In this list you will find restaurants serving local cuisine in Phuket old town. I’ve also included two highly rated food tours, which I believe are an excellent way to better understand the culture of a place.
At the end of the list, don’t miss the must-visit ice cream shop located right in the heart of the old town.
Raya House
Located in a Sino-Portuguese style house, this restaurant maintains a traditional decor and serves typical Phuket dishes. Opened in 1994, it remains popular not only with tourists but also with locals, which is always a good sign.
I can’t remember the exact dishes we had, but we followed the menu recommendations and everything was delicious! You can find more details about this restaurant here.
Photo 1: Entrance to the Raya House restaurant
Other restaurants in Phuket
(we haven´t tried these)
Blue Elephant Phuket
If you are not on a budget, this restaurant, which is housed in a Sino-Portuguese mansion, comes highly recommended and is likely to be worth the splurge! In addition to the restaurant, they offer Thai cooking classes, which include a visit to the market if you opt for the morning session.
Find out more here, where you can also view the menus available to suit different tastes and budgets.
Tu Kab Khao
This is one of the most popular restaurants in Phuket’s old town. With a modern decor, it also serves the typical dishes of the region. You can find more details on their Facebook page.
Thaivetro Ice Cream shop
At Thaivetro, you’ll find the most colourful and creative ice creams ever. With flavours like Unicorn and Cotton Candy, you can imagine Maria Rita’s excitement!
The ice creams are handmade, and the shop is famous for its exotic options, such as durian and wasabi. If you´re not feeling adventurous, don’t worry, they also serve more traditional flavours.
Although I didn’t find the ice cream extraordinary, it’s definitely worth a visit for the unique experience of the place itself.
Photo 2: List of ice cream flavours available at Thaivetro
Photo 3: Hokkaido Unicorn and Cotton Candy flavours
Food Tours
Phuket: Flavours of the South Guided Food Tour – this tour combines an immersion in Phuket’s culture with local cuisine, ending at the popular Chillva Market.
Phuket: Southern Flavours Food Tour with 15+ Tastings – starting at Phuket’s central market, this tour introduces the key ingredients of Thai cuisine and offers an authentic culinary experience.
Final thoughts on Phuket Food
The restaurants recommended in this post focus on traditional southern Thai cuisine, which has a strong Chinese influence due to the influx of Chinese immigrants in the 19th century.
Personally, this isn’t my favourite type of Thai food, and I prefer the Thai classics such as Pad Thai, Papaya Salad, or Red/Green curry. While these popular dishes are still available in Phuket, I encourage you to try the local cuisine with its unique Chinese influences, as it’s an authentic experience of the region’s culinary heritage.
Photo 4: Papaya salad we made during a cooking class in Chiang Mai back in 2016
Don’t miss the post on Phuket old town and my tips on where to stay in Phuket on the beach, or in the old town.
*This post contains affiliated links, and if you make a reservation/purchase through them I may earn a small commission at no extra cost you.
