Tasted: Chom Chada Cocktail Bar & Bistro

Nestled amid the nightlife venues on Chaweng’s bustling walking street lies a new jewel, Chom Chada Cocktail Bar & Bistro. Fast becoming the number one hangout among local foodies, Chom Chada serves up startlingly good Thai, Western and fusion dishes with tipples to match the sophisticated surroundings.

Curated by Sureewan Ratchadarak, the mastermind behind the Michelin Guide’s Bib Gourmand-awarded Kapi Sator, her latest venture serves up the same exceptional quality plus an even broader range of dishes to delight every palate. 

The menu is a convivial concoction of Southern Thai classics, Western favourites, and palate-wowing Thai-Western fusion dishes, all topped off with creative cocktails for the ultimate dining experience. Also setting this restaurant apart is a relaxed ambiance that blends Thai traditional elegance with art deco details.

Our grand dining experience kicked off with the restaurant’s signature Burrata Salad, the freshness of a green-red-orange tomato medley perfectly balancing the cool and creamy burrata.

Next came the Thai Wagyu Salad, a velvety-pungent Wagyu Curry, and the two showstoppers: Soft-Shell Crab Pasta and Lobster Pasta. Imagine the beloved Southern staple Crab and Betel Leaf Curry (Gaeng Poo Bai Chaplu), which is typically served with rice, now coating thick pasta noodles with its spicy creaminess. It was simply divine, especially when paired with the perfectly fried soft-shell crab. The Lobster Pasta tantalised the eyes, then the tastebuds: a whole crustacean nestled beneath a blanket of tomato sauce-clothed spaghetti dotted with chunky lobster morsels.

Just when we thought the banquet had come to an end, the Rack of Lamb with luscious dark gravy, and the Salmon Choo Chee (a fusion twist on traditional Thai Choo Chee fish curry) graced our table to guarantee complete savoury satisfaction. Lip-smacking cocktails ensured the mood grew lighter with each sip.

The standout on the excellent dessert menu was Banana Fritters drizzled with honey and served with a scoopy of ice cream, with batter so light and airy it was gobbled up in seconds.

Chom Chada Cocktail Bar & Bistro

167/64 Chaweng Beach Road, Bo Phut, Koh Samui, Surat Thani +66 (0) 61 232 3889 www.instagram.com/chomchadacocktailbar.bistro Facebook: Chom Chada Cocktail Bar & Bistro