Phuket: food prices - 2021. How not to overpay

Phuket is not the cheapest place in Asia. Prices for food, hotels and transportation are above the Asian average. This is a popular resort, and overpriced is something to live with. We have rested on the island three times and know the local prices very well. We share information and advice with you. Find out how much it costs to eat in cafes, restaurants, what prices are in markets and shops in 2021.

Our review will help you navigate the prices of food in Phuket, not overpay, eat tasty and inexpensive food.

Exchange rate: 1 Thai Baht (THB) ≈ 2.2 RUB.

Our review on food prices

When we arrived in Phuket for the first time, we ran in a panic around Patong in search of cheap food. We bounced off the makings in horror: the prices for ordinary padtai were almost twice as high! They grabbed their hearts and thought how not to starve to death in Phuket with such high food prices. Our budget was modest then, prices were biting hard and the future was painted in dark colors. Of course, this all happened in contrast to prices in Pattaya, Bangkok and Krabi. If the first place visited was Phuket, we would not have reacted so strongly.

Resting in Phuket for the second and third time was easier. We had already adjusted to local prices and knew where to eat inexpensively. Lunches in cafes and restaurants, seafood, no limit in terms of fruit - a full-fledged diet with low spending.

Where is the cheapest in Phuket

It's hard to say where Phuket has the lowest food prices. Many tourists consider Patong the cheapest beach in Phuket, but this is not the case. In most cafes and restaurants in Patong, food prices are quite high. However, here you can also eat inexpensively - you just need to know the places. This is true for almost any beach.

In Kata, Kamala, Karon and Surin, food prices are slightly lower than in Patong. On more secluded beaches - like Banana Beach, Paradise or Nai Harn - there is no competition, so prices are high. Rawai and Chalong are the cheapest beaches, but they are "technical" and it is impossible to swim there. Cheap also in the area of ​​Nai Yang beach.

Prices for food on the beaches of Phuket in 2021

Restaurants. Prices in trendy beachfront restaurants are the highest. It's worth eating there only if you want to have a romantic evening and watch the sunset. The average bill in such establishments is usually from 500 ฿ per person.

Cafe. In simpler establishments, the main course costs 150-200 ฿. However, even there you can eat inexpensively if you take rice or noodles without meat for 70-80 ฿. They are usually located across the street from the beach.

Street cafes and food courts. Here you can eat at reasonable prices: main courses with meat or seafood start at 80 ฿! However, drinks are from 70 ฿. In these cafes we ate in Surin and Karon. The exception is Nai Harn Beach, where prices are high everywhere.

Makashnitsa. According to our observations, tourists in Patong, while relaxing on the beach, prefer not to get dressed and not leave the beach - and have a bite to eat in makashnits. Popular fruit and grilled meats (from 50 ฿), fried corn (30-50 ฿), pancakes (50-80 ฿), ice cream.

Find out about the best excursions in Phuket.

Prices in Phuket restaurants

In beach restaurants the average bill is from 500 ฿, farther from the coast - cheaper. In Patong, on the second line in restaurants, prices from 150 ฿ for a seafood dish. Tom-yam from 120 ฿, rice in pineapple with seafood - 150-200 ฿, padtai or fried rice with meat - from 80 ฿. Prices depend on the level of the establishment and service.

Prices in street cafes

If you want to eat inexpensively and tasty, choose street cafes or food courts... Prices for main courses with meat are usually from 70 ฿, soups - from 50 ฿. Seafood is more expensive - from 90 ฿. Coconuts from 40 ฿.

In mobile shakers you can eat even cheaper: rice or noodles with meat from 50 ฿, soups from 40 ฿. Grilled meat 10-50 ฿, sausages 20 ฿. But the food is wrapped with you in a plastic box. You can come with it to the beach - such picnics are very popular with Thais.

Tourists do not really trust the makashniki. We've heard people wondering if it's safe to eat from carts. The answer is: safe! Never poisoned.

Inexpensive beach stalls there are on Kata: coconuts from 30 ฿, necks from 40 ฿, pancakes from 40 ฿ (despite the fact that in Patong they cost from 50 ฿).

Prices in the night markets in 2021

Night markets are the realm of food and a riot of flavors. The diversity of the eyes run up. It's cramped and hot there, but it's worth enduring for the inexpensive and tasty food. Looking to find the lowest food prices in Phuket? Look for markets.

Prices on the example of Patong: pancakes with banana and chocolate cost from 50 ฿, necks from 40 ฿, padtai with seafood - 60 ฿, rice or noodles with meat from 50 ฿, grilled meat from 20-50 ฿ apiece.

We tell you about Patong night markets: prices, addresses, opening hours, what to buy.

Prices for food in Phuket shops

Prices in supermarket chains in Phuket are static everywhere and do not depend on the location. Promotions and discounts are often held (1 + 1, 2 + 1, ready-made food is cheaper in the evening).

Supermarket popular Big Cwhere you can buy almost everything. We took dairy products, pastries, fruits and sometimes meat there. At Big C, you can buy fresh seafood and ask for it to cook.

Prices in Big C (ready meals and fruits):

Small supermarkets FamilyMart and 7/11 in the resorts are at every turn. There you can have an inexpensive snack with sandwiches (from 30 ฿), sausages (20 ฿), yoghurts (15 ฿). Be warned: the sandwiches are extremely tasteless.

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Where to eat inexpensively in Phuket

If you go further from the beach inland, you can find inexpensive establishments and eat quite budget - like in Pattaya or Bangkok. We know several places to eat cheaply in Phuket.