Phuket may be better known for its beach resorts and nightlife, but it is increasingly becoming a noteworthy dining destination. It is especially gaining fame for embracing sustainability.
Earlier this year, all three of Thailand’s Michelin green stars, awarded for sustainability achievements, were in Phuket when Michelin-starred Haoma from Bangkok was doing a month-long residency at the Avista Hideaway Phuket Patong. While Haoma has returned to its newly refurbished home in capital, the other two green stars remain: Pru, the fine dining hotspot at Trisara Phuket, which remains the island’s only recipient of a Michelin red star; and Jampa, its sister restaurant at Tri Vananda. Both restaurants benefit from the freshest of produce grown at their own local farm.
Chef Deepanker Khosla of Haoma says it is Phuket’s proximity to excellent produce from land and sea that helps make it such an attractive culinary destination.
“Across Thailand, most of the top fine dining restaurants have seafood-inclined menus and so it should be with the country’s long coastlines,” he says. “Phuket, Phang Nga province, and nearby areas have pristine waters with the best produce. Also, the availability of large amounts of land allows chefs to work with their own farm.”
Phuket remains a holiday destination but it is also home to long-term visitors and digital nomads, ensuring that there is a market for elevated restaurants throughout the year.
Here are four restaurants that should be on any Phuket-bound gourmand’s list.
Related: Bangkok for foodies: New fine-dining restaurants and must-eat street food stalls
