5 upscale restaurants in Phuket you don’t want to miss

Treat yourself to scrumptious surf-and-turf fare at the signature dining room of this Anantara resort on Layan Beach. After drinking in the beautiful sunset, walk up to Age, a restaurant that uses time-tested cooking techniques to come up with comforting  dishes and grilled fare under the supervision of executive chef Wade James and chef Don Sujith.

Most of the dishes are cooked on a Josper charcoal oven, which gives a smoky flavor and aroma to meaty serves and other menu favorites, such as the highly delicious Josper Burnt Leeks (B800), and pan-seared potato gnocchi (B890).

Find out more here and call 0 7631 7200 for reservations.

Part of Phuket’s upcoming wellness community Tri Vananda, JAMPA Restaurant is a progressive eatery that champions the farm-to-table concept. The kitchen is headed by Chef Rick Dingen (formerly at Madison), who has a flaming passion for creating innovative dishes that follow zero-waste principles.

JAMPA’s menu is now in its crowd-testing phase and is still a bit limited, although there is no lack of palate-pleasing items. Wood Fired Baby Corn (B200), which uses sambal and coriander root to spice up fresh tiny corn, is pegged as the quintessential JAMPA dish, while Pork Collar (B700) is a scrumptious pork schnitzel-like dish with tamarind sauce and sunchoke pureé. Feel free to pair these delicious dishes with a refreshing concoction designed by Tropic City’s Arron Grendon.

Find out more here and call 0 7631 0100 (ext. 5) for reservations.

When you’ve had enough of the cheap eats from Phuket’s street food outlets, take it up a notch by booking yourself a table at Jaras. This progressive Thai fine-dining establishment is one of the three restaurants of InterContinental Phuket Resort on Kamala Beach. Jaras is spearheaded by Chef Chatchawan “Banky” Varahajeerakul, who seeks out the best ingredients from every corner of Thailand to create a culinary experience that’s as elegant as the dining room itself. 

The many flavors of Thailand are showcased in two tasting menus: the Jaras 6 Course Menu (B2,150++) and the  Jaras 9 Course Menu (B2,750++). Each set contains classic Thai plates—deep-fried appetizers, spicy salads and curries—presented in a modern style. 

Find out more here and call 0 7662 9999 for reservations.

When a craving for Mediterranean cuisine kicks in, take this one at Rosewood Phuket into your consideration. Italian dining room Red Sauce is run by Sicilian chef de cuisine Giuseppe Bonura, who is a passionate advocate of Southern Italian cuisine, wherein seafood plays a significant role.

Menu highlights include two pasta dishes—calamarata with prawn and burrata (B550) and sweet potato gnocchi with king oyster mushrooms (B420)—and grouper carpaccio (B375). Wrap up your meal with Chef Giuseppe’s baba (Italian rum cake), a tantalizing number that’s soaked in Phuket’s famed Chalong Bay Rum. 

Find out more here and call 0 7635 6888 for reservations.

Nestled within Anantara’s property on Mai Khao Beach, this recently renovated restaurant serves Japanese omakase meals prepared by sushi professionals.

You can either take a seat around the central counter and watch as the chefs put on a theatrical show, or opt for a small, more private table. Either way, you’re going to enjoy every bite you’re served, made with only the best ingredients from local and international sources.

To sample a bit of everything, order the Tsuri menu (B4,990++), which consists of 15 bite-sized morsels, including seasonal catches like yume riko fish, cobia fish, as well as one the weirdest dishes you will ever have: shirako or fish sperm sacs.

Find out more here or call 0 7796 0333 (ext. 509) for reservations.