If you’ve spent any time exploring the beachfront dining scene across Koh Samui, you know the drill: high-energy beach clubs often charge steep entry fees, enforce aggressive sunbed minimum spends, and serve mediocre, overpriced food over thumping bass. Nana Beach Samui on Mae Nam’s quieter northern shoreline takes the complete opposite approach.
Tucked away down a residential soi in Mae Nam, Nana Beach operates as an unpretentious, newly renovated beachfront restaurant and casual day club. Their policy is refreshingly simple: sunbeds, shaded bamboo salas, and beanbags are completely free of charge with no minimum spend required—you simply order food and drinks as you lounge. We spent five hours relaxing beachfront here, grazing on creative Thai plates, sipping Tom Yum-inspired cocktails, and swimming in the deep bay. Here is our complete, honest review of what to expect, what to order, and how it compares to other north coast beach spots.
We paid out-of-pocket for every meal and drink described here. This is an independent, unsponsored review.
*This post contains compensated links. Find more info in my DISCLAIMER. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Quick Facts: Nana Beach Samui
| Detail | Practical Reality | Local Foodie Takeaway |
| Location & Setting | Mae Nam Beach (North Coast) | Beachfront lounge on the sand with a shaded indoor restaurant and sea-facing lawn. |
| Sunbed & Minimum Spend Policy | 100% Free / Zero Minimum Spend | Loungers, daybeds, and shaded bamboo salas are complimentary with any food or beverage order. |
| Average Cost | ~500–800 THB ($15–$25 USD) per person | Casual lunch runs 300–500 THB; a full afternoon of cocktails and sharing plates runs ~1,400 THB per person. |
| Must-Order Dishes | Garlic Fried Pork Ribs & Sweet Corn Salad | Pork ribs are deeply savory and crisp; the Som Tum Corn strikes a perfect spicy-sweet balance. |
| Cocktails & Happy Hour | 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM Daily | All-day Happy Hour on Tuesdays; signature drinks like the Siam Calling run 240–280 THB. |
| Water Quality & Swimming | Excellent / Genuinely Swimmable | Unlike shallow Ban Tai, the water here drops off quickly into comfortable, clean swimming depth. |
| Entertainment | Fire Shows Wed & Sat at 7:00 PM | Lively evening beach fire show paired with sunset dining right on the sand. |
| Opening Hours | 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM Daily | Food service starts at 11:00 AM; open continuous service 7 days a week. |
Table of Contents
Where Is Nana Beach Samui Located and How Do You Get There?
Nana Beach is situated at 127 M1, Mae Nam, Surat Thani 84330, on Koh Samui’s north coast.
- From Samui International Airport: Approximately 30 to 45 minutes by Grab or taxi.
- From Fisherman’s Village (Bophut): Approximately 20 to 25 minutes by vehicle.
- From Mae Nam Night Market Area: A quick 10-minute drive, or a scenic 10-minute walk right along the beach.
Getting There & Parking Details
Turning off Koh Samui’s main ring road directly opposite Maenam Soi 1, you will spot a large sign indicating the turn for Nana Beach. The access road stretches roughly 300 meters down toward the sea.
The final approach cuts through a small local neighborhood via an unpaved village road featuring a few potholes and seasonal debris. It is completely safe to travel on via scooter or car, but knowing this ahead of time reassures you that you are heading in the right direction. There is plenty of free parking space once you reach the property.
We’ve driven our motorbike from Bantai Beach there, and we’ve also taken a Grab taxi. The Grab taxi drivers are sometimes a little reluctant and slow moving down the village road, but they get there in the end!
Traveler Tip: Thanks to its sandy beachfront position, Nana Beach is also easily accessible by jet-ski directly from the water.
How Does the Sunbed Policy & Billing Work?
One of the best aspects of visiting Nana Beach is its straightforward financial model.
- No Minimum Spend: There is no minimum spend requirement to use the beach loungers, beanbag chairs, or shade salas. You simply order any food or beverage during your stay.
- Seating Availability: Sunbeds and salas are allocated strictly on a first-come, first-served basis. The outdoor beach area features 6 covered salas (holding 3–4 adults each), roughly 20 to 30 padded loungers, and 10 beachfront beanbag chairs.
- Daily Hours: Open 7 days a week from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM. The kitchen begins food service at 11:00 AM.
- Billing & Credit Cards: Menu prices include a 7% VAT and 7% service charge, transparently noted on the menu. If paying by credit card, keep in mind there is an additional 3% to 5% processing surcharge, which the attentive staff will politely inform you of before processing.
There is a good amount of shade as well, under the salas, or the loungers. The staff is ready and able to help with umbrella placement. Our favorite spot is the row of loungers underneath a large bamboo sala that holds 10 loungers. This is perfect for us because we like to be at the beach, not in the sun. It protects us all day long!
What Should You Order at Nana Beach Samui?
Menu prices include 7% VAT and a 7% service charge clearly stated on the bill. If paying by credit card, note that there is a standard 3% to 5% card processing fee, so bringing cash or paying via Thai QR (PromptPay) is recommended.
| Dish | Description & Style | Price (THB) |
| Deep-Fried Pork Ribs with Garlic | Bite-sized pork ribs fried golden-crisp and buried in crunchy fried garlic | 250 |
| Som Tum Corn (Sweet Corn Salad) | Fresh sweet corn tossed in a tart, spicy green papaya salad dressing | 160 |
| Nana Chicken Lollipops | Frenched chicken drumettes fried crisp for dipping in sweet chili glaze | 220 |
| Laab Moo Tod | Golden fried northeastern Thai minced pork meatballs packed with herbs | 190 |
| Laab Gai (Spicy Chicken Salad) | Warm minced chicken salad tossed with lime, mint, and toasted rice powder | 180 |
| Western Mains (Burgers & Pastas) | Classic beef burgers, hand-stretched pizzas, and pasta plates | 260–380 |
| Kids’ Menu Plates | Chicken tenders with fries, Spaghetti Bolognese | 120–140 |
| Mango Sticky Rice | Sweet coconut sticky rice with ripe local mango slices | 180 |
| Siam Calling (Signature Cocktail) | Vodka, coconut rum, chili, galangal, kaffir lime, lemongrass, and soda | 260 |
| Fresh Fruit Shakes & Smoothies | Blended fresh mango, pineapple, passion fruit, or watermelon | 100–130 |
Food Review: Standout Thai & Western Dishes
The kitchen specializes in high-quality Thai dishes alongside a well-priced Western menu featuring burgers, pastas, and pizzas (260–380 THB).
Must-Order Signature Dishes
- Deep Fried Pork Ribs with Fried Garlic (250 THB): These bite-sized pork ribs are the culinary standout of the menu, deep-fried until blistered and crisp on the outside while staying succulent inside, smothered in mountains of fragrant golden fried garlic. It’s a dish rarely executed this well outside of dedicated local night markets, making it the perfect salty pairing with an ice-cold beer. We’ve ended up ordering these almost every visit
- Corn Salad (160 THB): This creative spin on classic northeastern papaya salad swaps out green papaya for crunchy, sweet corn kernels tossed with fresh lime, bird’s eye chilies, fish sauce, and crushed peanuts. You can dial the heat level up or down; ordered “medium spicy,” the sweetness of the corn offsets the chili punch brilliantly. It’s not a common dish around Samui, but reminds us of our seafood local when we lived in Bangkok.
- Lap Moo Tod (190 THB): Laab Moo Tod are intensely aromatic fried pork meatballs seasoned with lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, and toasted rice powder. They arrive piping hot with a crunchy exterior and an herbal, spicy kick. This is their speciality dish. Most restaurants have laab moo, but turning into a meatball is unique!
Kids’ Menu & Desserts
Families traveling with children have access to a dedicated kids’ menu priced between 120 and 180 THB, including chicken fingers with fries (120 THB) and Spaghetti Bolognese (140 THB). Desserts run from 180 to 250 THB, featuring a classic banana split (200 THB) and mango sticky rice (180 THB).
Drinks & Cocktail Menu
Nana Beach runs a great beachside cocktail menu anchored by a daily Happy Hour from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, plus an All-Day Happy Hour every Tuesday.
The beverage menu offers an extensive range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks priced fairly compared to high-end day clubs. That said, their Thai drinks and cocktails are a little on the higher end in comparison to other restaurants in the area, particularly when adding in VAT and Service charges..
Their signature drink, the Siam Calling, is a masterclass in savory-sweet cocktail design. It essentially tastes like an ice-cold, refreshing Tom Yum soup in a highball glass—shaken with vodka, coconut rum, muddled fresh chilies, galangal, torn kaffir lime leaves, and fragrant lemongrass, topped with fizzy soda. It is tart, slightly fiery, and incredibly revitalizing in the afternoon heat.
- Signature Cocktail Choice: Siam Calling. A creative cocktail that tastes remarkably like a cold, refreshing Tom Yum soup turned into a drink. Formulated with vodka, coconut rum, fresh lime, chili, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, lemongrass, and a splash of soda water, it is light, tart, spicy, and incredibly refreshing in the tropical heat.
- Happy Hour Specials: Happy Hour runs daily from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Tuesdays feature an All Day Happy Hour.
- Non-Alcoholic Program: Fruit shakes (100 THB), fresh fruit juices (110 THB), milkshakes (120 THB), and fruit smoothies (130 THB) are available using mango, watermelon, pineapple, and passion fruit. Specialty lemonades start at 100 THB.
Outside of Happy Hour, standard cocktails range from 220 to 260 THB (plus 7% VAT and 7% service charge). During Happy Hour (daily from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM and all day Tuesday), select cocktails drop to 150 THB. For beer drinkers, note that they serve small bottles of Leo for 90 THB rather than large sharing bottles.
Beach Setup, Water Quality & Atmosphere
The physical layout at Nana Beach balances a spacious indoor restaurant with a relaxed outdoor area right on the beach. Each type of seating, lounge chairs, bean bags, and salas all have their own designated row on the beach.
The Atmosphere & Music
The ambiance is peaceful and relaxing. Outdoor speakers are omitted from the large bamboo beach shelter, allowing background music from the main building to stay low and unobtrusive. Guests can comfortably hold conversations without competing against loud sound systems.
Traveler Tip: If you want shade all day, head for the large bamboo beach shelter for non-stop shade, easy access to the restaurant, and outdoor shower.
Water Conditions at Maenam Beach
Unlike shallower northern beaches (such as nearby Ban Tai Beach where water depth remains shallow even at high tide), the stretch of Maenam Beach directly in front of Nana Beach is genuinely swimmable. As the high tide rolls in, the water deepens comfortably, offering clear, clean, and refreshing conditions for adults and supervised children.
Entertainment & Special Events
Nana Beach hosts a popular beachside Fire Show every Wednesday and Saturday evening at 7:00 PM, making it a great sunset dinner destination.
Service Standards
Service at Nana Beach is a standout feature. The floor team—led by dedicated servers like “Bank”—is professional, warm, and highly attentive. Staff speak very good English, are highly attentive while letting guests enjoy themselves without having to constantly be spending on food and drinks.
We also visited Nana Beach one day where all of Mae Nam and Ban Tai beaches had no power from 830 am until 530 pm. We got there at 10 am and stayed until about 3 pm. They did a great job with both food and drink, including having ice delivered throughout the day. There was no wifi, and the outdoor showers didn’t work, but the actually set up battery powered lights in the bathrooms! That is service.
Who Is Nana Beach Samui Best For?
Great For:
- Couples & Relaxed Travelers: Ideal for anyone seeking a peaceful day by the water with high-end food, great service, and quiet music.
- Families with Children: Supervised beach swimming, free shade options, attentive staff, and an affordable kids’ menu make it family-friendly.
- Value-Minded Diners: Zero sunbed cover charges or minimum spend commitments allow guests to enjoy a full day of lounging for the cost of casual meals and drinks.
Things to Keep in Mind:
- Credit Card Fees: Remember to bring cash if you prefer to avoid the 3% to 5% credit card processing surcharge.
- Jet-Ski Noise: A jet-ski rental operation sits adjacent to the property, which can occasionally generate ambient motor noise on busy afternoons.
- Budget Travelers: The food and drink prices at Nana Beach are not as cheap as some other spots in Mae Nam, particularly with the plus plus. That said, there is no minimum!
How Nana Beach Compares to Other Mae Nam & Ban Tai Spots
Koh Samui’s north coast offers some of the best culinary variety on the island if you know where to look:
- For a tranquil, feet-in-the-sand dinner listening to the ocean with refined cocktails, read our Cafe Talay Mae Nam Review.
- For unbeatable, cheap local comfort food—like 60 THB som tum and the best crispy pork belly (moo krob) on the north shore—check out our neighborhood guide to Nam Restaurants in Ban Tai.
- Nana Beach fills the gap between the two: it is the spot you choose when you want to spend an entire afternoon lounging on free sunbeds, taking dips in deep ocean water, and grazing on elevated Thai bar snacks without feeling pressured to leave.
- We’ve also reviewed some of the more traditional “beach clubs” where they do charge for a lounger, but then that amount is credited towards food and drink. Our reviews include Tembo Beach Club, The Deck in Bophut, and Sunray Social at SAii Samui.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nana Beach Samui on Mae Nam
Does Nana Beach Samui charge for sunbeds or require a minimum spend?
No. Sunbeds, shaded bamboo salas, and beanbags on the beach are 100% free to use on a first-come, first-served basis. There is zero minimum spend required; you simply purchase your food and drinks while enjoying the facilities.
Can you swim in the ocean at Nana Beach Mae Nam?
Yes. Unlike shallower bays on the north coast (such as nearby Ban Tai Beach, which stays calf-deep for hundreds of meters), the shoreline at Nana Beach shelves off gradually into clean, deep, swimmable water, especially around mid to high tide.
When is Happy Hour at Nana Beach Samui?
Nana Beach hosts Happy Hour every day from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM featuring discounted cocktails, beers, and wine. On Tuesdays, they run an All-Day Happy Hour special.
How much does dinner or a visit to Nana Beach Samui cost?
Nana Beach offers great flexibility for different budgets. A relaxed lunch or dinner for two runs roughly 900 to 1,200 THB (~$28 to $37 USD). For example, on a recent Tuesday All-Day Happy Hour visit, we ordered two cocktails (an Aperol Spritz and a signature Maenam 1 at 150 THB each), Laab Moo Tod (190 THB), Tom Yum Gai (180 THB), and Panang Chicken (180 THB) for a food and drink subtotal of 850 THB, which came to 969 THB total after 7% VAT and 7% service charge. If you stay for a full 5-hour afternoon of lounging with multiple rounds of drinks and dishes, expect a bill closer to 2,500–2,900 THB.
What days are the Fire Shows hosted at Nana Beach?
Nana Beach hosts a free, live beachside fire show every Wednesday and Saturday evening starting at 7:00 PM. Arrive by 5:30 PM to catch sunset and secure a front-row table on the sand.
What are the opening hours at Nana Beach?
Nana Beach is open daily from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Drink service begins at 10:00 AM, and the kitchen serves food continuously from 11:00 AM until late evening.
The Verdict
Nana Beach Samui is an absolute must-visit.
By combining free sunbeds, swimmable ocean waters, exceptional hospitality, quiet sound levels, and creative Thai dishes like pork ribs with garlic and corn salad, it stands out as one of the very best beachfront venue experiences on Koh Samui’s north coast.