Dining in Phuket, Thailand. Don’t Miss Out on the Best Phuket Has to Offer

Thailand is a culinary treat, it's famous for its delicious and spicy menu.  Dishes typically use lemongrass, coriander, garlic, chili and lime juice to flavor their meals.

Seafood lovers will feel that they have arrived in paradise, rock lobsters, squid, large prawns, oysters, muscles, fresh crabs and fish are available in Phuket.  Thai Pork is tender, tasty, and juicy, often better than the chicken that can sometimes be overcooked, and you should order imported steak unless you need to exercise your jaw.

Eating out in Phuket is a pleasure, and relatively inexpensive.  There are some charming garden-style restaurants such as Nok & Jo's, and of course those that cater for you on the beach front enjoying the view of the Andaman Sea.  Most restaurants in Phuket offer International cuisine which consists of a Thai menu and a western style menu; plenty of pastas, pizzas, BBQ's, Tex-Mex, hamburgers and sandwiches.   There are also some fusion style restaurants serving dishes from all around Asia including Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and India.

Thai waiters are happy to play and entertain your children so that you can enjoy your food peacefully.    Thai people are smiley and friendly, often supplying mosquito coils and happy to explain or even show you various Thai dishes that you may be unfamiliar with.

There are a number of bakeries, delis and cafe's on the island serving fresh bread and pastries.      Paula's Cafe Retro, Surin, lets you start the day with Eggs Benedict and smoked salmon, or a  breakfast burrito and good coffee.  They also have an interesting lunch menu and specials board.

If you prefer fine dining, this is usually found in a high-class air-conditioned restaurant, and there are many good chefs in Phuket.  You could try Weaves, part of ManaThai hotel which has a stunning interior, beautiful flower arrangements, and interesting articles from around Thailand.  This restaurant has character, history, and friendly, attentive staff.  Wines from around the world are available in these types of restaurants, but do expect to pay a premium because of import duties.

If you would like to try some gourmet Western cuisine try Les Anges run by chef Peter Webber. It is a café, deli, bakery (with the most divine cakes, pastries and home-made chocolates on Phuket,). It is also a restaurant and bar. It can be found on the East Coast of Phuket at the Royal Phuket Marina along with Limoncello, a fine Italian restaurant and Skippers bar and restaurant.

If there is one thing that the Thai's adore it's rice.  Local Thai people will eat rice three times a day and it forms the basis of most meals.  The best type of rice in Phuket is the Jasmine rice, grown only in Thailand; you could try red, purple or even black rice.  There are also rice noodles, and egg-noodles in various sizes.

'Phad Thai'  is Thailand's signature dish, noodles fried with garlic, small pieces of tofu, egg, and either shrimps or chicken, sprinkled with peanuts, and maybe some chill-powder and lemon on the side.  This is a great lunch time dish, and popular with children as it closely resembles pasta. 

There are some other great dishes that you must try whilst you are in Phuket, such as 'Tom Yam Kung' spicy sour prawn soup, or red, yellow, and green Thai curries made with coconut milk, spicy salads, and minced chicken fried with basil are all delicious.  You could try Lemongrass Restaurant, on Suirn beach road, which serves good Thai food.

Fresh fruits and ice-creams form the basis of most Thai desserts, look out for 'Dragon Fruit' named because of it's amazing pink and green colour, or the juicy mangos which are often served with sweet sticky rice. 

Whatever you choice, from 'Phad Thai' noodles to Italian pizza the tropical island of Phuket offers great food for everyone at a range of prices, there are many restaurants to choose from.  We hope that you enjoy your stay in beautiful Thailand.

For more information on shopping, restaurants and things to do in Phuket, Thailand see our websites:
Phuket Vacation Apartments and Royal Phuket Marina Apartments