Probably the two topics that I am asked to write about the most are bars and restaurants in Phuket. I’m not too much into home cooking so I eat out in Phuket every day. The food scene in Phuket is pretty diverse, but on the whole, it lacks the real edge that you can find in Bangkok. That being said, there is still a decent range of places to eat in Phuket.

One thing you’ll notice about restaurants in Phuket is that the whole street-food scene isn’t as prominent as in Bangkok. There are vendors, but they aren’t quite as visible as in the capital. Furthermore, it isn’t as easy to grab something to eat at 3 am. It can be done, but it’s just a case of looking in the right places. The area around Robinson in Phuket Town is particularly good for grabbing late-night Thai food.

Being an island, there are countless seafood restaurants in Phuket. The quality varies, but if you’re into seafood, you’ll likely find enough places to keep you occupied. One of the most popular seafood restaurants is Laem Hin Seafood, off Laem Him Pier. I, personally, prefer Kan Eang @ Pier, which is located at Chalong Pier. The best oysters in Phuket can be found at Natural Restaurant in Phuket Town.

Then there is the usual collection of Italian restaurants in Phuket, most of which are decidedly average. I don’t really rate most of the Italian places, except for La Gaetana in Phuket Town.

Indian restaurants in Phuket are another popular choice. Kanasutra in Phuket Town is a favorite with expats and tourists alike. The place is a bit gloomy, but for the most part, the portions are generous and the food is of a high standard. The owner is a guy named Billy, who is a friendly kind of dude who knows the island well. I’d avoid most Indian restaurants in Patong because they’re usually overpriced and the food is of a low standard.

This seems to be a common theme in Patong, where everything is catered towards tourists. I get bad vibes about eating anywhere in Patong, unless it’s Thai street food. Most of the larger restaurants aren’t worth the bother.

If you’ve been to Phuket, feel free to share your favorite place to eat.