Phuket is the largest island in Thailand and a top destination for beach-lovers, party-goers and family-vacationers.
We’ve spent a month (twice!) on Phuket at Kamala Beach – a crescent-shaped, family-friendly beach just north of (in)famous party-town, Patong.
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We were in Kamala Beach house sitting – taking care of our friends’ dog and home while they were away.
Our days were spent listening to the soothing sounds of the sea and basking in the sunshine – two top things to do in Kamala Beach!
In the evenings, after watching the sunset, we would set off in search of the best Kamala Beach restaurants.
Our Favorite 10 Kamala Beach Restaurants
Throughout the town, there are numerous Kamala, Phuket restaurants. We dined seaside and street-side eating both local Thai and Western fare.
Nearly every restaurant in Kamala Beach has a Thai Food menu, but we quickly learned it’s often not their specialty.
We were most interested in seeking out local flavors, but couldn’t resist indulging in international fare…which we did on more than one occasion!
Fine dining and resort restaurants aren’t our style – so we left those off the list completely.
Our local friends helped to point us in the direction of the best venues and made some recommendations on what we should order at each place.
Without further ado, let’s get to our list of top restaurants in Kamala Beach, Phuket!
#1 Duck Spicy
When we were craving Thai food – really good, authentic Thai food – we went to Duck Spicy. It is hands down the best restaurant in Kamala Beach for Thai cuisine.
Duck, of course, makes an appearance on the menu of this small, no-frills restaurant – and we recommend getting an order of the duck rolls.
The prices are low, the service is friendly, and the food is delicious…all of which makes Duck Spicy our top pick for ‘Best Restaurants Kamala.’ {Read Reviews}
#2 Lucky 13 Phuket
Wondering what to do in Kamala Beach when you are craving a burger? No need to worry; Lucky 13 is one of the best restaurants in Kamala Beach, Phuket for Western food!
Their menu features deli sandwiches stacked with toppings on fresh baked bread (after spending months in Southeast Asia, it was heavenly).
To satisfy a burger craving, order the Lucky 13 Burger…but if you want to take it up a notch, we highly recommend the Black Pearl burger with beetroot! {Read Reviews}
UPDATE: Lucky 13 Kamala has closed! However, there are five other Lucky 13 locations on Phuket!
#3 Royal India Phuket
There is nothing that tantalizes the taste buds quite like the spicy scent of Indian food – and at beachfront Royal India, the mouth-watering aroma fills the air.
Perhaps not typical Kamala Beach food, the exquisitely prepared dishes are perfect for dinner-with-a-sea-view.
We recommend ordering the chicken tikka masala and garlic naan…and samosas – really, if you like Indian food, anything you order will be delicious.
We believe Royal India might be the best Indian restaurant in Phuket! {Read Reviews}
#4 Blue Manao Kamala Beach
I’m picky about my pad Thai (not too spicy, not too sweet and not too wet) – and at Blue Manao they prepared it perfectly. It was, without a doubt, the best pad Thai we ate in Kamala Beach.
However, it wasn’t the best dish we ate at Blue Manao – as the pepper garlic chicken and fried calamari were both incredible.
We wished we had not waited until our last night to eat here, because we definitely would have eaten at Blue Manao at least twice! {Read Reviews}
#5 Kamala Beergarden
The first time we popped into Kamala Beergarden was when we were on our way to Duck Spicy. We saw their sign for happy hour beers and an explosive downpour was moments away.
We sipped on our beers and waited out the storm – and couldn’t help but notice a steady stream of pizzas coming out of the kitchen.
Pizza is only a small portion of their menu, so we wondered what all the fuss was about. Intrigued, we made a return trip to taste-test the pizza – and we were blown away.
Thin, crispy crust! Gooey cheese! Fresh toppings! Although not touted as a ‘pizza place,’ we think the Beergarden is the best restaurant in Kamala Beach, Phuket for pizza. {Read Reviews}
#6 Lillo Island
We were drawn to Lillo Island not only for its beachfront location, but also because every single time we walked by, it was packed…always a good sign!
Although the prices were slightly higher than other spots, it was worth it for the superb service and ocean views (and the delicious Thai food, of course!).
We didn’t try the seafood, but their seafood dishes earn fabulous reviews! {Read Reviews}
#7 Green Mango
Decorated in a beachy, bamboo motif, Green Mango is a small restaurant on Rim Hat Road that we almost passed by had it not been for the smiling waitstaff welcoming us to come in and sit down.
The two young men provided some of the friendliest service we had in Kamala (and that’s saying a lot – because we never had bad service in Kamala, either!).
The typical Thai menu items were offered at affordable prices and our dining experience was an overall enjoyable one at Green Mango. {Read Reviews}
#8 Kamala Beach Ice Cream Rolls
The only thing better than ice cream is hand-crafted ice cream at the beach…which is exactly what they make at Kamala Beach Ice Cream Rolls.
The 100 baht ($3) ice cream dessert is made-to-order for each customer and includes two choices of ingredients
I like the mango and pineapple combination…but options include everything from brownies to strawberries to Kit-Kats.
Once the concoction is hand-chopped into a smooth batter, it is then formed into rolls. Customers are free to add unlimited sprinkles and sugar gummies to their sundae treat! {Read Reviews}
#9 Famous Coffee and Cakes
For a caffeine fix in a hip, beachside location, we liked Famous Coffee and Cakes.
The tiny cafe offers a long list of iced drinks (including local Thai flavors) and scrumptious cakes. A great way to start any day on the beach, if you ask us! {Read Reviews}
#10 Popeye Thai
Somewhat of a hidden gem, Popeye Thai quickly became our go-to spot for casual and delicious Thai cuisine.
The service is superb (seriously, the waitress always remembers my previous order), the portions are large (we leave stuffed every time) and the dishes are inexpensive.
The bright, airy restaurant is away from the bustle, which is perfect for laid-back nights in Kamala Beach. {Read Reviews}
More Recommended Kamala Food
Our above list of ‘Best Restaurants Kamala, Phuket’ includes places we actually ate at…but a few other spots came highly recommended.
Kokosnuss German Bakery
Although named a Kamala bakery, there is really so much more to Kokosnuss German Bakery.
Owned by a German expat, the extensive menu features both German and Thai cuisine – and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. {Read Reviews}
Grill Bill Kamala Beach
Based on fellow traveler reviews, we were really looking forward to a meal at Grill Bill, but they were closed the entire month we were on Phuket.
They get high marks for their BBQ and ribs. {Read Reviews}
Kamala Beach Map of Restaurants
Our Kamala Beach, Phuket Map includes locations of all the restaurants mentioned in this post. This Google Map will lead you to them all!
Kamala Beach Things To Do
If you are looking for more things to do in Kamala than eat (and we certainly hope that you are!), you will find many Kamala Beach activities. Obviously, the top things to do in Kamala, Phuket are on the beach.
The sand is fairly good for beach walking and the steady, rolling waves are fun for a splash in the ocean when it gets too hot. Active travelers can rent wave runners or a surfboard and try to ride the waves.
There are fewer things to do in Kamala Beach, Phuket off the beach, but getting a massage or going to the Kamala Village Market are good choices.
Thai Massage – For me, there is no better massage than a Traditional Thai Massage. There are multiple spas offering Thai – and other – massages. The price for a 1-hour Thai massage is 300 baht ($9).
Kamala Night Market – There are a few Kamala Beach Markets where vendors set up stalls to sell typical Thailand wares. On Friday afternoons, the market is held near Phuket FantaSea.
On Wednesday and Saturday afternoons, there is another market held on the south end of town near the Big C store. There are an array of things to eat here – from satay to curries to insects.
Kamala Beach Nightlife – Travelers looking for Kamala nightlife might be a little disappointed. If you’re looking for a party, take the short ride to Patong.
Where to Stay in Phuket, Kamala Beach
We were International Petsitters during our stay in Phuket, but there are many ocean front resorts and side-street guesthouses in Kamala Beach – and numerous luxury resorts around Phuket.
If you are looking for the best place to stay on Kamala Beach, we suggest starting your search on Booking.com.
Plan Your Complete Thailand Itinerary!
Before You Go To Phuket, Thailand
- Don’t forget to pack beach essentials – like sunscreen, insect repellent and flip flops! I love wearing my Reef flips at the beach – and Kris wears these Sanuk shoes.
- Rather than relying on your phone, upgrade to an actual camera for high quality photos. We travel with a Canon Rebel, which takes amazing photos.
- To capture memories on the beach, bring a GoPro – or other (less-expensive) waterproof action camera.
- Whether you travel with a backpack or a suitcase, make sure to have a good guidebook and a great day bag before arriving on Phuket.
- If you haven’t already obtained travel insurance for your trip, consider traveling protected with World Nomads.
Visiting other Top Thailand Destinations – like Bangkok, Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai? Read all of our Thailand Tips – from the Best Thai Beaches to Thai Island Tours!
Start planning your trip to Thailand! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing! Want additional advice? Head over to our Travel Planning Page and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page!
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