, discreet spotlights and many candles. The whole effect, combined with a splashing waterfall and superb décor, creates a magical atmosphere. One which immediately entices and pleases. But there’s more …

You can choose between sitting in the 60-seater restaurant, or outside on the deck area with the free-form swimming pool on one side and the long stretch of private beach on the other. But the most popular dining spot of all is at one of the tables perched up on the huge rocks, again overlooking the sandy beach and small bay beyond. There’s also a totally private sala on the beach itself, but you’ll have to book for this one. And every Sunday there’s a barbecue, also the beach (tide and weather permitting). Locations like this are what tropical holiday dreams are made of.

And before I run out of space, I’d better talk about the food too. Because it’s equally impressive. And I suppose it should be, seeing as it’s all prepared under the watchful eye of executive chef – Khun Suravichit Auttiya. He’s far from being a novice, having spent many years being the head chef on luxury cruise liners and in top restaurants in London, Frankfurt and Gran Canaria.

And he’s brought with him some fabulous ideas and creations. Khun Suravichit recommends the Scallops with green asparagus and Pernod sauce as the perfect dish to introduce you to Rocky’s mouthwatering fare. And with a fine selection of international and Thai cuisine, plus a wide variety of seafood, there are lots of choices for the main course.

“…and locations like this are what tropical
holiday dreams are made of.”

From the international menu I personally recommend the Medallions of Beef Tenderloin topped with aubergines and blue cheese in a red wine sauce and potato cakes, whilst the Grilled King Prawns with mango and orange sauce and roasted vegetables is definitely my favourite seafood dish. And the Gaeng Ka Reb Keat – Thai lamb curry, is a perfect example of the local cuisine.

Khun Suravichit also produces a Thai Kantoke for Two, which is a 5-dish selection of the local cuisine, including various curries, stir-fries and vegetable creations. They really are very special, so try one if you can (he runs excellent Thai cooking classes here, too, should you wish to learn the art yourself). But do make room for the desserts. The Rum & Raisin Ice-cream on espresso granite with chocolate and whipped cream, or the Hot Mango Crumble with vanilla ice-cream will both make you fat; but it’ll be worth it!

And as for entertainment, there’s a sensational cabaret show every Sunday, and a Thai buffet with a Thai show every Tuesday, whilst most other nights there’s a talented Filipino singer. But, in a setting like this, you hardly need anything more!

Rocky’s is relaxed and casual, ideal for couples and families alike. And although it offers 5-star dining, it does so without the pomp and snobbery that’s often evident in 5-star establishments. It’s therefore extremely recommendable!

The restaurant is open from 7:00 am until late, with the kitchen closing at 10:30 pm.
For reservations and further information, telephone 0 7741 8367.