January’s Best Finds for Phuket Insider
We’re sharing our best finds of January 2026 — a curated selection of places across different categories that have only recently opened in Phuket and haven’t yet made it into the popular guides. As they say, we’ve sourced the freshest spots just for you!
Cafes & Restaurants
CLC Restaurant
Geo on Google Maps (Bang Tao)
Working hours:
Website | Menu | Booking
CLC is a must-visit for those who come to Phuket not just for dinner, but for a truly stylish night out in a “dinner & show” format. Expect strong cuisine, top-tier service, and a vibrant nightlife atmosphere. The venue is brand new, and only the fastest hunters for new openings in Phuket have had a chance to experience it so far.
The kitchen is built around a creative fusion of Pan-Asian and European techniques. Every dish is presented like a work of art. On our must-try list are the Philadelphia rolls and shrimp carpaccio. A well-curated cocktail and wine list is another big plus for the team behind the menu.
Evenings at CLC feature live music, DJ sets, dance performances, and large-scale shows. All of it comes together as one cohesive concept, where food, music, and performance blend into a single experience.
The service here is exemplary. Attention to guests is evident even in the smallest details — for example, you may be offered slippers if your feet get tired from dancing in heels. So feel free to dress up, especially since the venue has a dress code — beachwear is not recommended.
Prices are above average (starting at around 2,000 THB per person and up, depending on drinks and the format of the evening).
The Barrel Cherngtalay
Geo on Google Maps (Bang Tao)
Working hours:
Website | Menu
That very wine bar you can truly call a “hidden gem.” There aren’t many places like this in Phuket, so wine lovers — rejoice! Your list of must-visit wine spots just got one more addition.
The Barrel’s main pride is its impressive wine collection: among other highlights, you’ll find an excellent selection of rare organic and amber wines, as well as sake.
If you’re not well-versed in wine but would like to be, the bar staff will gladly guide you and suggest the perfect food pairings. Crowd favorites include beef tartare, octopus carpaccio, croquettes, and cheese-and-charcuterie boards. There are also main dishes (such as pasta) and even desserts — the must-try is the coconut ice cream.
The Barrel is equally well suited for a quiet evening for two or a get-together with friends. A glass of wine, great food, and a welcoming atmosphere — exactly what you need.
Bisou Phuket – French Restaurant
Geo on Google Maps (Bang Tao)
Working hours:
Website | Menu | Booking
A new stylish French restaurant for lovers of big-city dining — it feels more like Bangkok than Phuket.
The interior is a true delight for aesthetes: an open kitchen, pleasant music, carefully designed lighting and seating, and even a subtle woody aroma that adds a special charm. Upstairs, there’s an even more intimate space for those who value maximum privacy.
The menu centers around modern French cuisine with a southern twist. What’s important is that the dishes look impressive yet remain approachable and genuinely delicious. Among the favorites are sea bream tart (sometimes served with caviar), crab salad on brioche, and beef tartare. Even the fries here are outstanding!
The bar menu is just as strong — feel free to go for both cocktails and wine. A nice finishing touch is the complimentary limoncello served as a digestif at the end of the evening.
And of course, the service is one of the main reasons people keep coming back. It’s warm, attentive, and truly professional.
Coco Maya Cafe & Restaurant
Geo on Google Maps (Patong)
Working hours:
There are many Indian restaurants in Patong, and here’s another one — it opened quite recently, but it’s already received so many rave reviews that we simply couldn’t pass it by.
Coco Maya Cafe & Restaurant is a place with truly strong Indian cuisine. Here, classic Indian flavors are skillfully combined with a light fusion twist — delicious and far from ordinary.
The menu highlights worth coming for include butter chicken (tender chicken in a creamy tomato sauce), pav bhaji fondue (a modern take on classic Indian street food served fondue-style), and lehsooni palak (garlic spinach). Portions are generous, dishes are made using only fresh ingredients, and the spice level can be customized — because “spicy” here is the real deal.
The restaurant is located on the second floor of Central Mall on Bangla Road. To find it, take the escalator up and walk all the way to the left.
Issara Restaurant & Bar – Boat Avenue
Geo on Google Maps (Bang Tao)
Working hours:
Website | Menu | Booking
A new gastronomic spot in Phuket with a spacious terrace overlooking the lake. Elegant interiors, a relaxed atmosphere, and a pleasant evening vibe make it a great choice for a romantic dinner or a get-together with friends.
The restaurant’s cuisine features hints of Thai fusion, with generous portions and beautifully presented dishes. Among the favorites are the Issara seafood salad, duck, pork belly, fresh seafood (sea bass, salmon, tuna), steaks, and scallop risotto — overall, the focus is on seafood, though the menu offers much more than that.
Fans of all things Italian should definitely try the pizza — it’s baked here in a special oven.
The service is attentive, warm, and genuinely engaged — exactly how it should be. Prices are above average, but for this level of quality, it’s absolutely worth it.
Bars
Vechno Molodoy
Geo on Google Maps (Kata)
Working hours:
Menu | Instagram
A new bar in Kata with a simple menu and affordable prices — places like this are genuinely hard to come by in Phuket! It’s located on the second floor of the Sunlique restaurant.
The bar isn’t called “Vechno Molodoy” (Forever Young) by accident — the name references a popular song in Russia. And everyone there knows the punchline: “forever drunk.”
And it really lives up to the name: a wide selection of alcohol — draft and bottled beer, cocktails, infused spirits, and shots. Most importantly, the prices are very friendly.
The menu is simple and straightforward: chicken skewers — 170 THB, okroshka with kvass or kefir — 170 THB, fresh vegetable salad — 80 THB. The selection will surely expand over time. For entertainment, there’s a pool table, and in the evenings — live music and dancing. A great spot for a fun, boozy night out with friends without breaking the bank.
Massage salon
Aloa Massage Kamala Phuket
Geo on Google Maps (Kamala)
Working hours:
An oasis of calm and relaxation in the heart of Kamala. The salon is brand new, with interiors designed in light, stylish tones and without traditional Thai décor (which isn’t everyone’s cup of tea).
The treatment menu, however, sticks to the classics: Thai massage, relaxing oil sessions, and targeted work on problem areas. The therapists take all guest preferences into account — the level of service is comparable to some of Thailand’s top salons.
What makes any service truly great? The details. They’ve thought of everything here — warm towels, comfortable pajamas for Thai massage, tidy treatment rooms, and well-designed storage for personal belongings.
After your session, you’ll be invited to enjoy tea and desserts in a dedicated relaxation area. Aloa Massage Kamala Phuket is the perfect choice for those looking for high-quality massage at affordable prices in Kamala and who want to turn body care into a true ritual.
Sauna + mini-hotel
Bangtao bliss sauna
Geo on Google Maps (Bang Tao)
Working hours:
A wellness space with the option to stay overnight right on Bang Tao Beach. Everything here is literally steps from the sea: wake up and head straight to the beach, and in the evening, you can catch one of the most beautiful sunsets on the coast.
The main highlight of this place is the sauna + ice plunge combo. It’s a real lifesaver, especially when dealing with muscle soreness after a workout. This kind of contrast therapy helps you relax quickly, recover faster, and feel a boost of energy.
If you overdo it and get a little too relaxed, you can stay overnight at Bangtao Bliss: the rooms are simple but functional, and most importantly, very reasonably priced.
Bangtao Bliss is especially well suited for those who enjoy an active lifestyle, sports, and being close to beach clubs — there’s always a lot happening around, though it can get noisy in the evenings because of that.
Hotel
Thawalai Inn Kata
Geo on Google Maps (Kata)
Working hours:
A brand-new, budget-friendly hotel just a 10–15 minute walk from Kata Beach. A great option for those who want to stay close to the sea, markets, cafes, and massage salons — without overpaying for expensive resort infrastructure.
The hotel is small — just 12 rooms — which means it’s quiet and peaceful, with no noisy crowds, even though lively tourist activity is right nearby.
The rooms are simple yet thoughtfully designed: spacious layouts, comfortable beds, air conditioning, a balcony, good water pressure in the shower, a refrigerator, a safe, and stable Wi-Fi. Housekeeping is done regularly, with fresh towels and water provided daily, and basic toiletries available in the bathroom. Each room also comes with a kettle, coffee, and sugar — small touches that make the stay more comfortable.
The staff deserve special mention: guests are welcomed with a smile, helped with everything they need, and treated almost like family.
And once again, the location is Thawalai Inn Kata’s biggest advantage. Within walking distance, you’ll find the beach, the night market, restaurants for every taste, shops, pharmacies, and public transport stops. It’s also a convenient base for exploring the south of the island — Kata Noi, Karon, and nearby viewpoints.
