Real Phuket

Explore Thai food in Phuket with guides to local restaurants, street food, and authentic dishes. Discover where to eat classic and regional Thai cuisine on the island.

Rong Kopi Restaurant

Rong Kopi (โรงโกปี๊) is a small, always-busy restaurant tucked beside the Jui Tui Shrine in Phuket Town. It’s the kind of place you might walk past if you’re not paying attention—but once you step inside, it’s hard to forget.

Pun Tao Kong Shrine

Pun Tuao Kong Shrine (San Chao Phra Pun Tao Kong) is a small Chinese shrine sitting quietly on the edge of the road at the top of Patong Hill. Many people drive past it without noticing, but locals know it well.

Sui Boon Tong Shrine

Sui Boon Tong Shrine is a lesser-known Chinese shrine, but despite its discreet location and modest entrance, it remains an active spiritual site and plays a meaningful role during the annual Phuket Vegetarian Festival.

Chao Lay Sea Gypsy Village

Besides the Westin Siray Bay Resort and the temple, Koh Sirey is home to a Sea Gypsy village also known as Chao Lay. It’s not very large and not impressive, but it has a certain charm, as it hasn’t changed in ages

Aikwanich Mansion on Dibuk Road

You can’t miss this mint-green building when you walk through the heart of Phuket Old Town — it sits right at the corner where Dibuk Road meets Yaowarat Road, just opposite the Locktien Local Food Court, a beautiful example of the island’s old Sino-Portuguese architecture.

The Real Phuket

Phuket is known today for its beach clubs, resorts, and nightlife, but beyond the modern lifestyle, there is another side that many forget — what we call the “Real Phuket.” This side of the island hasn’t disappeared. It’s just a little quieter and often hidden.

Roti Taew Nam

Roti Taew Nam is one of those rare places in Phuket Town that never seems to change. Set right at the entrance of the Sunday Walking Street Market on Thalang Road, this tiny shop has been around for more than 70 years—and it feels like time stood still inside.

Long Hun Keng Shrine ⛩️

Long Hun Keng Shrine (肜雲宮) is a small and lesser-known Chinese shrine located along Thepkasattri Road in Phuket Town. Despite its modest size and low profile, it holds cultural significance for the local Chinese-Thai community, especially during the Vegetarian Festival.

Krua Praya Phuket

Krua Praya Phuket Restaurant is a hidden gem that offers an authentic Southern Thai dining experience. Nestled in a beautiful garden setting under the shade of small trees, this restaurant provides a casual yet charming open-air atmosphere.

Palai Seafood

Palai Seafood has been around for a long time — one of those names that come up when people talk about where to eat seafood near Chalong. It’s not hidden or secret; in fact, it’s right by the sea on the road that leads to Mor Mu Dong.

Talad Kaset Market

Kaset Market is in Phuket Town, behind Robinson shopping centre. It may be a bit smelly and dark for the first-timers, but it offers really good local produce in a fun local atmosphere and a good choice of goods)

Samnaksong Charoentham Kamala

Wat Baan Kamala is a modest temple near the entrance of town. It is quite modest, but the long lines of small golden Buddhas are worth a photo and a glimpse of real Thai life. Remember that this is a religious site so don’t wear too short clothes.

Wat Suwan Kirikhet (Karon Temple)

Wat Suwan Kirikhet is a small but beautiful temple in the back of Karon Beach that frequently hosts the popular Karon Temple Market and occasional funfairs, which are always fun to visit.

Wat Ladthi Wanaram (Wat Tai)

Wat Ladthi Wanaram, located in Chalong Subdistrict in the south of Phuket, is a temple of the Mahanikaya sect. The temple occupies 26 rai of land and has a rich history. It was founded in 1758 and received its royal charter on February 5, 1957.

Wat Sophon Wanaram

Wat Sophon Wanaram is a tiny but brightly decorated temple on the road between the Heroine monument and Bang Pae waterfalls. It is easy to spot the gate by the roadside.

Wat Sapam

Beautifully standing on the east coast of Phuket just opposite Koh Maphrao (Coconut Island), Wat Sapam is not often visited as cars usually drive (too) fast in these curves, and the street leading to the temple is hard to locate.

San Chao Hainan Shrine in Phuket Town

Located on the popular Thalang Road in the heart of Phuket Old Town, the Hainan Shrine is more than just a place of worship. Built in 1910, this beautiful shrine has been a cultural and spiritual centre for over a century, especially for the Hainanese community in Phuket.