13 Best Restaurants in Kata Beach to Try
Are you planning a visit to Kata Beach, Phuket, or perhaps you’re there now and looking for the best Kata Beach restaurants to try? Look no further, foodies!
This list of the best restaurants in Kata Beach features a diverse range of cuisines, including Italian, Japanese, Turkish, local Thai food, and more. I’ve also mentioned a few breakfast and lunch spots.
Kata Beach is one of the best areas in Phuket to stay in. Besides its beautiful beach, there’s plenty to do here, and the wide variety of cuisine in the area will satisfy anyone’s international cuisine cravings!
I’ve spent months on and off around Phuket, and being the foodie I am, I’ve gotten to know the cuisine around the island very well!
Conveniently, Kata Beach is only minutes away from Karon Beach if you’re looking for even more restaurants to check out. Consider this guide for best restaurants in Karon Beach!
Kata Beach Restaurants #1-4
Issara Restaurant & Bar
Nestled in the quiet part of Kata Beach, Issara Restaurant & Bar is a culinary gem in Phuket, offering visitors a delicious fine dining experience.
This popular establishment specializes in Japanese fusion cuisine, offering an extensive menu of authentic and flavorful dishes. Including their A5 wagyu steak topped with foie gras, crab pasta, tuna tartar, yakitori (grilled chicken skewers), and more.
They’re also known for their many excellent cocktails. The restaurant boasts a cozy and inviting ambiance, perfect for intimate dinners and gatherings with friends.
A chef and mixologist who has opened up the restaurant has surely done a great thing for the Kata Beach area. Issara Restaurant is a must-visit when in Kata Beach!
Hours: 2:00 PM – 11:00 PM / Daily
EAT Bar & Grill
This is the ideal place for those craving BBQ steaks, hamburgers, foie gras, or rib-eye. EAT Bar & Grill is a modern-western restaurant with subtle French influences, and they have a strong passion for their protein-focused dishes.
Some of the standout items on the menu include perfectly cooked medium rare ribeye, Wagyu steak served with a truffle mushroom sauce, flavorful bruschetta, and spaghetti bolognese.
While everything we tried here was delicious, it’s worth noting that this restaurant truly excels in its protein-based offerings despite having many other dishes available.
I highly recommend trying their Wagyu steak; their cocktails are also quite good!
Hours: 1:00 PM – 11:00 PM / Closed Sunday
Gastone
Who’s craving Italian food? Gastone Italian restaurant specializes in all the Italian favorites, from many classic kinds of pasta and wood-fired pizzas to delectable desserts.
Gastone caters to every Italian food lover’s palate, and the food is authentic, thanks to the owner is Italian heritage. They’re best known for this lasagna, carbonara, and pizzas.
Whether looking for a romantic dinner spot or dining with family craving Italian food, Gastone is the place to go in Kata Beach. With its prime location near the beach, it is a must-visit for those seeking a taste of Italy in Phuket.
If you’re after the best pizza in the area, while Gastone pizza was good, Napoli in Vespa has the best pizza; they’re in Karon Beach, just minutes away!
Hours: 2:00 PM – 10:00 PM / Daily
Pinto
Pinto, an exceptional Thai restaurant, is located along Patak Soi 20 Road in the Karon Beach area.
Pinto serves all the classic southern Thai dishes: Pad Thai, Massaman curry, papaya salad, lemon grass crab salad, and much more. The food is delicious here, and the presentation is remarkable.
They also have a great selection of cocktails, and the restaurant is situated on a quieter street in the area, making for a perfect, calming dining experience.
This restaurant serves the best Thai food in both Kata and Karon Beach; therefore, it must be included in this list of the best Kata Beach restaurants, and it’s conveniently located.
A local family owns the restaurant and has done an excellent job with the menu/food and decor of the place.
Hours: 11:30 AM – 9:30 PM / Closed Wednesday
Kata Beach Restaurants #5-8
The Pad Thai Shop
The Pad Thai Shop is a popular restaurant among both locals and tourists. It has a cozy atmosphere that makes you feel right at home, where you can enjoy a delicious home-cooked meal.
The menu at this restaurant is intentionally limited, focusing on dishes such as Pad Thai, Pad Kra Pow, Beef Noodle Soup, Crab Fried Rice, and more.
The idea behind this approach is to ensure that each dish is consistently prepared to perfection. And the best part? The prices here are very affordable!
As a bonus, the restaurant offers complimentary water, rice, and chicken broth soup on the side (I personally couldn’t resist their free soup). And don’t forget to indulge in their mango sticky rice or freshly squeezed mango juice after your meal!
Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM / Closed Sunday
Oh San Ramen & Izakaya Kata
Oh San Ramen & Izakaya KATA is a popular restaurant in Kata Beach, specializing in Japanese Izakaya cuisine. If you aren’t familiar with Izakaya-style food, it typically consists of small Japanese plates.
The restaurant offers a cozy and welcoming ambiance, making it a great spot for a casual meal.
The menu features a variety of udon noodle ramen options, including traditional tonkatsu and miso-based broths, as well as izakaya-style small plates like gyoza, sashimi, and yakitori.
Pairing well with any izakaya food, and a must is some sake! This restaurant is perfect to visit with a few friends after a long day at the beach.
The owner, who is Japanese, was quite pleasant when we visited. This is your spot if you’re after some authentic Japanese food in Kata Beach!
Hours: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM / Daily
Istanbul Restaurant Kata
Craving BBQ Turkish meats, hummus, baklava, and more? This delightful Turkish restaurant offers a taste of authentic Turkish cuisine. This restaurant specializes in dishes that showcase Turkey’s rich flavors and cultural heritage.
From succulent kebabs and mouthwatering mezes to fragrant pilafs and traditional desserts, Istanbul Restaurant’s diverse menu caters to all palates.
The restaurant is most renowned for its Turkish breakfast, which features eggs, various Turkish dips, fresh bread, and Turkish tea.
The restaurant is nicely decorated with touches that evoke the spirit of Istanbul. Open from morning through evening, this restaurant is ideal for visiting for breakfast/lunch, or even dinner!
Hours: 9:30 AM – 9:30 PM / Daily
Pomodoro Pizza Restaurant
Pomodoro Pizza Restaurant is located a short walk away from the beach in a calmer area of Kata Beach. This delightful Italian restaurant specializes in serving mouthwatering pizzas/kinds of pasta made with love and precision.
More Italian food, yes, because who doesn’t love Italian food? You’ll notice all of the areas in Phuket have at least a few Italian restaurants!
The restaurant offers a diverse menu featuring a variety of toppings and flavors to cater to every pizza lover’s taste. From traditional Margherita and pepperoni pizzas to unique creations like barbecue chicken and vegetarian options, all cooked in a wood-fired oven.
Give their pasta a try; they’re known for their gnocchi and ravioli! The wine menu is also fairly international, making it easy to find a pairing with your food.
Hours: 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM / Daily
Kata Beach Restaurants #9-13
Koi Restaurant
This traditional-style Thai restaurant is one of the first places to try in Kata.
From flavorful curries and aromatic stir-fries to fresh seafood and delectable desserts, Koi Restaurant offers a diverse menu catering to all tastes.
Koi offers an extensive menu of Thai dishes, from Pad Thai, grilled fish, Tom Yum Soup, Pad See Ew, papaya salad, rice with crispy pork, and much more!
Don’t expect anything fancy; this is a typical street-side Thai island restaurant, cafeteria-style with one focus: great-tasting food. My favorite thing about this place is that the portions are large.
Hours: 11:00 AM – 8:30 PM / Daily
Red Snapper
Red Snapper Restaurant is a Japanese restaurant specializing in fresh fish, so if you are craving sushi, this is your spot to visit in Kata Beach!
The restaurant locally sources fresh seafood and serves a variety of dishes, including grilled snapper, as well as various types of sashimi, such as spicy tuna rolls, salmon rolls, tuna tataki, and more.
Beyond the fish, they offer Japanese bento boxes: meal sets that include rice, a meat selection, small side dishes, and miso soup. Although primarily known for its Japanese cuisine, the restaurant also offers a selection of Italian dishes, including seafood pasta.
The overall atmosphere is relaxing; it’s nothing too fancy, and it is the ideal place to stop by after a long day at the beach for some seafood cravings!
Hours: 12:00 PM – 3:30 PM & 5:00 PM – 11:30 PM / Daily
Magic Masala Indian Restaurant
Magic Masala restaurant serves authentic Indian dishes bursting with flavors and spices, from aromatic curries and tandoori specialties to flavorful biryanis and freshly baked naan bread.
With its diverse menu, the restaurant ranks as the best Indian restaurant in Kata Beach.
They’re also quite popular amongst vegetarians, as Indian food is popular with vegetarians, so if you’re in Kata looking for an all-veggie option, this is your spot.
Beyond its excellent Indian food, the restaurant’s service was great, and overall, the restaurant was nicely decorated, complementing the cuisine.
With its prime location near the beach, Magic Masala Restaurant is an excellent choice for those seeking a delightful Indian dinner.
Hours: 12:00 PM – 10:30 PM / Daily
Dolci & Delizie
Looking for the perfect filling lunch before heading over to the beach for a long day in the sun? Dolci & Delzie is the ideal place for that; this sandwich shop in Kata is a must-visit!
Known as a bakery/sandwich shop, this Italian bakery/deli specializes in delicious Italian sandwiches, excellent baked desserts, and coffee.
They also serve breakfast with eggs, ham, and cheese for anyone looking to carb up before the beach. Their panini, coffee, and desserts are a must-have.
The owners are Italian, and you’ll notice that right away once you’ve tried everything there. We visited three times, and the quality was always consistent.
Buying bread, cheese, and meat from this place and making sandwiches later is incredible.
Hours: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM / Daily
UNIT 33
Unit 33 is an excellent coffee shop in Kata Beach. Still, they offer a generous breakfast menu with great options, including scrambled eggs, avocado on toast or bagel, salmon creations, ricotta pancakes, and more.
Don’t forget to order something for dessert after; the cafe also has many cakes, croissants, and smoothies.
This cafe will catch anyone’s eye as they walk by, thanks to its striking exterior, beautifully decorated with a brick theme, and the same theme carried through to the interior, creating a charming atmosphere.
Hours: 8:30 AM – 9:00 PM / Daily
Kata Night Market
The Kata Night Market is renowned as one of the top night markets in Phuket.
If you’re unfamiliar with night markets, they offer a delightful experience where you can indulge in tasty street food, shop for various goods such as souvenirs and household supplies, and unwind with a refreshing drink.
At the Kata Night Market, there is an array of delectable food options to satisfy your cravings. From papaya salad and BBQ grilled skewers to fresh seafood dishes, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
In addition to the many street foods, the market also offers a wide range of products for sale. You’ll find everything from health products and soaps to creams, aloe creams, handcrafted goods, bags, t-shirts, and other clothing items.
The market is somewhat confused, as it features two distinct sections that are slightly separated from one another. Here are the two Google locations for the Kata Night Market: Location 1 and Location 2 – Both are great to visit and are nearby.
Unlike most markets in Phuket, the Kata Night Market is open every day of the week. Opening hours are from 2 PM, but some food vendors open at 5:00 PM.
Another night market you must visit when you’re in Phuket is the Sunday Old Phuket Town Night Market; it’s the best and most famous night market in Phuket!
Must-Try Phuket Dishes You Shouldn’t Miss
Phuket’s food scene goes far beyond the typical Pad Thai or Tom Yum. As the culinary heart of Southern Thailand, the island is home to bold, spicy, and intensely flavorful dishes influenced by Peranakan, Thai, and Malaysian cultures.
- Mee Hokkien Noodle: A rich stir-fried egg noodle dish with seafood, pork, and dark soy sauce, uniquely associated with Phuket’s Chinese heritage.
- Moo Hong: A slow-braised pork belly stew with black pepper and garlic, comfort food from Phuket’s Baba-Nyonya culture.
- Khanom Jeen Nam Ya: Cold rice noodles served with spicy fish curry and fresh herbs, popular for breakfast across southern Thailand.
- Gaeng Tai Pla: A fiery, fermented fish entrail curry, not for the faint-hearted, but a staple in southern Thai cuisine.
- Nam Prik Goong Siap: A spicy shrimp paste dip served with vegetables and crispy fish, a rustic southern favorite.
- Oh Aew: A unique Phuket dessert made with jellied banana flour and red beans, sweet, refreshing, and locally loved.
Final Thoughts on the Best Restaurants in Kata Beach
Whether you’re craving fresh seafood, authentic Thai flavors, or a unique dining experience by the beach, Kata Beach has a restaurant to match every mood and budget.
From iconic local favorites like Pad Thai Shop to upscale gems like Issara and Gastone, the variety here is part of what makes Kata so special.
No matter when you visit, especially if you’re coming during the best time to visit Phuket, when the weather is ideal and the island is buzzing, be sure to carve out time to explore the area’s diverse food scene. It’s easily one of the highlights of staying in Kata Beach.
What are the best restaurants to try in Kata Beach Phuket?
Top picks include Issara Restaurant, Eat Bar & Grill, Gastone, Pinto, Pad Thai Shop, and Oh San Ramen. These spots cover a range of Thai, Italian, and international cuisine, from street food to fine dining.
What budget should I expect when eating out in Kata Beach?
Local Thai meals usually cost $2–$5 USD. Mid-range dining ranges from $12–$25 USD, while upscale spots can go $30+ USD per person.
Where can I find authentic Phuket cuisine near Kata Beach?
For regional specialties like moo hong, mee hoon pa chang, oh tao, and gaeng som pla, head into Phuket Old Town.
While Kata Beach offers a mix of global and Thai eateries, the Old Town is where the most authentic Southern‑Thai flavors shine, just a short drive away.
Are there vegetarian or vegan restaurants in Kata Beach?
Yes, Kata Beach has several restaurants catering to vegetarians and vegans.
Many Thai dishes can be made meat-free, and spots like The Natural Efe Macrobiotic World and Green Tamarind Kitchen offer dedicated plant-based options.
