Phuket is the largest island in Thailand and one of the wealthiest in terms of diversity, culture and traditions. Being a big island means that there are plenty of places to eat and here are a few local food places that we assure you will want to go back again and again (without burning a hole in your pocket).
One Chun Cafe & Restaurant
If you like Thai food, this is a must-try restaurant in Phuket Town. One Chun meaning ‘Monday’ in Thai, this family-friendly restaurant serves an authentic southern Thai cuisine. One Chun is very popular among the locals and tourists due to the delicious Thai food at affordable prices and Instagram-worthy quirky vintage décor.
Tuck into a feast enjoying popular dishes from pork belly, crab curry, pak miang (Southern Thai vegetable) and sator (spicy sticky beans) and more.
48/1 Dibuk Rd, Tambon Talat Yai, Phuket
10 am to 10 pm (Daily)
Picture credit: One Chun ‘s Facebook
Abdul’s Roti Shop
This legendary roti shop is located in the heart of Phuket Town. It is said to be one of Phuket’s oldest Muslim restaurants run by the descendants of the original families who opened it over 7 decades ago. Whether you prefer sweet or savoury, this place has it all from sweet banana roti or their flaky plain roti with spicy chicken, beef or fish massaman curry. Many customers opt to pair the roti with cha yen or cha ron (Thai iced or hot tea) or a simple coffee. The place is usually very popular for breakfast.
Thalang Road, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket
7 am to 5 pm (Daily)
Khun Jeed’s Rad Na Restaurant
Rad Na is a Thai-style rice-noodle dish with meat, seafood and vegetables in a gravy-like sauce. Khun Jeed’s Rad Na restaurant is one of Phuket’s long-running Rad Na places on the island. The restaurant is located on Phang Nga Road, in the heart of Phuket Town which is few steps away from the vintage On On Hotel. The restaurant was established over 20 years ago. It is very visible when you walk past it because of its bright yellow exterior and the long queue from outside of the restaurant, especially during lunch hours.
Phangnga Road, Phuket Town
9.30am to 8.15 pm (Sun to Thu)
Closed on Wed
Mee Ton Poe Phuket Original Hokkien Noodles
Mee Ton Poe is well-known for Phuket Hokkien noodle. The restaurant is situated right in front of the clock roundabout on Phuket Road. They serve a delightful, inexpensive, fresh Hokkien noodle dishes with chicken, pork, fish, egg, shellfish, or vegetables. They also serve different Thai starters including their famous pork satays, fish cake, and crispy pork skin. This place is not so spacious and can get really busy so be prepared that you may need to share tables with others.
9/109 Phuket Road, Phuket Town
10 am to 6 pm (Daily)
Suay Restaurant
Suay meaning ‘Beautiful’ in Thai. Immerse yourself in this modern Thai cuisine, creatively prepared with the stimulating mix of freshly sourced local and regional ingredients with European cooking techniques. This unique restaurant offers delicious food at affordable prices.
Daily signature dishes Phuket Papillote (baked sea bass with local vegetables and turmeric butter), Grilled lemongrass lamb chops with papaya salad, Phuket Paella and more.
Address:
Various locations in Phuket
www.suayrestaurant.com
Rawai Seafood Market
If you are a fan of seafood, then Rawai Seafood Market is the “must visit” place in Phuket. Rawai beach is a scenic beach with small fishing boats used to harvest a selection of seafood. Rawai Seafood Market started as a local fisherman village where the locals buy the fresh catch to take home. Over the years, the small market has grown and became famous. You can buy live seafood from the stalls and go across the street to one of the restaurants where the cooks will prepare and serve the items you bought. It is a very busy place but a worth the experience especially for seafood lovers.
Rawai Pier, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket
11 am to 9 pm (Daily)
Mala Dim Sum
There is a wide selection of Dim Sum here but the one you must try is the braised mee sua (wheat flour noodles), a favourite of many locals. The restaurant is quite close to Kata Beach making it convenient to reach from The Boathouse Phuket.
117/1-2 Patak Road Kata, Phuket
5 am to 12.30 pm (Daily)
Stay at The Boathouse Phuket, beachfront resort right by Kata Beach.
Visit hotel website