Phuket is a big island, so this means that there are heaps of places to eat in Phuket. But if you only have a limited time, why waste time exploring the good, the bad and the ugly.
Having spent a lot of time in Phuket, we’ve gone through a lot of trial and errors when it comes to eating and drinking. And so, I bring to you my guide to the best places to eat in Phuket.
Table of Contents
NORTH PHUKET
Kindee Restaurant
Best for: Affordable local Thai food
This was a true hidden gem for me. Kin Dee is a small family owned restaurant located in the northern part of Phuket in Mai Khao. It’s tucked away behind the numerous five star hotels that make up the Mai Khao beach.
Kin Dee specialisies in local Thai food and use only locally sourced ingredients in order to support local businesses. Their menu is quite large and the best way to eat here is to of course share! Their signature dish is the Kin Dee Signature Fish, which is a whole fried fish topped with a delicious house made sauce and various herbs. Other delicious dishes to try include their Green Curry, Papaya Salad, and their Tom Yum Goong.
The restaurant overlooks the Mangroves of Northern Phuket, which offers a beautiful scenery while dining. However because of this, do be sure to put on mosquito repellent
Address: 71/6 Mu 5 Mai Khao, Thalang, Phuket
Telephone: +66 76 348 478
Hours: Every day from 11:00am – 10:00pm
Iniala Gourmet
Best for: Absolutely delicious Pastries
I have had a LOT of pastries in my day, and truly Iniala Gourmet offers THE BEST pastries I have ever tried. Truly, I still dream about the amazing pastries here.
Iniala Gourmet is located at Boat Avenue in Bang Tao and is a cozy café serving wonderful pastries and great coffee. Ohhh and what are my favorite pastries…where do I even start. A must try includes their Coconut, Ginger & Lemon Pastry, their Chocolate Croissant, their Apricot Pastry, and their Rye Mango Danish. My mouth is watering while writing this.
Address: Boat Avenue, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket
Telephone: +66 76 602 308
Hours: Every day from 7:30am – 9:00pm
KAMALA
The Sunset Grill
Best for: Sunset cocktails & grilled meats
The Sunset Grill Restaurant in Phuket is located in the 5-star resort Hyatt Regency Phuket and it is a hilltop restaurant with an amazing view over the Andaman Sea. It is a great spot to enjoy the sunset over Phuket, while enjoying a menu filled with various grilled meats and seafood.
It’s best to try and get a seat right near the window, where you’ll get to enjoy uninterrupted views over Kamala.
Address: Hyatt Regency Phuket, 16/12 Moo 6 Tambon Kamala
Telephone: +66 76 231 234
Hours: Every day from 6:00pm – 10:00pm
Talung Thai Restaurant
Best for: Uninterrupted clifftop views over Kamala & delicious Thai food
Talung Thai is located at the Paresa Resort right along Millionaire’s Mile at Kamala. It sits atop a wooden deck overlooking the clifftops of Kamala and has unobstructed views over the Andaman Sea. You can expect delicious Thai food here with great service. The menu offers a huge variety Thai meat and vegetarian dishes, which are all perfect for sharing.
It is highly recommend to book a table, especially if you want one closest to the edge for some of the best views.
Address: Paresa Resort, Kamala, Phuket
Telephone:+66 76 302 000
Hours: Every day from 11:00am – 10:00pm
KARON & KATA BEACH
The Boathouse Wine & Grill
Best for: Great wine & gourmet dining
It’s award-wining for a reason. Delicious food and an impressive wine collection (I mean just check out their wine fridge…over 600 labels to select from). Th charming nautical restaurant that is the Boathouse Wine & Grill is located at Kata Beach, and serves French and Thai style food.
If you haven’t had enough of the beach, you can choose to sit outside beach front, or sit inside near the large window overlooking the kitchen. Either way, the Boathouse is definitely a must-try place to eat while in Phuket.
Address: 182 Koktanode Road, Kata Beach, Phuket
Telephone: +66 76 330 015
Hours: Every day from 11:00am – 11:00pm
El Gaucho Restaurant @ Movenpick Resort
Best for: Brazilian Churrasco
When you think eating and drinking in Phuket, you may not think of Brazilian BBQ. But oh my El Gaucho Restaurant at the Movenpick Resort Karon Beach was oh so delicious. After all the Thai curries and seafood, I was ready for some good ol’grilled meat and El Gaucho totally delivered.
Best known for their Brazilian Churrasco, from lamb to chicken to beef, every 10-15 minutes the Chef comes along to offer more BBQ meat. But you know what stole my heart? The BBQ Pineapple – slathered with mixed spices that reminded me of Christmas, the BBQ Pineapple was amazingly delicious on its own or paired with the BBQ meat.
El Gaucho Restaurant at Movenpick Resort Karon Beach
Address: The Movenpick Resort Karon Beach
Telephone: +66 76 396 139 ext 451
Hours: Every day from 6:00pm – 11:00pm
PHUKET TOWN
Raya Restaurant
Best for: Traditional Phuket-Thai Food
Phuket Town has a lot of history, and dining at the Raya Restaurant is a great way to taste this history. I will admit, I first wanted to go here because…well it is called Raya. But when I read more about the restaurant, I realized it was the spot to try traditional Phuket style food.
Located in a traditional style Sino-Thai building, the Raya Restaurant is a great spot if you want to travel back in time to a more historic time in Phuket history. Most popular here is their Crab Curry, which has chunks of delicious fresh crab in a yellow Thai curry.
Address: Mueang Phuket, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket
Telephone: +66 76 218 155
Hours: Every day from 10:00am – 10:00pm
Kopitiam by Wilai
Best for: Affordable local Thai food
This is café serves local Phuket-Thai food in a more casual setting in the heart of Old Phuket Town. Located along the famed Thalang Road, Koptiam by Wilai is charmingly decorated, which reflects its sino-portugese history.
The menu is affordable and serves a range of home-cooking style Thai cuisine. The café is filled with nostalgic decoration ranging from antiques to old photographs, making it a great spot to wind down after touring Old Phuket Town.
Address: 14&18 Talang Road, Amphoe Muang Phuket
Telephone: +66 83 606 9776
Hours: Every day from 11:00am – 5:30pm, 6:30pm – 9:00pm
Blue Elephant
Best for: Authentic Thai Style Cuisine with a Pinch of History
You may have seen the Blue Elephant products in supermarkets – great quality Thai curry pastes to make at home. But if you want next level authentic Thai curries, you definitely have to check out the Thai Restaurant at Blue Elephant.
The Blue Elephant in Phuket is located at the Phra Pitak Chinpracha Mansion, which is a Sino-Portuguese heritage building that is over 100 years old. Even if you don’t plan to eat here (although I do recommend it), the mansion is worth a visit because it is beautiful. The menu offers very classical authentic Thai food – the style of food and flavours that is actually created for the Royal Palace.
So if you are after some authentic Thai food, this is one of the best places to eat in Phuket.
Address: 96 Krabi road, Tambon Talad Neua, Muang District, Phuket
Telephone: +66 76 354 355
Hours: Every day from 9:00am – 10:30pm
CHALONG BAY & CENTRAL PHUKET
Kan Eang @ Pier
If you can’t decide whether you want Thai food or Japanese food or more Western style food…why not go somewhere that serves all of it. Grilled seafood is definitely the highlight here, along with local delights such as a Thai Green Curry.
Kan Eang @ Pier is located at the Chalong Pier where many boat trips get picked up from. The restaurant is mainly open air and overlooks Chalong Bay and the various islands in the distance….the open air style restaurant adds the tropical holiday feeling on Phuket.
I am not a huge fan of the Chalong area, but Kan Eag @ Pier (and Chalong Bay Rum, see below) are worth visiting Chalong for.
Address: 44/1 Moo 5, Chalong Bay, Rawai, Phuket
Telephone: +66 76 381 212
Hours: Every day from 10:30am – 11:00pm
Chalong Bay Rum Distillery
Best for: Cocktail Hour (which is every hour when you’re on holiday right?)
Chalong Bay Rum is an amazingly delicious rum – and it is not like any rum you would have ever tasted before. Why? Because it is 100% pure sugar cane rum. Unlike other rums which are majority made using molasses, Chalong Bay Rum uses organic Thai sugar cane. And it is delicious!
The distillery has a lovely area to enjoy a few rum based cocktails, while overlooking sugar cane and their distillery. They do serve food and play good music, so expect a great spot for a great Sunday session.
Address: 14/2 Moo 2, Palai soi 2, Tambon Chalong,, Amphur Muang Phuket, Phuket
Telephone: +66 93 575 1119
Hours: Every day from 11:00am – 10:00pm
Chillva Market
Best for: Trendy Night Market
The Chillva Night Market is one of the more trendy night markets in Phuket and offers a wide array of local delights to choose from. And once you are full off all the good food, there’s plenty of cheap shopping to keep you busy.
Many of the stalls are set up in upcycled shipping containers, and from Thursdays to Saturdays there are a fleet of hawker style stalls set up offering a huge array food and shopping.
Address: 141/2 Yaowarat Road, Phuket Town
Hours:
Container shops only: daily 4:00pm – 10:00pm.
Full market: Thu – Sat 4:00pm – 11:00pm
CAPE PANWA
Baba Nest
Best for: the world’s most amazing rooftop bars & best sunset spot in Phuket
One of my best memories of being on holiday was at Baba Nest.
This roof deck is located at the Sri Panwa Resort and offers spectacular 360-degree views over the Andaman Sea…and dare I say the best sunset spot on the island.
There are only 12 seats available on the roof deck, so reservations far in advanced (like a few months in advanced) is a must…especially if you are not staying at the resort because only 2 seats are reserved daily for outside guests.
Baba Nest is an incredible spot that must be experienced at least once while you’re in Phuket. It is so incredible that CNN ranked it number #2 in its list of World’s Best Beach Bars in the World.
Address: 88 moo 8, Sakdidej Road, Vichit, Muang, Phuket
Telephone: +66 76 371 000
Hours: Every day 6:00pm onwards
Baba Soul Food
Best for: Delicious Phuket specialties
After sunset drinks at Baba Nest, why go far for dinner when there’s Baba Soul Food at the Sri Panwa Resort. Delicious authentic Thai Food and traditional Phuket specialties is what you’re going to find at Baba Soul Food.
The restaurant is beautifully decorated, and especially in the evening, the restaurant is oh-so-romantic so it’s perfect for date night. And the food is so yum – using the freshest of local ingredients, all the food is made to share and is carefully prepared to deliver an authentic experience.
Baba Soul Food @ Sri Panwa Resort
Address: 88 moo 8, Sakdidej Road, Vichit, Muang, Phuket
Telephone: +66 76 371 000
Hours: Every day from 6:00pm – 11:00pm
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I'm Soraya, travel & food blogger and sunshine chaser at Hello Raya. You know that travel bug? I have been well and truly nipped, infinite times.This is my online nook to share my lifelong experiences of travel & food in hopes to inspire you to explore our beautiful world. 11 Comments on The Ultimate Guide to the Must Try Places to Eat in Phuket
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It’s been a long time since I was last in Phuket so this list is very helpful. There definitely wasn’t a pastry place when I was there, and the deep fried fish with herbs on top sounds divine. Yes, I’m absolutely hungry now, thank you!
Oh goodness, I still dream of the pastries at Iniala Gourmet – they were incredible!
What an amazing list with so much detailed information…a really useful guide. Just reading through it, I must admit I would like to try them all for different reasons. Cape Panwa looks wonderful from a vista point of view but the idea of booking months in advance isn’t always practical if your there as a tourist. The Blue Elephant looked like quite a interesting experience and I also love some of the value places you found.
I totally agree – it’s not always so practical…but it’s a total must visit. So as soon as you know you’ll be in Phuket, you should try and visit Baba Nest.
As a foodie, I totally love your list! All the pictures of food look really yummy <3
Even though I haven't visited Phuket yet, I would love to go there and visit all these place.
It’s been a while since I was in Phuket, but it seems that a lot more eating spaces have opened up in the last few years. They all look so cool and the perfect mix of modern and traditional. However, sometimes when we stay at all-inclusive resorts, eating out gets set aside, but I can see that I do miss out when that happens. Thanks for the list.
All this food looks AMAZING! I absolutely love Thai food. When I was in Phuket I wasn’t really sure where to go because there are so many options, so it’s great to have a guide to help people along. Hopefully I can go back and try these ones myself!
Totally it can get confusing because there are so many places to try in Phuket! Hope these have helped!
Im all about pigging out when we travel so this post makes me so happy! I havent been to Phuket yet but I’m bookmarking this so I can check everything here off my list when I go. The pastries look DIVINE… you’ve gotten me so hungry even though I just ate
You totally should visit Phuket, I am sure you would love it.
Wow nice list on where to eat in Phuket. All suggestions are tempting. I loved the Restaurant Raya as it has nice yellow Thai curry. Also I loved the interiors of KOPITIAM BY WILAI. Your post is making me hungry now.
Phuket looks like its foodies’ paradise. Those breads look great. I am a vegan. I love trying out local dishes when I travel. Do you think it is easy to find vegetarian or vegan local cuisine here?
Lovely decor at all these locations. And some have such wonderful views as well. The food looks delicious.