Thailand is famous for its fresh, flavoursome food. Food lovers seeking an authentic dining experience in Thailand will know their best bet is to discover the local hot spots; if the locals love it you can be sure it’s authentic Thai. Thailand holidays are much more rewarding when you have some secret local knowledge. Here are our five favourite authentic Thai restaurants in Phuket.
Raya Restaurant
There is nowhere more authentic than Phuket Town’s Raya Restaurant, located in the old quarter on New Dibuk Road. A carefully restored 90-year old Portuguese colonial house, Raya retains its original mosaic tiled floors and pictures of Thai royalty on its walls. The wine list is international, with five reasonably priced Australian wines featured, but the food is unmistakably Thai. Unpretentious, delicious dishes include caramelised and braised pork belly, crabmeat curry, spicy Phuket prawns and deep-fried sea bass served with red chillies and lemongrass sauce.
Baan Rim Pa
You can’t go past Baan Rim Pa for authentic fine Thai dining in Phuket. The open-air two-story teak and brass restaurant offers extensive views of The Bay of Kalim and Patong Beach. With a menu featuring the traditional Royal Thai Cuisine of the Grand Palace of Thailand, you don’t get much more authentic than this. Try crispy rice noodles with fried minced basil leaves and soft crab with chilli jam and garlic, or duck with creamy curry sauce and lychees.
Silk Restaurant & Bar
Discover the authentic tastes of Silk Restaurant & Bar in Kamala at Andara Resort & Villas. Silk’s signature dishes include Goong Saroong (deep fried prawns wrapped in Phuket noodles), Tom Kha Gai (ginger and lemongrass poached chicken in coconut milk) and Gaeng Khew Wan Gai (green chicken curry with coconut and sweet basil). Drink in the Andaman Sea views from the rooftop location, and enjoy international cocktails and traditional fine Thai dining.
Mom Tri’s Kitchen
On the only road into Kata Noi beach, find Villa Royale’s fine dining restaurant, Mom Tri’s Kitchen, overlooking Kata Noi Beach from its place just above the rocks. Take in the sweeping sea views and enjoy an authentic Thai menu, which features dishes such as fried tiger prawn and quail eggs with tamarind sauce and crispy shallots, roasted duck in Massaman curry sauce with pumpkin, sweet potato and green beans, and traditional soups and salads.
Kan Eang@pier
Some of the best and most authentic Thai seafood is found at Kan Eang 2 and next door, at Kan Eang@pier in picturesque Chalong Bay. For over 30 years, locals and tourists alike have returned again and again to sample Kan Eang@pier’s local Thai specialties and fresh Andaman seafood. Instead of using charcoal to grill their seafood, Kan Eang@pier uses coconut husks, which contribute a unique, sweet, freshly smoked aroma and flavour. Try blue crab, banana flower salad with prawns, and spicy steamed fish mousse in banana leaves, followed by water chestnut coconut ice cream.
If you’re thinking about a holiday to Thailand, and need some advice contact one of your local travel consultants such as Escape Travel.
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License: Creative Commons image source
Author: Xanthe Coward is a writer and theatre reviewer who loves a good, authentic Thai dish.
