Many spend more than a month at a time in Phuket as they escape the cold winters. While you are in a different climate and in an area that has an abundance of fresh tropical fruits and seafood it is only natural and normal that you wish to experience the full cross-section of the dining experiences available while relaxing on the Thai beach island. There are literally thousands of restaurants on Phuket, ranging from local Street food to star rated restaurants where it is easy for a romantic couple to blow $500 in an evening.
Italian Restaurants
With the sheer number of Italian restaurants on Phuket you could easily be forgiven to think that you were in Italy and not Thailand. Every suburb of Phuket has at least one pizzeria offering traditional Italian cuisine such as pastas and some regions of the island have so many Italian restaurants that are densely packed together that it is hard to even choose where to go and eat. Many of these restaurants are high-end with Italian chefs whose quality of food could compete with any large city in the world. It is easy to understand why a chef who is in demand would want to leave Italy for a while to enjoy the pleasures of Phuket and also be creative in a fine restaurant while living there as an expatriate.
It is hard to select just a few, however, here is a selection of restaurants that have a very high level of service and quality of food that are located in different regions of Phuket. La Scala is located next to Kata Beach, in the township away from the main tourist areas areas you will find Salvatores which is a little dated but the authentic food makes up for it. Da Maurizo in the suburbs of Kalim which is near the Patong Beach an DaVinci which is featured below which has a great atmosphere and is very well managed, when their staff smile, you know it is a real smile.
DaVinci Phuket
DaVinci has a fantastic ambiance as it is laid as a lounge style restaurant that has to be experienced to really be believed. It is also offers a more casual café style of dining outside, which is a great place to meet up with new friends. As well as all the typical Italian offerings that you would expect they are also known for having fantastic imported beef steaks, which is rare in Thailand. A main plate is about $20 and a large pizza is typically $15 which is normal for the tourist island. The homemade desserts are divine and the extensive wine collection is reasonably priced.
It is located in the suburb of Nai Harn , which is on the southern end of the island near Rawai. It is pleasantly far away from the famous Patong red-light district. DaVinci is definitely on the short list is a candidate for the best Italian restaurant on the island of Phuket and is a great venue to kick off a romantic evening such as Valentine’s Day. If you are Thailand in mid February then one of these venues would be perfect for the evening together with your valentine. They all offer packages for the evening as well, which vary but include, entertainment, complementary bottles of champagne for each couple, desserts to die for and flowers for the lady who will be pampered. It goes without saying that bookings are essential at any good restaurant on Valentine’s Day.
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Featured images:
- License: Creative Commons image source
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John is a Thai flower designer who designs flower arrangements for valentines day for Gogo Florist in Phuket. Gogo on Google+.
I have been at some really good Italian restaurants in Thailand and probably some of the best are in Phuket, actually I think there is something for everybody and probably more than 50 kinds of national cuisines from different countries.
I am not much about Italian food, but I would definitely try some of these suggestions, next time I go to Phuket, probably next year.
I think almost everybody like spaghetti and pizza, so probably everybody would visit some of these restaurants. I haven’t been to Phuket for quite a while, but if I go, probably I will check some of these restaurants.
To be on vacation in Thailand and to go to eat in Italian restaurant, this sounds extremely stupid idea. I suppose every tourist would love to try every Thai meal, you can eat Italian food all around the world, but authentic Thai cuisines only in Thailand.
You can eat Italian food that taste like authentic, everywhere around the world. To go to pretty much overpriced Italian restaurant in Phuket, won’t be the smartest thing to do.