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
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: Soi Bang Toei, Pakhlok, Thalang District
Contact: +66 87 887 5785
Open hours: 10 am – 8 pm
2. Baba Beach Bar & Restaurant
Our pick for: International dining and cocktails by the beach.
At Baba Beach Club, the iconic Baba Beach Bar is your go-to spot for poolside luxury and non-stop vibes—just steps from Natai Beach. Lounge by the pool, sip cocktails at the al fresco bar, and enjoy live beats from up-and-coming artists to world-class DJs, all in a stunning 510 sqm entertainment space
Address: 88, 9, Khok Kloi, Takua Thung District, Phang Nga 82140, Thailand
Contact: +66 76 429 388 or bababeachclub.com
Open hours: 11 am – 10 pm
3. Boonta by the Beach
Our pick for: Desserts that are too pretty to eat.
A charming seaside flower café, perfect for a light bite or dessert amid beautiful floral décor and sea views. A great stop for coffee, bakery treats, or just relaxing.
Address: 99 Khok Kloi, Takua Thung District, Phang Nga
Contact: +66 81 816 8512
Open hours: 10 am – 8 pm
4. Nern Khao View Talay
Our pick for: Southern Thai dishes with a view.
A scenic hilltop dining spot in Phang Nga, Thailand, known for its panoramic mountain‑to‑sea views and relaxed atmosphere. It’s a popular choice for visitors seeking memorable food paired with breathtaking natural vistas.
Address: Takua Thung District, Phang Nga
Contact: +66 76 582 182
Open from: 9 am – 9 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
Contact: +66 76 618 127 or acquarestaurantphuket.com
Open hours: 5.30 pm – 11 pm
6. Kan Eang @ Pier Restaurant
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
Contact: +66 83 173 1187 or kaneang.com
Open hours: 10 am – 11 pm
7. Mom Tri’s Kitchen
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
Contact: +66 76 333 568 or villaroyalephuket.com/gourmet-experience
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: 14 Karon Rd, Karon, Mueang
Contact: +66 85 292 5652 or eatbargrill.net
Open hours: 1 pm – 11 pm
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
Contact: + 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
Contact: +66 76 371 000 or babaphuket.com
Open hours: 12 pm – 10pm
11. Hong Kong Restaurant
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
Contact: +66 76 256 613
Open hours: 11 am – 10 pm
12. One Chun
Our pick for: Authentic Southern Thai and Peranakan-influenced cuisine.
A popular Thai eatery in Phuket Town, Thailand, set in a historic 19th‑century Sino‑Portuguese building in Phuket Old Town. The cafe’s vintage décor of antique radios, clocks and retro furnishings adds to its nostalgic charm, and it has earned a Bib Gourmand recognition from the Michelin Guide for its quality food and great value.
Address: 48, 1 Thep Krasattri Rd, Talat Yai, Mueang
Contact: +66 76 355 909 or openlink.co/onechunphuket
Open hours: 10 am – 10 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
Contact:+66 76 373 349
Open hours: 10 am – 9 pm
14. Tu Kab Khao Restaurant
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
Contact: +66 76 608 888
Open hours: 11.30 am – 8.30 pm
15. Raya Restaurant
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
Contact: +66 76 218 155 or rayarestaurant.net
Open hours: 10.30 am – 10 pm
Still craving for more?
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