They say the more choices you have the more stress you have and the last thing you should be doing in Phuket is stressing.
Does this sound familiar? It's time to eat. You notice one food stall has an older Aunty cooking - she must know what she's doing. Hold on this other stall is doing Happy Hour right now - winning! Oh wait, there’s more locals eating over at this stall, it MUST be good... Before you know it two hours have slipped by, you’ve walked six blocks, you’re dripping with sweat, don't even mention the hair, and you are HANGRY!
We stayed between Karon and Kata. Both are popular beachy areas of Phuket and close to notorious Patong. It would be impossible to get through the multitude of eateries in these places but we certainly ate, drank and observed as many as we possibly could across Kata, Karon and Patong.
If you are looking for somewhere with delicious, authentic food, an interesting outlook, nice selection of drinks, desserts and good prices, save yourself the hassle and head straight here:
LUNCH
Tik Restaurant
Don't confuse this place with Tik Restaurant on Patak Road or Tik's Place at Tiana Road or any other Tik (Tik is a very common Thai nickname).
You will find this family-run restaurant above the cliffs of Kata Noi on Kata-Sai Yuan Road, a few hundred metres down from Karon Beach View Point. It's not far from the action of Kata but far enough to avoid the high prices and enjoy a peaceful environment.
If you're a romantic, stick around for sunset drinks and swoon. You can't beat the views across the ocean from this spot. The food is very simple yet consistently delicious and served with big warm smiles.
DINNER
Malin Plaza Food Centre
What's a trip to Phuket without getting a seafood coma? Look no further than the massive buzzing food court of Malin Plaza.
The prices here are extremely competitive for Phuket, particularly for seafood. You can get a large fish for just 150THB.
Just five minutes from Patong's infamous Bangla Road at Thanon Prachanukhro in Kathu, Malin Plaza is far enough away to avoid any seediness whatsoever.
Although there are many many stalls here, you will find a fair amount of repetition. Generally the seafood, meat, fruit and dessert stalls sell exactly the same items so you can't go wrong.
Depending on the time of year, you can find some interesting meats here including crocodile and rabbit.
If you're keen for noodles, go to the vendor pictured below, located front and centre of the very end row of stalls on the left when you're facing the food court from the street. Hands down the best spicy seafood noodles I've ever tasted in my life.
When you pull up at the front of the plaza, don't be put off by all the tables looking like they're taken (because they will be). There's an area around the back (when facing the plaza from the road, go right) with heaps of tables that are hardly taken since most people don't realise it exists.
Go around to the back tables and not only will you have the luxury of an entire table to yourself where you can gorge privately to your hearts content, you won't be forced to buy a drink by the lady from the stall called '4' to secure the table. The only way to avoid this lady when seated in this front area is to get in super early and snap up one of the small white marble tables.
Where are your favourite street stalls in Phuket?