Restaurants and cafes in Phuket

Phuket is a magnet for tourists from around the world, offering a delightful array of Thai cuisine. The island is also home to a diverse range of restaurants serving international cuisines.

Phuket's dining scene caters to various budgets, with prices varying from budget-friendly to high-end. The cost of dining in Phuket restaurants depends on the establishment's class and your appetite. You can enjoy most Thai dishes starting at 200 THB. Delectable options like shrimp, seafood, or meat dishes are available from 400 THB, while salads or desserts typically cost around 150 THB.

Best Restaurants in Phuket

Thai Cuisine

Phuket's best dining experiences can undoubtedly be found in its Thai cuisine restaurants. These establishments offer a vast selection of fresh seafood, prepared right before your eyes. The warm and welcoming atmosphere adds to the overall culinary delight. Here are a couple of noteworthy options:

• Patong Seafood

One of the island's oldest Thai cuisine restaurants, conveniently located near the bustling Patong Bangla Road. It enjoys popularity not only among tourists but also with locals, so booking in advance is advisable.

• Baan Rim Pa, also known as Blue Elephant

This is a unique place where you can savor authentic and spicy Thai dishes.

European Cuisine Restaurants

Phuket boasts a wide array of European cuisine restaurants. Here are some notable establishments where you can enjoy European flavors:

• Traditional Italian Pizzeria M&M and the restaurant "Margarita," where you can savor dishes prepared by an authentic Italian chef.
• Italian Restaurant Cazanova.
• The unique restaurant-museum Natural.
• Pancake Village Kreps.

Japanese Food Establishments

For enthusiasts of exotic Japanese cuisine, Phuket offers a selection of fantastic options, including:

• Fuji
• Sukushi
• Zen
• Yayoi
• The recently opened Shabu Shi.

These restaurants provide an array of Japanese delights, from traditional miso soups to sushi and delectable dumplings filled with shrimp and vegetables.

Mid-Priced Establishments

Food Courts

Most malls (e.g., Tesco Lotus, Patong Promenade, Central Festival, Jungceylon) on the island have their own food court. These food courts feature several gastronomic outlets with an optimal price-to-quality ratio.

Payment in the food court follows a simple principle: customers decide how much money they want to spend on their meal. They load this amount onto a special card at the cash desk and use it to pay for their orders. Any remaining balance is refunded in cash. The average bill at a food court is approximately 150 THB.

Buffets

Phuket also offers several buffet-style dining options where you pay a fixed amount for entry and can enjoy an all-you-can-eat experience with no restrictions. The average cost of entering a buffet in Phuket is around 250 THB, providing a quick, hearty, and tasty meal.

Here are some of the best buffet options in Phuket:

• Golden Kinnaree Buffet: Located on the grounds where the Fantasia show is held.
• Mg.Gung
• Shibushi

Traditional Cafes

Phuket boasts a wide range of cafes, each offering its unique charm and character. Here are some of the best cafes in the area:

• Siam Boutique Cafe
• Bean and Gone: Known for its cozy ambiance and excellent coffee.
• Spoon and Starbucks: Representing well-known international chains.
• Papaya and Eightfold Restaurant: Located on Karon Beach, where you can enjoy a hearty and affordable meal.
• Pad Thai Shop: Found on Kata Beach, offering a wide selection of ethnic dishes.
• Thai Smile and No 9 2nd Restaurant: Providing both Asian and European cuisine options.

Unlike Phuket's restaurants, cafes generally offer more affordable prices while maintaining high food quality. You can expect to spend as little as 1,300 THB per month on dining in cafes. A cup of coffee typically ranges from 40 to 70 THB.

Street Food: Makashnits

When it comes to Thailand's renowned street food, you can't miss the famous "makashnikas." These are mobile food stalls attached to motorcycles or bicycles, where the vendors offer a variety of delicious treats, including:

• Fresh fruit
• Rice and noodles
• Pancakes
• Fried ice cream
• Fried insects

The prices for individual dishes at makashnikas start at just 5 THB, and even ordering a substantial meal won't cost you more than 80 THB.

Night Markets

For a taste of authentic island cuisine at affordable prices, explore Phuket's night markets. These bustling markets are typically open from 18:00 to 00:00, and they offer a wide variety of local dishes. Some of the most popular night markets include:

• Patong Night Market: Open on holidays
• Near Chalong Temple: Exclusive to New Year's Day
• Phuket Town Weekend Market (also known as Sandi, Naka, or Knight Market): Open every weekend near Naka Temple. It's a favorite gathering spot for both locals and visitors from Friday to Sunday.

Weekend Market: Features of the Trade

The Phuket Town Night Market is renowned for offering a wide range of delectable treats, including:

• Traditional Thai omelette with generously sprinkled herbs and gravy
• Local fast food options like fried squid, bugs, and grasshoppers
• Seafood: Stewed or fried crabs, shrimp, and mussels
• Meat or fish cutlets cooked in a wok, a typical Asian skillet
• Sate kai: Chicken or pork kebabs served with peanut sauce
• Yaki soba: Noodles with vegetables (starting from 20 THB)
• Japanese sushi and rolls (starting from 5 THB)
• Ho-mok: A soufflé made from shredded fish with coconut milk, spices, and pepper
• Make your own: Create your own meat patties, light and simple
• Fried quail eggs: Served with gravy (a dozen starting from 10 THB)
• Potato tornado: Spiral-shaped chips made in a deep fryer

Most food stalls provide tables and chairs, allowing you to enjoy your meal on-site. While noodles can be packed in special plastic containers to go, it's recommended to savor hot fried crabs immediately.

How to Get to the Weekend Market: You can take a cab, motorcycle, or tuk-tuk to Central Festival Shopping Center and then head towards Chalong. At the first traffic light, turn right. Alternatively, if you're coming from Kata and Karon Beach, you can take a public bus (blue songteo) to the Weekend Market.

There's no need to be cautious about trying street food in Phuket or exotic dishes in upscale restaurants. Thai cuisine relies on fresh ingredients, and price variations are mainly due to the level of service and ambiance. However, it's a good idea to inquire about the spiciness of a dish beforehand, as spices are a fundamental aspect of Thai cuisine.