La Costa Italian Restaurant

La Costa Italian Restaurant in Phuket is a calm, relaxed spot where Italian classics are prepared the right way. The main highlight is the wood-fired pizza: thin dough with a proper crisp crust, generous toppings, and a flavor that easily brings Naples to mind. The menu includes Margherita, salami, and truffle pizza, plus a pineapple option that’s done surprisingly well. Every pizza is made to order, and you can add thoughtful extras — like ricotta with honey served alongside the crust.

Beyond pizza, the kitchen delivers confidently on pasta too: Cajun chicken pasta, seafood pasta, ravioli, spaghetti with burrata, and spaghetti al pomodoro. There are starters (such as pesto bruschetta), desserts like crème brûlée, as well as good coffee, wine, and cocktails — including Aperol Spritz and non-alcoholic options. The smoothies and fresh juices are especially worth trying, including a mango smoothie made with unsweetened yogurt. For variety, the restaurant also offers Thai dishes (Pad Thai, satay) and vegetarian choices.

The dining room is comfortable: the air conditioning and fans are set up so it actually feels cool, with soft music in the background. The place is kept spotlessly clean, from the tidy seating area to the well-maintained restrooms. The restaurant is located opposite the Night Market, and it’s easy to park a scooter nearby. The staff are attentive, speak English, and there’s a Russian-language menu as well. Prices are higher than in typical Thai cafés, but they match the quality and portion sizes; there are occasional promotions on bottles of wine. On rare occasions, service can be a bit slow, and a small service charge is added to the bill.