16 Best Restaurants in Phuket and the Andaman Coast, Thailand

This long-standing restaurant (it opened in 2011) is in a picturesque marina on the banks of Krabi River and specializes in thoughtfully presented Thai seafood dishes. The space itself is modern and dimly lighted with blues and greens, but weather permitting, tables by the river are the way to go. Signature dishes include the spicy green curry with crab, grilled white snapper stuffed with lemongrass and pandan leaves, and the large, juicy mussels with garlic and chili. It's a favorite for well-to-do Krabi locals. 

Time for Lime is a large, open-air restaurant right off the beach. Each night there is a different three-course set menu, and reclining chairs are placed on the recessed sandbar while music plays and wonderful cocktails (try the chili margarita) are served. They also have cooking classes. Time For Lime also offers basic yet comfortable bungalows.

All proceeds from Time For Lime go to the owner Junie's extremely worthy cause: the Lanta Animal Welfare, which has already offered much-needed help to the many strays on the island.

If you find yourself craving European dishes like pizza, schnitzel, and hearty sausages, this is one of the best places in town. The portions are large, the atmosphere is casual, and the prices are affordable. 

There are plenty of restaurants along the beach, serving international dishes and Thai classics, but this one is a step above. The seafood here is superb, especially the barracuda fillet. 

As the name suggests, this is the place to come for high-quality imported cuts served with delicious sauces and sides, though the seafood is top quality, too. Fresh lobster bisque, perfectly grilled tuna steak, and white snapper in butter-and-garlic cream sauce are all good non-meat options. The efficient service adds to the lively atmosphere.

As you stroll Tonsai's walking path, it's hard to miss the catch of the day on display in front of Chao Koh Restaurant (opposite the Chao Koh Resort). Kingfish, swordfish, and barracuda are some of the usual options, and are served grilled with garlic and butter, white wine, or marsala sauce; clams, crabs, shrimp, Phuket lobster, and live rock lobsters are priced by weight. Chao Koh also serves a variety of Thai salads, appetizers, noodles, and curry dishes, but seafood is their specialty. This restaurant is popular with day-trippers, and often fills up with boatloads of people herded in by their guides.

There are two kitchens, and two cuisines—Thai and Western—but the Fat Monkey is best known and loved for its large, juicy burgers. It's a pleasant place for a meal, with a pretty garden.

On the eastern end of Tonsai Beach, Hippies serves a mixture of international food, from burgers and steaks to pasta and pizza. The staff at both the restaurant and seaside bar are friendly. Once the sun sets, this is the most happening beach bar in Tonsai, with people dancing on the sand, a large projector screening music concerts, and regular fire shows.

Get a seat at a palm-shaded table next to the seawall, order some delicious grilled fish, and enjoy---though be sure that your waiter understands whether you want yours served phet (spicy hot) or mai phet (not spicy). Succulent and sweet crabs should be a part of any meal here. It's right on the waterfront to the south of the pier.

For a remarkably pleasant meal of pizza and pasta taking in the sea views, it's hard to do better than this rustic beach club and restaurant with an open-air design. The seafood is sustainably caught by local fishermen. 

The seafood here is perfectly cooked and artfully presented, but what makes Lae Lay Grill extra-special is the location. The restaurant is on a terrace on a hill overlooking Ao Nang and the sea, which makes it a highly romantic spot from sunset on, but also lovely during the day. Staff will pick you up from your hotel and bring you here by van.

There are plenty of delicious Thai curries to choose from, as well as some French-influenced salads and stir-fries at this casual restaurant. An added bonus are the vegetarian and vegan options, as well as options for diners with other food sensitivities.

Serving Thai and European fusion food in an atmospheric garden setting, with a compact menu that creative chef Ed Qarré renews every six weeks, Red Snapper, unsurprisingly, has become one of the island's most happening restaurants. If you're hungry order one of their large platters, or opt for a wonderful selection of tapas dishes if your palate is yearning for adventure; the eponymous red snapper is always succulent and fresh. Cocktails, too, are innovative; try the Thaipiroska for a locally inspired alcoholic kick.

On a romantic seafront terrace of the Layana Resort, this restaurant is a romantic spot for sophisticated dinner. Look for daily specials like grilled giant prawns, as well as more traditional Thai dishes like green curry and a selection of international classics. The sommelier has extensive knowledge of the restaurant's wine list and will take time to find the perfect combination for your meal. Start out your night at sunset, by sinking into one of the resort's giant beanbags set on the beach right in front of the restaurant, and order a Coco Loco cocktail and Kaffir-lime toasted peanuts, before moving to the dining area for an elegant meal.

Located in one of the Old Town's most impressive mansions, this stylish eatery pays homage to classic home-cooked Phuket dishes—hence the name, which translates as "food cupboard." Pay attention to your dining neighbors, as the local cusine draws Thai celebrities from as far away as Bangkok.

In the heart of the action, this bar–cafe is the kind of place you just want to keep coming back to. The menu is a mix of Thai classics and Tex-Mex favorites and there's live music most nights. The Chicken Burritos are highly recommended.