Having visited Phuket, Thailand twice in a span of six months we can safely say that this island paradise is not just about beach lounging, turquoise waters, trips to Phi Phi islands, strolling past strip bars and shopping streets. Phuket is also home to some very interesting local cuisine—this mountainous island located in the Andaman Sea has its fair share of tourist traps as well as hidden spots for every kind of holidaymaker—so, forget about calories and think Pad Thai, delectable curries, stir fry everything, mango sticky rice and…drumroll….hand churned coconut ice-cream.
Below we take you on a mini food tour listing our favourite places to eat when visiting the island.
No 1: Blue Elephant (possibly our favourite meal and dining experience)
Housed in a century-old building is the Blue Elephant, a masterpiece of Thai hospitality and gastronomic culture. It is perfect for a celebration or your welcome/goodbye meal in Phuket enabling you to truly savour the incredible flavours and overall dining experience that this place puts on display. We chose to sit outdoors overlooking the magnificent lawn all while relishing traditional Thai curries, fresh seafood and impeccable service.
GYG recommends: Lamb massaman curry, Shrimp green curry, Duck rolls.
Expense level: $$$$$
Address: 96, Krabi Road in Phuket Town
No 2: Mom Tri’s Kitchen
A local in the area happened to recommend Mom Tri’s for a quiet lunch and it did not disappoint. Mom Tri’s has spectacular views along with a refined dining experience carefully crafted by their renowned chefs.
GYG recommends: Lime pepper calamari, Som tum pu-nim (crab salad), Andaman seafood spaghetti, Gaeng daeng gai.
Expense level: $$$$
Address: 12 Kata Noi Road, Kata Noi Beach, Phuket 83100
No. 3: Catch Beach Club
Catch Beach Club is the ultimate on-beach dining experience for those who want to hear the waves lashing against the shore whilst digging in to the freshest seafood the island has to offer. Post dinner you can walk along the beach or light a sky lantern. This slick beach club also tends to rev up the music post dinner transforming the place in to an open air nightclub making it an ideal Saturday night scene.
GYG recommends: Tuna poki, Pad thai goong, Goong phad nam ma kham, Sushi, Seafood mixed grill,
Expense level: $$$$
Address: Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket 83110
No. 4: Phuket Night Market – Malin Plaza Patong
Haven’t you always wanted to try the various street food stalls teaming with fresh seafood, bright fruits and vegetables or hand churned coconut ice cream. Phuket has a very popular night market that promises all of the above and more. The night markets have a special festival feel to them, often being accompanied by street performances and music. Offering an array of dishes and flavours, Malin Plaza is the place to be if you want to try local foods on a budget.
GYG recommends: Try everything until you can eat no more!
Address: Prachanukhro Road, Patong
Expense level: $
No. 5: Red Duck Restaurant
A tiny little restaurant that took some searching but was well worth it in the end. Located deep within Kata beach is Red Duck Restaurant, offering a handful of dishes from vegetarian, vegan to traditional Thai style seafood. As always, we went straight for the curries, Pad Thai and stir fry tiger prawns in black pepper sauce.
GYG recommends: As mentioned above
Address: 8/3 Soi Khoktanod from Kata Beach Resort, turn on the left, 100 metres after Kata Lucky Resort, Kata Beach
Expense level: $$$
No. 6: Pad Thai Shop
Made with stir-fry noodles, egg, shrimp, tofu, the occasional veggies, spicy, saucy or dry is a dish synonym with Thailand. This dish is none other than our favourite – Pad Thai. Pad Thai Shop is tiny but certainly packs a punch as on the two occasions we visited we certainly had to wait our turn. We highly recommend trying this little gem if you are looking to indulge in a local experience (this literally is a pint-sized bamboo hut).
GYG recommends: Pad Thai Shrimp all the way!
Address: Karon, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83100
Expense level: $
No. 7: Thong Dee The Kathu Brasserie
Thong Dee prides itself on the use of locally sourced fresh ingredients used in its traditional form or with a hint of western flair. We visited upon recommendation of a friend as we thought it was time to try a few European dishes in Thailand.
GYG recommends: Chicken liver parfait, warm duck salad, yellow fin tuna, thermidor gratin, monkey fever (banana and almond tart with coconut ice cream).
Address: Soi bangthong, 110/25 Moo 7, Kathu
Expense level: $$$$
No. 8: After Beach Bar
One of our favourite places to just hang out with a cold beer or cocktail is After Beach Bar located on a hill overlooking the island of Phuket. Sunset here is phenomenal and highly recommended as is the massive menu of papaya salads (Som Tam) they have to offer. Bob Marley tunes linger in the background while the staff is made up of dreadlocked Rastafarians and ‘relaxed’ locals being super friendly and happy to hang around for a chat pointing out in to the horizon with explanations of what you can see. This place is the perfect end to a day by watching the sun set over the Andaman sea while you sit perched high above the bustling city in a shack with major Jamaican feels in Thailand.
GYG recommends: Try the various kinds of papaya salads (som tam), stir fry shrimp, chicken skewers, steamed fish thai style and cocktails
Address: 44 Kata Rd, Tambon Karon, Amphoe Mueang
Expense level: $$
No. 9: Bocconcino Phuket
Located on the main street of Surin beach is this Italian haunt with quite a fancy feel. Surin beach does not have many options in terms of amazing food places (in our opinion) but this one did stand out for its Italian-style pizzas and carefully crafted handmade pastas.
Top dish to order: Truffle burrata cheese with parma and san daniele ham, Linguine with clams and tuna bottarga, Black squid ink tagliatelle with crab meat, Asparagus and cherry tomatoes, Calabrese & seafood pizza are worthy of a mention too.
Address: 8/71 Moo 3, Surin Main Road Cherngtalay, Phuket
Expense level: $$$
No.10: Mor Mu Dong
For an unusual dining experience, we recommend a visit to Mor Mu Dong. Popular amongst both locals and tourists, this restaurant offers lazy lunch/dinner meals in small private wood “salas” (cabana style) built over a mangrove. That being said, it is a simple setting (plastic chairs and tables) offering a variety of Thai foods.
Top dish to order: Kaeng prik kraddok moo (pork curry), Pla pao – salt-crusted fish and Som tam salad.
Address: 32/9 Soi Mu Dong, Chao Fah East, Chalong
Expense level: $$
All restaurant recommendations are based on those provided by friends, locals, internet research and we hope you enjoy them as much as we did testing them. We apologize in advance for not being able to provide sufficient food/restaurant photos but you know how it gets when food arrives at the table 🙂
Happy eating!