Authentic Trattoria at Boat Avenue
Luca Cini is a proper Italian trattoria at Boat Avenue in Bang Tao, run by Luca Cini himself. He’s a sommelier who trained with the Italian Sommeliers Association in Rome before moving to Phuket in 2013. The restaurant opened on Christmas Day 2014 and just celebrated its 10th anniversary. It holds the Ospitalità Italiana certification from the Italian Chamber of Commerce, which recognises authentic Italian cuisine abroad.
What makes it different from other Italian places in Phuket is the deli counter. You walk in, and there’s a glass case with imported cold cuts, Parma ham at 4.8 Baht per gram, various salami, bresaola, lardo, and Italian cheeses. Behind that, a wall of wines organised by region. Toscana, Sicilia, Sardegna, Veneto. Luca selects them all personally.
The Food
Chef Bruna Filipelli runs the kitchen. She’s Italian and makes all the pasta fresh daily. That’s not something you find everywhere in Phuket. The rigatoni amatriciana is excellent. So is the melanzane alla parmigiana. I had a simple penne with tomato sauce and capers on my last visit, and it was a real treat.
The menu covers what you’d expect from a good trattoria: lasagna with slow-cooked ragù, handmade gnocchi, carbonara, and tagliatelle with seafood. Mains run around 590 Baht. Not cheap, but portions are generous, and the ingredients are real.
The Restaurant
It’s a small place, maybe 60 seats between indoor and outdoor. Black and white photos of Italian food production cover the walls. There’s air conditioning inside and a terrace outside with bar stools if you just want wine and antipasti. The atmosphere feels like a family restaurant, not a fancy fine dining spot. You can come in shorts and a t-shirt.
Deli and Takeaway
You can buy cold cuts, cheeses, and fresh pasta to take home. Handy if you’re staying in a villa nearby and want to cook. They also do takeaway meals.
Luca Cini Info
Location: Bang Tao Beach – Boat Avenue
Address: 49 15 Bandon-Cherngtalay Rd, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket 83110
Hours: 11 am – 10 pm
Phone: 065 402 8998
Website: Click here
Luca Cini Map
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