Thailand (Lonely Planet, 13th Edition) - China Williams [572]
Uptown Restaurant ( Map; 0 7621 5359; Th Tilok Uthit; dishes 30-60B; 10am-9pm) It may not look fancy, but this breezy joint is a favourite spot for the ‘hi-so’ (high society) folk. If you look closely you’ll notice that the waitresses jot down your order on a slick PalmPilot, and the walls have mounted photos of Thai celebrities who have stopped by Uptown to slurp the spectacular noodles.
Natural Restaurant ( Map; 0 7622 4287; 62/5 Soi Phuthon; dishes 80-200B; lunch & dinner) Travel round the world in 80 plates at this dazzlingly green Phuket Town eatery. If you’re a fan of the Swiss Family Robinson, this treehouse-cum-restaurant will become your new favourite joint.
Salavatore’s ( Map; 08 9871 1184; 15 Th Rasada; dishes 140-620B; lunch & dinner Tue-Sun) This authentic Italian restaurant (chequered tablecloths, giant pepper grinders, opera and a portly owner) cooks up all of Mama’s favourites, from a mean pizza to a sizzling steak fillet.
Ka Jok See ( Map; 0 7621 7903; kajoksee@hotmail.com; 26 Th Takua Pa; dishes 180-480B; dinner Tue-Sun) Dripping old Phuket charm and creaking under the weight of the owner’s fabulous trinket collection, this atmospheric little eatery offers great food, top-notch music and – if you’re lucky –some sensationally camp cabaret. Enjoy your dinner, sip down some wine and then dance the night away. Book ahead.
Glastnöst ( Map; 08 4058 0288; 14 Soi Rommani) With the unusual moniker ‘Law & Notary Public Bar’, this place doubles as an attorney’s office, but don’t let that dissuade you from stopping by. It’s about as laid-back and intimate a setting as you could find, and spontaneous jazz jam sessions are the norm.
EAST COAST
Often overlooked by tourists, Phuket’s east coast has a few must-eat gems.
Kachang Floating Restaurant (dishes 90-320B; lunch & dinner) Set adrift in Ao Phuket, rickety Kachang is only a few minutes east of Phuket Town, but it’s far off the beaten tourist trail. Free long-tail boats shuttle grumbling bellies to the floating restaurant surrounded by schools of corralled fish. Enjoy soft-shell crab in the waning light as the sun dips behind the hills.
Chalong Night Market (Hwy 402 near Chalong Circle; dishes from 35B; 6-11pm Wed) One of the most popular night markets on the island, where vendors, farmers and local chefs converge under the gas lamps. Bring an appetite – that pumpkin curry looks good – and a shopping bag, as it’s always nice to have a mango in the morning.
Kan Eang (0 7638 1212; Chalong Pier; dishes 100-300B; lunch & dinner) This Thai favourite, steps away from Chalong’s soaring pier, has been satisfying customers for over 30 years. The atmosphere is modern and elegant, but the food is still very authentic.
Watermark (0 7623 9730; 22/1 Th Thepkrassartri, Phuket Boat Lagoon) Although it’s located at the Phuket Boat Lagoon marina on the east coast, Watermark is one of the best spots on the island for a sundowner cocktail (see the boxed text on Click here for other suggestions). The espresso martini and passionfruit margarita are the house specials, although the tome-sized wine list is also very tempting. This chic venue is the island’s preferred address for jet-setters and, for the last six years it has been featured in the Thailand Tatler as one of the country’s best restaurants.
Entertainment
This is no sleepy jungle island lost at sea; Phuket keeps the party going long after the sun has set.
NORTHERN BEACHES
Phuket Fantasea ( Map; 0 7638 5000; www.phuket-fantasea.com; admission with/without dinner 1900/1500B; 5.30-11.30pm Wed-Mon) The island’s biggest entertainment attraction is a US$60 million ‘cultural theme park’ just north of Hat Kamala. Despite the billing, there aren’t any rides, but there is a truly magical show that manages to capture the colour and pageantry of traditional Thai dance and costumes, and combine them with state-of-the-art light-and-sound techniques rivalling anything found in Las Vegas (think 30 elephants). All of this takes place on a stage dominated by a full-scale