From spicy and sour fish soup to fragrant crab curry, every dish in Southern Thailand and Phuket has a rich flavor, characterized by spices and the rich aroma of coconut milk. Phuket is home to beautiful beaches and delicious food, making it the perfect choice for a 48-hour getaway.
1. Black Ginger
Fire torches welcome guests, before being taken to their table in the open space inspired by the Ayutthaya period or in the romantically lit, air-conditioned traditional house
This is probably one of the most magical places to eat in Phuket. Black Ginger is nestled in the complex of luxury hotel The Slate, just minutes from the airport. The splendor begins as soon as you arrive, with a mystical path leading to a small dock where a wooden raft awaits to ferry visitors across the water.
With no shortage of scrumptious dishes, it’s hard to decide where to start deliciously here
Open for dinner only, a set menu is available for those who want to try smaller portions of some dishes. However, if you are dining in a group, you should choose from the a la carte menu, where you can find substantial portions of many of executive chef Anongrat “Piak” Meklai’s signature dishes.
A boat is required to get to Black Ginger’s main restaurant area
Widely recognized as one of Thailand’s top female chefs, chef Piak’s most notable dishes include tom yam goong, panaeng gai curry (red chicken curry), bua thod (crispy fried shrimp with betel leaves) and moo hong (Phuket stewed pork belly). For dessert, try bua loy mar praow orn (rice flour dumplings with coconut milk and meat), a special dish of black ginger that combines boiled black sticky rice with fragrant coconut milk.
2. Pornthip Old Town
After lunch, explore the quaint streets of Phuket Old Town, where you’ll find everything from antique furniture to traditional Thai clothing
Mango sticky rice with coconut milk in Pornthip old town
When it’s time to rest, stop by dessert cafe Pornthip Old Town, hidden in an alley next to budget local shops specializing in resort and beachwear.
Tip: go to the seating area on the second floor for a chance to see and take photos of the old street below
As a snack shop, Pornthip offers many traditional Thai desserts such as mango sticky rice (including black sticky rice), taosor Phuket cake, o-aew pudding (colorless jelly with shaved ice and a variety of toppings), ah-pong (Thai-style coconut milk pancakes) and even durian soup for the more adventurous foodies. Of course, there’s also a selection of local drinks, from Thai iced milk tea to pink milk.
3. Three Monkeys
One of the coolest places to dine in Phuket is located in a jungle setting not far from Phuket old town – Three Monkeys
After a day of shopping and exploring, head to forest-inspired Three Monkeys, where most of the restaurant’s seating is housed in treehouse-like structures with lush green backdrops. In addition to the virtual photo-worthy atmosphere and space, food and drinks are served in creative ways to evoke the playful yet majestic feel of the Thai jungle.
Worth trying are local dishes such as steamed squid with chili and lemon fish roe, shrimp salad with tom yum sauce, raw shrimp with fish sauce and local vegetables and coconut soup
Also on the diverse menu is a selection of interesting drinks, such as espresso with lemonade, coconut espresso and “muak san”, a banana liqueur and rum-based cocktail Comes with a traditional Thai farmer’s hat.
Panoramic view of the restaurant space at nightfall
Reservations are recommended because visitors often have to wait at least an hour. But if you’re adventurous, you can come earlier in the afternoon to join the zipline or skywalk at Hanuman World next door.
4. Lertrod Kitchen
Any seasoned culinary traveler will tell you that the final meal of a vacation, no matter how brief, is incredibly important.
Stop by Lertrod Kitchen, located less than 5 minutes from the international airport, before departing on your final day. With a stellar lineup of Southern Thai classics, this Michelin-recommended eatery won’t disappoint diners looking for bold flavors with plenty of “wok hei” dishes.
Partly located in a jewelry store, this casual, family-run restaurant often attracts long queues, so make sure to allot enough time if you visit during dining hours
Popular dishes here include betel leaf curry with crab meat, fried chicken wings with tamarind sauce, stir-fried cabbage with crispy pork or shrimp, Phuket-style stir-fried shrimp, crab fried rice and pineapple grilled rice.
5. One Chun
In the old town you will find Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant One Chun in a classic two-story Peranakan townhouse
On day two, take a nostalgic trip to Phuket’s historic old town to enjoy some of the city’s most famous dishes. The restaurant is quite crowded during meal times, so try coming here during off-peak hours to avoid queuing.
On the restaurant’s menu, a must-try dish is also moo tod nam pla (crispy fried pork belly).
Delicious dishes featured here include crispy but not too fatty fried eggs with chunks of chewy crab meat and kang poo, a spicy yellow crab curry served with cold rice vermicelli. Also on the must-try list are Thai-style vegetable pak meng stir-fried with eggs and crispy dried shrimp, moo tod nam pla (crispy fried pork belly) and hor mok, a spicy curry steamed with fish and crab meat in banana leave.
So after 48 hours, visitors can experience 5 locations to enjoy the finest southern Thai dishes, making this place the perfect choice for their 2-day getaway. visitors when coming to Phuket.
