PHUKET: What is it about food that gets tummies rumbling and starts people debating the virtues of one restaurant over another?
''Probably the taste,'' you say. Yes, that must be it for sure.
When a Phuketwan reporter passed a comment recently that Phuket City dining was far superior to elsewhere on the island, a reader named West Coast Diner fired back: ''No it ain't,'' except a little more politely.
And then West Coast Diner went on to list 15 excellent restaurants, north west and south of Phuket City. ''OK, match those dining experiences,'' he challenged.
He had us trapped like a fat Phuket frog in the headlamp of a midnight frog hunter. We'd been thinking as we always do about ''good value'' restaurants but had neglected to insert those two words in the sentence.
There's no denying Phuket has fine restaurants north, west and south. But could they match Phuket City for good value?
An intrepid reporter set to work and contacted as many restaurants as possible from West Coast Diner's list, then matched them with restaurants from Phuket City.
The result? An instant guide to some of the best restaurants on Phuket, both for fine dining and good value.
There are some notable omissions we readily acknowledge. Phuket's best-kept secret, Kor Jok Si, is not included because dancing on tables is not really on normal menus.
And three well-known restaurants failed to respond to their listed telephone numbers.
Yet for anyone whose tummy is rumbling right now, there's a steady month's worth of nights out at great Phuket restaurants in our list.
Dibuk
69 Dibuk Road, Old Phuket Town
Telephone: 081-7195340
Specialty: Thai food and French food. Atmosphere
Price and recommendations by Soontree Thipparat
Dinner for two (no alcohol): 1000 baht
Other Favorites: Nam Yoy
Uptown
51 Tilok-U-Thit 2 Road, at the corner, Phuket City
Telephone: 081 4767444
Price and recommendations by Suparat Boonyavanichkul
Dinner for two (no alcohol): 240 baht
Speciality: Tomyum noodles, fried sukiyaki, low price, and cleanness
Other Favorites: Rendezvous Phuket
Raya
48 New Dibuk Road, Old Phuket Town, Phuket City
Telephone: 076 218155
Price and recommendations by Gularb Jessadawan
Dinner for two (no alcohol): 1100 baht
Speciality: Original Phuket food
Other Favorites: Kan Eang @ Pier
Thammachart (Natural) Restaurant
62/5 Soi Phuthon, Phuket City
Telephone: 076 224287
Price and recommendations by Sirijit Jaiyen
Dinner for two (no alcohol): 600-800 baht
Speciality: Original Thai food and atmosphere
Other Favorites: Pa Lai Seafood
Pomodoro
Yaowarat Road, (near Tops Supermarket) Samkong, Phuket City
Telephone: 080 4986082
Price and recommendations by Supawan Tansakul
Dinner for two (no alcohol): 500 baht
Speciality: Healthy food, homemade dough for pizza and bread, fresh food and atmosphere
Other Favorites: Tunka Cafe and Je t'aime
China Inn
20 Thalang Rd. Talad Nua, Old Phuket Town, Phuket City
Telephone: 076 356239
Price and recommendations by Supat Prommajan>
Dinner for two (no alcohol): 500 baht
Speciality: Atmosphere and fresh food
Other Favorites: Raya
Kopi Tiam by Wilai
Thalang Rd., Old Phuket Town, Phuket City
Telephone: 083 6069776
Price and recommendations by Wiwan Bamrungwong
Dinner for two (no alcohol): 200-300 baht
Speciality: Baba food
Other Favorites: Mee Ao Gey, Talay Tong, Brasserie
Tunka Cafe
On top of Rang Hill, Phuket City
Telephone: 076 211500
Price and recommendations by Thanathip Kienpotiramard
Dinner for two (no alcohol): 600 baht
Speciality: Atmosphere, the view of Phuket City, tasty food, and Tunka coffee
Other Favorites: Maimorn
Siam Indigo
8 Phang-nga Rd, Talad Nua, Old Phuket Town, Phuket City Phuket
Telephone: 076 256297
Price and recommendations by Celine Masson
Dinner for two (no alcohol): 1600 baht
Other Favorites: Suay and Vset
Phuket View
On Rang Hill, 87/12 Korsimbee Road, Phuket City
Telephone: 076 216865
Price and recommendations by Pongpol Nantawong
Dinner for two (no alcohol): 800 baht
Speciality: Atmosphere, nature and food.
Other Favorites: Tunka Cafe
Watermark (Bypass Rd. Branch)
60/2 moo2 Chalermprakied Rd. Kohkaew,Phuket City
Telephone: 076 377963
Price and recommendations by Uraiwan Chinnabut
Dinner for two (no alcohol): 1500 baht
Speciality: Atmosphere, Thai and Italian food
Other Favorites: Tawai
Suay
50/2 Takuapa Rd, Talad Nua, Muang, Phuket
Telephone: 081 7974135, 087 8886990
Price and recommendations by Tammasak Chootong
Dinner for two (no alcohol): 600 baht
Other Favorites: Supper Club and New York Bar
The Point Bistro
The Point Condominium, Bypass Road, Opposite Big C, Phuket City
Telephone: 076 301789
Price and recommendations by Pimolrat Dechanipon
Dinner for two (no alcohol): 500 baht
Other Favorites: Raya and Kan Eang @ Pier
Hong Kong
Adress:14 Bangkok Rd.,Old Phuket Town, Phuket City
Telephone: 081 7876600
Price and recommendations by Eggy Kwok
Dinner for two (no alcohol): 1000 baht
Speciality: Fried mantis shrimp with garlic, fried lobster with ginger and crunchy noodles
Other Favorites: No recommendation
DaVinci
BZenter 28/46 Moo 1, Nai Harn, Phuket (Opposite 7-Eleven on the road to Nai Harn Beach)
Telephone: 076 289574
Price and recommendations by Jana Sasikova
Dinner for two (no alcohol): 2400 baht
Other Favorites: VSet restaurant, 9th Floor, Rekata and Siam Indigo
Catch Beach Club
Surin Beach Road, Cherng Talay, Thalang, Phuket
Telephone 076 316567
Price and recommendations by Panchaya Suwanmanee
Dinner for two (no alcohol): 3500 baht for a romantic set up, and 2580++ baht for dinner buffet.
Speciality: Stop and chill, relaxing, oyster bar, sushi, sashimi and fresh sea food.
Other Favorites: Xana Beach Club
Kan Eang @ Pier
Near Chalong Pier, 44/1 Moo 5, Viset Road, Chalong
Telephone: 083 1751187
Price and recommendations by Panatnan Pachantabutr
Dinner for two (no alcohol): 900 baht
Speciality: Great view and location, lobster sashimi, grilled seafood (grilled with coconut spathe - ecofriendly)
Other Favorites: Raya
Boathouse
182 Koktanode Road, Kata Beach, Phuket
Telephone: 076 330015
Price and recommendations by Pinyo Thippimas
Dinner for two (no alcohol): 2000 baht
Speciality: Siam papas for appetizer, green curry ananaz, rock lobster, dried fish tomyum, cheese plate, and mango with sticky rice.
Other Favorites: Ban Rim Pa and Mom Tri Kitchen
Rum Jungle
69/8 Baan Sai Yuan, Rawai
Telephone: 076 388135
Price and recommendations by Pattama Bruno
Dinner for two (no alcohol): 1000 baht
Speciality: New Zealand tenderloin steak, fsh fllet, and lamb musaka
Other Favorites: Kan Eng @ Pier
Ban Rim Lay
44 Moo 6, Rawai, Phuket
Telephone: 084 0543431
Price and recommendations by Nimit Ekvanich
Dinner for two (no alcohol): 600 baht
Speciality: Seaview atmosphere and southern food
Other Favorites: Palai Seafood
9th Floor
47 Rat-U-Thid Road 200, Sky Inn Condotel, Patong, Kathu, Phuket
Telephone: 076 344311
Price and recommendations by Thomas Brack
Dinner for two (no alcohol): 2500 baht
Speciality:Meat from Australia, pasta, cheese, and avocado soup.
Other Favorites: Mom Tri Kitchen, Boat House, Joe's Downstairs and Aqua.
Sam's Steak
(Holiday Inn) 52 Thaweewong Rd, Patong Beach, Kathu Phuket
Telephone: 076 344 311
Price and recommendations by Panom Pansuk
Dinner for two (no alcohol): 3000 baht
Speciality: Signature steak and cooking food in front of the customers
Other Favorites: Buffalo Steak, White Box, Joe's Downstairs
Ban Rim Pa
223 Prabaramee Road, Patong Beach
Telephone: 076 340789
Price and recommendations by Susanne Ultmann
Dinner for two (no alcohol): 3200 baht
Other Favorites: Joe's Downstairs
Aqua
324/15 Prabaramee Road-Patong Kalim, Kathu, Phuket
Telephone: 076 618127
Price and recommendations by Alessandro Frau
Dinner for two (no alcohol): 3000 baht
Speciality: Italian
Other Favorites: Raya, Catch Beach Club, and Ban Rim Pa
Patong Seafood
Beach Rd, 200 m south of Soi Bangla, Patong
Telephone: 076 341244
Price and recommendations by Anan Korkitipaiboon
Dinner for two (no alcohol): 1500 baht (depends on the weight of the seafood)
Speciality: Seafood
Other Favorites: No recommendation
Capanina
30/9 Kata Rd., Kata Beach, Phuket
Telephone: 076 284450
Price and recommendations by Jirawan Tromkamsri
Dinner for two (no alcohol): 1800 baht
Speciality: Pizza and Italian food
Other Favorites: Kan Eang @ Pier and Ratri (in Kata)
Taste
Surin Beach Road, Cherng Talay, Thalang, Phuket
Telephone: 076 270090
Price and recommendations by Jade B Lama
Dinner for two (no alcohol): 1600 baht
Speciality: Serving a variety of dishes from a classic ceasar salad to homemade Foi gras terrine.
Other Favorites: Tatonka and Breeze at Cape Yamu
''Probably the taste,'' you say. Yes, that must be it for sure.
When a Phuketwan reporter passed a comment recently that Phuket City dining was far superior to elsewhere on the island, a reader named West Coast Diner fired back: ''No it ain't,'' except a little more politely.
And then West Coast Diner went on to list 15 excellent restaurants, north west and south of Phuket City. ''OK, match those dining experiences,'' he challenged.
He had us trapped like a fat Phuket frog in the headlamp of a midnight frog hunter. We'd been thinking as we always do about ''good value'' restaurants but had neglected to insert those two words in the sentence.
There's no denying Phuket has fine restaurants north, west and south. But could they match Phuket City for good value?
An intrepid reporter set to work and contacted as many restaurants as possible from West Coast Diner's list, then matched them with restaurants from Phuket City.
The result? An instant guide to some of the best restaurants on Phuket, both for fine dining and good value.
There are some notable omissions we readily acknowledge. Phuket's best-kept secret, Kor Jok Si, is not included because dancing on tables is not really on normal menus.
And three well-known restaurants failed to respond to their listed telephone numbers.
Yet for anyone whose tummy is rumbling right now, there's a steady month's worth of nights out at great Phuket restaurants in our list.
Phuket City Region Restaurants
Dibuk
69 Dibuk Road, Old Phuket Town
Telephone: 081-7195340
Specialty: Thai food and French food. Atmosphere
Price and recommendations by Soontree Thipparat
Dinner for two (no alcohol): 1000 baht
Other Favorites: Nam Yoy
Uptown
51 Tilok-U-Thit 2 Road, at the corner, Phuket City
Telephone: 081 4767444
Price and recommendations by Suparat Boonyavanichkul
Dinner for two (no alcohol): 240 baht
Speciality: Tomyum noodles, fried sukiyaki, low price, and cleanness
Other Favorites: Rendezvous Phuket
Raya
48 New Dibuk Road, Old Phuket Town, Phuket City
Telephone: 076 218155
Price and recommendations by Gularb Jessadawan
Dinner for two (no alcohol): 1100 baht
Speciality: Original Phuket food
Other Favorites: Kan Eang @ Pier
Thammachart (Natural) Restaurant
62/5 Soi Phuthon, Phuket City
Telephone: 076 224287
Price and recommendations by Sirijit Jaiyen
Dinner for two (no alcohol): 600-800 baht
Speciality: Original Thai food and atmosphere
Other Favorites: Pa Lai Seafood
Pomodoro
Yaowarat Road, (near Tops Supermarket) Samkong, Phuket City
Telephone: 080 4986082
Price and recommendations by Supawan Tansakul
Dinner for two (no alcohol): 500 baht
Speciality: Healthy food, homemade dough for pizza and bread, fresh food and atmosphere
Other Favorites: Tunka Cafe and Je t'aime
China Inn
20 Thalang Rd. Talad Nua, Old Phuket Town, Phuket City
Telephone: 076 356239
Price and recommendations by Supat Prommajan>
Dinner for two (no alcohol): 500 baht
Speciality: Atmosphere and fresh food
Other Favorites: Raya
Kopi Tiam by Wilai
Thalang Rd., Old Phuket Town, Phuket City
Telephone: 083 6069776
Price and recommendations by Wiwan Bamrungwong
Dinner for two (no alcohol): 200-300 baht
Speciality: Baba food
Other Favorites: Mee Ao Gey, Talay Tong, Brasserie
Tunka Cafe
On top of Rang Hill, Phuket City
Telephone: 076 211500
Price and recommendations by Thanathip Kienpotiramard
Dinner for two (no alcohol): 600 baht
Speciality: Atmosphere, the view of Phuket City, tasty food, and Tunka coffee
Other Favorites: Maimorn
Siam Indigo
8 Phang-nga Rd, Talad Nua, Old Phuket Town, Phuket City Phuket
Telephone: 076 256297
Price and recommendations by Celine Masson
Dinner for two (no alcohol): 1600 baht
Other Favorites: Suay and Vset
Phuket View
On Rang Hill, 87/12 Korsimbee Road, Phuket City
Telephone: 076 216865
Price and recommendations by Pongpol Nantawong
Dinner for two (no alcohol): 800 baht
Speciality: Atmosphere, nature and food.
Other Favorites: Tunka Cafe
Watermark (Bypass Rd. Branch)
60/2 moo2 Chalermprakied Rd. Kohkaew,Phuket City
Telephone: 076 377963
Price and recommendations by Uraiwan Chinnabut
Dinner for two (no alcohol): 1500 baht
Speciality: Atmosphere, Thai and Italian food
Other Favorites: Tawai
Suay
50/2 Takuapa Rd, Talad Nua, Muang, Phuket
Telephone: 081 7974135, 087 8886990
Price and recommendations by Tammasak Chootong
Dinner for two (no alcohol): 600 baht
Other Favorites: Supper Club and New York Bar
The Point Bistro
The Point Condominium, Bypass Road, Opposite Big C, Phuket City
Telephone: 076 301789
Price and recommendations by Pimolrat Dechanipon
Dinner for two (no alcohol): 500 baht
Other Favorites: Raya and Kan Eang @ Pier
Hong Kong
Adress:14 Bangkok Rd.,Old Phuket Town, Phuket City
Telephone: 081 7876600
Price and recommendations by Eggy Kwok
Dinner for two (no alcohol): 1000 baht
Speciality: Fried mantis shrimp with garlic, fried lobster with ginger and crunchy noodles
Other Favorites: No recommendation
West, South and North Phuket Restaurants
DaVinci
BZenter 28/46 Moo 1, Nai Harn, Phuket (Opposite 7-Eleven on the road to Nai Harn Beach)
Telephone: 076 289574
Price and recommendations by Jana Sasikova
Dinner for two (no alcohol): 2400 baht
Other Favorites: VSet restaurant, 9th Floor, Rekata and Siam Indigo
Catch Beach Club
Surin Beach Road, Cherng Talay, Thalang, Phuket
Telephone 076 316567
Price and recommendations by Panchaya Suwanmanee
Dinner for two (no alcohol): 3500 baht for a romantic set up, and 2580++ baht for dinner buffet.
Speciality: Stop and chill, relaxing, oyster bar, sushi, sashimi and fresh sea food.
Other Favorites: Xana Beach Club
Kan Eang @ Pier
Near Chalong Pier, 44/1 Moo 5, Viset Road, Chalong
Telephone: 083 1751187
Price and recommendations by Panatnan Pachantabutr
Dinner for two (no alcohol): 900 baht
Speciality: Great view and location, lobster sashimi, grilled seafood (grilled with coconut spathe - ecofriendly)
Other Favorites: Raya
Boathouse
182 Koktanode Road, Kata Beach, Phuket
Telephone: 076 330015
Price and recommendations by Pinyo Thippimas
Dinner for two (no alcohol): 2000 baht
Speciality: Siam papas for appetizer, green curry ananaz, rock lobster, dried fish tomyum, cheese plate, and mango with sticky rice.
Other Favorites: Ban Rim Pa and Mom Tri Kitchen
Rum Jungle
69/8 Baan Sai Yuan, Rawai
Telephone: 076 388135
Price and recommendations by Pattama Bruno
Dinner for two (no alcohol): 1000 baht
Speciality: New Zealand tenderloin steak, fsh fllet, and lamb musaka
Other Favorites: Kan Eng @ Pier
Ban Rim Lay
44 Moo 6, Rawai, Phuket
Telephone: 084 0543431
Price and recommendations by Nimit Ekvanich
Dinner for two (no alcohol): 600 baht
Speciality: Seaview atmosphere and southern food
Other Favorites: Palai Seafood
9th Floor
47 Rat-U-Thid Road 200, Sky Inn Condotel, Patong, Kathu, Phuket
Telephone: 076 344311
Price and recommendations by Thomas Brack
Dinner for two (no alcohol): 2500 baht
Speciality:Meat from Australia, pasta, cheese, and avocado soup.
Other Favorites: Mom Tri Kitchen, Boat House, Joe's Downstairs and Aqua.
Sam's Steak
(Holiday Inn) 52 Thaweewong Rd, Patong Beach, Kathu Phuket
Telephone: 076 344 311
Price and recommendations by Panom Pansuk
Dinner for two (no alcohol): 3000 baht
Speciality: Signature steak and cooking food in front of the customers
Other Favorites: Buffalo Steak, White Box, Joe's Downstairs
Ban Rim Pa
223 Prabaramee Road, Patong Beach
Telephone: 076 340789
Price and recommendations by Susanne Ultmann
Dinner for two (no alcohol): 3200 baht
Other Favorites: Joe's Downstairs
Aqua
324/15 Prabaramee Road-Patong Kalim, Kathu, Phuket
Telephone: 076 618127
Price and recommendations by Alessandro Frau
Dinner for two (no alcohol): 3000 baht
Speciality: Italian
Other Favorites: Raya, Catch Beach Club, and Ban Rim Pa
Patong Seafood
Beach Rd, 200 m south of Soi Bangla, Patong
Telephone: 076 341244
Price and recommendations by Anan Korkitipaiboon
Dinner for two (no alcohol): 1500 baht (depends on the weight of the seafood)
Speciality: Seafood
Other Favorites: No recommendation
Capanina
30/9 Kata Rd., Kata Beach, Phuket
Telephone: 076 284450
Price and recommendations by Jirawan Tromkamsri
Dinner for two (no alcohol): 1800 baht
Speciality: Pizza and Italian food
Other Favorites: Kan Eang @ Pier and Ratri (in Kata)
Taste
Surin Beach Road, Cherng Talay, Thalang, Phuket
Telephone: 076 270090
Price and recommendations by Jade B Lama
Dinner for two (no alcohol): 1600 baht
Speciality: Serving a variety of dishes from a classic ceasar salad to homemade Foi gras terrine.
Other Favorites: Tatonka and Breeze at Cape Yamu
Raya seems to have slipped in twice on the list.
Thanks for the list - I was actually hoping to see one just like this. Much appreciated.
Posted by ThaiMike on June 26, 2013 17:19
Editor Comment:
Raya is probably worth a couple of visits but it's now in the list just once. Thanks.