Phuket Restaurant & Dining Guide

Thai cuisine is definitely an added attraction for many tourists to Thailand. Phuket has numerous restaurants that do justice to the local cuisine. Thais are typically very fond of foods and because of this, the cuisine and restaurants flourished here. For Thais, eating is an occasion to spend time with family and friends.

As anywhere else, Phuket has a wide variety of eateries, ranging from street-side vendors to plush five-star restaurants. To get to know the Thai people, their culture and their food intimately, you should pay a visit to the street vendor. Phuket is famous all over the world for its seafood dishes with fresh fish, crab and shrimp. Some of the most popular dishes are Goong Makham, fried prawns with Tamarind sauce, Goong Tord Gratiem Prik Thai, deep fried tiger prawns, Gaeng Kiew Wan, sweet and spicy green curry and Tom Yum Goong, a shrimp soup.

In Phuket, you will find restaurants offering a variety of cuisines, due to the flow of tourists throughout the year. You will find restaurants having Chinese, Japanese, American, Italian, French and German cuisines as well.

With a good influx of tourists to Phuket, there are many high quality restaurants all over the island, especially the beach areas. The high-end restaurants have internationally famous chefs serving local, international and fusion cuisines with great flourish. International restaurants are costlier than those serving local cuisine.

Some of the international restaurants popular among both tourists and Thais are listed here. Refer the budget guide given at the bottom for explanation of symbols.

Budget Guide
$ dishes up to 100b; quart of beer 60-80b; shot of whiskey 80-90b; cocktails 100 b
$$ dishes 100-250b; quart of beer 80-100b; shot of whiskey 100b; cocktails 125-150b
$$$ dishes 250b+; quart of beer 100b+; shot of whiskey 120b+; cocktails THB 150b+
$$$$ first class international restaurants with meals in excess of 400b

International Restaurants in Phuket

Green Man Pub and Restaurant: This has the atmosphere of a conventional English pub, with a wide selection of imported beer. It offers good quality food and on Sundays, they serve roast. On holidays, they have special menus. Address: 82/15 Moo 4, Patak Road, Chalong (076) 281445, Telephone: +66 (0) 76 281445, Budget: $$

W Wine Bar and Bistro: This bistro is part of the Wine Collection. It has excellent variety of main dishes as well as meat and cheese plates. Address: Fisherman Way Business Centre, Chalong, Budget: $$$

Khanasutra: This is an Indian restaurant serving all types of Indian cuisines, with good food and great ambience. Address: 18-20 Takua-Pa Road, Phuket City, Telephone: + 66 (0) 76-256192, Budget: $$

The Family: This restaurant serves Mediterranean cuisine, including shawarma, falafel and hummus. They undertake bulk orders from sailors. Address: Chalong Circle, Budget: $$

Salvatore’s: An Italian restaurant specializing in wood-fired pizzas. The highlights are their exceptional service and cigars on offer. Address: 15 Ratsada Road, Telephone: + 66 (0) 76 225 958, Budget: $$$

Buffalo Steak House: Highlights are the meat imported from New Zealand, ample portions. It has three outlets on three beach locations. Address: Patong, Karon, Kata, Telephone: + 66 (0) 76 340855, Budget: $$$

Upscale Thai Restaurants in Phuket

The Natural Restaurant: Wide variety of excellent Thai dishes, stylish décor and multilevel seating arrangements for the convenience of diners. Address: 62/5 Soi Phutorn Bangkok Road, Phuket City, Telephone: + 66 (0) 76 224287, Budget: $+

Ban Klung Jinda: Retain ancient ambience with the restaurant operating out of an attractive erstwhile house. On offer is the conventional Siam Spice Thai cuisine. Address: 158 Yaowarat Road, Phuket City, Telephone: +66 (0) 76 221777, Budget: $$+

Ban Rim Pa: Has the old-world appeal with a classy piano bar and excellent wine collection. The panoramic view and award-winning Thai food adds to the enjoyment. Address: 223 Kalim Beach Road, Patong (076) 340789, Telephone: +66 (0) 76 340789, Budget: $$$

Banana Corner: Excellent open-air restaurant with mouth-watering Thai cuisine at unbelievably low prices. A good choice for a leisurely dinner. Address: 43/37 Saiyuan Road, Moo 1, Rawai, Telephone: + 66 (0) 76 289045, Budget: $+

Restaurants in Patong

Floyd’s: This is the first Keith Floyd restaurant outside Australia. It is attached to Burasari Hotel. The food is good, but quite expensive. Telephone: +66 (0) 76 292929, Budget: $$$$

Joe’s Downstairs and Da Maurizio: These two restaurants are connected by a stairway, which leads to a private beach. Highlight is the view across the sea, which is said to be the best in Phuket. Both are very expensive. Joe’s is famous for tapas. Da Maurizio has on offer private chef service with personalized menu. Telephone: + 66 (0) 76 344254, Budget: $$$$

Da Mario: This Italian restaurant offers comfortable dining options with fresh seafood and homemade pastas. Address: South Patong, near CNN Hotel, on the road to Karon, Telephone: + 66 (0) 76 398056, Budget: $$$

Savoey: A popular seafood restaurant with both outdoor and indoor seating options. Excellent Thai food. The chef is open to suggestions from the guests. Address: Beach Road, Patong, Telephone: + 66 (0) 76 341171-4, Budget: $$$

Lim’s: This small but modern restaurant has unusual décor and art pieces adorning its walls. They serve Thai cuisine. Address: Kalim, Telephone: + 66 (0) 76 344834, Budget: $$

Restaurants in Kata and Karon

Ratri Jazztaurant: Hilltop restaurant with excellent views of the Bay. Ritzy décor, friendly ambience and capital music. Telephone: +66 (0) 76 333538, Budget: $$

Joe’s South: The Kata outlet of the Patong restaurant, Joe’s Downstairs. Same menu. Address: Kata Gardens, Telephone: +66 (0) 76 285385, Budget: $$

Mom Tri’s Kitchen: This high-end restaurant is attached to the luxury resort, Villa Royale. This place used to be the private residence of its proprietor, the famous architect, Mom Tri Devakul. The hallmarks of this restaurant are the high quality food and extensive wine list. The restaurant offers panoramic views of the surroundings. Telephone: + 66 (0) 76 333569, Budget: $$$$

Boathouse: This beachfront restaurant is worth a visit for a sunset view with cocktails. The menu is also worth mentioning. Address: Beach Road, Kata, Telephone: + 66 (0) 76 330015-7, Budget: $$$$

Restaurants in Surin Beach

Twin Palms: This high-end restaurant has on offer the best brunch in Surin. Their smorgasbord has sushi, fresh oysters, beef, mash, cheeses and strawberry in chocolate sauce, with a complimentary bottle of white wine. Excellent for a relaxed dining experience. Budget: $$$$

Taste: This new restaurant located close to the sea offers international cuisine. They also have westernized versions of local cuisines. Like the pork belly in broth, which is an adaptation of the Malaysian dish, Bah Koot Tay. Their chocolate mousse steals the limelight, being the best on the island. Budget: $$

Twin Brothers: This beachside restaurant with rustic ambience is famous for their fresh seafood and mouth-watering pizzas. Budget: $$

Restaurants in Bangtao and Layan

Little India: A fine Indian restaurant offering a wide range of Indian foods. Service is efficient. The naan and kormas are worth trying. Address: Entrance to Laguna Complex, Telephone: +66 (0) 76 270673, Budget: $$$

Capri: Excellent restaurant for pastas, pizzas, ice creams and desserts. Affordable prices with good service. Address: Entrance to Laguna Complex, Telephone: + 66 (0) 76 345280, 076 34 5196, Budget: $$

Supper Club: Regular haunt of the rich and famous, while visiting the island. Friendly ambience and stylish décor. Telephone: +66 (0) 76 270936, Budget: $$$

Restaurants in North Phuket

Indigo Pearl Resort: This resort has two new restaurants, Rivet and Rebar. The unusual décor and modern atmosphere offers a change of scene. Address: Naiyang Beach, Telepone: + 66 (0) 76 327 006, Budget: $$$$

Trisara Resort: This super-luxury restaurant is ideal for a relaxed evening of cocktails followed by menu of your choice. Telephone: + 66 (0) 76 310100, Budget: $$$$

Laem Som Seafood: Looking across the Phang Nga Bay, this restaurant on pilings serves fresh seafood at affordable rates. Mostly patronized by locals, it is a wonder that tourists do not come often. Budget: $

Marriott’s Siam Deli: Attached to Marriott’s Resort, this deli shop is ideal to buy imported cheese, ham, fresh bread and olive oil. Their breakfast menu is excellent. Telephone: +66 (0) 76 270140, Budget: $$$

Restaurants in Phuket Town

Dibuk: This French restaurant occupies a century-old building and has the quaint appeal and atmosphere. The pate and steaks served here are beyond words. Telephone: +66 (0) 76 258148, Budget: $$$

Siam Indigo: This restaurant-cum-gallery is the perfect setting for art lovers, with many art pieces on display. They are known for grilled foods. Address: Near Kasikorn Bank, Phuket Town, Telephone: +66 (0) 76 256 697, Budget: $$$$

Salvatore’s: This traditional Italian restaurant with flashy décor and friendly ambience is well known for the calamari and ceasar salad. Food is excellent. Telephone: +66 (0) 76 225958, Budget: $$$

The Mangosteen Restaurant: This restaurant has on offer a fusion of international and Asian cuisines. The highlight here is the underground wine cellar. Address: 99/4 Moo 7, Soi Mangosteen, Rawai, Telephone: +66 (0)76 289399, Budget: $$$