Authentic Thai Cafes
Phuket cuisine is fire, seafood, spices, and a cultural mix. It is a bit rougher and brighter than classic Thai cuisine, but thanks to this it leaves the most vivid gastronomic impression. Alas, amid the noise of heavily promoted tourist restaurants, it is easy to miss the true Thai flavors. Therefore, in this piece we have made a special selection for lovers of everything authentic — presenting cafes where you can try real Thai and Phuket cuisine.
The Charm Dining Gallery
Geo on Google Maps (Phuket Town)
Working hours: Mon - Tue: 11:00 - 21:00; Thu - Sun: 11:00 - 21:00
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This restaurant is located in a historic Sino-Portuguese mansion on Dibuk Street. And this is not just a restaurant — it is a true cultural stop within the island’s architectural heritage. The interior preserves the spirit of the old house, with original tiles, antique furniture, porcelain tableware, and a traditional inner well.
The Charm Dining Gallery is not awarded the Bib Gourmand by the Michelin Guide for nothing — it is a mark of quality and good value in the local cuisine segment.
Here you can try Southern Thai cuisine with Peranakan elements. We especially recommend Moo Hong — pork in a special soy-ginger sauce, tender crab meat with quail egg in curry sauce, and spicy fish curry in pineapple.
We talked about this and other budget Michelin-listed places in a video.
One Chun Café & Restaurant
Geo on Google Maps (Phuket Town)
Working hours: Mon 10:00 - 22:00; Tue 10:00 - 21:00; Wed - Sun: 10:00 - 22:00
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Another well-known spot with a Southern Thai and Peranakan menu, also awarded a Bib Gourmand by Michelin.
The restaurant is located in a Sino-Portuguese house; the interior features ceiling beams, dark wood furniture, retro decor, and vintage furnishings — bringing together the color, style, and soul of the Old Town.
Here they serve Southern Thai and Peranakan dishes prepared according to family recipes. Signature dishes include yellow curry with crab and rice noodles, steamed pork steak with spices, and crispy prawns with paste and spicy sauce.
Krua Praya
Geo on Google Maps (Si Sunthon)
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One of those hidden places known only by word of mouth. Tucked away in greenery, it easily escapes notice — which makes the discovery even more valuable. The setting itself invites you to exhale and slow down: the restaurant is nestled in a garden, tables are set under the tree canopies, and there is a sense of quiet and unhurried calm all around.
And the cuisine… It’s hard to imagine anyone leaving this place disappointed.
Krua Praya is not recognized in the Michelin Guide with a Bib Gourmand rating for nothing — they truly serve some of the best Southern Thai cuisine on the island.
Moo Hong — tender, spicy, and perfect. Pad Pak Miang with prawns is a refined classic, while the dry curry with crispy pork is a special treat for those who are not afraid of bold flavors. And the chili dip with dried shrimp is a true local rarity worth trying at least once.
Kaab Gluay
Geo on Google Maps (Patong)
Working hours: Mon - Sun: 11:00 - 23:30
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Although Patong is mostly known for tourist-oriented food, there are still some decent local options here. For example, Kaab Gluay, which is located right on a busy and noisy street. It’s an ideal choice if you want to eat well and authentically.
This place specializes in traditional Thai dishes — go for fresh seafood, curries, salads, and noodles. There are also vegetarian options available.
The setting here is quite simple — minimal decor, a functional rather than atmospheric interior. But that’s exactly what makes the place truly Thai, without tourist clichés and inflated prices.
Elephant Cafe’ by Tan
Geo on Google Maps (Karon)
Working hours: Mon - Sat: 12:00 - 22:00
Website | Menu
Away from the noise of the beach and the busy traffic of Karon, a small cafe with a simple name is tucked away — Elephant Cafe’ by Tan. There is no ostentatious luxury or flashy facades here, no tourist bait of that kind. Everything feels much more honest — and, strangely enough, that’s exactly what captures you at first glance.
Inside, there is cleanliness, potted greenery, light-colored walls, and soft lighting. It feels as if someone carefully gathered coziness from air and spices, hung it in the corners, and offered: “Here, have a seat — you’ll feel good here.”
The food is simple but delicious. Must-tries include fragrant Pad Thai, duck curry, spicy green papaya salad, and stir-fried seafood. Everything is fresh, with a balance of flavors known only to those who cook not by a recipe, but by memory.
Krua Ohm
Geo on Google Maps (Kathu)
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One of those modest little restaurants that’s easy to drive past, but impossible to forget after your first visit. It’s located in the Kathu area and from the street looks like a typical Thai eatery: a tiny sign in Thai, a couple of plastic chairs by the entrance, and absolutely no hint that this place has been mentioned in the prestigious Michelin Guide for two years.
It’s precisely this “disguise” that makes Krua Ohm a true find for those who want to try real Thai food, not adapted for tourists.
This is not a place for views and decor, but a restaurant where locals go. The menu is in Thai, but the staff are always happy to help with your choice, especially if you’re open to new flavors and not afraid of spice.
We especially recommend trying the fried fish, crispy pork, tom yum, and various kinds of stir-fried noodles. Portions are generous, and the prices are pleasantly affordable — you definitely won’t leave hungry.
Jadjan
Geo on Google Maps (Phuket Town)
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Another hidden gem in Kathu. This modest-looking Thai restaurant can easily go unnoticed if you don’t know what to look for. But behind its unassuming facade lies a kitchen worthy of a special trip.
The restaurant is run by a former chef from one of Bangkok’s five-star hotels, and you can feel it in every detail — from the balance of flavors to the presentation. Chef Suti is open and friendly, and he often comes out to the dining area himself to recommend what’s especially good that day.
At Jadjan, they cook authentic Southern Thai cuisine — rich, spicy, with deep, “mature” flavors. This is exactly why the restaurant received recognition in the Michelin Guide.
We tried curry with crab meat and betel leaves, as well as fried fish with garlic — and all the dishes turned out not just delicious, but with a vivid yet well-balanced character that is often lacking even in expensive restaurants.
Little Siam
Geo on Google Maps (Bang Tao)
Working hours: Mon - Sat: 12:00 - 22:00
Website | Menu | Book now
A place where it’s best to take a Thai-style pause. The restaurant is located slightly off the main road, and you can feel it right away — it’s calm here. The interior has an aesthetic feel: light wood, a bit of greenery, warm lighting, and soft background music playing from the speakers. The space doesn’t shout; it invites you to sit down, relax, and get ready for a delicious lunch.
The menu is compact, but it has everything you’d want from modern Thai cuisine. The tom yum with prawns is rich, vibrant, and well balanced in spiciness. The green mango salad is crunchy, with a nice acidity and a light sweetness. The red curry with duck turned out to be one of the most memorable dishes — thick, with tender meat and a deep flavor of coconut and spices.
The portions are neat, not oversized, but filling. The level of spiciness can be adjusted, and importantly, even “not spicy” doesn’t turn bland.
And at Little Siam in Bang Tao, there’s also an excellent bar menu: local cocktails, sparkling wine, and Thai beer. The yuzu mojito was a pleasant surprise — refreshing and moderately sweet.
Kalim Rim Lay
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A restaurant without pretension, but with soul. One of the few places where you can still feel the old Phuket: unhurried, local, with a view that’s impossible to forget. The place is located right above Kalim Beach, north of the busy area, and in the evening it’s especially beautiful — the sun sets straight into the sea.
The setting is as simple as it gets: plastic tables, a laminated menu, no frills at all. But that’s exactly what people come here for. Locals know that you’ll always find fresh seafood, generous portions, and authentic Southern flavors here. Try the fried prawns, classic tom yum, or crab in yellow curry — these are the dishes people keep coming back for. And the deep-fried sea bass is one of the best options to share.
The best time is around 5:30 PM, when there’s still a chance to get a table with an ocean view. Sit closer to the edge, order your favorite dish, and simply watch as the sky and water turn golden-pink.
Café Baan Mai
Geo on Google Maps (Rawai)
Working hours: Mon - Tue: 11:00 - 20:00; Thu - Fri: 11:00 - 20:00; Sat 10:00 - 20:00; Sun 11:00 - 20:00
In the atmosphere of Café Baan Mai in Rawai, you feel as if you’re at home… but this home’s host is a Thai with impeccable taste. The interior is cozy and thoughtfully designed: frames, jars, flowers, and little details, as if each one has its own story. It’s a family cafe, and you can feel it — the owners work here themselves, cook here, and welcome guests with genuine warmth.
Thai cuisine here comes in an author’s interpretation, with each recipe seeming to be passed from hand to hand. We especially recommend the pad thai. Vegan options are available upon request.
Another big plus is the open kitchen — a great idea: you can watch your food being prepared while sitting at your table. The service is sincerely warm, and the cleanliness is at a level that truly surprises — especially in Phuket, where, unfortunately, that’s not always the case.
Na Rimtang Phuket
Geo on Google Maps (Chalong)
Working hours: Mon - Sun: 11:00 - 20:00
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Na Rimtang Phuket is a stylish cafe near Wat Chalong Temple and a picturesque lake — like a mini oasis in the heart of Chalong. Leaving the temple behind and stopping by here is a great idea. You sit in a cool spot surrounded by greenery, warm light, and views of the water — as if in a quiet garden where Thai tranquility remains undisturbed.
The cuisine here is Thai with a creative twist. The menu is more extensive than it seems: there are dishes from Central and Southern Thai cuisine, as well as desserts and drinks.
A special point of pride is the traditional Thai herbal jelly (grass jelly), which many call the main reason to stop by here.
There’s also a small on-site shop selling branded products — from natural oils to souvenirs.
Mor Mu Dong
Geo on Google Maps (Chalong)
Working hours: Mon - Sun: 10:00 - 21:00
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And one more of those places you won’t stumble upon by accident. It’s hidden among mangroves not far from Chalong, and if you don’t know where to go, you’ll definitely drive right past it. This is not just a restaurant, but an entire labyrinth of wooden huts on stilts, surrounded by greenery, water, and the sounds of wildlife. The atmosphere feels like you’ve wandered into a secret village where time has stopped.
The place is very local: no gloss, no tourist shine — and that’s exactly its charm. People come here for real Southern Thai cuisine.
The menu is large, but you should especially try the mackerel stuffed with spices and deep-fried — crispy, spicy, and juicy. Also don’t miss the house shrimp paste with vegetables. Be warned: it will burn, but it’s that “right kind” of heat.
No one is in a hurry here. The food isn’t prepared quickly, but it’s made with heart. And while you wait, you sit in your own hut, look out over the water, listen to the birds singing, and literally forget that you’re only 15 minutes away from touristy Phuket.
We talked about this and other budget Michelin-listed places in a video.
Baan Ar Jor
Geo on Google Maps (Mai Khao)
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Not just a place to eat in Mai Khao. It’s history, architecture, and gastronomy all in one.
A restored Peranakan mansion (in the style of those found in Penang, Malacca, or Singapore) has preserved the spirit of the early 20th century: wooden floors, antique furniture, vintage photographs, and dozens of artifacts carefully collected in a home-style museum.
The atmosphere here feels like visiting a Thai-Chinese grandmother with refined taste.
On the mansion grounds is the restaurant Toh Daeng at Baan Ar Jor, which has long become a gastronomic legend of northern Phuket. It’s well known, well loved, and often booked long before arrival. No wonder it has received the Michelin Bib Gourmand — a mark not of pretension, but of quality, flavor, and fair pricing.
The menu is a mix of Thai and Chinese flavors with a nostalgic touch of childhood. Everything is refined, yet without snobbery. We recommend trying the braised pork, crab curry, and homemade desserts.
In Phuket, you can find true treasures of authentic cuisine. Away from polished tourist restaurants, you can discover deep, rich flavors of the South: spicy curries, fresh seafood, fermented pastes, wild herbs, and unexpected textures.
