Best restaurants in Phuket

Local and visiting foodies now have a seemingly unlimited and exciting list of dining options to ensure a truly unique Phuket-style gastronomical experience. In this article, we are delighted to present Kata Rock’s guide to the Top 10 Restaurants in Phuket.

*Project Artisan, Layan – Project Artisan serves up fabulous food. It’s loving concept is very family friendly and brings together a collection of interesting people looking for a unique dining experience. Interior design mixes historical old Siam and new funky Phuket. Great selection of healthy food, craft beers and gourmet delicatessen with a menu designed and dishes prepared by famous Phuket Chef Moo. The Kids Corner is awesome and healthy takeaway options are always definitely something to consider.

*Bampot Kitchen & Bar, Laguna – Specialising in classic and modern European cuisine at Lagoon Road. Bampot’s unpretentious menu serves up Pork Chops, Organic Beer Can Chicken and wonderfully fresh seafood from a seasonal selection using local fresh produce. Its custom cocktails are great as well including the mysterious Myanmar Margarita, Beetpot and Hail Mary. Solid wine list.

*Rustic Eatery & Bar, Patong – Craft beers, chopping boards as plates and Edison-era light bulbs are stock items of this Patong beachfront restaurant, but so is good food. Rustic specialises in country-style European cuisine, such as herb-and-almond-crusted salmon, to simple comfort pleasures like porchetta (slow-roasted pork belly) and churros. There are insanely good dessert menu and a natural wine list.

*Rum Jungle Café, Nai Harn – Rum Jungle consistently serves rare quality Italian and Mediterranean food in one of Nai Harn’s more unusual settings. It’s tongue-in-cheek country and western design motif is juxtaposed by authentic Italian dishes: Crostini, eggplant parmigiana, risotto asparagi e Funghi and fresh fish are all superb. Basic wine list with special vintages, ask about available stock.

*Suay Restaurant, Phuket Town –  A popular spot in old-world Phuket Town. Suay Restaurant is set back in a garden and serves up zingy dishes like samurai chicken skewers and the uniquely obtuse ‘Mrs Piggy Took Sun Bath” (deep fried pork jerky).

*Taste Bar & Grill, Bangtao –  Taste is proud to say it serves great food and stiff drinks, an enticing combination indeed. The menu is a mixture of signature dishes and new creations, crab cakes, pomelo salad with grilled shrimp, seared tuna are all yum. Food and drink specials change weekly. Taste is now located in Cherngtalay near Bangtao beach.

*la Gaetana, Phuket Town  –   This personable eatery serves a homely slice of rustic Italy, specialising in fresh pasta and authentic Italian cooking, wedded to professional service. Small pleasing touches include sorbet between courses and homemade butter with the bread. The basic wine menu, Chilean or Italian, proves ample to complement any meal.

*Tu Kab Khao Restaurant, Phuket Town  –  Located in a classic 120-year-old building this villa-like eatery serves Southern Thai classics like braised pork belly and crab curry with noodles. They also pour handsome cocktails like the ‘Baba-Nyonya’, which plays on local Peranakan culture by mixing two glasses into one drink.

*Ban Rim Pa, Kalim – This Phuket institution features amazing sea views and delicious Royal Thai Cuisine. Perched on a rocky cliffside between Patong and Kalim beaches, its elegant menu is a price point higher than most but well worth it for the romantic setting. Ban Rim Pa’s extensive wine list has won Wine Spectators’ ‘Award of Excellence’ for seven consecutive years.

*Raya Restaurant, Phuket Town – Raya exudes a Sino-Portuguese elegance serving Thai food with no hint of tourist-related compromise. One’s menu focus should go immediately to the ‘Popular Dishes’ section, where Phuket’s most authentic southern Thai-style cuisine is listed. ‘Steamed pork with pepper and garlic’ is must try signature dish. An eight-label list features two French, one Chilean and five Australian wines.

Honourable Mention: Aqua, Blue Elephant, Palm Seafood, kaneang@pier, Nikita’s Rawai