Phuket’s Best Authentic Thai Restaurants With Great Atmosphere

For those who are craving delicious Thai food, here you’ll find the best Thai restaurants in Phuket. It does not matter what nationality you are, you will want to check these out! And when we say Thai restaurants, we mean authentic Thai cuisine with varying levels of spiciness, from mild to extremely spicy! Those delicious dishes you’ve been dreaming about such as local Phuket Crab Curry, spicy Tom Yum Goong or a rich, creamy Green Curry can be found at all of these restaurants. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s discover which are the top Thai restaurants in Phuket!

Best Thai Restaurants in Phuket, in no particular order:

  1. Blue Elephant Phuket
  2. One Chun Cafe & Restaurant
  3. Tu Kab Khao
  4. Palm Seaside
  5. Kin-Kub-Ei
  6. Raya
  7. Maimorn Seafood & Karaoke
  8. Tunk Ka Cafe
  9. Kan Eang @ Pier

1. Blue Elephant Phuket

Located in one of Phuket’s most striking Sino-Portuguese mansions, Blue Elephant Phuket is a Thai fine dining restaurant in the heart of Phuket Town. With a focus on Royal Thai Cuisine and authentic southern Thai dishes, the recipes created by Chef Noroor are high quality with top-of-the-line ingredients.While all of the menu items at Blue Elephant Phuket are absolutely delicious, it’s recommended to try one of the Set Menus and our favorite is the Peranakan Menu. The menu highlights the diverse flavors of Phuket’s local cuisine and is a testament to the culinary creative flair of Chef Noroor.

2. One Chun Cafe & Restaurant

Situated on the outskirts of Phuket Old Town, One Chun Cafe & Restaurant serves traditional Thai dishes in a colonial-style building. The restaurant has a vintage feel, and it is a delightful place to tuck into some of Phuket’s most authentic Thai food.Dishes served at One Chun come from family recipes passed down over three generations. Make sure to try their signature dish which is fresh Phuket crab meat served with yellow coconut milk curry over rice vermicelli.

3. Tu Kab Khao

A popular restaurant located on Phang Nga Road in Phuket Town, Tu Kab Khao is housed in a charming Sino-Portuguese building. The restaurant’s decor is elegant and the recipes used have been handed down from the owner’s mother.Tu Kab Khao offers nearly 100 menu items, but we recommend southern Thai specialities such as the yellow crab curry, King prawns and the delicious Moo Hong, a braised pork belly stew that is popular in Phuket.

4. Palm Seaside

With a prime location on Bang Tao Beach, Palm Seaside’s menu draws inspiration from the rich flavors and simplicity of traditional Phuket food as well as the neighboring provinces of Phang Nga and Krabi. Authentic southern Thai seafood is the specialty at Palm Seaside.Dine on fresh seafood creations with southern flair including Thai steamed curry fish, deep fried squid rings with garlic and pepper, or roasted shrimp with chili and salt. For lovers of all things seafood, Palm Seaside is one restaurant not to miss!

5. Kin-Kub-Ei

A true Phuket hidden gem, Kin-Kub-Ei translates from Thai to “eat with auntie.” At this restaurant, Auntie Tubtim serves up delicious southern Thai dishes from family recipes in a delightful garden setting.Dining at Kin-Kub-Ei is by reservation only as the restaurant is only open three days per week. The seasonal menu changes based upon what is freshly available at the market, so be prepared to be surprised by the spicy tastes of southern Thai cuisine.

6. Raya

Located in a 130-year-old house in Phuket Town, Raya is one of the most famous restaurants on the island. Specializing in local Phuket food made from high quality ingredients, dining here is a pleasant experience for the taste buds.Not to miss dishes at Raya include the crab meat curry served with rice vermicelli, spicy Phuket prawns and the deep-fried sea bass topped with chili, shallots and lemongrass and slathered in tamarind sauce. If you are looking for the true flavors of local Thai cuisine, Raya delivers.

7. Maimorn Seafood & Karaoke

Tucked away in Phuket Town, Maimorn Seafood & Karaoke famously combines delicious Thai food with the entertainment of karaoke. It’s the perfect place to dine with a group of friends or colleagues looking for outstanding food and a good time.The restaurant serves up the freshest seafood including mud crab in Thai curry with coconut milk, lots of steamed, fried and baked fish varieties and does an absolutely fantastic deep fried pork leg. The tropical garden ambiance adds to the fun dining experience at Maimorn Seafood & Karaoke.

8. Tunk Ka Cafe

Popular for tasty food with good views, Tunk Ka Cafe is located on Khao Rang Hill in Phuket Town. Surrounded by tropical greenery and towering trees, the ambiance here is laidback and lovely. The cafe also boasts exceptional views across Phuket Town.The menu at Tunk Ka Cafe has a lot of tempting choices, but we recommend to try some of the very local dishes including Pak Liang, an indigenous fried leaf stir-fried with dry shrimp, or the fried fish with mango salad. Tunk Ka Cafe is often busy, so make sure to go there around 6:00pm to grab a table with a view.

9. Kan Eang @ Pier

With an idyllic setting on Chalong Bay, Kan Eang @ Pier is popular for not only its location but it’s wonderful selection of authentic Thai food. As the restaurant often fills up quickly, it’s best to make a reservation before dining. The restaurant has been around for 48 years, a true testament to its overall excellency.Kan Eang @ Pier serves up deliciously fresh seafood and local Phuket specialities. A must try dish is the Bua Tod, which is a freshwater stream plant coated with flour and fried with fresh, massive shrimp. For those heading to dine at Kang Eang @ Pier in large groups, the restaurant does several seafood sets and also has an A La Carte menu.

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