Where to Eat in Rawai, Phuket: Best Restaurants & Hidden Gems
Last updated on March 30th, 2026
We spent six beautiful months living in Rawai, Phuket and if there is one thing that made our time there truly unforgettable, it was the food. Not just the meals themselves, but the whole experience of discovering a new dish, becoming a regular somewhere, and feeling part of a beautiful community.
Rawai has an incredible food scene with a range of family run restaurants where the owner greets you by name. Hidden cafes tucked down quiet roads that you only find because someone told you to look or because you accidentally walk by.
Here are some of our favourite restaurants and food spots in Rawai that we visited again and again and that you should absolutely save for your trip!
Healthy Vibes Café
Healthy Vibes Cafe became part of our weekly routine almost immediately, and three visits a week quickly became the norm.
The food is clean and nourishing without feeling like a sacrifice. Our go-to was the grilled chicken with rice, salad and a fried egg, and it was perfect every single time. Simple food done with real care. The ladies who work there are so welcoming, greeting us with a smile every time we would visit.
The smoothies are worth a visit on their own. The chocolate mint smoothie is made with dates and it is so good it should probably be on the menu in larger font. There are also homemade granola bars and cocoa balls if you want something sweet to take away. Well-priced, genuinely lovely, and still a bit of a hidden gem. 10/10 would recommend!
Kongharn Restaurant
Kongharn Restaurant served the best Thai food we had during our entire time in Phuket.
This lovely little restaurant sits along the main street in Rawai and is owned by the sweetest Thai family. The husband warmly greets guests at the front, while his wife works her magic in the kitchen preparing dish after dish of incredibly fresh, flavourful Thai food.
Over time we got to know them quite well, and every visit felt like returning to somewhere familiar.
The food here is everything you hope Thai food will be too as it’s fresh, flavourful and incredibly satisfying. We tried so many dishes throughout our time in Rawai and every single one was consistently delicious.
Some of our favourites included the Pad Thai, stir-fried kale, vegetable spring rolls, fried rice, fried basil, green curry and Panang curry. Every dish was packed with flavour and cooked perfectly.
What makes Kongharn even more special is the price. The meals are extremely affordable, making it one of the best value places to eat in Rawai. A Pad Thai costs around 60 baht (about £1.40 / $1.90) and most dishes range between 60–90 baht (£1.40–£2.10 / $1.90–$2.90), which is incredible value for food that tastes this good.
Every time we would visit in the evenings it would be packed with other travellers, which is always a good sign that you are about to have a great meal!
If you only visit one Thai restaurant in Rawai, make it Kongharn. It’s authentic, welcoming and serves some of the most delicious Thai food you’ll find in Phuket.
Treasure Burger
Our favourite burger restaurant was Treasure Burger as they were the best burgers we had during our time in Phuket and that’s not an exaggeration!
From the very first bite we understood why it has so many good reviews. The burgers are juicy, flavourful and perfectly cooked, with generous portions that make it a great meal to have after a long day exploring the island.
We tried the double cheeseburger and the sweet honey chicken burger, and both were absolutely delicious. You can tell everything is freshly prepared and oh so tasty.
A double cheeseburger with fries costs around 330 baht, which is roughly £7.20 / $9 which is great value considering the quality and portion size.
The menu has great options including spicy chicken burgers, Swiss mushroom burgers, fish burgers and even a bacon jam burger. There is something for everyone! If you’re feeling extra hungry, there are also great sides to choose from including chicken wings, jalapeño poppers, waffle fries and sweet potato fries.
The food was so good that we went there several times during our stay in Phuket and every visit was just as good as the last. Great place, would highly recommend!
Care Tawan
Tucked away down a quiet side street, Care Tawan is one of those hidden gems you could easily walk past without noticing and we are so happy we didn’t!
Care Tawan is a small family-run restaurant that has a warm, welcoming atmosphere that instantly makes you feel at home. The owners are incredibly kind and attentive, often stopping by to ask about your day and making sure everything is just right. Their kindness is what made us want to come back and visit (as well as the food!)
There’s also a cute cat that casually roams around the restaurant, happily greeting guests.
The portions here are HUGE, the food is delicious, and everything feels freshly prepared with care.
Some of the dishes we loved that I would highly recommend is the chicken pad Thai, sweet chilli fish, the chicken burger and chicken tenders.
At the end of the meal, they also bring out complimentary fruit, which is such a thoughtful little touch and a lovely way to finish.
Care Tawan is the kind of place that feels less like a restaurant and more like being welcomed into someone’s home.
The Organic Wheatgrass Solution
If you’re craving fresh juices or smoothie bowls, the Organic Wheatgrass Solution is a great option in Rawai.
They do 100% cold-pressed juices in all kinds of combinations, orange, carrot and lime being a favourite, alongside single-ingredient options like celery, apple, pomegranate and orange.
The smoothie bowls are delicious and beautifully put together, which is perfect for a hot humid Phuket morning. The space itself is peaceful and relaxing even though it’s located on the main road. It’s a lovely spot to sit, slow down and enjoy something fresh.
They also offer weekly juice delivery or pickup, which is a lovely option if you are staying a while and want something healthy built into your week without any effort.
Go Vegan Café
Even if you’re not vegan, Go Vegan Café is worth visiting especially for the desserts!
If you want a sweet treat then I would highly recommend trying the dark chocolate snickers bar, which by the way, is genuinely one of the best desserts we had in all of Rawai. Rich and indulgent in a way that is hard to believe it is plant-based.
The dessert fridge is full of homemade cakes and treats that are almost impossible to walk past, but the main menu is also great serving wraps, burgers, salads, smoothie bowls and fresh juices. We tried one of their smoothie bowls which was the best smoothie bowl we’ve had in Rawai too! I would say the prices are higher on average too.
El Greco
If you’re looking for a beautiful restaurant for a romantic evening in Rawai, El Greco is the one!
El Greco feels like stepping into a little corner of the Mediterranean. As soon as you walk in, the atmosphere changes as you are welcomed in with warm lighting, elegant décor, and soft Mediterranean touches.
It’s the perfect place for a date night, a relaxed dinner after a beach day, or somewhere a little more memorable than the typical casual restaurants around Rawai.
The menu has so many great Greek dishes with some of the best options being Gyros, grille chicken, salmon steak, a range of premium steaks, hummus serviced with warm pita and crispy falafel.
Everything we ordered tasted incredibly fresh and well prepared. The portions are generous, the ingredients feel high quality, and every dish was satisfying without feeling overly heavy.
Compared to other restaurants in Rawai, El Greco sits slightly on the higher end price wise but the quality, atmosphere, and overall experience make it well worth it for a special evening out.
We enjoyed the food and atmosphere so much that we actually came back again before leaving Phuket. Our only regret was discovering this place right at the end of our stay, it would easily have become one of our regular dinner spots.
Big Boys Burger Club
Located right by Rawai Beach, Big Boys Burger Club is a great place to sit down with a burger and enjoy the sea views and warm air.
The burgers here are juicy, flavourful and incredibly satisfying. It’s a popular spot as when we visited, the restaurant was busy. Every time we would walk by it would be busy too which says it all!
The burgers here are juicy, flavourful and incredibly satisfying. We tried both the El Clasico burger, which comes with two beef patties, and the Krispy Chick chicken burger, and both were absolutely delicious.
The El Clasico burger costs around 295 baht (approximately £6.60 / $8.30), while the Krispy Chick burger is about 265 baht (around £5.90 / $7.50), making it a really good value meal considering the portion size and quality.
If you’re not in the mood for beef or chicken, they also serve a vegan burger option and a fish burger, so there are plenty of choices depending on what you’re craving.
While the Rawai location is great if you’re looking for a beachfront vibe, Big Boys Burger Club has several other locations around Phuket, including Patong Beach, Patong Shopping Centre, and Kamala, so you can easily grab one of their burgers no matter where you’re staying on the island.
The location alone makes it worth stopping by especially if you’re walking along the Rawai beachfront and want something quick, filling and full of flavour.
Ali’s BBQ
During our time living in Rawai, Ali’s BBQ quickly became one of those places we would visit often, at least twice a week.
It’s almost always busy which is usually the best sign you’ve found somewhere good. As there are always so many people there it means the food comes out fast, fresh and perfect for a quick dinner or after gym meal.
The menu is very simple and clean where you’ll find options like grilled chicken skewers, pita, wraps, salmon, beef accompanied by sides like rice and sweet potato.
One of the best things about Ali’s BBQ is how affordable the food is. For example, a grilled chicken breast costs around 70 baht, which is approximately £1.50 / $2 and a side will cost around the same too.
They also serve a range of fresh juices, smoothies, protein shakes and even protein ice cream, which is why you will see it popular with gym-goers and fitness travellers staying in Rawai.
It’s casual, affordable and delicious! What more do you need?
Little Persian
If you’re craving Middle Eastern flavours in Rawai, Little Persian is a great spot to visit.
While we enjoyed Ali’s BBQ, we personally found the dishes here even more flavourful and seasoned so well. It quickly became one of our favourite places during our stay in Phuket.
The restaurant itself is small and cosy which creates a really welcoming atmosphere. The owner is so friendly, and during our time in Rawai we would often see him there greeting guests and making sure everyone was enjoying their meal.
On the menu, you can find wraps, burgers, grilled skewers and traditional Persian dishes. Everything we tried was packed with flavour and cooked perfectly. The portions are generous and the prices are very reasonable, making it a great choice if you’re looking for a tasty and affordable meal.
Another place I would highly recommend!
Pure Vegan Heaven
For anyone looking for delicious plant-based food in Rawai, Pure Vegan Heaven is a great option.
This café is known for its beautifully presented dishes, with the food tasting as good as it looks!
The menu is extensive and offers a lot from smoothie bowls, wraps, burgers, poke bowls, pasta and even quesadillas.
Every dish feels wholesome and is beautifully crafted, making it the perfect place if you’re looking for something healthy and satisfying.
Even if you’re not vegan, this café is still well worth visiting. The food is packed with flavour and creativity, and it’s a wonderful spot to enjoy a lighter, refreshing meal while exploring Rawai.
La Tarte Dorée
If you ever find yourself craving fresh French pastries in Rawai, then La Tarte Dorée is the place to go.
This is a really popular bakery known for its beautifully made pastries that are flaky, buttery and freshly baked each day. As soon as you walk in, the look (and smell) of all the golden pastries makes it hard to choose just one.
A croissant costs around 80 baht, which is approximately £1.75 / $2.20, making it a perfect little sweet treat to keep you going through the day.
Beyond pastries, they also serve fresh sandwiches, pancakes and simple breakfast dishes, making it a lovely stop for a relaxed breakfast or coffee break.
They even create custom cakes for special occasions, and the cakes on display always look beautifully crafted.
Home Grain Café
Home Grain Cafe is one of the most popular western style cafés in Rawai and after visiting, it’s easy to understand why.
It’s a great place just off the highway that has a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. You will find a lot of digital nomads working on their laptop or travellers enjoying their meals here.
The menu is extensive with everything from classic comfort breakfasts to lighter, healthier dishes. You’ll find options like English breakfasts, eggs on toast, toasted panini’s, smoothie bowls and even lasagne.
One of the things that makes Home Grain stand out is how inclusive the menu is for different diets. They offer gluten-free, vegan and keto menus, so there’s something for almost everyone.
One dish I would highly recommend is the vegan banana oat pancakes topped with fresh fruit. It’s so delicious, soft, naturally sweet and comes with a variety of delicious fresh fruit.
If you’re craving something more savoury, you can also build your own English style breakfast, choosing from a variety of bases and sides to create the perfect plate.
Prices here are slightly higher than some local cafés in Rawai, but the quality of the ingredients, generous portions and lovely atmosphere make it well worth it. For example, the banana oat pancakes with fresh fruit cost around 169 baht, which is approximately £3.70 / $4.60.
It’s the kind of café you’ll likely find yourself returning to more than once whilst staying in Rawai.
Final Thoughts
Rawai has an incredible food scene that often isn’t as appreciated compared to some of the busier areas of Phuket.
What makes this part of the island so special is the diversity of flavours you’ll find within just a few streets.
One moment you could be enjoying authentic Thai dishes at a small family-run restaurant, and the next you’re trying Persian skewers, vegan smoothie bowls, freshly baked pastries or one of the best burgers on the island.
But beyond the food itself, it’s the people and the atmosphere that really make Rawai memorable.
Many of the restaurants here are family-owned, welcoming and full of personality. After a while you begin recognising familiar faces, returning to favourite dishes, and discovering new hidden gems tucked away down quiet streets.
Spending six months living in Rawai gave us the chance to slowly explore the area’s food scene, finding places we loved, revisiting them often and getting to know the kind people behind them.
If you’re planning a trip to Phuket, I’d highly recommend heading down to Rawai and taking the time to explore its restaurants and cafés. You might just stumble across a place that becomes your own favourite spot too!
f you’re missing classic comfort foods like a full English breakfast, roast dinners or fish and chips, there are a number of British restaurants across the island worth checking out which you can explore including the best British Roast right in Rawai too.
