Places in Phuket That Don’t Feel Like Thailand
If you’re looking to take a short break from the typical Thai vibe, Phuket offers a whole range of locations with a European feel. We’ve put together a list of places on the island where you can go for the atmosphere of European streets, gourmet supermarkets, and modern lifestyle complexes.
A European Promenade in Bang Tao
Boat Avenue is more than just a shopping strip — it’s an entire quarter of shophouses, branded cafes, European restaurants, and the Villa Market supermarket, which offers a wide selection of Spanish delicacies, French cheeses, and Italian wines.
Tip: come here in the evening, when the terrace lights turn on and the bars open — the atmosphere feels especially European.
One of the most European-style shopping centers on the island, Porto de Phuket, is located at Boat Avenue.
Porto de Phuket
(Bang Tao)
Working hours: Mon - Sun: 10:00 - 22:00
The shopping complex is designed in the style of Italian outlet malls. It resembles a spacious open-air gallery where you can not only shop, but also enjoy a leisurely walk.
Local boutiques offer a wide selection: various clothing and accessories brands, pet supplies, a sports hypermarket, hobby and craft stores, and much more.
Another major attraction is the Central Food Hall supermarket, with a huge selection of imported products and a large food court featuring both Thai and European cuisine. You can read more about where to buy European products in Phuket in our article “Supermarkets with European Products in Phuket”.
On both sides of the walkways, you’ll find restaurants offering different cuisines — European, Russian, and Japanese. Porto de Phuket also regularly hosts events such as open-air movie nights, fire shows, and themed children’s festivals. All in all, it’s easy to spend an entire day here.
Phuket Old Town
(Phuket Town)
Phuket Old Town is not quite the kind of Europe travelers usually look for in modern shopping spaces or trendy districts like Bang Tao. There are no pristine white squares, strict geometry, or familiar urban layouts here. Yet it is precisely in this part of the island’s capital that you’ll find a true European trace, woven into the Asian environment so subtly and organically that the city feels both familiar and completely unique.
The Sino-Portuguese façades along Thalang, Dibuk, and Rommanee streets recall the days when Phuket was an important trading port. Portuguese merchants brought their architectural traditions here, blending them with Chinese culture — and this is how a style emerged that has now become the city’s signature. Narrow balconies, arched windows, pastel-colored walls, decorative stucco — all of this creates the feeling of a Southern European quarter, transporting you somewhere between Macau, Malacca, and old Portugal.
It’s important to understand that Old Phuket is not an attempt to recreate Europe. It’s authentic, vibrant, and deeply local. The European influence here is just one facet that adds to its appeal.
As you stroll through the old streets, you’ll come across cozy cafés filled with the aroma of freshly roasted coffee beans and croissants, art galleries, small bars, and colonial mansions — all of this, however, exists within the context of a tropical island, Asian traditions, and local culture. We’ve gathered the best restaurants here: https://phuket-insider.com/en/category/the-best-cafes-and-restaurants-phuket-town/
Blue Tree Phuket
(Bang Tao)
Working hours:
Blue Tree is not just a shopping mall, but an entire community space with a lagoon, a water park, cafés, yoga studios, and stylish shops. Its architecture and services are geared toward a Western audience, offering a wide range of activities, wellness services, and festival-style events.
The retail area of the complex is designed in the style of Phuket’s Sino-Portuguese architecture, creating the feeling of a walk along an old colonial street.
Here you’ll find small artisan shops and trendy boutiques where you can buy clothing, accessories, handcrafted items, creative supplies, home décor, and unique gifts. There are also cafes and restaurants serving a variety of cuisines — from Italian to French.
In addition, Blue Tree Phuket is one of the island’s main destinations for family leisure. It features Kids Planet, a dedicated area for young children to play, learn, and explore, as well as Adventure Village — a large indoor activity zone with a trampoline park, zipline, maze, and other attractions for both kids and adults.
There are also several top-tier sports studios on site, including the Padel Phuket @ Blue Tree padel courts, the UTime Fitness gym, and the Phuket TT Club table tennis club.
My Front Yard
(Wichit)
Working hours:
This new shopping mall, which opened in Chalong in 2025, can easily be described as a modern lifestyle complex with a European vibe. Its open layout, overall concept, international cuisine, Western-style cafes and restaurants, as well as fitness and spa areas all contribute to this atmosphere.
Come here in the morning for coffee and fresh pastries, spend the day strolling through the courtyards and shops or heading to a workout, and in the evening enjoy a beautiful and delicious dinner.
This is not a typical enclosed shopping mall, but an open-air space with green walkways, cozy courtyards, and relaxation areas. There’s a wide variety of restaurants and cafes here — from Italian pizza and Neapolitan pasta to Japanese tea houses and desserts. Beyond dining, My Front Yard also offers fitness and wellness services, making it easy to combine a walk, exercise, and relaxation — very much in the spirit of a modern European lifestyle.
Phuket Boat Lagoon
(Ko Kaeo)
Thailand’s first fully equipped yacht marina and a true “city on the water” with well-developed infrastructure. The marina can accommodate over 300 yachts: around 180 in the water and about 160 on land. A full range of services is available for yacht owners — from routine maintenance to complex repairs.
But this place is much more than just a marina. Boat Lagoon has long evolved into a stylish district with cafes, restaurants, shops, cozy waterfront promenades, and entertainment events. You can stroll along the water, dine with views of the yachts, and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere.
Recommendation: have lunch at one of the waterfront restaurants and take a walk around the marina — you can often spot interesting yachts and experience a maritime culture that feels very similar in spirit to European yacht towns.
Royal Phuket Marina
(Ко Kaeo)
Another marina in Phuket is modern and upscale, with hundreds of berths, luxury apartments overlooking the yachts, and services tailored to international clientele. Yacht events are often held here, and the range of services is designed to meet the needs of European and international sailors. Surrounded by stylish restaurants and villas with private moorings, the area feels like a little piece of Europe by the sea.
Combining a walk around the marina with dinner is a great way to spend the evening here.
Royal Phuket Marina is also a gateway to Phang Nga Bay and dozens of picturesque islands in the Andaman Sea, which can be reached in just a few hours by ferry.
European Cuisine Restaurants
Phuket welcomes a large number of European visitors from the UK, Germany, France, Sweden, and other countries, and the island’s dining scene has long adapted to the needs of international travelers. There are dozens of European restaurants here. Here are just a few of them:
LUME Bistro
(Ко Кaео)
Working hours: Mon - Sun: 09:00 - 22:00
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An ultra-aesthetic spot in Phuket that has quickly become a go-to destination for those who appreciate beautiful presentation, atmosphere, and high-end seafood cuisine. It’s known for serving some of the most photogenic breakfasts — red caviar against the backdrop of a bay filled with gently swaying luxury yachts, creating a picture-perfect postcard from the island’s maritime capital. LUME is located in the Royal Phuket Marina area, which we mentioned above.
Must try — the chef’s signature breakfast: eggs, Brie cheese, croissants, salmon, and elegant plating served on a silver tray with a glass of sparkling wine. It looks incredibly Instagrammable. Fans of bold flavors will also enjoy the Aperol tower, Fine de Claire oysters, profiteroles with black caviar, and vongole pasta.
ETNA Restaurant
(Bang Tao)
Working hours: Mon - Sun: 07:30 - 01:00
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A concept restaurant in Bang Tao offering ethnic cuisine with a creative, signature twist.
The interior is designed in a minimalist style: a high glass ceiling, an open kitchen, and a cozy terrace overlooking the lake create an atmosphere perfect for a romantic dinner, a family celebration, or a warm gathering with friends.
At the heart of the menu are fire-grilled dishes, flavorful meats, and baked goods from the restaurant’s own oven, while a thoughtfully curated wine list perfectly complements each dish.
Service at ETNA meets high international standards, with attentive staff, prompt service, and a personalized approach.
La Marée
(Bang Tao)
Working hours: Mon - Sun: 08:00 - 00:00
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A place where French culinary elegance intertwines with vibrant Italian accents and a Mediterranean atmosphere.
The chef uses only natural ingredients and simple presentation to preserve the true flavor of each product.
Must try — the tiramisu. It will transport you to the cozy streets of Italy. Mamma mia!
The interior is styled with refined aesthetics and plenty of greenery, while live music creates a romantic ambiance, making La Marée an ideal spot for a romantic dinner.
Phuket is highly authentic, yet far from monochrome. It also has its own “Western” side: Monaco-style yacht marinas, stylish promenade streets, massive malls, and French restaurants. So even while vacationing on a tropical island in the heart of the Andaman Sea, you can easily feel like you’re spending a day at a Greek or Italian resort.
