Life in Phuket begins at sunrise. While some partygoers are stumbling into their villas, fishermen are docking, bringing with them the freshest catches of the day. At the markets, fish are laid out on ice, and vegetables are sprayed with water. Chefs and families take their picks, and the day commences. Food in Phuket is a culinary experience. But, the best food isn’t always found in 5-star resorts, just as it isn’t always tucked in a kart along the sidewalks of Laguna. Here are our favourite scours:
#1 Bang Pae Seafood
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Our pick for: An off the beaten path lunch.
Pack a snack, because it’s a long drive to get there. The restaurant is located in Bang Pae Village, a 50-minute long car ride from Patong. Worth it? Definitely. Food is authentic, and there’s a small beach as well as a backdrop of mangroves.
Address: Pa Khlok, Thalang, Phuket
Tel no: +66 87 887 5785
Open hours: 10 am – 8 pm
#2 Thong Dee – The Kathu Brasserie
Our pick for: The best of both worlds.
So here’s the scenario: half the group wants Thai food, and the other half travels all the way to Phuket to eat pasta. At The Chalk & Cheese, you get both, along with daily specials. The restaurant is run by a husband-wife duo. Its location is a big plus (if not the selection of beers and wine); just 15 minutes away from Patong by car. Jazz plays softly in the background, and that’s always welcome.
Address: Soi Bangthong 110/25, Kathu
Tel no: +66 76 319 323
Open from: Tuesday to Saturday, 4 pm – 10 pm; Sunday, 12 pm – 10 pm; Closed Monday
#3 The Corner Restaurant
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Our pick for: The best Thai food on the island.
Not just for the best authentic dishes, but also as a great place for families with kids. It’s one of the only restaurants open early in the day near Laguna, and with its kid’s menu and appetisers, you’ll see why you might revisit The Corner Restaurant over and over again — within the same trip.
Address: 118/1 Bandon-Cherngtalay Road, Choeng Thale
Tel: +66 76 324 023
Open from: 9 am – 10.30 pm
#4 Green Tamarind Kitchen
Our pick for: The best burgers (possibly in the world).
You can’t, or shouldn’t, kick a craving for burgers. Craving or not, you won’t regret a trip here for the biggest, juiciest, burger. They also serve Thai food, but that’s beside the point.
Address: 31/56 Soi Khokmakham, Rawai
Tel no: +66 84 366 5004
Open from: 5 pm – 10.30 pm
#5 Acqua Restaurant
Our pick for: Your quota of luxury.
For the love of all things luxury, we love Acqua (not a typo). It’s one of the island’s best Italian restaurants, even serving famous guests like Kelly Rowland and Dolph Lundgren (Rocky fans — guilty!). Acqua is owned by chef Alessandro Frau, who was previously the executive chef at Sheraton Laguna Phuket.
Address: 324/15 Prabaramee Road Kalim Bay, Patong, Kathu
Tel no: +66 76 618 127
Open hours: 5.30 pm – 11 pm
#6 Kan Eang @ Pier Restaurant
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Our pick for: The true Phuket dining experience.
This is what you came for: the beach. Kan Eang means “at ease”, and that’s exactly how this place will make you feel. Every morning, fresh seafood is delivered by local fishermen, and chefs skillfully whip up slow-cooked barbeque seafood on coconut husks at your request. Now that’s island living.
Address: 44/1 Moo 5, Viset Road, Rawai
Tel no: +66 76 381 212
Open hours: 7 am – 11 pm
#7 Mom Tri’s Kitchen
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Our pick for: A night of romance.
Nothing spells romance like wine, (expensive) dinner, and walks on the beach. Villa Royale’s own restaurant is popular throughout the island, even bagging several Wine Spectator Awards. Last bit of wine information: they have a selection of over 700 bottles.
Address: 12 Kata Noi Rd, Kata Noi Beach
Tel no: +66 76 333 568
Open hours: 11.30 am – 11 pm
#8 EAT. Bar & Grill
Our pick for: Good conversation over a long dinner.
One for everyone to enjoy is EAT Bar and Grill Phuket for casual Western-style grill dining. Their Swedish chef cooks with high-quality imported meat combined with local ingredients. The best part is that it’s really not very expensive at all. If you need to walk it off, Karon Beach is close by.
Address: 250 / 1 Patak Road, Karon Beach, Karon
Tel no: +66 85 292 5652
Open hours: Monday – Saturday, 11 am – 10.30 pm; Closed Sunday
#9 La Gaetana
Our pick for: The half of the group that needs pasta.
Gaetana has been around for as long as we can remember, and it definitely isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. It’s a small, family-run Italian restaurant that emphasises providing a cosy atmosphere and gourmet food just as good. Clear your night of any big plans, because you don’t want to rush through a dinner this delicious.
It’s like a Mexican chilli pepper married a fruit punch and had a baby who decorated this restaurant.
Address: 352 Phuket Road, Phuket Town
Tel no: + 66 76 250 523
Open hours: 12 – 2 pm for lunch on Monday, Tuesday and Friday. 6 pm – 10 pm for dinner Thursday – Tuesday. Closed on Wednesday.
#10 Baba Soul Food
Our pick for: The group that knows life’s a beach(club).
It’s got the best sea views and the most stylish and exclusive rooftop bar under its belt already, so there shouldn’t be anything stopping you from going to Baba’s. This award-winning restaurant within Baba Phuket serves tasty fusion Thai food using ingredients grown from the resort itself. Plus, it has been called one of the top 3 Beach Bars in the world by CNNgo – so it’s a pretty great place to kick back.
Address: 88/1 Sakdidej Rd, Wichit, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83000, Thailand
Tel no: +66 76 371 000
Open hours: Daily for dinner from 6 pm.
#11 Hong Kong Restaurant
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Our pick for: The homesick Hong Konger
If you want something other than Thai food, this little eatery in Phuket Town serves great Cantonese and Chinese dishes that are authentic in flavour. Smack right in the heart of Phuket town, it’s easy to find and the best place to go for tasty and affordable food.
Address: 22 Ratsada Rd, Talat Yai, Phuket Town
Tel no: +66 76 256 613
Open hours: 11 am – 10 pm
#12 Da Maurizio
Our pick for: Those who seriously need their Italian fix.
Beachside, this is little Italy right here. With the menu firmly living up to its established reputation, more than 90% of the fruit, vegetable herbs and even eggs are organic and paired with imported meats and fresh fish and lobster. It’s a hard act to beat. To lay on the finishing touches, you can opt to complement your dish with the supreme selection of wines that has won the Wine Spectator Award.
Address: 223/2 Prabaramee Rd, Patong
Tel no: +66 76 344-079
Open hours: 12 pm – 11 pm
#13 Laem Hin Seafood
Our pick for: Those who just want to sit back and float on.
Laem Hin Seafood is really second to none when you’re after affordably awesome food in Phuket, plus this is where the locals eat, so you know it’s going to be good! The outdoor terrace is built on stilts and faces Coconut Island, to give the illusion of a floating restaurant. Food-wise, it’s always fresh, and Laem Hin focuses a lot on Southern Thai cuisine and salads. Lots of salads.
Address: 90/10 Ban Laem Hin Moo 7, Thepkrasattri Road, Koh Keaw
Tel no: +66 76 239 357
Open hours: 10 am – 10 pm
#14 Tu Kab Khao Restaurant
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Our pick for: Unusual Thai and a royal atmosphere.
In a 120-year old colonial building in Phuket Town, Tu Kab Khao is a Thai restaurant excelling in Southern Thai food. It sits directly across from the “Shrine of Serene Light”, but is probably most recognisable thanks to the giant lobster that hangs out front. Definitely try the curried crab while you’re here!
Address: 8 Phang Nga Road, Phuket Town
Tel no: +66 76 608 888
Open hours: 11.30 am – 9.30 pm
#15 Raya House
Our pick for: Affordable Thai in old-world luxury
In an old Sino-Portuguese mansion in Phuket Town, Raya House is known for simple and unpretentious, but seriously delicious food – the restaurant has a “Big Gourmand” rating from Michelin Guide! Try the creamy crabmeat curry with rice vermicelli (Kanom Jeen) and wait for Thai celebs to roll up (Thai royalty is known to come here!).
Address: 48 New Dibuk Road, Phuket Old Town
Tel no: +66 76 218 155
Open hours: 10 am – 10 pm
Good food, good food everywhere.
