27 Best Restaurants in Phuket

L’Arome by the Sea

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L’Arôme by the Sea Phuket is a contemporary French fine-dining restaurant dramatically set above Kalim Beach, just north of Patong. Perched on the cliffside, the restaurant offers one of the most spectacular sea views in Phuket, with uninterrupted panoramas of the Andaman Sea that evolve from daylight to sunset and into the night. Combining refined cuisine with a breathtaking coastal setting, L’Arôme by the Sea is widely regarded as one of the island’s premier dining destinations and is listed in the MICHELIN Guide Thailand.

Tambu

Tambu is a delicious Indian restaurant located on the rooftop of Avista Hideaway Phuket Patong, perched on a hill 2 km south of Patong Beach. This was one of my best surprises recently. My knowledge of Indian food was unfortunately limited, and I often associated it with rich dishes that make me full very fast.

Tambu changed that completely. The dishes are light, beautifully presented, and so delicious. The setting is stunning, with a high ceiling, a chandelier inspired by the tented palaces of India’s Mughal era, and views over the green hills and the Andaman Sea. It has become the place I like to take friends for a special occasion.

The Smokaccia Laboratory

The Smokaccia Laboratory in Surin Beach is a unique restaurant by Chef Luca Mascolo from Italy. I was lucky to review hundreds of restaurants with my previous job, from local food to fancy places, but I would often be a bit bored with the ceremony surrounding each dish and the lack of real surprises.

At Smokaccia, I was genuinely impressed. Every dish was unique, and the casual way Chef Luca explained each creation made the whole experience fun. The restaurant focuses on light and crispy sourdough creations, with an 18-course menu showcasing modern fine cuisine and a zero-waste philosophy. The spacious, warmly decorated venue allows guests to watch the team at work. Now listed in the Michelin Guide, I never miss a chance to go back.

hom Restaurant at Intercontinental

A dinner at Hom Restaurant at the Intercontinental Phuket Resort on Kamala Beach is a truly luxurious experience. The setting is breathtaking, with the hotel’s stunning architecture standing out against the hillside. As you walk toward the restaurant, the carefully crafted design creates a memorable atmosphere.

Inside, the minimalist décor is both elegant and inviting. The 10-course menu focuses on traditional fermentation techniques, using fresh local ingredients to enhance flavours. The intimate dining room ensures privacy, while the friendly staff and thoughtful wine pairings add to the relaxed yet sophisticated experience. It’s the perfect spot for a special occasion.

SōL Phuket

SōL Phuket is a new all-day dining spot near Bang Tao Beach, opened in late 2024 by Chef Top Russell. If that name sounds familiar, he’s the Thai chef behind Mia in Bangkok, which has held a Michelin star for three consecutive years. Sol is his hometown project, a return to the island where he grew up.

Samut

Samut holds a special place for me because it is a restaurant from an old friend, Chef Ton, who runs the now-famous Le Du Restaurant in Bangkok. I had the chance to be one of the very first to try his creations, and it is always amazing. The restaurant serves modern Thai cuisine, focusing on local seafood prepared with local ingredients and spices. Samut, meaning “Ocean” in Thai, is set inside the Chivitr Hotel in Nai Harn. While it looks like a high-end restaurant, it brings a fresh and unique touch to Phuket’s dining scene.

Maska

Maska brings authentic Indian street food to the hotel’s dining options. The restaurant combines Indian street-style energy with modern design, featuring pop-art walls and a curated playlist. The menu focuses on comfort classics: proper chaat, smoky kebabs, fragrant biryanis, and curries made for sharing. Complimentary chai flows through the afternoon, while lassis and kokum fizz cool things down. Come evening, spice-infused cocktails take over.

Bisou Phuket

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Bisou Phuket is the island branch of Michelin Guide listed Bisou Bangkok, opened by chef Antoine and sommelier Théo. Both trained in Michelin-starred kitchens in Paris before moving to Thailand. The cooking is modern French with subtle Japanese influences, built on proper technique but lighter and more inventive than traditional French dining. The menu changes with the seasons, and a serious wine list is a big part of the experience. The space is intimate and well designed, making it one of the better restaurants for a romantic dinner in the Bang Tao area. No stiffness, just good food and good wine.

Bucha Gallery and Restaurant

Bucha Gallery & Restaurant is a superb venue where guests can enjoy Thai antiques and authentic southern cuisine, run by the talented Chef Wina, who learned home cooking from her mother, Kae Ying, as she ran a shop on the market in Pak-Phanang Nakhon Si Thammarat, which is located 200 kilometres east of Phuket, on the east coast of Thailand.

Churrasco Phuket Steakhouse

Located in the popular Jungceylon Mall in Patong Beach, Churrasco Phuket Steakhouse captures the essence of South America. The restaurant offers an extensive selection of premium Wagyu and Black Angus steaks, including popular cuts like Tenderloin, Ribeye, Striploin, Flank, and T-Bone/Porterhouse at reasonable prices and in a casual and cosy atmosphere.

HEH Restaurant

HEH was a true surprise. I had no expectations when I walked in. The restaurant looks modern but not pretentious, run by Thai chef Oat (Nattaphon Othanawathakij) on the outskirts of Phuket Town. The food was a real revelation. Creative, fresh, and light, just the way I like it. They dry-age and process their fish in-house to enhance flavour and tenderness.

It is a great place for a special dinner at reasonable prices, where you really can appreciate the taste of each bite. This is one of the best restaurants in Phuket Town, and you should try it if you get a chance.

Black Ginger Restaurant

Black Ginger is a beautiful and excellent Thai restaurant in the middle of a small lake inside the Slate Resort on Nai Yang Beach. The food is delicious, and the magical setting adds a surreal touch to the experience as a raft gently glides from the restaurant to pick you up at the deck, illuminated by real torches.

Chef Piak prepares unique and genuine Thai cuisine, including some Phuket specialities and fabulous desserts. You should try her Som Tam, Tom Yum, Panaeng curry and crispy prawns with battered Cha-Plu leaves.

Acqua

Acqua is a fantastic Italian restaurant run by talented and friendly Chef Alessandro Frau for just ten years. This exclusive dining has received many awards and accolades, including a ‘Plate’ award and the new Phuket Michelin Guide. The beautifully decorated restaurant is just outside Patong Beach on the way to Kamala, almost hidden in Kalim Beach. Acqua has been open for a decade, consistently growing in popularity, and Chef Alessandro’s creativity has only improved.

Jaras

Jaras is an exclusive restaurant serving superbly presented modern Thai Cuisine near the beach at The Intercontinental Phuket in Kamala Beach. The restaurant is listed in the Michelin Guide, and my dining experience confirmed that the listing is fully justified. The food is delicious, well-balanced and beautifully presented. The wine list is extensive, and the sommelier’s recommendation for each wine is clear and spot on.

Raya House

Raya House is a special place because it was already here when I first came to Phuket in 1990. At the time, it was just a normal family restaurant running in their own house. It was always great and cheap. Over the years, it became popular, and it is not unusual to meet Thai celebrities from Bangkok stopping for dinner.

It got more expensive with time and fame, but I still go and still love it. Especially the crab curry with rice vermicelli. That dish alone is worth the trip. The beautiful old house and excellent Thai food make it a perfect place to dine near the old town.

Suay Cherngtalay Restaurant

Suay Cherngtalay is a popular and excellent restaurant serving modern Thai cuisine with a creative touch by chef Noi Tammasak (Suay means beautiful in Thai). The restaurant is very inviting, divided into two areas. The main dining room is a welcoming indoor building with large wooden tables, a cocktail bar, and a floor-to-ceiling glass facade. The outdoor sitting area in a garden is lovely, with a more casual atmosphere, a covered area and another bar.

Tu Kab Khao Restaurant

Tu Kab Khao is a favourite Thai restaurant in Phuket town that serves great southern Thai food. Give yourself a chance to try their selection of dishes that are typical of Phuket. Tu Kab Khao is the name given to every Thai house’s small closet long ago to keep the food safe from ants and flies for the next meal. The feet of that closet were placed in a bowl of water to keep the ants away.

Moo Hong Phuket

Benny’s Cocktails & Grill

Benny’s Cocktail and Grill is an understated gem hidden by the roadside in Bangtao Beach. It opened in 2015 and specialises in meat but offers many excellent other options, including Thai food. The restaurant is beautifully designed, with floor-to-ceiling glass walls around the dining room. The lighting is extremely well designed and creates a cosy atmosphere in a vast open room.

Mom Tri’s Kitchen

Mom Tri’s Kitchen is one of the longest-established restaurants in Phuket, one of the few places serving authentic cuisine when there was just a handful. Chef Darren and Chef Sura prepare excellent Thai cuisine, including seafood and some real Phuket dishes. The restaurant is in a wooden Thai-style house on a small cliff with beautiful sea views. Mom Tri’s Kitchen is also known for keeping a superb wine cellar for your romantic dinner. Prices are high, and as it is quite popular, I recommend booking in advance.

La Gritta Restaurant

La Gritta at Amari Phuket at the southern end of Patong combines excellent Italian cuisine with a unique view of the entire Patong Bay and spotless service at a reasonable price. Book in advance and take your loved one to a great romantic evening you won’t forget.

Mor Mu Dong

Mor Mu Dong has always been one of my all-time favourites, and I go there often. It has never really changed in the 30 years I’ve been here. Sure, it got bigger and busier, but it still looks the same, with those huts over the mangrove where you eat on the floor. I still order the same dishes I ordered 30 years ago, like the fish in salt crust. Their seafood is excellent and as local as it gets. The beloved “Gaeng Som Pla”, a pungent and sour fish curry, is really spicy but so good if you can take it. If you travelled all the way to Thailand to experience real Thai food, this is an experience you won’t forget. If you can’t eat on the floor, there are areas where you can sit on chairs, but it’s not as fun.

Kan Eang at Pier

Kan Eang is another excellent restaurant in Phuket with decades of successful stories. The setting is superb, the food is delicious, and I love to go whenever possible. Some might argue that seafood is more expensive than it should be and that you can get cheaper seafood elsewhere. Well, yes and no.

Crabs, squid, prawns and other seafood are larger, fresher and sweeter than in your average Thai restaurant. Both seafood and Thai food are delicious, and the setting by the sea is perfect for a lazy lunch or dinner by the sea. I love to go there for a relaxing Sunday lunch.

Kruvit Floating Restaurant

Kruvit Raft is one of those classic Phuket experiences that has not changed much over the years, and that is exactly why I keep going back. Several large wooden rafts are connected together with thatched roofs over basic tables, floating between the east coast and Koh Maphrao (Coconut Island). A free longtail boat takes you there in five minutes from Laem Hin Pier.

Phuket Best Restaurants 2018

Phuket Best Restaurants

Tom Khlong Pla Gao – the dish we loved most

The seafood is as fresh as it gets. Fish, crabs, prawns and lobsters are all kept in nets between the rafts. Point at the big grouper, and it is on your plate within minutes. Listed in the Michelin Guide, it is not a luxury place, and that is part of its charm. Try to go at high tide for the best views.

Ton Mayom (ต้นมะยม)

Ton Mayom used to be a quiet roadside restaurant on the outskirts of Phuket Town, known only to locals. I used to order from here and have the food delivered to my nearby office. Then the Michelin Guide discovered it, and everything changed. There is now a queue outside most days.

Phuket Best Restaurants 2018

Phuket Best Restaurants

Tom Khlong Pla Gao – the dish we loved most

Run by Khun Hua and her sister Khun Aood, the food is bold, authentic southern Thai. Some dishes are seriously spicy, even by local standards. Their Gaeng Tai Pla is one of the best on the island, and the Gaeng Som is pungent and addictive. If you want to taste real Phuket food far from the tourist trail, this is where you go.

Blue Elephant Phuket

Blue Elephant is both a famous Thai restaurant and a cooking school. The food is delicious, and the presentation is more elaborate than in most Thai restaurants on the island. What strikes most is the setting in the old and beautiful Phra Pitak Chinpracha Mansion that long ago belonged to a governor. The food is excellent, the presentation is superb, the service is impeccable, the wine list is impressive, and the house is fantastic. Many good reasons to visit the Blue Elephant. The price is relatively high, so keep it for a special occasion.

One Chun Restaurant

One Chun is very popular with locals, and it is usually a pretty good clue about the food served. One Chun serves a great choice of Thai and Phuket dishes at a fair price in a fun and casual restaurant. The historical Phuket Town location next to the weekend street market makes it an excellent opportunity to end your exploration day with great Phuket food. Note that One Chun is cash-only.

Tom Khlong Pla Gao – the dish we loved most

Hor Mok Talay

Best Country Beef

A special mention for one of my favourite non-Thai casual restaurants in Phuket is Best Country Beef, a place to treat yourself if you are craving a perfectly cooked steak after a day of exploring Old Phuket Town. The restaurant is on Dibuk Road, in an old-fashioned house with a wooden facade that reminds a bit of an old Japanese shop. Inside is a long, welcoming dining room, half occupied by the open kitchen. The choice of steaks is attractive, and while the prices may appear a little high at first, they are justified considering the quality of the meat.