10 Best Restaurants for Families in Phuket

One of the largest shopping malls in Phuket, Jungceylon has an extensive array of dining options, ranging from fast food to fine dining, Irish pubs to Italian ristorantes, Japanese to German, and pretty much everything in between. Even the fussiest of diners will find something to their taste. The shopping mall has many family-friendly facilities, including play areas, a cinema, and a nautical-themed musical fountain.

Kamala Beach is one of the few places in Phuket where you can find cheap and cheerful restaurants right by the sand. They’re not likely to win awards for their cuisine, but they are exceptionally convenient and offer you the opportunity to munch on inexpensive international and Thai dishes with your toes buried in the sand.

Kan Eang @Pier is a long-established restaurant in Phuket that specialises in seafood and Thai delicacies. Located on the shores of Chalong Bay, next to the jetty, you can enjoy indoor and outdoor dining areas with great views of the marina. For a large restaurant that's often packed throughout the day, Kan Eang @Pier's atmosphere remains somewhat laidback and relaxed.

Dino Park Mini Golf has an excellent prehistoric-themed restaurant within its premise. The decor is unique, with walls, chairs, tables and floors fashioned out of chunky concrete ‘rocks’. The restaurant's waitstaff even dress like characters from The Flintstones. Due to Dino Park Mini Golf's open layout, it’s best to go there when the weather is dry and sunny. You can also enjoy a round of mini golf at the 18-hole course, which has different dinosaurs at each hole. It's challenging in parts, but still doable for young players.

Natural Restaurant (also known as Tamachart Phuket) is one of most unusual, out-of-the-ordinary eateries in Phuket Town. It's a very popular spot for expats and locals, as well as a welcome oddity for travellers. The restaurant is filled to the rafters with old valve radios, sculpted masks, seashell lamps, hanging plants, fish tanks made out of TVs and computer monitors, dolls, and a fully-working electric train set. Tamachart Phuket serves excellent Thai dishes, including blue crab papaya salad, tiger prawns with garlic sauce, and spicy-sour curries.

A meal at Kopitiam by Wilai in Phuket Town is like a journey into the past. The cuisine is noted for its great tastes, especially the fried chicken with basil leaves. This well-established restaurant is quite affordable, with prices rarely exceeding 120 baht per dish. If you want to give your kids the true taste of Thai cuisine, Kopitiam by Wilai is probably one of the best places in Phuket to do so.

EAT. Bar & Grill Phuket is a family-oriented restaurant by Karon's main road. It specialises in western dishes, such as steak and lobster, classic burgers, and surf-and-turf. It makes for a pleasant (and not excessively expensive) break from Thai food in Phuket. A must-try is the Black Angus beef burger, which comes with salad, tomato, dill cucumber and red onion.

The Cove Phuket is a laidback beachfront restaurant and boutique hotel located right by the sand of Ao Yon Beach. Managed by a friendly and well-travelled couple, it has an extensive selection of European dishes, an impressive drinks menu, and superb sunset views. You can find a little artificial beach within its premise, while the real thing just a few steps away from the restaurant. The Cove Phuket also offers several cosy bungalows with easy access to the beach.

The Green Man Pub is a local favourite, especially for a Sunday brunch in Phuket. Known as the only ‘Tudor’ English pub on the island (even though it's mostly Irish-themed inside), you can enjoy good old-style British comfort food such as fish and chips, steak and mushroom pie, lamb shank, and all-day English breakfast.

The Green Man Pub often hosts private parties, including weddings and birthday celebrations. It also has a playground out in its beautiful gardens.

B Cat Café is home to no less than 14 felines, most of which are of rare breeds such as Persian and Siamese. Families and cat lovers can cuddle and play with these friendly cats. Cold drinks and pastries are available at the cafe, while an attached restaurant serves Thai and western favourites. A glass panel separates these 2 sections, offering views of the cats while you enjoy your lunch or dinner.