Make sure you are awake when the aircraft lands in Phuket. As the plane descends, you’ll be treated to stunning aerial views of the Andaman Sea, with its turquoise waters stretching endlessly towards the horizon. Small, lush islands dot the ocean, and as you get closer, you’ll see the sandy beaches of Phuket’s western coastline. The aircraft taxis past palm trees and tropical greenery—a great note to begin a holiday on.
Phuket is about the relaxed island vibe, stunning beaches, and vibrant nightlife; but it’s quite the haven for food lovers too. The food scene is a fusion of Thai, Chinese, Malay, and Peranakan influences, making it one of the most diverse culinary destinations in Thailand. There’s an abundance of both street food and fine dining options. Local night markets serve delicious street eats like satay, Pad Thai, Hokkien noodles (thick, egg-based yellow noodles often stir-fried or braised with various ingredients like pork, prawns, squid, and vegetables), grilled seafood, and mango sticky rice. On the other end of the spectrum, fine dining spots and beachside restaurants serve gourmet interpretations of Thai classics with breathtaking ocean views.
While you can be in the centre of all the action, the beaches and party spots like Bangla Road and Kata, we found that Phuket Old Town is the heart of the island’s culinary heritage. It’s also the best bet for those looking for a quieter, more relaxed getaway. With its beautifully preserved buildings, walking streets, quaint cafés, and family-run eateries, this area offers a glimpse into Phuket’s history and cultural diversity. Whether you’re craving traditional Thai food or international flavours, there are plenty of options to choose from. Here are our top picks.
If you need that caffeine buzz in the morning, get started at MŌMUS Coffee. It’s located in the heart of the old town and easy to locate. It’s a small space and you’ll find a mix of locals and tourists here. The speciality coffees are really good (we recommended the Turkish one) as are the house-made cakes, and brunch offerings. Get the avocado toast for sure—ripe avocados spread over the most delicious, freshly baked sourdough. If you’re not keeping a calorie count on holiday, their tiramisu and carrot cake will have you coming back for seconds.
For those feeling experimental and looking to try some local breakfast, head to Chokchai Dim Sum (yes, a dim sum breakfast). The spot, tucked away on Mae Luan Road, is popular for its Southern Thai-style dim sum — think plump dumplings and an array of steaming, bite-sized sides. It was tough to pick a favourite from among the steamed dumplings of all shapes, sizes, and fillings that came to the table, but the classic steamed shrimp dumplings (har gow) are the ones we are still dreaming about. They have a signature spicy dipping sauce that’s served in a jug. The place opens at 4 am so early risers, they have you covered.
For lunch stop by Little Phuket for a mix of local specials and some comfort food. Browsing through the diverse menu which has large photos of each dish can make you hungry. There’s a lot of fresh seafood on the menu but also options for pizza and burgers for those looking for fast food. We found comfort in an old-school chicken wonton soup, a tangy papaya salad, and a simple Egg Fried Rice.
For Japanese food head straight to Kai Sushi. Our favourite thing about the food here? The ingredients are fresh and the flavours are clean. The place is small but inviting—there’s a lot of natural light coming and the folks behind the counter are warm and cheerful. It doesn’t matter if you are a sushi aficionado and new to Japanese cuisine, there’s enough and more to choose from. To get an idea about what we mean when we say ‘fresh ingredients’ try the steamed edamame, the seaweed salad (we can’t recommend it enough), and the salmon roll. Wash it all down with a Thai Mango slush.
The pristine shores of Kamala Beach make for an ideal setting to unwind. The loungers at Café Del Mar are much sought after and they allow you to enjoy panoramic views of the Andaman Sea. The place has everything you expect from a beachside vacay. You can lounge by the pool, and enjoy the sunset with your favourite tipple in hand. As the sun goes down you can switch the mood by dancing to tunes spun by a DJ. While there’s a thick bar menu to choose from, we recommend going for the classics—Mai Tai, Piña Colada, or the Aperol Spritz—for the beachy mood. The food menu includes bar bites, Italian, Japanese, and Thai options. The Rice Paper Soft Shell Crab Rolls are excellent and their version of house fries with seaweed is the best makeover that French Fries could ever get.
If you prefer a small and effortlessly chic place with live music and occasional themed nights, to grab a craft cocktail, then Dibuk House is the place. There are classic drinks and modern renditions. Try the Home-land—a cocktail that’s a hat tip to “everyone who left home”, made with regional ingredients, umami flavours of dried fish, and orange peel. If you are in the mood to hit a nightclub for a drink or two, Illuzion on Bangla Road is a hot spot. It’s a large 6,500-square-meter space and the club has hosted the likes of Martin Garrix, Marshmello, and Steve Aoki. The party doesn’t start before 11 pm though.
This one came highly recommended by the lovely Chef Seefah and once you eat at One Chun Cafe And Restaurant, you’ll know exactly why. Located in a 19th-century heritage building, the family-run eatery is known for its authentic Peranakan and Thai cuisine. It has been recognised with the Michelin Guide’s Bib Gourmand, awarded to establishments offering “good quality, good value” dining experiences. The decor inside the pale yellow building with green windows is retro, with black-and-white televisions, transistor radios, and antique clocks. The food—oh, the food! The yellow crab curry cooked with coconut milk is the MVP here and the spicy and bold Nam Prik Goong Siab, a dip made with shrimp paste comes a close second.
For those wanting to take a break from Thai food, the Brasserie located in Old Town does some good European food. The Belgian chef-owner does a perfect Lobster Bisque and some really good salmon steak. The decor will remind you of a European bistro—giving you a holiday within a holiday inception kind of vibe.
A great way to explore Phuket while trying interesting food is to hit the beaches and the night markets. Though it may seem touristy, these places have great energy and can lead to some delicious finds. For instance, if you’re walking on the road connecting Karon Beach (an hour away from Phuket’s Old Town by cab) to Kata Beach, along Phuket’s western coastline you’ll see that there’s a vibrant seafood dining scene. The area has multiple shops serving fresh seafood in traditional Thai-style preparations. We got tempted to try a prawn salad and pineapple fried rice (though it wasn’t anywhere close to dinner time) and it was delicious.
The Kata Walking Street has shops selling clothes, knick-knacks, souvenirs, and some incredible street food. It has communal seating areas and a lively ambience. You’ll have to navigate your way past tourists and locals to grab some vegetable and meat skewers, wraps and rolls with all kinds of filling, Pad Thai, and Fried Rice (the egg fried rice here was quite unlike the usual—it featured an omelette, sticky rice, and sauces).
At the stalls, you’ll also find traditional Thai desserts made from glutinous rice and coconut milk, banana-filled pancakes, fresh fruits, and iced smoothies—which you will need considering how hot it is—trust us. Many areas in Phuket including Bangla Road and Karan and Kata Beach remain open until the wee hours of the morning and getting your share of Mango Sticky Rice at carts selling fruits and juices is never a problem. Stop by Wanlamun in Phuket town near the clock tower, for some cold creamy coconut ice cream served inside a large green coconut or Nutella smothered on a hot, crispy toast with a scoop of ice cream—a match made in heaven.
