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When you’re travelling to a new destination it can sometimes be overwhelming to find somewhere to eat, but as a guideline, if the place is busy, especially with locals, it usually means the food is good. On a recent trip to Phuket, personal travel manager Emily Turner put this theory to the test and tried out many of the restaurants in Karon Beach and surrounds. Here are some of her recommendations.

Red Onion

Located on Pantak Road between the main Karon roundabout and the Temple, Red Onion restaurant definitely meets the ‘always busy’ rule. If you arrive anytime between roughly 6:30pm and 8:00pm, you can expect to wait for a table, especially if you’re in a large group. The food is well worth the wait though, and the sliced crispy duck is a must-have. Don’t let first appearances put you off: this is a very simple Thai Restaurant, but trust the crowds and enjoy! Five of us walked away with very full bellies for under 2000 baht – that included entrees, a main each, rice and drinks.

Vitaporn

Heading along the beach you will find many restaurants scattered amongst the shops, massage parlours and tailors. Vitaporn is tucked down a side road just near the Ramada and offers a good selection of both Thai and Western food. While their prices are a little more expensive than the likes of Red Onion, the food is still great. We preferred the Thai dishes over international dishes like pizza, as you’d expect in a Thai restaurant.

Joy Karon Seafood

Lining the footpath between the Mövenpick and Hilton hotels are several seafood restaurants with fresh (often live) seafood displayed on ice out the front. A seafood platter of crab, lobster, prawns, scallops, squid and a whole red snapper cost less than 3000 baht (with drinks and entrees) at Joy Karon Seafood and we both walked away very satisfied! The food was barbequed fresh at the front of the restaurant and the service was excellent. Keep an eye out for their interesting catches of the day on display – for us it was a giant sting ray.

@Beach Bar and Restaurant

Because it is connected to the Kata Beach Resort, you can expect to pay resort prices for your meal at @Beach Bar and Restaurant. But the food was delicious, with excellent flavours and a lovely view of the beach. I recommend the Pad Thai.

After Beach Bar

Still in the Kata area, probably my most memorable meal was at the After Beach Bar. Located up on the hill just outside of Kata, this Jamaican-inspired, laid-back restaurant may seem a strange choice to try in Thailand, but the stunning views over the Andaman Sea and the delicious duck curry will ensure you don’t regret it. You will need to take a tuk tuk to get there, and you should aim to arrive at least 45 minutes before sunset to get a good table with a view. If you’re a lover of seafood there are many options including a whole steamed crab on the menu. You can expect to pay slightly higher than average, but in my opinion, the location justifies the extra expense.

Temple Market

Finally, you can’t leave Phuket without trying Banana Pancakes. There are little street stalls selling these scattered everywhere, and the pancakes, which are drizzled with condensed milk, are deliciously addictive. We had them at the Temple Market, which is held every Tuesday and Friday evening in the heart of Karon – it’s well worth a look and a great place to pick up the obligatory souvenirs.