Every single restaurant serves à la carte. And some (read: larger resort restaurants) even have the occasional theme night to spice things up a bit. But very few have five totally different sumptuous theme buffets to choose from every single week. Baitong Restaurant & Terrace Bar does, and that’s probably the reason why so many diners flock back night after night without fear of becoming bored with the same old thing.

But it’s not just the theme buffets that make a visit to this special place worthwhile. For one thing, the location is pretty hard to beat. Banana Fan Sea Beach Resort, its parent hotel, is situated in the most central part of Chaweng Beach. Making it easy to get to wherever you’re staying. And Baitong itself is right on the beach, complete with swaying palm trees and cooling sea breezes. Everything you’d imagined a quality Samui restaurant to be like – and more.

Contemporary styling, high ceilings, slatted-wood décor, terracotta tiled flooring, and orchid-filled pots create a casual, yet elegant atmosphere inside, whilst the slow, rhythmic ripple of waves just metres away from the outer terrace adds that elusive touch of holiday romance to the whole affair (early reservations of these tables is highly recommended). And many nights there’s seating on the beach itself for fresh seafood dining.

But before I get onto the buffets, a mention must be made about the à la carte menu, because it would be worth coming here for that, alone. It’s huge and comprises a wide range of international and Thai-fusion dishes. Here are a few recommendations from it. Firstly, from the starters: Cous-cous Timbale with King Prawns and a warm vinaigrette; and Tuna Carpaccio with lemongrass. And from the mains: Braised Lamb-shank in red wine with polenta and ratatouille; Sea-scallops with a lemon-thyme sauce on a bed of spinach and noisette potatoes; and Roasted Tenderloin of Pork, stuffed with dried apricots and an Amaretto cream sauce, served with noodles and seasonal vegetables.

As you can see, the food sounds great. Luckily, it tastes delicious, too! And that also goes for the fare that’s included in the buffets …

It all starts on Tuesdays when it’s the Italian Fiesta. There’s an abundant choice of authentic dishes, with everything from soups to desserts, from Milan to Palermo. And a permanent chef is standing by at the ‘Pasta Station’, where your orders are freshly cooked before your very eyes.

“… and many nights there’s seating on the beach
itself for fresh seafood dining.”

On Wednesdays, it’s the BBQ Beach Party (weather permitting) when there’s open-flame grilled beef, pork, spare-ribs, chicken, squid, prawns, crab and all the trimmings.

Thursdays give you the opportunity of savouring a totally ethic night when it’s Thai Buffet. And alongside a huge spread of authentic local dishes (some also prepared at an open cooking ‘station’) there’s a Thai cultural dance show that’ll totally immerse you in Oriental opulence.

Reef’N’Beef night every Friday is particularly popular, with its open-cooking station grilling steaks and seafood to your own specifications. And Saturdays see the highlight of the week with the International Buffet Night. Not only is there an enormous spread of dishes from around the world, but the entertainment is sensational, too. And that’s because it’s in the hands of the island’s most popular female-impersonators – Christy’s Flashy Cabaret. You mustn’t forget your cameras on this night!

Whatever night you choose to come, alongside the buffets there’s always an excellent salad bar available that will please true vegans with a vast variety of fresh salad items and dressings. A plate from the salad bar at Baitong is a meal in itself.

What with all this top-quality fare in beautiful surroundings, youre probably thinking that its very expensive. But youd be wrong if you are, because these all-you-can-eat buffets are just 550 baht per head (++), and completely free for the under 10s!