Underscoring Phuket’s reputation as a haven for foodies, the island was designated a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy in 2015. In addition to the usual street food, you will also find high-end dining venues across Phuket serving fabulous dishes at sensible prices.
Whether you prefer seafood, som tam or steak, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best restaurants to try on your next visit to Phuket. These ‘best of lists’ are always subjective, but these are Phuket restaurants we’ve dined at and are happy to recommend from personal experience. Our selection is shown here in alphabetical order
Blue Elephant
A long-standing favourite for discerning diners, Blue Elephant is located in the historic Phra Pitak Chinpracha mansion. This elegant Sino-Portuguese building was the former home of the Governor of Phuket and provides an atmospheric dinner setting.
The menu at Blue Elephant is befitting of such a classic setting with Chef Nooror focussing on Thai Heritage Cuisine. Among the stand-out local dishes on the menu, look out for moo hong (braised pork belly), massaman curry, and tubo (a famous Phuket dessert).
Kalido
With a lovely location overlooking the sea near Bang Tao Beach, Kalido is ideal for a romantic dinner or special occasion.
Under the expert guidance of Chef Tammasak, Kalido offers a Mediterranean-inspired menu that makes the most of the fresh seafood that Phuket is renowned for. From the White Fish Ceviche for starters through to the Phuket Lobster Piri Piri for mains and the deliciously decadent Dark Chocolate Fondant for dessert, the presentation is as exquisite as the taste. Check out the full menu here. An excellent wine selection rounds off the perfect dinner at Kalido.
PRU
PRU is Phuket’s first (and so far only) restaurant with a Michelin star. The restaurant has recently adopted what they describe as a “community-to-fork gastronomy experience”. As part of this approach, the restaurant is sourcing more locally produced products and ingredients to help support Phuket suppliers and artisans.
Diners won’t be surprised by the fine dining on offer at PRU, but may be surprised to see there is no wall between the kitchen and the dining room. This allows diners to appreciate even more the dining experience that awaits.
Raya
Conveniently located in a homely building in the heart of Phuket Town, Raya is a restaurant born from the love of cooking. Khun Kularb used to cook informally for family and friends before being encouraged to open her own restaurant in the 1990s. Fast forward to today and Raya is a much-loved venue that has regularly hosted Thai royalty.
The secret to the popularity and quality of dishes at Raya is the passion of Khun Kularb who sums it up succinctly: “I’m always cooking with heart.” That translates into wonderfully tasty dishes like kung makham (fried shrimp with tamarind sauce), gaeng pu (southern-style crab curry) and khua kling moo (spicy dry curry with pork).
Suay
Suay is another of Phuket’s high-end restaurants to benefit from the creative flair of celebrity chef, Tammasak ‘Noi’ Chootong. Suay — the name means beautiful in Thai, but is also an acronym for Sassy, Unique, Authentic, Yummy — was established in 2010. The original is located in Cherngtalay, and the restaurant consistently receives good reviews, not just for the quality of food, but also for the high level of service.
Tu Kab Khao
When you’re exploring Phuket Town, Tu Kab Khao on Phang Nga Road is easy to spot. Look for the elegant Sino-Portuguese building with a giant model of a sea creature attached to the outside wall.
Whether you’re a fan of the quirky outdoor artwork or not, there are no gimmicks inside this homely restaurant that serves authentic Southern Thai food. Tu Kab Khao is popular with Thai diners and despite the grand setting and quality of the ingredients used, prices are reasonable.
Wagyu Steakhouse
Meat lovers visiting Phuket should make a beeline for Wagyu Steakhouse. Located a 5-minute stroll away from Surin Beach, this intimate venue is one of the best locations in Southern Thailand to enjoy a top-quality steak. Wagyu Steakhouse is also a great example of a fine-dining restaurant that remains unpretentious.
Enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail upstairs before heading to the restaurant. With such a tempting array of prime Argentinian, Australian, and Japanese beef, deciding what to order can be an enjoyable dilemma. Friendly English-speaking staff are on hand to offer advice if required. Attention to detail here marks this restaurant as extra special with diners able to choose their steak knife from a selection of top-of-the-range knives from France, Japan and Sweden.
About our guest contributor:
My name is Roy Cavanagh and I’ve been fortunate enough to live in Thailand and travel to every region of the country over a number of years. Thaizer.com is where I share my knowledge and experience with you. Just like any destination, Thailand has its good points and its bad points and I try to offer honest and practical advice.
