5 Good Local Restaurants to Try Southern Thai Food in Phuket

Are you looking for good restaurants that can make you smile in Phuket? Let TAGTHAi be your guide to help you find the best restaurants and enhance your precious moments. 

Briefly, Phuket is located in the southern part of Thailand and has a combination of old-town and beach vibes. Moreover, Phuket consists of good restaurants with varieties of authentic local dishes. Imagine! How good would it be if you could taste real traditional dishes while enjoying your time in Phuket? Don’t miss to check in at these 5 local restaurants recommended by TAGTHAi. 

1. Raya Restaurant 

Raya restaurant is one of the must-visit restaurants in Phuket. This authentic southern restaurant was founded from the cooking passion of Kularb Jesadawal, the owner of Raya restaurant. Both family and friends loved her dishes and appreciated Kularb’s culinary skills, so they encouraged her to open a restaurant. In 1994, Raya restaurant became one of the outstanding restaurants in Phuket. Once you step into the venue, you can see the Sino-Portuguese style house, aged over 100 years; this gives you feel a cozy vibe just like sitting on a dining table at your home. The interior is quite spacious, and the exterior is decorated with various types of trees and flowers which are perfect for everyone who comes alone, as a couple, or with a family. 

Raya offers excellent authentic local Phuket food. The signature and most well-known dish that everyone needs to order is Kang-puu (Crab Meat with Curry and Coconut milk). This recipe is not the same as other places. Big chunks of fresh crab meat, as a main ingredient, leave your mouth watering. Moo Hong or Muu-hwoong is also a must-try dish. 

If you would like to start your first meal here, it is only 45 minutes from the airport. The restaurant is located on Debuk Road. 

Location: Phuket Town Raya Restaurant

Open: 10 am – 10 pm 

 

2. Tu Kab Khao Restaurant 

Tu Kab Khao restaurant is a popular restaurant in Phuket among foreign and Thai visitors. Its decoration is a classic Sino-Portuguese style with white and blue tones making it unique and elegant at the same time. However, the menus are authentic southern food with affordable prices. The name, Tu Kab Khao, reflects the creativity of the owner who decided to use the simple Thai word. Tu Kab Khao means a small old-fashioned pantry that most Thais used to have in their kitchen to store leftovers. For the location, it is easy to find as it is near an attractive area, at Phuket Old Town, so you can enjoy lunch or dinner there! This southern Thai food restaurant is very popular among many Thai celebrities when they visit Phuket. If you are afraid of no seats available for you and your loved ones, we recommend you to go to another new branch at Porto de Phuket. 

The signature dishes are such as Moo Hong (pork belly stew), Sean Mee Gaeng Poo (rice noodles with crab curry), and Gaeng Som Pla (spicy and sour soup with fish). Many other local dishes are also recommended to try as this beautiful restaurant earned the Michelin Guide in Phuket. 

Location: Phuket Old Town Tu Kab Khao Restaurant Phuket  

Open: 11 am – 9 pm 

 

3. The Charm Restaurant 

The Charm restaurant was started from a family-owned business and the owner's passion for southern Thai food. A young owner, who opened the restaurant in 2018, seems not to be a legendary restaurant in Phuket. Nevertheless, the heritage of the restaurant itself and recipes has been escalated from Thai traditional methods with original flavors. Gaining Bib Gourmand of Michelin Guide in Thailand can prove that this restaurant is also one of the best restaurants in Phuket. Another important angle is to talk about the atmosphere and decor; the owner charms the restaurant to feel like a historical noble-person house in Thailand. Does it sound photogenic to have a selfie there? 

For lunch, this restaurant serves not only sharing dishes but also single-serving menus. Looking for a fancy and elegant time in Phuket? There is also an afternoon tea set serving with local and western-styled snacks and dessert during the afternoon till evening. If you would like to discover

authentic Thai and southern food with a contemporary concept, this is the place you don't want to miss out. 

Here are some recommended menus like Gang Pla Sapparod (fish and pineapple in curry), Moo Hong (pork belly stew), and Pla Tao Ew (Fish in soy sauce). 

Location: Phuket Town The Charm Dining Gallery 

Open: 11 am – 9 pm 

4. Mor Mu Dong Restaurant 

Mor Mu Dong restaurant might be different from usual restaurants and your restaurant expectations in Phuket. It is located at Mu Dong Canal, where it is nestled in the mangrove forest. As it is away from the Phuket urban area, you can experience the vibe of dining surrounded by nature. The dining area is a wooden pavilion and a down-to-earth setting of tables and seats. It seems rustic, but the food is very fantastic. Don’t hesitate to explore this new restaurant experience! This is good for you to spend a quality time enjoying seafood and the Phuket endless mangrove view. 

The highly recommended menus are Pla Tu Yat Sai (spicy stuffed fish) and Pla Mheug Pad Nam Dhum (stir-fried squid with black ink). 

Location: Chalong Mor Mu Dong Restaurant 

Open: 10 am – 9 pm 

5. Hong Khao Tom Pla Restaurant 

Hong Khao Tom Pla restaurant, located in Phuket town, is a small restaurant that serves the genuine taste of Thai food recommended by locals. An old yellow house is not outstanding, but visitors are willing to queue to taste local cuisines at this restaurant. With a pack of flavors on every menu and reasonable prices, this restaurant has been with Phuket residents for more than 30 years and has been awarded Bib Gourmand Michelin Guide for 3 years consecutively. There is no hesitation as to why Hong Khao Tom Pla Restaurant has become a favorite place among locals and tourists. 

The highlight plates are Poo Pad Pong Garee (stir-fried crab with curry powder), Goong Sauce Ma Kham (deep-fried shrimp with tamarind sauce), and Khao Tom Pla (fish porridge) which uses fresh fish selected by the owner daily.

Location: Phuket Town Hong Khao Tom Pla Restaurant 

Open: 5.30 pm – 9 pm

These best restaurants will surely enhance your vacation in Phuket with delicious southern Thai food. After satisfying your stomach, if you are also looking for an adrenaline-rushing activity to burn some calories or a nice and calm massage to finish your day, don't forget to use TAGTHAi Phuket Day Pass to enjoy tons of benefits at one simple price!