Thailand’s largest island may be famous for its beaches, but that’s just one of the things that makes Phuket worth visiting.
As Thailand’s first and only UNESCO City of Gastronomy, Phuket is a bustling hub of food, nightlife and shopping. It’s paradise not just for beach lovers but foodies, party animals, and shopaholics alike.
From night markets and street food vendors to western malls and lavish beach clubs, Phuket offers an incredible selection of things to do with unlimited entertainment and dining options.
Whether you’re looking to explore the street food and eat where the locals eat, find a dreamy cafe to work from by the sea, or dance the night away at the swankiest beach clubs, this Phuket food guide has you covered.
After six years of living in Phuket as an expat, these are the places I’d recommend for eating, shopping, and partying in Phuket! I’ll be making a handy map so you can easily find all these spots soon so sign up for the newsletter and be the first to know once it’s available.
Phuket Food, Shopping and Nightlife Guide
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Phuket Food: Where To Eat In Phuket
Phuket has become a huge foodie paradise. Not only can you find endless mouth-watering Thai dishes, but Phuket is now home to every type of international cuisine you can imagine. In fact, I’ve eaten some of the best Italian, Indian, Mexican, and, of course, Thai food right here in Phuket!
Phuket’s Must-Try Dishes
Here’s what to look out for during your Phuket trip, including classic Thai dishes and local specialities:
- Pad Thai: The famous Thai noodle dish!
- Pad See Ew: A popular street food made with wide rice noodles and soy sauce
- Phuket-Style Noodles: Yellow egg noodles in soy sauce
- Pad Krapow: The iconic minced chicken and Thai basil dish
- Pineapple fried rice: Sweet and sour fried rice served in a hollowed-out pineapple
- Massaman curry: A mild, Indian-style curry with roots in Southern Thailand
- Grilled seafood: Shrimp, squid, and even whole fish sizzling on skewers
- Roti: A popular street food consisting of thin, crispy pancakes and sweet toppings
- Patongo: Thai doughnuts sold by street vendors
- Coconut ice cream: Sold by vendors who drive around the neighbourhoods
- Mango sticky rice: The ultimate Thai dessert that sounds strange but tastes amazing!
Where To Find The Best Street Food/Local Eats In Phuket
Phuket’s night markets are among the best places to try local food. The food is cheap, the atmosphere is lively, and the sights and smells are a feast for the senses. Some of the best food and markets are found in away from the tourist resorts in the charming and colourful Phuket Old Town which is well worth a trip.
Here are a few Phuket night markets that are a must visit:
- Naka Weekend Market, Phuket Town: This is a HUGE night market with rows and rows of food. You’ll find everything from grilled seafood on skewers to colourful Thai desserts.
- Kata Night Market: Kata beach road is full of small food courts, but if you head a little further out, you’ll find this larger market with a large covered food court.
- Banzaan Market, Patong: By day it’s a fresh food market, but at night it transforms into a night market with tons of street food. It also has a more local vibe than the nearby Bangla night market.
When it comes to restaurants in Phuket, many Thai Restaurants are aimed at tourists, so the dishes are altered to appeal more to Western tastes. However, if you want to eat “real” Thai food, eat where the locals eat. These places are often very simple eateries and sometimes only have menus in Thai.
If you’d like a local guide to show you the best of Phuket’s food scene then I highly recommend joining this Southern Flavours Phuket Food Tour which takes you to the best eateries in Phuket Old Town and includes over 15 tastings! Come on an empty stomach for this journey through Phuket’s unique UNESCO listed gastronomic experience.
Here are a few local Thai restaurants in Phuket that I recommend checking out:
- Noodle Soup Rawai: Cheap, flavorful local dishes, such as Thai beef soup.
- Baan Kway Teow, Bang Tao: They do the best Khai Soi (coconut noodle soup) in Phuket!
- Kan Eang, Chalong: Thai food by the pier with lovely views and friendly service.
- Go Benz Rice Porridge, Phuket Town: One of the most popular eateries among Thais, often with long queues extending onto the road.
- Boomrat Dim Sum, Phuket Town: An authentic, affordable, and popular local dim sum restaurant. Go for breakfast as it’s only open until 10.30am.
- 1000009 Thai Noodle Restaurant, Phuket Town: Great value, affordable, friendly, family run Thai restaurant. They specialize in noodle dishes prepared with love and super fresh ingredients.
If you’d like to learn how to cook your favourite Thai dishes at home then joining this Thai cooking class is a fun and tasty way to become a Thai MasterChef! You’ll visit an authentic, local market to gather fresh ingredients and then cook dishes like tom yum soup and green curry. Again, go on an empty stomach as you’ll get to eat all the dishes you cook.
Best Cafes and Brunch Spots
As a digital nomad hotspot, many of the cafes in Phuket also function as unofficial co-working spots, with fast Wi-Fi, comfy chairs, power outlets, and priceless sea views.
While there are so many fab choices, the following cafes in Phuket rate high in food, vibe, and co-working friendliness:
- Home Grain, Rawai: They offer both healthy options and cheat meals, always using fresh, organic ingredients. The air conditioning and quiet ambience also make it a top place for a deep-focus work session.
- Elysium, Nai Harn: Strong coffee and nice jungle views. I recommend the “Nutty Hug,” which is the ultimate comfort coffee for a rainy day.
- Cannelle, Nai Harn: Slick, air conditioned, modern coffee shop and bakery popular with digital nomads and remote workers.
- Poached, Chalong: Private booths for cosy co-working vibes and incredible brunch dishes, such as chia seed pudding and breakfast burritos.
- Campus Coffee Roasters, Phuket Town: This centrally located cafe has classic, university-style decor. It’s a great place to get some work done, fueled by their speciality coffee menu!
- Bake, Bang Tao: They do a HUGE selection of pastries and sandwiches, and they have a separate quiet area specifically for co-working, ideal for a relaxed work session.
- Green and Bean, Nai Yang: Gorgeous beachfront eatery with ocean views, healthy smoothies, and comfortable co-working spaces.
Best Restaurants in Phuket (By Area)
Being such a huge island with restaurants on every street, knowing where to eat in Phuket can feel a bit overwhelming. So in this Phuket food guide, I’ve broken down the food scene and top restaurants in Phuket in each area.
Patong
As Phuket’s main tourist hub, Patong is full of Thai and international restaurants, including many great Turkish and Indian restaurants.
- Ah Hong Seafood: This almost-beachfront restaurant is one of the best places in Patong for fresh seafood.
- Sultan’s Grill: Whether you’re craving a biryani or a Turkish Pide, you’ll find top-notch Turkish and Indian food here, with plenty of vegetarian options too.
Kata / Karon
Like Patong, Kata and Karon are major tourist hotspots with a wide range of Thai and international dining options.
- Highway Curry, Kata: This Indian restaurant is slightly away from Kata Beach, making it a bit of a hidden gem. It’s the best Indian food I’ve ever had, and the staff are super friendly.
- Soul, Karon: This centrally-located vegan restaurant is highly rated among both meat-eaters and vegans. The owners are incredibly passionate about food and health, and have created meat-free versions of many Thai favourites, alongside international dishes. They also host yoga, soundhealing and breathwork sessions.
Rawai / Nai Harn
Rawai has some awesome seafood restaurants along the beach, as well as top-quality western restaurants.
- Nikita’s, Rawai: You’ll find the best seafood in Rawai here, and the location is dreamy, with tables just inches away from the sea.
- All Vegan, Nai Harn: The owner of this small vegan eatery is not just incredibly friendly, but highly passionate about what he does, and it shows in the food’s taste and quality. The vegan Khao Soi is particularly incredible!
Chalong
While more low-key than the beach destinations, Chalong’s dining scene offers a bit of everything and has a more local/expat vibe rather than a tourist atmosphere.
- Bucha: An upmarket Thai restaurant where you don’t just get tasty local food, but a whole dining experience.
- Thai Scream: It’s small and easy to miss, but the menu is huge. There’s some creative fusion food, such as roti pizzas, alongside Thai, American, Indian, and Mexican dishes. Plus, the ice cream and cookies are amazing!
Phuket Town
Listed as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, Phuket town has some of the best restaurants in Phuket, both for international cuisine and traditional southern Thai food. Plus, many of the restaurants feature charming Sino-Portuguese architecture, adding an additional layer of authenticity.
- One Chun: Housed in a colonial-style building, this traditional Thai restaurant is incredible. The pineapple-baked rice and the yellow curry with fresh crab are must-tries!
- Raya Restaurant: Traditional Thai decor and authentic, flavorful Southern Thai dishes.
- Tu Kab Khao: Housed in a classy Sino-Portuguese building in the heart of the old town the menu offers Royal Thai cuisine and modern Southern Thai food in a charming vintage setting.
- The Blue Elephant: One of the finest restaurants in Phuket town offering royal Thai cuisine in an elegant heritage mansion – it feels like dinning in a museum. Try the tasting menu or the Thai cooking classes.
Read my guide to Phuket Old Town for more info on this fascinating, local and culturally diverse part of the island.
Kamala
Kamala’s dining scene is trendy yet relaxed, with some lively western-style joints and alfresco beachfront restaurants.
- Coconut Garden: Located right on the beach, Coconut Garden is ideal for a simple Pad Thai and Chang beer as the sun sets over the ocean.
- Big Boy’s Burger Club: This famous burger joint dishes up juicy burgers amidst a lively, pub-style vibe.
Bang Tao / Surin
Bang Tao is known for its beachfront dining and upmarket restaurants, but there are also many hidden gems serving cheap and authentic Thai food away from the tourist crowds.
- Nuatone Cafe, Bang Tao: This is a real hidden gem, built on a waterfall at the foot of the jungle. Here you can tuck into authentic Thai food and sweet treats while immersed in nature.
- Butterfly Restaurant, Surin: This family-run Thai eatery may look average from the outside, but it has the kindest owners. Expect huge portions, low prices, and free fresh fruit!
Mai Khao / Nai Yang
The northern beaches are home to some affordable Thai restaurants with priceless sea views and a much more peaceful vibe than the bustling west coast.
- Nai Yang Bay Restaurant: Fresh seafood, flavourful Thai curries, international dishes and uninterrupted ocean views!
- Mai Khao Local Seafood Restaurant: A proper local joint in a gorgeous garden setting with live music and authentic flavours.
Looking for a unique dinning experience in Phuket? You can now even try Dining in the Sky. This is where you can indulge in signature drinks and exquisite appetizers suspended 50 meters above the ground for an unforgettable experience. Places are limited so you need to book in advance.
Phuket Shopping: Where To Shop In Phuket
Phuket has both outdoor markets and modern shopping malls. The markets are always a fun and lively cultural experience, while the air-conditioned malls are a great way to escape the midday heat and find your western comfort fast food chains and international brands. If you forgot anything from home don’t worry as you’re likely to find in Phuket’s shops.
Night Markets and Local Markets
Most Phuket night markets offer a mix of street food and gifts/souvenirs. However, if you’re looking for more unique, locally-made products rather than “tourist tack,” here’s where to go:
Phuket Town Walking Street
Every Sunday evening, Phuket Old Town transforms into a lively street market with over 30 stalls selling local handicrafts. You’ll find everything from handmade bags to cute lanterns and colourful soap carvings.
The boutique clothing stores along the streets where the market takes place stay open late. There are also live music performances and activities you can join, such as painting or candle-making.
Boat Avenue Night Market
You’ll find this vibrant night market at Boat Avenue in Bang Tao every Friday evening. While it’s not huge, they have some unique, locally made products. Look for the wood-carved ornaments, mini bonsai trees, metal art figures, and cute phone cases made from real flowers.
Other Night Markets for Shopping
A couple of other notable markets worth mentioning in this Phuket shopping guide are:
- Naka Weekend Market, Phuket Town: A HUGE night market with so much street food and plenty of clothing and souvenirs to buy.
- Chillva Market, near Phuket Town: This small night market is open every evening, except Sundays. It has a lively yet chill vibe, and you can find some really stylish clothes for a great price.
- Karon Night Market: Located in Karon temple, it’s one of the best markets for souvenirs and gifts. However, it’s only open on Fridays and Tuesdays.
- Kata Night Market: A large market with a large covered food court, clothes and souvenir stalls.
- Banzaan Market, Patong: A night market with tons of street food that has a more local vibe than the nearby Bangla night market.
Shopping Malls
The two major shopping malls in Phuket are Jungceylon (in Patong) and Central Phuket (just outside Phuket Town).
Jungceylon Patong
Patong’s largest and busiest shopping mall has nice indoors and outdoors areas and features several familiar brands like Adidas, American Eagle, and Uniqlo, as well as many Thai/Asian stores.
You’ll also find western fast food joints like Burger King, McDonald’s, and KFC, making it a great place to visit when you need some home comfort food after too many spicy curries!
Central Phuket
This is Phuket’s main shopping mall and it is huge, with hundreds of shops and 15 luxury brands, including Burberry, Dior, and Gucci. You’ll also find international high street stores like H&M, Pandora, and Lululemon.
Beyond shopping, Central Phuket has an incredible food court with a cute floating village in the centre. Plus, there’s a state-of-the-art cinema and an aquarium, making it the best way to spend a rainy day in Phuket.
There is also a smaller Central mall in Patong, which is ideal for tourists who are looking to do a spot of designer shopping but don’t want to travel to Phuket Town.
Boutique Shops In Phuket Town
If you prefer boutique shops over large malls, you’ll enjoy Phuket Town’s shopping vibe. There are several boutiques here that sell beautiful women’s clothing and jewellery (such as Batik Banyan, Kobkaew, and Gal on Island) as well as locally made ceramics, paintings, and other artworks (like Colour Space and Little Elephant).
One of the best ways to explore Phuket’s boutiques is simply to wander the colourful streets of the old town and see what takes your fancy. You’re sure to find some unique mementos of your trip to Phuket here.
Phuket Nightlife: Where To Party In Phuket
Phuket is famed for its lively and sometimes seedy nightlife, but it the later part is largely confined to Bangla Road in Patong and is just one part of the Phuket nightlife guide. Elsewhere across the island, you can find more relaxed forms of evening entertainment, such as beach clubs, sunset bars, and even some cool cultural shows.
Patong Party Scene
Bangla Road is Patong’s nightlife stop, full of go-go bars, live music bars, and nightclubs.
Some of Patong’s clubs are world-famous, such as Illuzion, which often features top international DJs and music artists. Other popular nightclubs and bars in Patong include Armania Nightclub, New York Live Music Bar and Barfunk.
It’s no secret that Bangla Road has a very sleazy vibe, and it’s not for everyone. If you enjoy partying, I recommend heading there one night and checking it out for yourself, as it will surely be a memorable experience.
If you love big parties and you’re in Phuket when it’s full moon you don’t need to go all the way to Koh Phangan for the famous party as there is a Full Moon Party on Paradise Beach. Tickets include entry, round trip transfers from Patong Beach and some drinks.
However, if you don’t like sleezy clubs and loud bars, or are travelling with young kids, it’s probably best to skip Bangla Road and enjoy some of Phuket’s more relaxed and family-friendly evening vibes instead.
Beach Clubs and Sunset Spots
Phuket is home to several lavish beach clubs, including some internationally famous ones like Cafe del Mar in Kamala and Catch Beach Club in Bang Tao. They operate as chilled beach restaurants with sunbeds by day, then transform into nightclubs with fire shows, live music, and DJs.
What I like about the beach clubs in Phuket is that each one has its own unique vibe, such as:
- Tann, Karon: Awesome fire shows and even better sunsets
- Barra Cuda, Patong: Ibiza-style pool parties
- Smigos, Bang Tao: Chilled, local island vibes with fire shows and the best Thai food
- Ska Bar, Kata: Small but super cool reggae bar at the southern end of Kata beach.
Phuket is also home to the world’s only floating beach club! Yona Floating Beach Club is a multi-level boat anchored in the Andaman Sea with a 22-metre infinity pool, four bars, and 360-degree ocean views. Go mornings for a chilled vibe or afternoons for DJ sets and full party energy. You need to book in advance and I recommend getting a seating package to get the most out of it.
Aside from beach clubs, Phuket has an abundance of epic bars with stunning ocean or jungle views. During the day, they serve coffee amidst a relaxed ambience, then at night it’s all about cocktails and music. Here are my favourite beach clubs in Phuket:
- Tree Bay Clubhouse, Kata: Hidden in the jungle, it has a luxurious and exclusive vibe and is one of the most sophisticated bars in Phuket.
- The Sundeck, Kata: Ideal for sipping cocktails and sharing Mediterranean-inspired dishes while watching the sunset.
- View Cafe, Chalong: This hilltop cafe is far from the tourist crowds, so it has a very local vibe. Come here for a coffee or lunch and enjoy vistas of the whole island.
- A Blanket & A Pillow, Karon: What started as a small and quiet coffee shop has now expanded into a bustling, multi-level sunset bar.
- Summore Day, Promthep Cape: This daytime cafe has the coolest and most Instagrammable gardens as well as a roof terrace giving breathtaking views over the Andaman Sea.
- Three Monkeys: Located at the top of a hill just outside Phuket Town, Three Monkeys is more of a restaurant than a bar. It serves tasty Thai dishes amidst a jungle environment, with many awesome chill spots and super cool decor. It’s next to Hanuman World where you can try adventurous activities like zip-ling through the jungle.
Shows and Entertainment
If you’re looking for something a bit different, there are several cultural shows you can watch. Here’s some of the best shows in Phuket:
- Simon Cabaret, Patong: Known as Thailand’s most famous ladyboy show, Simon Cabaret is a theatrical journey blending music, dance, and comedy. Expect high energy, elaborate choreography, and lots of laughs. Book your tickets here.
- Siam Niramit, near Phuket Town: This is an awesome theatrical performance combining dance, music, martial arts and spectacular visuals. The show tells the story of Thailand’s history, traditions and myths in an entertaining, immersive, and truly fascinating way. Get your tickets here.
- Bangla Stadium, Patong: This popular Muay Thai stadium hosts real fights featuring professional Thai and International Muay Thai fighters. While it’s not for the faint-hearted, it’s impressive to see the talent and skill involved in Thailand’s national sport. Get your tickets here.
- Phuket Circus, Kathu: Home to two jaw-dropping live shows. The Aqua Circus blends aerial stunts, synchronized swimming, and dazzling water and light effects across 80 minutes of non-stop spectacle. For something more intense, the Adrenaline Rush show brings out the legendary Wheel of Death, motorcycle globe riders, knife throwing, and a fire finale. Book your tickets here.
A word of warning: There are some “entertainment” shows in Phuket that exploit animals, such as parades featuring live animals like elephants. Unfortunately, Phuket currently lacks regulations to prevent the unethical use of animals, so I highly recommend researching any show you’re considering attending beforehand to check if animals are used in the show.
Now You Know Where To Eat, Shop and Party in Phuket!
I hope this Phuket food guide has helped you navigate the endless dining, shopping, and entertainment options on Thailand’s largest island. Now you know exactly where to eat, shop and party in Phuket, why not start planning the rest of your trip, such as where to stay, what to do, and which nearby islands to visit if you haven’t already?
Check out my other Phuket travel blogs and guides for more tips and recommendations :
And if you’re planning a longer trip around Thailand you can check out all my other Thailand travel blogs and guides for more tips.
