Phuket restaurants serve all kinds of cuisine but finding real Thai food can be a little challenging. The large majority of the restaurants in the island’s tourist areas, such as Patong Beach, Kata or Karon, have been adjusting their tastes to accommodate first-timers. You probably would never see Thai people eating in those places, and it’s usually a sign. Real Thai food is often found in more modest areas of Phuket, and we list some great Local Thai Restaurants here. Phuket Seafood is also famous, and you should try the real thing without paying a fortune by checking out our Best Local Seafood Restaurants list.
Restaurants in Mai Khao Beach range from simple local spots to fine dining in luxury resorts. This long shoreline in north Phuket has roadside restaurants serving cheap and tasty Thai food, relaxed places with international menus, and high-end venues featured in the Michelin guide.
Discover Lertrod Kitchen near Phuket Airport, a Michelin-listed restaurant serving authentic Southern Thai cuisine in air-conditioned comfort just 5 minutes from the terminal.
Baboon Phuket feels like stepping into a secret hideaway in the jungle, even though you’re still in Phuket Town. It’s part of the Three Monkeys group, tucked into leafy grounds with big windows, greenhouse-style architecture, and both indoor and shaded outdoor seating.
Phu Anda Cafe sits quietly above Wat Charoen Samanakij on Toh Sae Hill (better known as Monkey Hill), offering one of Phuket Town’s hidden dining secrets, popular with locals
Lhong Khao is a charming Thai-Chinese restaurant that perfectly captures the spirit of Phuket Old Town. Located on Phuket Road in the heart of the historic district, this welcoming family-run restaurant has become popular among both locals and tourists looking for authentic flavours in a nice, casual setting.
Explore Phuket’s Food and Dining Event Calendar. Find brunches, buffets, and special dining events. Restaurants can list their events for free.
Roti Chaofa is a halal restaurant on East Chaofah Road in Phuket Town that’s been serving breakfast since the 1980s. The restaurant has long been famous for its handmade rotis and Thai-Muslim curries at budget-friendly prices.
Mook Manee is one of the many restaurants that show Rawai Beach’s massive transformation from a relatively unknown fishing village to a hungry tourist dining magnet.
Azzurro Ristorante at Central Phuket is a casual Italian restaurant located on the first floor of the Festival side of the mall. It’s a convenient stop for shoppers looking for pasta, pizza, and a mix of Italian favourites.
Rak Khun Bar is quite a new panoramic bar set above Kata Noi Beach, a bit simpler and relaxed than its fancy neighbours like Fira, The Sundeck, and the long-established After Beach Bar, which often draw bigger crowds and louder music.
Mee Ko Lan, originally called Mee Lok Tien, is a legendary noodle shop in Phuket that’s been open for more than 100 years. The story of these noodles began with Ko Lan’s teacher, a Cantonese immigrant who settled in Phuket.
Toh Daeng at Phuket Old Town is the new sister restaurant of the main Toh Daeng, which sits inside the heritage Baan Ar Jor mansion up at Mai Khao Beach. The restaurant stands out in that same dark red tone as the original, with matching red tables, no surprise since “Toh Daeng” means “Red Table.”
We heard about Kluay Mai Thai from local chefs and Michelin‑starred friends, so we booked, pre‑ordered, and drove to Chalong. The GPS ended in a quiet lane where a small Thai house sat behind trees.
Phuket Town’s Hokkien noodles are a simple way to taste the island’s Peranakan roots. We’re talking thick yellow egg noodles, stir‑fried fast in a hot wok with seafood or pork, leafy greens, soy sauces, and a little stock for a glossy finish.
Step inside Kor Ra Kang on Thalang Road, a massive pink-flower café in Phuket Old Town. Great for photos, mixed food reviews, and iconic selfie spots.
Ko Tee Sangkasi, listed in the Michelin Guide for Phuket, is a small restaurant on the outskirts of Phuket Town. The place has a red‑brown zinc roof, plastic chairs, and Pepsi‑Cola table covers, as is often the case in local restaurants. It’s always busy because the food is simple and really good.
For more than 30 years, we have been lucky to call Thailand home, and our passion for food has taken us everywhere—from the simple street stalls in Phuket Town to fine dining addresses run by Michelin-star chefs in Bangkok.
In the heart of Patong, 3 Uncles & A Barman is the kind of place you stumble into for lunch and end up staying past sunset. Part restaurant, part bar, part social hangout, it brings together three cuisines, one open kitchen, and a social island bar.
Baan Khao Soi is a small restaurant, newly opened in Kata, committed to delivering across Phuket, authentic Northern Thai Food, including the now famous Khao soi soup, a Thai northern dish with noodles and coconut broth.
The Cove is the signature all-day dining restaurant at Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket, offering a wide selection of international and modern Thai cuisine in a relaxed seaside setting