Phuket Airport Food Guide: Best Local Eats

what to eat at phuket airport

Phuket Airport offers a variety of dining options for travellers, ranging from well-known fast-food chains to local restaurants serving authentic Thai cuisine. The airport restaurants provide a range of dishes, including Thai curries, noodles, and international fare such as burgers and sandwiches. However, some travellers have reported mixed experiences with the food quality and prices at the airport outlets, recommending that visitors try the local restaurants outside the airport for a more authentic and affordable culinary experience. For those seeking traditional Thai cuisine, Phuket Old Town and nearby markets offer a plethora of delicious options, including Pad Mee, Khanom Jeen, and unique treats like Tom Yum soup ice cream.

Characteristics Values
Distance from Phuket Airport 2.4km
Cuisine Thai, Chinese, Malay
Specific dishes Dim Sum, Gaeng Keaw Wan Gai, Kha Man Gai, Khanom Jeen, Kai Jeow, Jok Moo Sap, Pad Mee, Mee Haeng, Hokkien Noodles, Tom Yum Soup Ice Cream
Specific restaurants Natural Restaurant Airport, Nai Yang Market, Phuket Airport Restaurant, Coral Burger, Chester's, Burger King, Subway, AIMM's Cafe, The Coffee Club, Thong Kitchen

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Local Thai cuisine at Natural Restaurant Airport

Natural Restaurant Airport is a great place to try local Thai cuisine. It is located 2.4 km from Phuket International Airport, making it a convenient spot for a meal any time of the day. The restaurant is well-known by locals and expats as it is a branch of the original Natural Restaurant in Phuket Town, also called Tammachart. The restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating, creating a casual and cosy atmosphere. The food is fresh and locally sourced, with ingredients coming straight from the restaurant's own farm.

The menu at Natural Restaurant Airport offers a wide variety of dishes, including seafood, soups, curries, and spicy salads. You can find classic Thai dishes such as satay chicken and a range of authentic Thai curries. In addition to the food, the restaurant also offers a selection of local snacks and drinks, making it a perfect spot to relax and enjoy the atmosphere.

The restaurant has received positive reviews for its food, service, and setting. It is described as having a "gorgeous setup" and serving "delicious, fresh, and authentic Thai food". The staff are consistently praised as being "super friendly", "professional and polite", and "attentive".

If you're looking for a taste of local Thai cuisine near Phuket Airport, Natural Restaurant Airport is an excellent choice. With its convenient location, cosy atmosphere, and delicious food, it is a popular spot for both locals and expats alike.

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Thai street food: Pad mee and mee haeng

Thai cuisine is known for its staggering variety, and Phuket is no exception. The island's street food scene is a testament to this, with Pad Mee and Mee Haeng being two of the many delicious options available.

Pad Mee is an egg noodle stir-fry with a pork broth. The dish is often prepared with a variety of toppings, including dumplings, shrimp, pork, peanuts, and fried garlic, making every bite unique. The noodles are typically cooked until tender and then tossed with garlic oil to prevent sticking, a key step in achieving the perfect texture.

Mee Haeng, on the other hand, is the soupless version of Pad Mee. Also known as Ba Mee Haeng or Ba Mi Haeng, it is a traditional Thai dry noodle dish. The noodles are steamed and tossed with a flavourful sauce, and can be paired with a variety of proteins such as fish balls, crab balls, meatballs, chicken, pork, or beef. The dish is then seasoned with soy sauce and a dash of MSG, creating a mouthwatering combination of flavours that is slightly sour and spicy, characteristic of Thai cuisine.

Both Pad Mee and Mee Haeng are popular choices for street food in Phuket. The island's Old Town, in particular, is known for its amazing sense of history and Chinese-Malay-inspired culture, evident in the colourful shop houses and tantalising local fare. The area is also known for its modern street art and relaxed vibe, making it a perfect place to explore and indulge in some delicious street food.

In addition to street food, Phuket also offers a variety of restaurants serving local cuisine. One notable option is the Natural Restaurant Airport, located just 2.4 km from the airport. The restaurant offers a cosy atmosphere and a wide variety of local dishes, including seafood options such as fish and prawns prepared in multiple ways.

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Chinese-Malay-inspired food in Phuket Old Town

Phuket Old Town is a great place to experience the 'real' Phuket and its Chinese-Malay-inspired culture. The town has a mix of colourful Sino-Portuguese architecture, atmospheric Chinese shrines, ornately decorated Taoist-Buddhist temples, and modern street art.

For food, you can find a variety of Chinese-Malay-inspired dishes. One highlight is the Hainanese chicken rice at Kota Khao Mun Kai (16-18 Soi Surin Montri). This dish was brought to Phuket by Chinese immigrants centuries ago and features tender braised chicken and broth-boiled rice with garlic, chilli, ginger, and soy. Phuket is also known for its noodle dishes, including Hokkien mee (yellow egg noodles topped with shrimp wontons, fish balls, chicken, and pork strips) and Pad mee (an egg noodle stir-fry with a pork broth). For a unique take on noodles, try mee haeng, the 'dry' version of the pork noodle dish.

In addition to Chinese-Malay-inspired food, Phuket Old Town also offers a range of other culinary delights. These include Indian Muslim-inspired treats such as roti, a crispy, chewy flatbread fried on a griddle, which can be found at Aroon and Abdul’s (Talat Yai, Mueang Phuket District). For drinks, check out the Zimplex Mixology Laboratory in Tambon Talat Yai for innovative shots, or Dibuk House for classic drinks with a modern twist.

If you're looking for a more upscale dining experience, the Michelin-listed Heh combines quality ingredients from the Andaman Sea with Australian imports. For a more casual meal, the Lard Yai Night Market offers a variety of snacks and treats, or you can try a Thai cooking class offered by a Michelin-approved restaurant.

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Breakfast at Nai Yang Market

If you're looking for breakfast near Phuket Airport, the Nai Yang Market is a great choice. Located just 10 minutes away from the airport by car, the market offers a wide range of fresh produce and street food options.

For a truly local experience, start your day with jok moo sap, a comforting rice porridge that is a popular breakfast dish in Thailand. If you're feeling adventurous, try Khanom Jeen, a coconut curry served with vermicelli noodles, raw vegetables, and a variety of toppings. It's a unique and delicious way to start your day.

Nai Yang Market also offers a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, allowing you to create your own breakfast bowl or smoothie. The market is known for its vibrant atmosphere and affordable prices, making it a great place to immerse yourself in the local culture.

In addition to the market, there are other breakfast options near Phuket Airport. The Natural Restaurant, located 2.4 km from the airport, serves excellent local Thai cuisine and is a popular choice among locals and expats. The restaurant offers a variety of seafood, soups, curries, and spicy salads, providing a range of flavours to suit different tastes.

With its proximity to the airport and its diverse food options, Nai Yang Market is an ideal spot to explore authentic Thai cuisine and start your foodie adventure in Phuket. Whether you're looking for a quick bite or a leisurely breakfast, the market has something for everyone.

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Coral Burger and Chester's in the airport

If you're looking for a quick bite at Phuket Airport, Coral Burger and Chesters are two of the many eateries available. Coral Burger offers tasty chicken burgers and fries at a reasonable price of 99 baht, which is cheaper than other burger joints at the airport. Chesters, on the other hand, serves fried chicken and chips, which one diner's son enjoyed despite the chicken taking a while to arrive.

Coral Burger and Chesters are located in the Phuket Airport Restaurant, which also houses other eateries like Burger King, Subway, AIMM's Cafe, and The Coffee Club. The restaurant has received mixed reviews on Tripadvisor, with some praising the food and others complaining about long wait times and mediocre dishes.

For a more premium dining experience at Phuket Airport, travellers can visit The Coral Premium Class Lounge, also known as the Coral Executive Lounge. This lounge, inspired by the Andaman Sea, offers a relaxing escape with comfortable seating, calming lighting, and serene spaces. It showcases the rich flavours of Thailand by using locally sourced ingredients in its dishes and beverages. The Coral Cabana Fizz, featuring Phuket Pineapple, is their signature drink.

Phuket Airport offers a variety of dining options to suit different tastes and preferences, whether you're looking for a quick bite at Coral Burger or Chesters or a more upscale experience at The Coral Premium Class Lounge.

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Frequently asked questions

The Natural Restaurant Airport, located 2.4km from the airport, serves excellent local Thai cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere. The menu offers a variety of seafood, soups, curries, and spicy salads. For a more budget-friendly option, try Coral Burger in the airport's departure hall.

Phuket offers a wide range of Thai cuisine, including noodles, curries, and soups. Some popular dishes include Pad Mee (egg noodle stir-fry with pork broth), Mee Haeng (a soupless version of the pork noodle dish), and Khanom Jeen (coconut curry with vermicelli noodles).

Phuket Old Town is known for its Chinese-Malay-inspired culture and architecture. Here you can find a variety of Chinese dishes with a fusion or twist, such as Dim Sum. For a truly unique experience, try the Tom Yum soup-flavoured ice cream at Thaivetro Ice Cream.

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