What Food To Try in Phuket and Food Prices
How much does lunch and dinner cost
Examples of food prices, cafes, street food and other dining options in Phuket for 2025.
National currency: Baht, symbol — ฿ (international currency code THB).
General Cafe Price Guide
Average prices in Phuket cafes and restaurants
$3.7
Quick Lunch for One
Starting from $1.42
$28.5
Dinner for Two
to celebrate your trip
Starting from $22.76
$7.1
Combo Meal
Starting from $7.11
What to Try in Phuket
Must-try Dishes
Roti - Thai Pancake - Crispy, flaky pancakes filled with egg and banana, often drizzled with sweetened condensed milk. You'll find locals enjoying these as a late-night snack after a long day at the beach. Pad Thai - Stir-fried Noodles - Stir-fried rice noodles with shrimp, bean sprouts, and peanuts, flavored with tamarind and lime. Often eaten for lunch at street stalls, it's famously ordered with extra lime and a side of chili flakes.
Khao Soi - Northern Curry Noodles - A rich coconut curry with egg noodles, topped with crispy noodles and served with pickled mustard greens. This hearty dish is usually enjoyed as a comforting dinner, especially popular among locals during rainy days.
Nam Prik Ong - Spicy Tomato Dip - A tomato-based chili dip served with fresh vegetables and sticky rice, embodying the region’s bold flavors. Commonly eaten during social gatherings, it’s a delightful way to start any meal.
Som Tam - Spicy Green Papaya Salad - A refreshing salad made from shredded green papaya, chilies, lime, and peanuts mixed together in a mortar. Best enjoyed at lunch with friends, this dish balances spicy and sour flavors, often served with sticky rice to cool things down.
Tom Kha Gai - Coconut Chicken Soup - Creamy coconut soup with chicken, mushrooms, and lemongrass, served hot with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro. Generally eaten for dinner, this dish is perfect for those seeking a balance of comfort and bold flavor; it is an often underestimated gem.
Look Thung - Roasted Grilled Chicken with Rice - Juicy chicken marinated in a mix of spices and grilled to perfection, served with aromatic jasmine rice. Typically enjoyed during lunch, this dish is ideal after a long morning of exploring and is a common sight at local markets.
Gaeng Massaman - Massaman Curry - A hearty curry made with tender beef and chunky potatoes, simmered in a rich coconut milk base. Best consumed during the cooler months, when it represents the comforting, warming aspects of Thai cuisine. By the way, don’t forget to pair it with roti for an unexpected delight!
Desserts & Drinks
Oliang - โอเลี้ยง (Thai iced coffee) - Strong coffee brewed with a blend of robusta beans and sweetened with condensed milk, served over ice. Locals often sip this refreshing drink during the hot afternoons, especially at street stalls, where sturdy plastic cups keep it chilled.Cha Manao - ชามะนาว (Thai lime tea) - Fragrant black tea mixed with freshly squeezed lime juice and sweetener, enjoyed iced. It’s popular among locals to cool off during the sweltering afternoons, often accompanied by a small assortment of traditional snacks.
Singha Beer - เบียร์สิงห์ (lager beer) - Crisp and refreshing lager brewed from Thai rice, typically enjoyed ice-cold with friends at beachside bars. A common mistake is asking for “beer” without specifying; locals will often assume you mean this classic brew.
Thawt Mun - ทอดมัน (fried coconut pancakes) - Soft, sweet pancakes made with coconut milk and rice flour, usually served warm with a drizzle of sweet coconut sauce. Often eaten during festive occasions, they’re particularly popular during Thai New Year celebrations.
Bua Loy - บัวลอย (rice flour dumplings) - Chewy rice balls filled with sweetened mung bean paste, served in warm coconut milk with a hint of pandan fragrance. Typically enjoyed during special occasions, they’ve got a delightful texture that's best appreciated fresh from the pot—usually around family gatherings.
By the way, checking the timing for fresh ingredients can make all the difference, especially for desserts like Bua Loy!
Food and Groceries in Phuket
Vegetables, Fruits and Bread
| Bread | $1.48 |
| Bananas | $1 |
| Oranges | $1.74 |
| Potatoes | $1.28 |
| Apples | $2.98 |
Beverages
| Water 1.5L | $0.46 |
| 0.5L Local Beer | $1.61 |
| Imported Beer | $2.46 |
| Wine Rating >4.0 | $17.07 |
| Milk 1L | $1.43 |
Various Groceries
| Meat (Beef or Pork) | $8.85 |
| Chicken | $2.38 |
| Cigarettes | $4.15 |
| Rice | $1.44 |
| Local Cheese | $17.13 |
Overview of Cuisine and Specialties
In Phuket, lunch typically unfolds around noon to 1 PM, with restaurants buzzing with locals enjoying their midday meal. This is a sharp contrast to Western eating habits, where lunch may stretch into the early afternoon. Many visitors overlook this local tempo and often arrive too early or too late, missing out on the lively atmosphere that comes with meal times here.
When dining in areas like Old Town Phuket, lunch prices can vary significantly. For a satisfying plate of Pad Thai, you might pay anywhere from ฿60 at a street vendor up to ฿150 in a more upscale setting. This price differentiation is quite common across the island's various districts. For instance, a basic meal in Patong tends to run higher, averaging around ฿120 for what you might find for half that price in local eateries elsewhere.
Regarding payment methods, cash is still king. While some places accept cards, particularly in tourist-frequented areas, smaller street vendors typically require cash. It’s also essential to know that locals rarely tip, as service charges are often included in the bill. However, rounding up your payment may be appreciated if you enjoyed your meal.
In terms of dining customs, a unique local habit is sharing dishes, which fosters a communal dining experience. Groups will often order several meals to share, creating a feast of flavors. This habit might surprise tourists who expect individual plates, but it’s a beautiful way to sample a variety of dishes without overindulging.
If you're considering dining in popular spots, remember that peak hours can lead to long wait times, especially during weekends. Aim to eat outside of the 12-1 PM rush for a more relaxed experience. Alternatively, making reservations at more upscale restaurants is generally a good idea, especially in high season.
One common mistake that many visitors make is underestimating the cost of meals in tourist-heavy areas. It’s easy to gravitate toward restaurants advertised as “authentic,” assuming they’ll replicate local prices—but often, they don’t. Instead, venture a little further into side streets or less trafficked neighborhoods for better value.
Reflecting on shifts in Phuket's dining scene, local food culture is evolving as younger generations explore fusion cuisine and international flavors while still valuing traditional dishes. This blend of modern and classic provides an exciting glimpse into what the future holds for Phuket's culinary landscape.
When dining in areas like Old Town Phuket, lunch prices can vary significantly. For a satisfying plate of Pad Thai, you might pay anywhere from ฿60 at a street vendor up to ฿150 in a more upscale setting. This price differentiation is quite common across the island's various districts. For instance, a basic meal in Patong tends to run higher, averaging around ฿120 for what you might find for half that price in local eateries elsewhere.
Regarding payment methods, cash is still king. While some places accept cards, particularly in tourist-frequented areas, smaller street vendors typically require cash. It’s also essential to know that locals rarely tip, as service charges are often included in the bill. However, rounding up your payment may be appreciated if you enjoyed your meal.
In terms of dining customs, a unique local habit is sharing dishes, which fosters a communal dining experience. Groups will often order several meals to share, creating a feast of flavors. This habit might surprise tourists who expect individual plates, but it’s a beautiful way to sample a variety of dishes without overindulging.
If you're considering dining in popular spots, remember that peak hours can lead to long wait times, especially during weekends. Aim to eat outside of the 12-1 PM rush for a more relaxed experience. Alternatively, making reservations at more upscale restaurants is generally a good idea, especially in high season.
One common mistake that many visitors make is underestimating the cost of meals in tourist-heavy areas. It’s easy to gravitate toward restaurants advertised as “authentic,” assuming they’ll replicate local prices—but often, they don’t. Instead, venture a little further into side streets or less trafficked neighborhoods for better value.
Reflecting on shifts in Phuket's dining scene, local food culture is evolving as younger generations explore fusion cuisine and international flavors while still valuing traditional dishes. This blend of modern and classic provides an exciting glimpse into what the future holds for Phuket's culinary landscape.
Tourist Reviews
All photos and texts belong to their authors
And there’s a little insider hack that not everyone knows – if you buy any food at the market (I constantly got shrimp and crabs), you can take it to your favorite eatery and ask them to prepare a “special” dish just for you, which they’ll happily do (unless it’s a tourist trap with steep prices and tasteless food). 😼👍🐟🐠 They’ll charge about 1.50 USD for cooking, so in the end, for around 4.50 USD you get an enormous plate of gigantic, heavenly shrimp! 😧😑🙀😯😮😛😳 »
1. Alcohol. It's clear that everyone will want to try Thai beer, but as evening approaches and you're out partying, you'll crave something stronger. Local whiskies, rums, and cocktails require some getting used to, and not everyone can handle the unique flavors of "exquisite" Thai alcohol. I'd like to present to you SangSom rum. In our opinion, it’s the only strong drink you can enjoy here. It has a taste that’s quite similar to Bacardi. Mix it with cola, and you have a perfect go-to drink. This cocktail is great to take with you on all your excursions, shopping trips, beach days, and bike rides. The advantages of SangSom: the price is around $8.50, and you won't wake up with a headache in the morning. 🍹 »