Best Food in Phuket: Classes, Cafes, Restaurants
Thai Cooking Class
We decided to take a Thai cooking class since Thai food is one of our favorite cuisines. We booked our experience through Airbnb, and it was a great choice. Each person got to make three dishes each, so Michael and I opted to choose different dishes to have more variety to try. The class teaches you how to make soup, curry, and stir fry. For our soups, we made tom yum (hot and sour shrimp soup) and tom kha (coconut soup). For our curries, we chose panang and massaman. Lastly, for the stir fry, we had the option of fried rice or pad Thai.
Since we both love pad Thai, we decided to make that together so we didn’t have to share. The last dish the chef demonstrated for us was mango sticky rice. It was much easier to demonstrate as a group rather than making it individually. After visiting the market, we sat down together as a class with our chef, Tony.
Before we started cooking, he explained the differences between the dishes, the base ingredients, and also shared substitute options we could use back home. After cooking each dish, his assistant would take it aside, and we’d start the next one. Once all the dishes were ready, we got to the best part—eating!
I made tom Kha soup, which was creamy, rich, and savory—anything with coconut milk, I’m all in! I also made massaman curry, a chicken curry that’s slightly spicy, sweet, and nutty. But the best part, my absolute favorite, was the shrimp pad Thai. It felt so satisfying to have made all these dishes, and they turned out delicious! For dessert, I saved room for Mango Sticky Rice. I’ve had it every day in Thailand, and it never gets old. I love the sweetness of the mango pairing perfectly with the sweet nutty flavor of the rice. We also snacked on some of the items we picked up at the market along with our meal.
By the end, we were so full! In Trinidad, we have a saying, “It’s better to let your belly buss than good food go to waste.” We definitely ate everything we could and are so excited to try these recipes at home!
Go La Hokkien Fried Noodles
This family owned Michelin guide restaurant is making the most delicious Hokkien style fried noodles. Hokkien noodles are a type of egg noodle originating from South Eastern China. The restaurant is a simple shack, tucked away on an unassuming street. It’s a whole in the wall but you know it will be good when you see a single man cooking food over a ripping hot wok while he watches a sports game on his phone. We ordered pork satay and two bowls of noodles. I enjoyed the texture of noodles as it’s soft and chewy. Once you pop the egg its adds another layer of flavor.
Tu Kab Khao
This popular Thai restaurant has received a Michelin Bib Gourmand and is one of Michael’s favorites in Thailand. The menu is extensive, with plenty of images to help guide your choices. We ordered pad Thai with shrimp, Phuket’s local stewed pork, what we think was stir-fried pork with shrimp paste, and of course, mango sticky rice. I’ve promised myself to try mango sticky rice at every restaurant I visit in Thailand. I also really admire the restaurant’s interior, with its blue and white marble floors, decorative plates displayed on the walls, and a variety of seating options that make the atmosphere both charming and comfortable. The combination of delicious food and inviting decor makes this place a must-visit.
Michaels Thoughts:
Michaels Thoughts: This wasn’t just the best food in Phuket, but possibly the best food in Asia. At this point we’ve eaten at hundreds of places in Asia from holes in the wall to Michelin star restaurants. I had no expectations from Tu Kab Khao, but I was absolutely floored by the quality of every dish. The soup was packed with flavor, the meat melted in my mouth, the combinations of spicy and savory were balanced to perfection. To this day, this is in my top 5 restaurants of all time.
Three Monkeys Restaurant
Three Monkeys is a stunning open-air Thai restaurant with a variety of seating areas and unique designs. The space is vast, offering a mix of different styles, with large glass windows that let you look out at the greenery, while the lights inside twinkle softly. We had planned to dine outdoors, but unfortunately, it was pouring rain that day.
The menu features a mix of Western, Thai, Balinese, and Japanese dishes. I opted for a shrimp pad Thai, while Michael had tom yum gung, a spicy seafood soup with prawns. And of course, we couldn’t resist the classic mango sticky rice for dessert. The food was absolutely delicious, and we would happily return. Everything was perfect—from the food and staff to the overall vibe.
Hosay Bowl
Hosay Bowl is a healthy restaurant specializing in poke and acai bowls. As an acai enthusiast, I always seek out this treat when I’m in a tropical destination, so I was excited to visit one of their three branches. We chose the location in Phuket Town as it was closest to our accommodation. The menu features signature acai bowls, or you can customize your own.
Michael went for the choco Nutella bowl, while I created my own combination. The house made peanut butter and granola are incredibly delicious and a standout addition to the bowls. In addition to poke and acai, the menu includes all-day brunch options, smoothie bowls, chia puddings, and more. The restaurant’s interior is spacious, with plenty of natural light, and offers both indoor and outdoor seating, creating a welcoming atmosphere.
Ma Doo Bua
Ma Doo Bua Cafe is a viral Insta café in Phuket, famous for its pond filled with huge lotus flowers. While it’s known for the photos, you don’t have to take them to enjoy the cafe. You can simply relax and savor their selection of beverages and dishes while looking out over the pond. Michael tried the Thai peanut toffee iced latte, a special drink off their menu, while I had a milk-based tea. Of course, we had to try their M\mango sticky rice, and as always, the sweet, sticky goodness did not disappoint.
The atmosphere is peaceful, making it a great spot to unwind and enjoy a moment of calm. With plenty of natural light and lush greenery surrounding the lotus pond, as well as lots of comfy seating, the cafe has a lovely vibe. Even if you don’t opt for a photo package, there’s a dock where you can take pictures in front of the lotus pond. Before visiting, we had heard some comments about rude staff and poor service, but in our experience, we had pleasant interactions and enjoyed our time there.
Torry’s Ice Cream
Torry’s Ice Cream is located in the heart of downtown Phuket. This local ice cream shop only uses ingredients from Phuket and is organic as well. There are so many unique flavors and styles on offer which makes it difficult to choose from. I ordered Phuket sunrise which was mango, passionfruit, and strawberry. It was so refreshing especially with how hot it was in Phuket. Michael decided to go on the savory side and get a flavor that has soy protein and sweet chili. It was definitely a first getting savory ice cream but this is the place if you want to be an adventurous ice cream eater.
The shop is well known in downtown Phuket and is always filled with customers. Be aware it might be hard to find a seat. The interior is inspired by a Sino-Portuguese style with ceramics, dark woods, and bright colored walls.
Graph Coffee
Graph Coffee is a specialty coffee shop located in Phuket’s Old Town. Originally from Chiang Mai, they now have several locations across Thailand. The exterior is covered in dark wood, replicating the Sino-Portuguese style of architecture. Inside, the space is minimalist with dark tones and paintings from local artists adorning the walls. The cafe has two floors and a mezzanine, providing plenty of space to relax.
Michael was on a Thai coffee bean kick, so he ordered a pour-over, while I went for a craft soda made with cascara and honey lemonade. During our time in Thailand, I started to love craft sodas. The drinks were refreshing and unique, making it a perfect stop for anyone looking to try something different. The vibe of the place is cozy and inviting, and the quality of the coffee was absolutely top notch.
Campus Coffee Roasters
Continuing our specialty coffee journey, we decided to make a quick stop at Campus Coffee Roasters. What started as a university student experimenting with roasting coffee has grown into a café that highlights locally produced single-origin coffee for both locals and tourists—hence the name “Campus.” In 2019, they placed 4th in the International Coffee Roast Master Thailand competition. The café offers both indoor and outdoor seating, though it’s on the smaller side, with some seating made up of student desks and chairs. Michael tried a pour-over and I had a yuzu lemon soda. Since it’s usually quite busy, it’s best to plan your visit accordingly.
The Shelter Coffee Phuket
The Shelter Coffee Phuket is one of our favorite coffee shops in all of Thailand and is still one of my favorite shops around the world. The interior feels very homey as if your in someone’s creative space. It’s a very small cafe but the space is utilized in a great way. There is seating everywhere from the front of the coffee shop through the back patio.
Michael got an iced pour over with beans from Thailand. He is not the biggest fan of iced coffee but his world was changed when he had it from The Shelter. Now Michael doesn’t underestimate the power of iced pourovers from specialty coffee shops. I, Yemisi, your non coffee drinker got a craft cola which was sweet and so refreshing. They also offer pastries and breakfast items but we were so full from the cooking class. If you only had time to visit one coffee shop in Phuket, The Shelter Coffee Phuket is at the top of my list.
MONDO Espresso & Tea Bar
Mondo Espresso & Tea Bar is a three-story coffee shop offering a stunning view of Old Town from the top floor. The café features a minimalist design with clean white interior and exterior. They offer a variety of teas, coffee, and desserts. We tried a chocolate croissant, a Sun Brew (cold brew coffee, orange, and soda), and a Love Potion (Asian pear, lychee, strawberry, rose, and lime). We hadn’t planned on visiting, but while exploring Old Town Phuket, we were simply drawn in by the buildings architecture and decided to check it out. It was a great bonus!
Final Thoughts
Much like Bangkok, food in Phuket is on another level. Everything we had was truly top notch, and I can honestly say Thailand was the best food vacation we ever had. From the savory soups, mouth watering pad Thai, and deliciously sweet mango sticky rice, it’s safe to say we’re hooked for life.
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