11 Best Restaurants in Karon Beach to Try
Phuket is the home to southern Thai cuisine, and the restaurants in Karon Beach are an excellent representation of that!
This guide includes recommendations for the best restaurants in Karon Beach, cafes, and breakfast restaurants to try when visiting.
After spending six weeks in the area, I had plenty of time to try many restaurants, and being the foodie-obsessed person I am, I wasted no time!
Karon Beach offers an exciting mix of cuisines, offering delicious Thai food as well as a tempting variety of Italian, Turkish, and other cuisines.
So, no matter your food preference, you’ll find a restaurant or two you’ll want to try in my guide!
Once you’ve viewed this list, if you’re looking for even more recommendations, use my Kata Beach restaurant guide.
Pinto Karon
Pinto Karon is an exceptional Thai restaurant located along Patak Soi 20 Road.
This gem serves all the classic Thai dishes you crave, including Pad Kra Pow, Massaman curry, papaya salad, and many more.
Not only is the food delicious, but the presentation of plates felt like fine dining.
Having tried six different dishes, I can confidently say that none disappointed me. This is exactly why I returned several times. If you’re looking for authentic Thai in Karon, Pinto is an excellent choice!
The restaurant is owned by a local family, and they’ve done an excellent job with it, both food-wise/drinks-wise and in terms of decor.
Hours: 11:30 AM – 9:30 PM / Closed Wednesday
The Pad Thai Shop
The Pad Thai Shop is a cozy restaurant beloved by both locals and tourists. Dining here feels like enjoying a home-cooked meal in a welcoming atmosphere.
While the menu is limited, it features classic dishes such as Pad Thai, Pad Kra Pow, beef noodle soup, and crab fried rice, all perfectly prepared.
This concept of a focused menu ensures that every dish is consistently excellent and the prices are incredibly affordable!
The restaurant offers complimentary water, rice, and a delicious chicken broth soup that I couldn’t get enough of.
And don’t miss out on their mango sticky rice or freshly squeezed mango juice for dessert—it’s the perfect way to end your meal here!
Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM / Closed Sunday
Coral Inn & Rosmarino Restaurant
Coral Inn is a charming fine-dining Italian restaurant that has become a favorite among locals and tourists in the area. Due to its corner street location, you can’t miss the restaurant!
Here, in a beautiful restaurant by the beach, you can find all the Italian classics: risotto, many pasta types, burrata, pizza, and so on!
We came here for appetizers. I got the risotto and a pizza, and both were great, along with the tiramisu!
But if you’re a tough critic when it comes to pizza like myself, you’ll want to try the pizza at the place I’ve discussed below, it was much better there!
Hours: 2:00 PM – 10:30 PM / Closed Tuesday
Napoli in Vespa Phuket
Napoli in Vespa is an Italian restaurant conveniently located along the main street in Karon Beach, best known for its pizza.
While the restaurant is popular for its pizzas, it also offers a variety of classic Italian dishes and a few Thai options.
I sampled several pizzas during my stay in Karon and was consistently satisfied. If you’re craving pizza in the area, this is the place to be.
I also tried a few other dishes, including calamari and two pasta plates, which were decent but didn’t weren’t anywhere near the quality of the pizza they serve.
For pasta, I recommend heading to Coral Inn, but for pizza, Napoli in Vespa is the clear choice.
Hours: 2:00 PM – 11:00 PM
EAT Bar & Grill Restaurant
EAT Bar & Grill is the go-to spot for those craving BBQ steaks, hamburgers, foie gras, or rib-eye.
This modern Western restaurant, with a touch of French inspiration, showcases a deep passion for protein dishes.
The menu features perfectly cooked medium-rare ribeye, Wagyu steak with truffle mushroom sauce, flavorful bruschetta, and classic spaghetti bolognese, among other highlights.
All the dishes we sampled were fantastic, I highly recommend trying the Wagyu steak, and don’t miss out on their excellent cocktails!
Hours: 1:00 PM – 11:00 PM / Closed Sunday
Cappadocia Turkish
Charcoal-grilled meats, savory meat pies, and grilled veggies, Turkish food is always a top choice for me no matter where I’m visiting.
Cappadocia offers a delightful selection of grilled meats, flavorful kebabs, chicken skewers, falafel, and a variety of salads.
You can also enjoy delicious dips as side dishes, including hummus and a tomato-based dip.
Every dish I’ve tried at this location and their other restaurant in Patong has been fantastic. Plus, all meals come with complimentary traditional Turkish bread and two types of dips.
Hours: 11:30 AM – 11:00 PM
Mama Jin
Mama Jin is a beloved Thai restaurant that has been recommended by locals for several years, and it’s easy to see why the food here is both authentic and tasty here.
My favorites here were the pineapple fried rice and the crab omelet. Their freshly squeezed juices are excellent as well. If it’s your first time in Thailand, you must try a crab omelet, a breakfast staple in Thai cuisine.
The menu is quite extensive here, in addition to a wide range of Thai dishes, they also offer several European and American options to cater to visiting tourists.
Hours: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM / Closed Saturday
Noodle House
Noodle House is situated along the main Patak Road. This small, unassuming restaurant features just a few tables.
They specialize in chicken, beef, and pork soups with various types of noodles. I had the opportunity to try two different soups, and both were delicious and very reasonably priced!
When visiting Thailand, you should sample the flavorful noodle soups with rich broth, generous portions of protein, and fresh onions.
I discovered this gem after walking by it numerous times on Patak Road, proving that sometimes the best food spots have fewer online reviews.
Hours: Unknown
Bai Toey
Bai Toey is hidden away on a small street just off Karon Road. This restaurant serves exceptional Thai cuisine, including shrimp pad Thai, massaman chicken, and several other local favorites.
My favorite dish here was the Tom Yum soup, which was flavorful without being overly sour, unlike many other versions I’ve tried.
My friends enjoyed the beef salad and tom kha, and I tasted both; everything was excellent! For dessert, I recommend the lime ice cream!
Bai Toey also offers a variety of vegetarian options for those who are vegetarian. The staff here are exceptionally friendly, adding to the welcoming atmosphere.
Hours: 2:00 PM – 11:00 PM
On The Rock Restaurant
Perched on a hill at the end of Karon Beach, On The Rock is known in the area for its stunning views of the coastline.
During my visit, I tried the lobster and had a salad for lunch. While it was good, it wasn’t exceptional. I am a picky eater, so this is just a reminder.
On another occasion, I sampled a few Thai dishes, and they were quite tasty! While the restaurant is marketed as a fine dining establishment, the experience felt more relaxed during my visit.
That said, it’s an excellent spot for enjoying a beautiful meal with a stunning view! If you’re looking for a romantic setting, On The Rock is a good choice!
Hours: 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
WALU Bowls
Health-conscious readers, Walu Bowls, is the perfect spot for you! This restaurant takes pride in promoting healthy eating.
With a menu featuring acai bowls, rice bowls, freshly squeezed juices, eggs topped with fresh veggies, avocado toast, and lattes, it’s an ideal choice for vegans and vegetarians alike.
Located along Karon Road, just across from the beach, Walu Bowls is the perfect place to enjoy a nutritious meal before heading to Karon Beach for the afternoon.
Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
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