The Best Phuket Restaurants for A Romantic Date
You can’t plan the perfect date in Phuket if you don’t know your way around Phuket restaurants.
Phuket is one of the oldest cities in Thailand. It’s a place full of history and culture, and romance tends to follow where those two go. It’s become a popular destination for couples to visit where they can experience island life and great food.
But planning a date always comes with a million questions to answer and decisions to make, making it hard to find the best place to go in Phuket. If that sounds like the situation you’re in, you need this guide!
In this blog, we break down all the critical parts of a date: planning, deciding what you want to do, and which of the Phuket restaurants you want to visit!
Planning the Date
Relationships are made up of two people, so it’s a given that we can’t have a great romantic date if we don’t consult our partners about it.
Of course, we can make it a surprise, but talking about the date we have in mind allows us to note down key details, like preferred activities, setting, chosen time and day, or even budget—all of which can affect how much fun you two will have.
Recommended reading: The Romantic’s Guide to Dating In Phuket
Couples who find themselves in limbo, with no idea about what to do, can opt for First Date Classics, like the go-to dinner (or any time really) dates. Many look down on dinner dates in this day and age. Still, they’re popular for plenty of reasons, mainly because they give us the opportunity to converse and bond with our partners with no screens to hinder the intimacy.
Moreover, they’re highly customizable, as we can pair them with a wide array of pre- or post-dinner activities. Some to note are movie viewing, sightseeing, karaoke, mini-golfing, couples paint classes, or visiting street fairs. Whatever activity that both persons are into will only make the first date more enjoyable.
The Criteria
Choosing a restaurant to visit may seem simple at first, but it’s actually quite complicated considering the many outside elements that can affect our overall experience at the place.
Now, we don’t need to be restaurant or food critics, but taking note of the following can help us make a sound decision:
- Location. First and foremost, the location of the restaurant is important. Our final choice should be in an easily accessible area, not only for us but our partners as well. If one person has no vehicle, it would only make the date more complicated and a little grueling if we have to commute far just to eat.
- Ambiance. Both the restaurant’s look and feel can severely impact your dining experience, so be sure to choose a restaurant whose atmosphere allows for privacy between diners. You wouldn’t want to be getting cozy with your partner while rowdy kids are around, would you?
- Food and drinks menu. Since the main focus of the date is the food, it’d be smart to consider food restrictions before looking for a restaurant. If your date is allergic to seafood or leads a vegan lifestyle, it’d make them more appreciative when they see food items that cater to their palate.
- Availability. Having to wait to be seated can irritate even before you get to the good part of the date. So, make sure to pin down the exact date for the first date and book a table ahead of time.
Where to Go In Phuket
The Phuket province is known for the many well-reviewed restaurants it has to offer. Below are the top five Phuket restaurants when it comes to romantic dates.
1. La Gritta Italian Restaurant
| WEBSITE | La Gritta Italian Restaurant |
| ADDRESS | 2 Muen-ngern RoadPatong Beach,Kathu Phuket 83150 |
| CONTACT DETAILS | +66 (0) 7634 0112lagritta@amari.com |
| OPERATING HOURS | Open daily from 17:00 to 22:00 |
Price Range: $$$
Specialty Cuisine: Traditional Italian cuisine with contemporary flair
Highlights:
- Extensive and discerning wine list
- Stunning view
- Top-notch service
Italian cuisine is so popular; it’s been considered by many to be the World’s Favorite Food, especially when it comes to romantic dates. Such fact makes the first restaurant on our list a go-to for couples.
La Gritta – Italian Restaurant is unlike any other Italian restaurant we’ve seen so far. Found on Patong Beach, this location offers a view as unforgettable as the authentic Italian cuisine found on their menu, making each bite and moment all the more special for guests.
Another secret to La Gritta’s stellar reputation is its Chef de Cuisine, Ms. Patrizia Battolu, who has worked extensively in Europe and Asia, bringing along with her a fount of wealth that makes each dish that comes out of the kitchen stand out from other Italian cuisines.
2. Blue Elephant
| WEBSITE | The Blue Elephant |
| ADDRESS | 96 Krabi, Tambon Talat Nuea, Amphoe Mueang Phuket, Chang Wat Phuket 83000 |
| CONTACT DETAILS | +66 (0)76 354 355 |
| OPERATING HOURS | Open daily from 9:00 – 22:30 |
Price Range: $$$
Specialty Cuisine: Authentic and Contemporary Thai
Highlights:
- Michelin Plate restaurant
- Extensive Thai menu
- Magnificent view
- Offers cooking classes
Next on our list is a Phuket restaurant known for the story its location offers. Blue Elephant is situated in a centuries-old governor’s house that allows guests the opportunity to marvel at Sino-Portuguese architecture.
You’ll find on the grounds both an air-conditioned indoor and outdoor dining space, both adorned by table settings that are as beautiful as the house itself.
Blue Elephant’s menu is worth all the praise as well. It’s one of the most extensive, offering authentic Thai cuisine alongside unique dishes as well. Those who are at a loss can be guided by the red elephant symbol, which the restaurant has marked some dishes with to show the dishes that are highly recommended.
3. Tu Kab Khao
| WEBSITE | Tu Kab Khao |
| ADDRESS | 8 Phangnga Road, Talat Nuea Amphoe Muang Phuket, Phuket, Thailand 83000 |
| CONTACT DETAILS | +66 76 608 888kobthai@gmail.com |
| OPERATING HOURS | Open daily from 11:30 to 21:45 |
Price Range: $$
Specialty Cuisine: Southern Thai Food
Highlights:
- Elevated wine and cocktails menu
- Atmospheric century-old building
- Excellent service
- Fair pricing
Tu Kab Khao is a Michelin Star restaurant nestled in an old heritage house boasting a wonderful view of the Shrine of the Serene Light. Aside from that, Tu Kab Khao also offers a tasteful interior that’s elegant without being too overly sophisticated.
What makes Tu Kab Khao truly shine, though, is its menu, which highlights the best things that authentic Southern Thai cuisine has to offer. Previous diners sang praises of the Sen Mee Gaeng Poo, Moo Hong Phuket, and Nam Prik Koong Siap, but the rest are worth tasting as well. Not to mention affordable to boot.
The experience is neatly wrapped up by the top-notch service from the friendly staff. Since the place is often quite packed, it’s best to call in ahead of time to prevent long waiting times.
4. Dibuk House
| WEBSITE | Dibuk House |
| ADDRESS | 39/2 Dibuk Road Talad Yai, Muang Phuket Phuket, Thailand 83000 |
| CONTACT DETAILS | +66 82 733 0442dibukhouse@gmail.com |
| OPERATING HOURS | Open daily from 19:00 to 12:00 |
Price Range: $$
Cuisine: Mixed drinks and Tapas
Highlights:
- Cozy and dark atmosphere
- Unique cocktails
- Highly skilled mixologists
- Excellent jazz music
Deviating from the regular restaurant options, we have the Dibuk House, a bar whose dark and moody interior creates the perfect intimate ambiance for new and long-time couples alike.
Guests will find that conversation is easy flowing in Dibuk House, largely thanks to the perfect mix of innovative mixed drinks and cocktails, mouthwatering tapas, and soothing jazz music as the perfect background.
5. Tunk-Ka Cafe
| WEBSITE | Tunk-Ka Cafe |
| ADDRESS | Khosimbi Road ถนน รัษฎา Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83000, Thailand |
| CONTACT DETAILS | +66 61 978 2549ekkaphol.b@gmail.com |
| OPERATING HOURS | Monday to Friday 11:30 to 21:30Saturday to Sunday 11:00 to 22:00 |
Price Range: $$
Cuisine: Thai
Highlights:
- Striking panoramic view of Phuket
- Original, extensive Thai menu
- Plenty of seating
- Not too expensive
Closing off our list of romantic Phuket restaurants is a location that offers a unique combination of rainforest vibes and a 270-degree viewpoint overlooking Phuket Town and the Indian Ocean—the Tunk-Ka Cafe.
Here, diners can enjoy authentic Thai cuisine with the stunning view as their background and the fresh Phuket air cooling off hot sunny days. At night, the view is even better with the city’s lights illuminating the dark sky.
The view isn’t the only thing tempting about the Tunk-Ka Cafe. We mustn’t neglect the extensive menu, which offers budget-friendly options featuring the taste of Thai. Seafood dishes are especially popular in this cafe.
A useful tip for couples looking to catch a view from the edge of the terraces at night: it’s best to come in at around 6 PM since this betters the chances of acquiring the coveted seats in one of the best Phuket restaurants.
