Phuket never fails to mesmerize tourists with its relentless charm, economical getaways, serene beaches, and vibrant nightlife. This ‘Pearl of the Andaman’ is a prime destination in Thailand that attracts 500,000-600,000 tourists each month and aims to surpass 14 million domestic and global tourists according to the Bangkok Post.
The reason for Phuket’s massive popularity is not just due to its beaches and nightlife but also the amazing resorts, villas, hotels, and savory bistros, cafes, and bars. Thus, people embark on phuket holiday packages to enjoy its hospitality, explore unique spots, raise adrenaline by enjoying fun activities, and relax on white sandy beaches with palm trees on the backdrop.
Must-Visit Cafes & Bistros
Phuket is swarmed with the best bistros that offer authentic Thai food as well as global cuisines. Moreover, its cafes and bars are known for their unique and stunning interiors and a wide range of cold and hot brews. Let’s discuss a few of these spots that must be on your go-to list:
- Hern Coffee and Bistro: A hot cup of coffee in a relaxed setting is all tourists need after a hectic day full of fun and exploration. Hern Coffee & Bistro offers a perfect escape from the city’s bustle where you can enjoy hot and cold brews in an alfresco lounge. But that’s not it! You can choose from an extensive menu of local dishes and fill up your belly with fresh and aromatic Thai food.
- Isara Boutique Hotel & Cafe: This retro cafe is located along Karbi Road in Phuket Town and serves fresh fruit drinks, matcha lattes, and iced coffees, as well as baked items like cheesecakes and apple pies. The cafe interior gives chilled vibes with pastel pink walls and golden lines going in contrast with the vintage-inspired furniture.
- Kudo Italian Bistro: Sharing space with the classy Kudo Beach Club, this Italian bistro offers authentic Italian food, ranging from millefoglie pastry and fettuccine with cream cheese to parma ham and wild mushrooms. You can enjoy your food while basking in the amazing ocean views from the terrace or the ground-floor sitting area.
- Pots Pints & Tikis: This casual bar is located at the front of Patong Street and offers an impressive range of cocktails, bar bites, and craft beer. The bar boasts the perfect blend of an outdoor alfresco dining zone and a warm indoor lounge providing a cozy space for guests to eat, drink, and enjoy gathering.
Phuket’s Food Culture
Thai dishes are made with fresh herbs and spices that never fail to impress tourists. However, they need ideas about the go-to dishes to try and we’ve made that easy for you. Just follow this Thai food list for a get-go:
- Som Tum: Treat your taste buds with Som Tum, also known as green papaya salad. It’s a starter dish made with a spicy and tangy blend of torn fresh papaya mixed with dried shrimp, chili peppers, peanuts, tomatoes, and long beans.
- Pla Pao: Savor this common Thai seafood made from a whole fish, stuffed with lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves, rolled in a salt layer, grilled over charcoal, and served with chili garlic sauce.
- Tom Yum Goong: Treat your taste buds with this aromatic and spicy shrimp soup flavored with lemongrass, lime leaves, galangal, kaffir, chili, and peppers.
- Pad Thai: Authentic Thai dish made from rice noodles fried with shrimp, tofu, tamarind sauce, and eggs and served with lime, bean sprouts, and peanuts.
- Mango Sticky Rice: Enjoy this original Thai dessert made with ripe mangoes, served with coconut milk and gluey rice, and topped with crusty grilled mung beans.
- Pad Ka Prao: Stroll around Phuket and savor this common Thai street food, made from meat fried with hordes of garlic, holy basil, and chilies.
Go-to Nightlife Hotspots
You can never get bored in Phuket, even at night. The island is swarmed with a plethora of nightlife options, including:
- Cherng Talay: Located near Bang Tao Beach, Cherng Talay offers a more vintage vibe with classy venues and diverse spaces to suit all tastes. Whether you want to dance the night away to a live DJ, hang out at an Irish pub, or watch sports on big screens, Cherng Talay has got you all covered. Just stroll around the area and you’ll find several Irish pubs, beer gardens, a cider house, and stylish clubs and bars.
- Bangla Road: This area showcases the true spirit of Phuket’s amazing nightlife with several live music venues, dance halls with famous DJs, bars, glitzy nightclubs, and sports bars. You can just stroll around the road observing the glamors and attractions or dance in one of the clubs, sip hot and cold brews, and savor authentic Thai food; the options are countless.
- Phuket Town: To enjoy a more urbane kind of nightlife, head to Phuket Town as it has all the attractions but with lesser crowds. The vibe here is local as there are colleges and universities nearby and you can chat with locals and get to know about the island and its hotspots. However, to indulge in the vibrant nightlife that Phuket promises, just walk around and you’ll find karaoke joints, jazz bars, rooftop bars, and pubs with an energetic youth crowd belonging to local educational institutes.
Get lost in paradise bliss by planning a family or couple vacation to Phuket. Contact Virikson Holidays to discuss your travel plans and to make reservations. Your Phuket luxury holidays are only a click away so don’t delay!
