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Real Phuket!

Experience Phuket like the locals and with the locals! Try excellent small restaurants most tourists miss entirely, local food, desserts and drinks, markets, shops and even beaches!

O Tao Si Yaek Jui Tui Restaurant in Phuket Town

O Tao Si Yaek Jui Tui

    O Tao Si Yaek Jui Tui sits right at one of the busiest intersections in Phuket Town, next to the famous Jui Tui Shrine. Finding the place is easy. Stopping to eat there is the tricky part.

    Chuan Heang Branch 1 in Phuket Town

    Chuan Heang Dim Sum Restaurant

      Chuan Heang is a locally famous dim sum restaurant located in Phuket Town that has been serving traditional breakfast fare for over 100 years. This historic establishment represents one of Phuket’s most enduring culinary traditions and is considered arguably the oldest breakfast restaurant on the island.

      Prawn Noodle Ao Ke Phuket Town

      Prawn Noodle Ao Ke

        Prawn Noodle Ao Ke in Phuket Town serves Hokkien-style prawn noodles that have kept locals and visitors coming back for more than a decade. The restaurant earned recognition from the Michelin Guide for consistently delivering simple, well-executed bowls built around one thing: prawn broth.

        Pink Boat Restaurant in Laem Hin, Phuket

        Pink Boat Restaurant

          Pink Boat is a small seaside restaurant on Phuket’s east coast, located just before the well-known Laem Hin Seafood restaurant. This casual spot offers southern Thai kanom jeen noodles with generous portions of fresh veggies and a panoramic sea view, all at wallet-friendly prices.

          Mae Ting Kanom Jeen in Phuket Town

          Mae Ting Kanom Jeen

            Mae Ting Kanom Jeen is one of Phuket Town’s popular breakfast destinations, serving traditional rice noodles with curry (Kanom Jeen) to locals for decade

            Pho Ta Toh Sae Shrine in Phuket Town

            Pho Ta Toh Sae Shrine

              Pho Ta Toh Sae Shrine is a small, old Chinese shrine renowned for its unusual display of tiger statues, located on Monkey Hill in Phuket Town. You will discover dozens of tigers in varying sizes and ages guarding the entrance and lining the inner courtyard.

              Roti Chaofa in Phuket Town

              Roti Chaofa

                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 Seafood in Rawai Beach, Phuket

                Mook Manee Restaurant

                  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.

                  Mee Ko Lan Restaurant in Phuket Town

                  Mee Ko Lan

                    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.

                    Kluay Mai Thai Restaurant Phuket

                    Kluay Mai Thai Restaurant

                      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.

                      Peranakan in Phuket Town

                      Peranakan Culture in Phuket Town

                        Discover Peranakan culture in Phuket Town with our concise guide to Old Town streets, museums, and heritage homes, plus tips for food, photos, and planning.

                        Ko Tee Sangkasi Restaurant

                        Ko Tee Sangkasi Restaurant

                          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.

                          Wat Karon Temple in Phuket

                          Wat Karon (Wat Suwan Khiri Khet)

                            Wat Karon, or Wat Suwan Khiri Khet, sits just inland from Karon Beach and has been part of the local community since 1895. It received its royal charter in 1939, marking its official status as a Buddhist temple in Phuket.

                            San Chao Mae Yanang Shrine in Phuket Town

                            San Chao Mae Yanang Shrine

                              San Chao Mae Yanang Shrine, stands on Krabi Road in Phuket Town. A Chinese migrant founded the temple in 1853 during Phuket’s tin-mining boom, when many Chinese families settled on the island and brought their beliefs and rituals with them.

                              Sam Pai Kong Shrine in Phuket

                              Sam Pai Kong Shrine

                                Sam Pai Kong Shrine, often called Bangku Shrine, stands on Thepkasattri Road in Koh Kaew, a few minutes east of the British International School. They believe Chinese tin mine workers built the first modest hall more than 100 years ago.

                                San Chao Jeng Ong Shrine in Phuket Town

                                San Chao Jeng Ong Shrine

                                  Tucked behind Vachira Phuket Hospital on Yaowarat Road, San Chao Jeng Ong Shrine is easy to miss. A banyan tree guards the entrance, filtering afternoon light onto a red facade trimmed with jade-green tiles and twisting dragons.

                                  Jok Samui in Phuket Town

                                  Jok Samui Restaurant

                                    Jok Samui Restaurant sits near the Jui Tui Temple intersection where Ranong Road meets Pattiphat Road in Phuket Town. The small shophouse is old and packed with character. Faded green tiles, humming ceiling fans, and two stainless steel tables set the scene for bowls of comfort that draw a crowd each night.

                                    Ratsada Road in Phuket Town

                                    Ratsada Road in Phuket Town

                                      Ratsada Road (Rassada Road) sits just a few blocks north of the more photographed streets like Thalang and Dibuk, but it’s a stretch we often find ourselves returning to.

                                      Rong Kopi Restaurant in Phuket Town

                                      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.

                                        San Chao Phra Pun Tao Kong Shrine

                                        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

                                            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.

                                            Aikwanich Mansion on Dibuk Road

                                            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

                                              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 Thaew Nam in Phuket Town

                                                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, this tiny shop has been around for more than 70 years.

                                                  Long Hun Keng Shrine in Phuket Town

                                                  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.

                                                    Ekachai Kai Ob Restaurant in Phuket Town

                                                    Ekachai Kai Ob Restaurant

                                                      Ekachai Kai Ob is the kind of local restaurant people often recommend when you ask where to find good Thai food in Phuket Town. Located right along a busy roadside, it might not look like much from the outside, but the tables are always full by dinner time.

                                                      Krua Praya Restaurant in Phuket

                                                      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.

                                                        Go La Hokkien Fried Noodles

                                                        Go La Hokkien Fried Noodles

                                                          Go La is a small noodle shop on Kra Road in Phuket Town, away from the tourist streets. I’ve been going for years. It’s been in the same family since the early 1900s, now run by the third generation.

                                                          Ton Mayom Restaurant in Phuket Town

                                                          Ton Mayom Restaurant (ต้นมะยม)

                                                            Ton Mayom (ต้นมะยม) is a long-established restaurant tucked along a busy roadside on the outskirts of Phuket Town. For decades, it was a low-key spot known only to locals, who came to enjoy its authentic Southern Thai dishes.

                                                            Karon Lake Seafood Restaurants

                                                            Seafood Restaurants near the Beach in Karon

                                                              For seafood or Thai food, you can choose one of the many small restaurants near the beach, and by the lake at the north end of Karon. They are relatively cheap, and while they are not serving haute cuisine, they have a unique exotic charm and a beach view.

                                                              Royros Restauarant on Ya Nui Beach in Phuket Island

                                                              Royros Restaurant

                                                                Royros is a lively local restaurant located along the roadside of Ya Nui Beach in Phuket. With its large outdoor seating area shaded by tall trees, it’s an excellent spot to enjoy a meal or a drink after activities like swimming, snorkelling, kayaking, or relaxing on the beautiful beach

                                                                Ya Nui Restaurant in Phuket

                                                                Ya Nui Restaurant

                                                                  There are two or three restaurants around, which also rent basic bungalows. One is called Ya Nui Restaurant, and it’s just across the street from the beach, set in the welcome shade of tall trees; it is a perfect place for lunch. They serve excellent Thai food at the right price, so don’t hesitate.

                                                                  Star Mountain Cafe on the hill leading to Phuket Big Buddha

                                                                  Star Mountain Sunset Restaurant

                                                                    Star Mountain Sunset Restaurant is another tiny open-air restaurant where we occasionally stop for the sweeping views of the bay of Karon below. The cafe is located just before arriving at the Big Buddha and serves drinks and simple Thai food.

                                                                    Chuan Chim Restaurant in Phuket Town

                                                                    Chuan Chim Restaurant

                                                                      A small local restaurant on Montri Road in Phuket Town, where most jewellery shops are. Chuan Chim is quite large, simple and spotlessly clean. The food is cheap and excellent. We loved the fried basil with minced pork or chicken and the seafood salad.

                                                                      Talad Kaset Market in Phuket Town

                                                                      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)

                                                                        Mee Jirayuwat Phuket

                                                                        Mee Jirayuwat

                                                                          This local restaurant appeared in a famous Korean Magazine, and many customers are now Korean. Their speciality is a Seafood Hokkien noodle soup. Order two; you won’t regret it. Choose between ‘Hokkien Mee’, a fat round yellow noodle, or ‘Ba Mee’, a thin egg noodle. The noodles can be served dry or ‘Hang’ (soup on the side). They are located on Phang Nga Road in Phuket Town.

                                                                          Siang Khaeng Local Restaurant Phuket

                                                                          Siang Khaen

                                                                            Siang Khaeng is as big and basic as a warehouse but always full for dinner! The best dishes we know are Som Tam (Papaya Salad), Laab Het (Mushroom spicy hot salad), Kai, Namtok Nua (Beef Salad) and Pladook Foo (Grilled Cat Fish). But the list is extensive. Therefore, this place serves Esarn Food, which can be quite spicy (in northern Thailand). They are located on On Mae Luan Road, almost opposite the Mitsubishi Showroom.

                                                                            Cue Bar Rooftop Bar and restaurant in Phuket Town

                                                                            Cue Bar in Phuket Town

                                                                              Cue Bar is a friendly place to enjoy live music and pool in the Phuket Old Town area on Phang Nga Road. The bar is split into two sections, with its main bar, pool table and stage found on the air-conditioned ground floor space with a sports bar vibe, and an open-air rooftop bar.

                                                                              Khumkathu Mookata

                                                                              Khum Kathu Mookata in Kathu

                                                                                Khum Kathu is a popular mookata restaurant with a unique location by a small lake. In addition to the relaxing view, the open air allows a cool breeze to flow through the dining area.

                                                                                Krua Kao Kuk Restaurant in Phuket Town

                                                                                Krua Kao Kuk

                                                                                  Krua Kao Kuk is a hidden gem on the outskirts of Phuket Town, praised for its simple and delicious southern Thai cuisine. Founded by a Peranakan family in 1995, it’s a favourite among locals for fresh seafood dishes, vegetables with ginger, and classic Thai comfort food like omelettes and pork belly.

                                                                                  Ka Moo Boran in Kathu

                                                                                  Kha Moo Boran

                                                                                    Kha Mu Boran is a very discreet and modest restaurant at a busy intersection of Kathu. It is easily missed as you drive by and not easy to park, but when you know the place, it is worth it for a delicious casual lunch.

                                                                                    Salaloy Seafood Restaurant in Phuket

                                                                                    Salaloy Seafood

                                                                                      Salaloy Seafood Restaurant in Phuket is located on Rawai Beach, in the very south of Phuket. Divided into two parts on each side of the busy beachfront road, the kitchen and main dining room are on one side and a sidewalk by the ocean and under the tall trees.

                                                                                      Thai Mueang Restaurant Phuket

                                                                                      Thai Mueang Restaurant Phuket

                                                                                        Thai Mueang Restaurant is set in an ancient house that is more than 100 years old and has been renovated to make it new and beautiful just next to the Chinpracha House Museum.

                                                                                        Mee Sapam Phuket

                                                                                        Mee Sapam Phuket

                                                                                          Mee Sapam is a famous 50-year-old restaurant located on the outskirts of Phuket Town. It is owned by a local Phuketian, Khun Yai Chian, and is listed in the Phuket Michelin Guide.

                                                                                          TohFaeng Resturant at Baan Ar Jor on Mai Khao Beach, Phuket

                                                                                          Toh Daeng Restaurant

                                                                                            Toh Daeng (which means Red Table) is a beautifully decorated Thai restaurant at Baan Ar Jor House Museum on Mai Khao Beach. The place intelligently combines two rooms in one, allowing families and friends to sit together at very long tables.

                                                                                            Daeng Restaurant on Karon Beach

                                                                                            Daeng Restaurant on Karon Beach

                                                                                              Daeng Restaurant is a beachfront local venue located right on the sand of Karon Beach, next to Centara Grand Beach Resort Karon, which is a rare setting in this area.

                                                                                              Piset Restaurant Phuket

                                                                                              Piset Restaurant Phuket

                                                                                                Piset Restaurant is a fun place on Yaowarat Road in the old Phuket town that has been very popular with the young local crowd for serving creative Thai food for many years. The restaurant is run by Khun Praew, a famous local influencer and a member of one of the longest-established families in Phuket.

                                                                                                Green Heart Garden Kata Beach

                                                                                                Green Heart Garden Kata Beach

                                                                                                  Green Heart Garden is a superb hidden restaurant perched high on the hills above Kata Beach and blessed with incredible panoramic views of the Andaman Sea.

                                                                                                  Sugar and Spice Restaurant in Kata Beach, Phuket

                                                                                                  Sugar and Spice Restaurant

                                                                                                    Sugar and Spice is very popular for serving excellent traditional Thai food at the right price in Kata Beach. If, for some odd reason, you’re not in the mood for Thai food.