Time Out Phuket Editor

Thailand’s largest island has been a popular tourist destination for decades, but what exactly are the best things to do in Phuket? We’re sure glad you asked.  Now we’ve got a solid excuse to sound off about not just the history and culture of Phuket but also its incredible natural sights and unbeatable restaurant scene. Phuket sparkles in the day and comes alive at night, a 24/7 destination with endless entertainment and some of the best resorts in an area of the world where great resorts are a ten a penny. Let’s delve into the best things to do in Phuket.  RECOMMENDED:Where to stay in Phuket The ultimate guide to Phuket nightlife    

Following in the footsteps of Bangkok and Chiang Mai, Phuket is becoming a popular destination for cocktail connoisseurs as its tippling culture steadily evolves from overly-sweet, juice-heavy concoctions to more balanced spirits-focused drinks. Thanks to self-training initiatives and global competitions, Phuket-based bartenders are now well-equipped with knowledge on mixology and top-quality spirits, and in effect, have refined the bar scene in the world-renowned beach paradise. To experience Phuket’s continuously blossoming cocktail culture, we take you on a fun and heady journey through a few of the best bars the province has to offer when you’ve only got one day.  Please remember to not drink and drive. 

Phuket has long been praised for its culinary culture which highlights the province’s distinctive Phuketian Peranakan cuisine - a unique blend of Thai, Malay and Chinese cooking - and is now being elevated by the ever growing influx of fine dining restaurants. The island was in the spotlight in 2015 after it was recognized as a City of Gastronomy by UNESCO (the first time an Asian city was given this prestigious status). In 2019, Phuket’s culinary offerings came under scrutiny once again as it became the new playground for Michelin inspectors tasting its culinary offerings for the launch of The Michelin Guide Bangkok, Phuket, and Phang-nga 2019. Since then, the culinary landscape of Phuket has continued to evolve, but this list remains some of the best restaurants in Phuket. 

Spread the love this February and indulge in a romantic Valentine’s Day celebration loaded with delicious cuisine and terrific drinks at these lovely venues across the island.

On Thailand’s largest island, Phuket, nightlife is as irresistible as its sunlit shores and refreshing coconut water enjoyed by day. From high-energy clubs with international DJs to jazz bars spotlighting local talent, this island knows how to celebrate after dark.  Whether you’re ready to dance till dawn or sip crafted cocktails in style, Phuket’s got your back – and so do we! Dive into our guide to discover the venues that keep the island thriving after dark. RECOMMENDED:Where to stay in Phuket

Phuket is one of Thailand’s best island destinations for a reason - several, actually. These include gorgeous sun-kissed beaches, loads of great accommodations, and delicious cuisine.  But a trip to Phuket is not complete without sampling its many gastronomic pleasures. This coastal capital of the south is home to a wide range of dining options, from street food stalls to fine dining restaurants. These must-visit restaurants allow you to savour bold flavours created from age-old recipes and sustainably sourced local products, so here’s our top picks that have made TimeOut’s list of all-time favorite eateries in Phuket, but we’re thinking if you fancy a nice night out these upscale restaurants should be added to the list. 

Chinese New Year in Phuket is always an exciting time and this annual event is much loved across the island. Expect impromptu celebrations and markets as well as family-friendly festivals, tons of activities for adults and children as well as a large variety of special dinners and hotel buffets. Let’s ring in the Year of the Snake the best way Phuket knows how!

Phuket is more than just a sun-soaked paradise. It’s a destination with a vibe to suit all types of travellers, whether you’re after a cultural escape or a bit of beach bliss. Each neighbourhood on the island has its own charm and we’re here to help you find the best spot to call home during your stay on this exciting island. 

It’s true that there are always loads of activities and events happening in Phuket, but this February seems to up the ante regarding the best things to do on the island. February is shaping up to be the month for festivals in Phuket. Four music festivals bring some of the best international DJs to the island for nights of clubbing and dancing under the stars. Enjoy all the festivals that the month has to offer in Phuket - we know that we are going to! 

More than just a beach club, Flamingo Beach Club, is Panwa’s new playground by the sea, promising a fun new lifestyle destination where the fun never stops and good vibes flow freely. Nestled amongst the picturesque beauty of Phuket’s Panwa neighourhood, Flamingo Beach Club is a fresh take on the traditional beach club. By day, it’s all about relaxation. The perfect place for families to unwind by the beach, kids to take part in creative workshops, and yogis to find their own serenity.  As the sun sets, the atmosphere transforms and offers live DJ sets, signature cocktails and themed parties. Whether it’s meeting new friends to hang out or dancing under the stars, Flamingo Beach Club is promising nights out like no other – something we’re keen to see for ourselves!   

The countdown to 2025 is here. Time to say goodbye to 2024 and look to the upcoming new year. Phuket is known for its epic parties, and new year celebrations in paradise never disappoint.  Whether you are looking to relax on the beach and enjoy the fireworks or celebrate the night in style, Phuket has something to suit everyone’s tastes. 

Cafe Del Mar Phuket welcomes Turkish DJ and producer Mahmut Orhan to the island for an exclusive performance. Experience his explosive energy as he unleashes an unforgettable fusion of deep house, indie dance and nu disco. Dance to Mahmut’s east-west synthesis on the dance floor or laze poolside and appreciate the mesmerizing eastern melodies blended with cutting edge beats.  Feb 27. Book here. Cafe Del Mar Phuket at Kamala Beach. 12pm-10.30pm

Endless Summer Beach Club, located directly across from Patong Beach, hosts its opening party with an electrifying lineup of party entertainers and DJ Scott Forshaw who will keep the vibes high with non-stop house, hip hop and R&B music. Endless Summer Beach Club is newly opened and part of the Courtyard by Marriott Phuket, Patong Beach Resort. This is an opening party that you’ll definitely not want to miss as the venue is in the heart of the action in Patong. Feb 28. Free entry. VIP tables book here. Endless Summer Beach Club. 1pm-11pm

Enjoy a rooftop lounge experience while dining in style during the CHICA BBQ Buffet. Tempt your taste buds with a BBQ station, carving station, selection of main courses, sizzling starters, Mexican and Thai salads plus an array of homemade desserts. Elevate the evening with a free flow selection of house wines, classic margaritas and draught beer for two hours.  Feb 28. B990++ per person for 2 hours only. CHICA Rooftop Lounge. 6pm-10pm  

Mrs B Bar & Table welcomes Gladwell Chiang Mai for an exciting Guest Shift. Pim, owner and bartender of Gladwell Chiang Mai, heads to the Phuket venue for one night only to show off her mixology skills. Exclusive drinks for the event include Spice It Up featuring Patron Silver, guava, yuzu and spicy honey, Funky Sol made with Patron Reposado, blue cheese, Pisco, pineapple punch and soda and I’m On Vacation which is a mix of Bombay Premier Cru, Northern fruits, Vermouth and Campari. Don’t miss this fun Guest Shift!  Feb 28. For reservations call 093 -586-9828. Mrs B Bar & Table. From 8pm onwards. 

Enjoy an unforgettable evening on Karon Beach at Coast Beach Club & Bistro. Savour fine French wines perfectly paired with a fresh seafood feast plucked straight from the Andaman Sea as well as premium grilled meats. A live duo band provides the entertainment as you wine and dine under a golden sunset. Feb 28. B1588++ per person. Coast Beach Club & Bistro Phuket. 6pm-10pm

Embark on a culinary journey through the spice trail with the Indian Night buffet at Rim Talay Restaurant, located at the Amari Phuket resort. Dine on classic Tandoori and vegetarian dishes as well as robust curries complimented by a selection of homemade naan. Rim Talay Restaurant overlooks Patong Bay and provides the perfect atmosphere for an exceptional night out dining on delightful cuisine. Feb 27. B790++ per person. Rim Talay Restaurant at Amari Phuket. 6pm-10pm

Baan Rim Pa is an iconic dining venue on Phuket’s tourist-friendly coastal stretch. The restaurant is housed within a traditional two-story teak house with a terrace that looks out to the sea. Big wooden tables and well portioned place of fresh Thai cuisine make Baan Rim Pa a family-friendly choice.  Read Review

You would need to brave the long queue that starts snaking around the block hours before the restaurant opens to discover what the fuss is all about at Ko Benz. The decades-old street eatery is famed for its Khao Tom Haeng (brothless porridge), which is cooked according to an old family recipe. Located opposite Jo Ong shrine in Phuket Town, Ko Benz is jam-packed every evening with both locals and tourists.  Read Review

Phuket has long been called the Peranakan capital of Thailand. Sadly, there is a dearth of restaurants serving authentic Peranakan fare, a cuisine invented by the Straits Chinese who lived in merchant cities in the Malay Peninsula including Phuket, Malacca, Singapore and Penang. It’s the type of home-cooked cuisine Phuketians of old would eat within their walled rowhouses. The Charm Dining Gallery fills in the gap as one of the very few Peranakan restaurants in Phuket Town.  Read Review

Ask around Phuket Town for the best restaurant to savor the local specialties and Raya will most likely be the quick recommendation. Tucked in a Sino-Portuguese mansion, Raya is a decades-old restaurant run by Phang-nga-born Phuket local Gularb Jedsadawan. Surrounded by lush gardens, the wooden two-story restaurant features a non-air conditioned dining room clad in yellow hues and furnished with antique trinkets and colorful Portuguese-style tiles. The menu is a long list of Phuket specialties that make use of high quality ingredients which partly explains why most of the dishes are priced higher compared to similar restaurants in the area.  Read Review

If there’s one Thai fine dining restaurant that we love in Phuket, it’s Black Ginger at The Slate. A meal at this stunning dining destination is definitely one for the books. A complex of all-black wooden Thai pavilions that’s only accessible via a man-held raft is one thing; embellished interior decorations that make you feel like you’re inside an exotic temple is another. Not to mention chandeliers that glitter like stars in the dark sky and staffers clad in costumes inspired by ancient Phuket fighters. And the food? Well that’s definitely something else.  Read Review  

Suay means “beautiful” in Thai, and this is evident in the gorgeous details (think floral furniture, houseplants and lush gardens) that dominate Suay Restaurant Cherngtalay. For over a decade, chef-owner Tammasak Chootong, who honed his culinary skills at Michelin-starred kitchens in Germany, has been serving modern Thai cuisine in these stunning surroundings. Expect modern Thai creations made using Western cooking techniques and international ingredients.  Read Review

With the much anticipated premier of the third season of HBO’s The White Lotus days away, it’s time to get acquainted with the talented Thai cast members In its first two seasons, HBO’s dark comedy anthology series has travelled to luxury resorts in Hawaii and Sicily. For its third season, premiering Sunday, February 16, it pulls into Thailand, with filming locations in Bangkok, Phuket and Koh Samui. The cast features several big names, including Leslie Bibb, Jason Isaacs, Michelle Monaghan, Carrie Coon, Parker Posey, Walton Goggins and Patrick ‘Son of Arnold’ Schwarzenegger, along with the returning Natasha Rothwell, last seen in Season 1 having her dreams of opening her own business dashed by Jennifer Coolidge’s Tanya. (May she rest in peace.)  Also among the cast are four popular Thai actors who may be lesser known to viewers in the US and UK: Dom Hetrakul, Tayme Thapthimthong, Patravadi Mejudhon and Lisa Manoban. With the season fast approaching, it’s worth getting familiar with them, too. Here’s everything you need to know. Photograph: HBODom Hetrakul plays therapist Pornchai Dom Hetrakul White Lotus Role: Pornchai, the hotel’s spa therapist  Dom Hetrakul, the hotel’s serene spa therapist Pornchai in season 3, is well-known in Thailand for his film work over 25 years. He also popped up alongside Nicolas Cage in the Pang Brothers’ 1999 action-thriller Bangkok Dangerous. Pornchai becomes mentor to Belinda Lindsey (Natasha Rothwell), season 1’s only returning character –