Phuket enjoys clement and sunny weather during the first few months of each year with cool north-easterly breezes and practically no rain. It’s the best time of year to enjoy sunset dining so here’s a list of what we consider the best restaurants at which to dine while enjoying the best free show on earth: the sunset.
Kata Rocks Oceanfront, Kata Rocks
Thailand Tatler magazine says that Kata Rocks Oceanfront is the Best Sunset and Romantic Restaurant in Phuket. Kata Rocks Oceanfront is designed in contemporary style with white tones and open planning and is set next to a beautiful infinity swimming pool. This restaurant is located on a rocky headland just south of beautiful Kata Beach and serves Thai, international, seafood and modern Mediterranean dishes. Especially recommended plates are beetroot tartar, green apple, avocado, lime and mustard, seafood platter, lobster, French oysters, crab, mayonnaise and cocktail sauce, salt-crusted Branzino, seabass in salted white egg crust, tomato, coriander and lemon sauce, double entrecote de boeuf wagyu, roasted garden tomatoes and rosemary potatoes. For dessert try out warm brioche, passion fruit and vanilla ice cream. Dining (literally) on the adjacent rocks is a new and unique experience and makes you feel at one with the sea; definitely for romantics. Kata Rocks Oceanfront is perfect for lovers and that extra-special occasion.
Open: 18.00 – 22.00, call: 076 370 777, or dining@katarocks.com website: www.katarocks.com
Seafood platter, lobster, French oysters, crab, mayonnaise and cocktail sauce.
Beetroot tartar, green apple, avocado, lime and mustard.
Double entrecote de boeuf wagyu, roasted garden tomatoes and rosemary potatoes.
Salt crusted Branzino, seabass in salted white egg crust, tomato, coriander and lemon sauce.
Dining on the adjacent rocks!
Beach Restaurant, The Surin Phuket
Beach Restaurant is The Surin Phuket hotel’s signature restaurant located on unforgettable Pansea Beach next to Surin Beach. The beach is one of the most beautiful on the island and enjoys almost 100% privacy. If you wish to watch the sunset here, book a table near to the beach – it’s just a few steps away. You can hear the sound of the waves breaking and the wind rustling through the overhead palm trees. Beach Restaurant offers Thai and fresh seafood as well as red curry with roast duck, phad thai and a whole range of steaks and salads; try the mango with sticky rice for a treat. If you don’t want to miss the best table next to the beach for your sunset viewing it’s important to make a reservation.
Open: 17.00 – 23.00, call: 076 316 400, website: www.thesurinphuket.com
Red Curry with Roast Duck
Phad Thai
SALA Restaurant, SALA Phuket Resort and Spa
Located on Mai Khao Beach – one of the best sunset viewing beaches in Phuket and a unique location in itself, SALA Restaurant is designed in the shape of a two-storey boat. The ground floor has dining tables next to the infinity pool so that customers can enjoy the views and sea breezes. The second floor is an open-air rooftop dining area with private tables flanked by small pools. This is the best place to view the sunset among the coastal pine trees that dance and wave in the gentle and cooling evening breezes. Recommended dishes here are salmon tartar, duck confit (duck leg cured overnight, then braised for nine hours, pan seared to crisp the skin served on a bed of kale sautéed with garlic confit and mustard cream garnished with caramelised onions.) A recommend dessert choice is yoghurt pannacotta. You can also relax on the law or in one of the spacious daybeds available. SALA Restaurant was also one of Thailand Tatler’s best restaurants in 2016 and has also won other awards for food, atmosphere, and service. Please make a reservation in advance especially for the rooftop dining which has limited seating.
Open: 18:30-22.30 call 076 338 888, website: www.salaphuket.com
Salmon Tartar
Duck Confit
Takieng Restaurant, The Renaissance Phuket Resort and Spa
Takieng Restaurant or ‘The Lantern’ in English at The Renaissance Phuket Resort and Spa serves Thai, seafood and local food. Its elevated location lends the restaurant access to spectacular sunset and even wider views. The restaurant’s rustic décor gives it a tangible nautical air and reflects the fisherman’s lifestyle. Takieng offers both indoor air-conditioned seating and alfresco dining on the terrace. Diners can clearly take in seaside sunset views through the shoreline casuarina trees along Mai Khao Beach. Recommended dishes are goong sarong (deep-fried tiger prawns rolled in yellow noodles), gai haw bai toey (deep-fried honeyed chicken in pandanus leaves), satays, thod mun pla (deep-fried curried fish patties), choo chi pla (dried red curry with fish) grilled lamb with herbs and vegetable coconut soup with shrimp.
Open: 18.00 – 23.00, call: 076 363 999, website: www.renaissancephuket.com
Choo Chee Ped Grob
Pak Meang Tom Kati Goong
Kung Sarong
The Royal Kitchen, The Royal Paradise Hotel and Spa
The last restaurant on our list is the Chinese restaurant at The Royal Kitchen located on 25th floor of The Royal Paradise Hotel and Spa Hotel at Patong. This high up you can enjoy 180-degrees views of Patong and of course the sun setting into the sea in all its glory. The Royal Kitchen serves the original Cantonese-style food and is perfect for families to view the sunset through the windows. Must-try dishes here are Peking duck, barbecued whole suckling pig ‘Hong Kong’ style. The restaurant is lushly decorated in impressive Chinese style.
Open: 18.00 – 23.00, call 076 340 666, website: www.royalparadise.com
Peking Duck
Appetizers
