There’s more to Phuket than perfect, turquoise waters and golden beaches – it’s also one of Thailand’s most exciting food destinations. From humble noodle stalls to ocean-view fine dining, the island’s cuisine captures the essence of Southern Thailand: bold, spicy, and incredibly flavourful. From bustling night markets to dining by the seaside, here’s where to discover the very best of Thai cuisine in Phuket.
A melting pot of flavours
Phuket’s food scene reflects its history as a trading port, blending Thai, Chinese, Malay, and even Portuguese influences. The result is a local cuisine that balances fiery chilies with sweet palm sugar, fragrant lemongrass, and the creamy richness of coconut milk.
Local favourites include moo hong, a slow-braised pork belly stew sweetened with soy and palm sugar, and mee Hokkien, thick yellow noodles stir-fried with seafood and eggs. These dishes tell the story of Phuket’s Chinese Hokkien heritage, best enjoyed at small local restaurants tucked away from the main tourist strips.
Where street food takes centre stage
For the most genuine taste of Phuket, follow the locals to its vibrant markets. The Phuket Town Weekend Market (Naka Market) is a paradise for food lovers, featuring rows of sizzling woks, bubbling curries, and irresistible aromas. Try spicy som tam (green papaya salad), grilled squid, and mango sticky rice for a sweet finish.
Another must-visit is Chillva Market, a hip, evening hotspot where you can snack on everything from Thai fried chicken and roti pancakes to modern fusion bites served from food trucks. For breakfast, head to Lock Tien Food Court, a local institution where vendors have been perfecting their dishes for generations. Don’t miss the satay skewers or mee hoon pad, a simple but comforting stir-fried noodle dish.
Seafood by the shore
With the Andaman Sea at its doorstep, Phuket offers some of Thailand’s freshest seafood. Beachside restaurants in Rawai and Kata serve grilled prawns, steamed fish with lime and chili, and spicy seafood soups like tom yum talay.
For an authentic local experience, visit Laem Hin Seafood, a floating restaurant reached by wooden pier, where the catch of the day is prepared to order. Pair your meal with a cold Singha beer and enjoy the sound of the waves beneath your feet.
Fine dining, Thai-style
Phuket’s dining scene has evolved considerably beyond its street-food roots. High-end restaurants like Blue Elephant, housed in a restored Sino-Portuguese mansion, elevate traditional Thai recipes with elegant presentation. PRU, Thailand’s first Michelin-starred restaurant outside Bangkok, offers a “farm-to-table” tasting menu inspired by local ingredients grown on the island.
Even upscale eateries stay true to Thai flavours; expect dishes that balance heat, citrus, and sweetness with precision and artistry.
Sweet endings and refreshing sips
No Thai meal is complete without dessert. Try tub tim grob (water chestnuts in coconut milk) or kanom krok, mini coconut pancakes cooked in cast-iron moulds and best eaten warm. Wash it all down with a cha yen – Thai iced tea, rich, sweet, and perfectly refreshing under Phuket’s tropical sun.
What makes Phuket’s cuisine truly special isn’t just its variety; it’s the heart behind every dish. Whether it’s a grandmother stirring curry paste at dawn, a street vendor grilling squid to perfection, or a chef reinventing Thai classics for modern palates, every bite tells a story of passion, heritage, and island life. For foodies, Phuket is a dream destination: an island where every meal, from street corner to seaside terrace, captures the generous, vibrant, and unforgettable spirit of Thailand.
