20 Best Restaurants in Phuket, Phuket and the Andaman Coast

The walls of this unique restaurant--café in the heart of the architecturally quaint Sino-Colonial Old Town are lined with vintage black-and-white images of Phuket, which pretty much reflect the kind of food served here—old-school Thai-Chinese fare. Signature dishes are inspired by family recipes, and include bak kut teh (a pungent shiitake-mushroom-and-pork soup), mee sua pad (noodles with seafood and spices), and the crispy noodle and egg salad. Ice teas like Butterfly Pea Flower and lime are especially good for cooling your insides on a hot day, while a variety of smoothies and good coffee strained in a cloth bag are also worth a try.

For a delicious snack, buy some of the creamy homemade pepper cookies or crunchy caramel peanuts to take with you.

Built on a rock overlooking Karon Beach, this restaurant has great views of the water. Seafood is the specialty, but well-made Italian and traditional Thai dishes are also on the menu. Book in advance to ensure you get a beachside table.

In the heart of Phuket Old Town, this beloved restaurant is in a historical Sino-Thai mansion, built in the early 20th century by a rich tin-mining family. Authentic Phuket dishes are the specialty here; try the yellow crab curry with rice noodles or the whole red snapper with roasted garlic. The charming decor is traditional Thai, with a nod to colonial influences, and the atmosphere is as much part of the experience as the outstanding food. 

At the top of the cape, overlooking the isolated bay, Taste is one of Phuket’s finest restaurants, with a romantic al fresco setting. Chef Martin and his team pride themselves on preparing classic international dishes with a local twist, like the soft-shell crab burger, lamb tenderloin, and Thai twice-cooked pork cheek.

For a change of pace from Thai food, head to this Italian restaurant specializing in seafood and Sicilian specialities. Dishes are presented with flair and the busy dining room is a lively backdrop. The restaurant is decorated in black and white, features an outstanding wine list and the signature degustation menus.

Just about 2 km north of Patong and perched over the water, the magnificent Baan Rim Pa Thai restaurant is laid out over several levels to showcase the stunning panoramic views of the Andaman Sea. Elegant teak and silk decor, a piano and cocktail bar, and excellent Thai food make this one of Phuket’s premier dining establishments. The wine cellar is impressive, too.

This bohemian-chic café in Phuket's Old Town is part of a new wave of trendy global enterprises that focuses on excellent coffee and baked goods. It's also home to a design bookshop, as well as an exhibition arts space, and there's an upstairs film room, where indie flicks are played from time to time. Creativity seeps through the walls at this venue, but it's the scent of their homemade brownies and freshly ground coffee beans that will keep you here, wiling away the day in the company of Phuket's artsy set, a relaxed bunch of Thais who mostly absconded from Bangkok in search of exactly this type of vibe.

Championship baristas pull specialty coffee drinks and serve homemade cakes and pastries at this bright little spot in the heart of Phuket Old Town. They also sell freshly roasted coffee beans and coffee accessories.

Although now just one among many superb venues, Catch remains the standard-bearer for beach clubs on the island. In its former location on Surin Beach, this gleaming white, St. Tropez–style lounge drew Phuket's rich—and occasionally famous—with its DJ beats, imported Champagne and fine-dining tapas. The government-led beach cleanup a few years back saw them lose their prime location, but they simply upped sticks and moved to Bang Thao Beach a few miles up the coast. Today the formula continues to pack them in—it's not to everyone's taste, but there's no denying Catch's allure of sun, sand, and style.

The scent of freshly ground espresso greets you as you enter this lovely café next to one end of the weekly Sunday Walking Street. In addition to light meals, coffee, and desserts there are souvenirs made with natural materials, notebooks, and postcards.

An Italian bar-ristorante is the last in the trio of Patong's cliff restaurants. Dining is just above a secluded beach. Try pizza, fettuccine, ravioli, and other Italian traditions, or opt for fresh seafood baked in a wood-burning oven. The restaurant prides itself on its use of exclusively organic ingredients.

Churrasco (Brazilian grilled meat) is the specialty at the Mövenpick resort's restaurant, with a terrace overlooking Karon Beach and sunset views that make dining here delightful. The space is large but still manages to be atmospheric, with discreet background music and friendly staff. 

Get a seat at a palm-shaded table next to the seawall, order some delicious grilled fish, and enjoy---though be sure that your waiter understands whether you want yours served phet (spicy hot) or mai phet (not spicy). Succulent and sweet crabs should be a part of any meal here. It's right on the waterfront to the south of the pier.

The decor is simple but locals love this spot for the radna—a noodle dish served with pork or chicken and a thick gravy—as well as the grilled pork or chicken satay, radish cakes, and varieties of fried rice. It's so popular that there's often a line for a table. 

For a good cup of coffee, try this artsy store, which sells funky designer souvenirs and serves traditional Thai food and international snacks, sandwiches, desserts, and shakes. It opens daily at 9:30 am.

Although it doesn't look like much from the Promthep Cape parking lot, views from the tables out back are hard to beat. The restaurant serves Thai food, specializing in fresh seafood, and some Western fare. 

This stylish restaurant in the Holiday Inn Resort serves prime cuts of imported beef prepared with notable French flair and elegantly presented. The atmosphere is peaceful, away from the crowds on Patong's busy streets.

The friendly ladies at this popular street-side shanty serve made-to-order noodles and stir-fries with seafood. Every meal comes with a complimentary bowl of aromatic cardamom soup, which is delicious and known to aid digestion. During the day there are beach deliveries available, if you find you don't want to move from your particular spot in the sun. 

Located in one of the Old Town's most impressive mansions, this stylish eatery pays homage to classic home-cooked Phuket dishes—hence the name, which translates as "food cupboard." Pay attention to your dining neighbors, as the local cusine draws Thai celebrities from as far away as Bangkok.

Nestled in a jungle setting atop the biggest hill in Phuket Town, Tunk Ka serves Thai food made from fresh local ingredients and the views are marvelous, especially at sunset, which more than justify the tuk-tuk drive up. The Ruby Red dessert (red water chestnut in coconut cream with lashes of young coconut and jackfruit) will satisfy even the most demanding sweet tooth.