This guide has been updated for 2026 with new restaurant and bar recommendations, and practical tips for visiting Kamala.

Kamala is a short 15-minute drive from both the lively town of Patong & the luxury Laguna and has a beautiful beachfront with crystal clear water and golden sand and depending on the time of year is perfect for surfing.

But it’s the food here that really shines, with some seriously impressive restaurants and bars serving up everything from local Thai dishes to Italian pasta & wood-fired pizzas, sushi & seafood, as well as classic burgers. There’s absolutely something for everyone. We spent around six months living in Kamala in 2022 and have visited a few times since, so we thought we’d share our favourite bars and restaurants in Kamala.

---

KAMALA RESTAURANTS

Pine @ Intercontinental

Right at the far end of Kamala Beach, Pine is always our go-to for a long, lazy afternoon. It’s part of the InterContinental Phuket Resort, so yes, it’s definitely on the pricier side, but the setting alone makes it worth it.

Think toes in the sand, beautifully designed space, and exceptional service. The welcome here is warm without being overbearing, and it makes everything feel easy.

If you can, aim for a Sunday, that’s when Pine really comes into its own, with a great DJ, a buzzing but relaxed crowd, and some seriously talented mixologists behind the bar. It’s social without being rowdy and stylish without trying too hard.

Food-wise, this is one of those places where it’s practically impossible to go wrong. Our standout picks were the burrata pizza, the crunchy heart salad, and, to finish, a classic affogato with homemade coconut ice cream, simple, done right, and exactly what you want after a few of those stunning cocktails.

If your idea of a perfect afternoon involves good music, excellent cocktails, and dining with your feet in the sand as the sun starts to set, Pine is an easy yes.

Lillo Island

Sitting right in the middle of Kamala Beach, Lillo Island is one of those places that always seems to be busy, and for good reason. It’s part of the long stretch of beachfront restaurants, but it stands out for consistently good food, generous portions, and a menu that covers all bases.

This is a great spot if you’re craving proper Thai food that’s full of flavour and made with fresh ingredients, without feeling overly touristy. Everything we’ve tried here has been solid, but our favourites were the spicy red curry with tofu and the fried yellow noodles with chicken. Fair warning, if you’re not great with spicy food, let them know… the spicy curries here might actually set you on fire.

One of the biggest plus points is the menu itself. There’s a genuinely good selection of vegetarian and vegan dishes, alongside some excellent seafood options, which makes it an easy choice if you’re travelling with a mixed group. Prices are very reasonable for such a great beachfront location, and it’s an ideal place to stop for a relaxed lunch with uninterrupted sea views. Simple, reliable, and one of our go to recommendations.

Smile Bar

Smile does exactly what it says on the tin. Lively atmosphere, friendly staff, a party soundtrack in the background, and food that more than holds its own.

There’s a huge BBQ grill right out front, and honestly, the smell alone is usually enough to pull you in off the beach. Alongside the grill, the menu covers classic Thai dishes and some excellent fresh fish and seafood, all cooked simply and full of flavour.

Our standout dishes were the spit-roasted chicken with papaya salad, which is juicy, smoky, and properly satisfying, and the whole grilled sea bass with garlic, ginger and soy, beautifully cooked and perfect for sharing.

This isn’t the spot for a quiet, candlelit dinner. But if you’re after delicious food with a side of fun, a bit of noise, and a genuinely good vibe, Smile is well worth a visit.

Bella Vista

Right next door to Smile, you’ll find Bella Vista, instantly recognisable by its blue and white décor and classic beachfront setting. It offers a solid mix of Italian favourites and seafood dishes, making it a good option if you’re craving something a little different from Thai food.

We’ve only eaten here a couple of times, but it’s stuck with us for all the right reasons. The staff were friendly and attentive without hoovering, and the food was fresh, well-prepared, and exactly what it promised to be.

It’s slightly more expensive than some of the other restaurants along Kamala Beach, but that’s likely down to the use of imported ingredients and a decent wine list, something that’s not always easy to find in smaller beach towns in Thailand.

Our highlights were the spaghetti vongole and the mixed seafood platter, both beautifully fresh and full of flavour. If you’ve had your fill of Thai food and fancy a proper pizza or pasta with sea views, Bella Vista is the place.

Big Boys Burger Club

Big Boys was an absolute staple for us during our time in Kamala. After all, what’s better than a great burger?

These guys offer up a great selection of dry-aged beef burgers, including the Croc Dundee & the YOLO, but if that’s not your thing you can grab yourself a Hot Chick, a Barramunger or my personal favourite was the Beyond Meat Holy Moly vegan burger and if you’re a ‘add pickles to everything’ kinda guy, you can get some for free. Just make sure to get yourself a side of fries & crispy onion rings to share for a truly epic feast.

Little Paris

Little Paris is just a short 15 minute drive from Kamala to an area called Boat Avenue and if you’re looking for a taste of France this is the place. The decor is modern, they have a super impressive wine selection and the food is authentically French, think rich, creamy, indulgent dishes with lots of butter, cream & garlic.

On arrival, you’ll be presented with an iPad where you can view the beautifully designed menu. A lot of thought has been taken to present and capture each dish; trust me, it’s very hard to choose which of all the delicious dishes you want to start with.

We ate here on a couple of occasions and our favourite dishes were the Rib Eye served with potato dauphinois, roasted garlic, grilled tomato & a beurre de Paris and the classic Moules Frites, Little Paris style, which is with French cream, garlic, shallot & parsley and is absolutely heavenly.

It’s a busy restaurant, with cool decor, funky music, attentive staff and absolutely amazing food, it’s worth a visit in our opinion. Oh and don’t forget to book.

Beach Bar Pancakes

It wouldn’t be a complete list of the best bars and restaurants in Kamala without mentioning beach bar pancakes. And I know that technically speaking, this isn’t a specific restaurant but you’ll find more than one stall on the beach selling pancakes, and you absolutely must try the banana & chocolate roti on offer. Thin, flaky roti, stuffed with the sweetest Thai bananas & drizzled in dark chocolate, what’s not to love?

---

KAMALA BEACH CLUBS & BARS

Cafe del Mar

Cafe del Mar is as famous in Phuket as it is in Ibiza, it’s clever design provides a little space for everyone, pool lovers, food lovers & beach lovers alike. With regular events, a thumping soundtrack, a saxophonist, weekend fireshows and even a dedicated oyster bar, it’s definitely the place to be seen in Kamala.

It’s certainly on the pricer side but it’s also an experience, so if you like your music loud & your cocktails shaken, not stirred, we would highly recommend booking yourself a table and heading down to the newest addition in the Cafe del Mar family.

Carpe Diem

Would you just look at this place. These photos should give you an idea of the total luxury on offer at Carpe Diem.

Just a short 10 – 12 minute drive from Kamala you’ll find yourself at this beautiful beach club, where they make you feel like a total rockstar. As you can see we opted for 6 creamy oysters and a very large selection of sushi, eyes bigger than our bellies situation, but it was truly outstanding. Fresh, perfect little rolls of the most epic sushi – Carl actually said it was the best sushi he’d ever eaten – high praise indeed.

We’re just sad that we only found this place at the very end of our stay in Kamala but if you’re after a luxury day (or night) at a beautiful beach club with imaginative and delicious cocktails & cuisine then get yourself down to Carpe Diem and thank us later.

beach&bubbles

Say hello to our friend Scott, he joined us on our visit to beach&bubbles where the boys proceeded to work their way through the list of beers on offer, safe to say they had a very fun evening.

This cute little beach venue is around a 25 minute drive from Kamala and is essentially rustic low level tables and plenty of bean bags spread across a beautiful stretch of perfectly white sand. They have a very cool fireshow in the evening which we enjoyed before tucking into some traditional Thai dishes.

It’s a super cool & relaxed beach bar – just how we like them.

The Lazy Coconut

Last, but no means least is The Lazy Coconut, a quick 15 minute drive from Kamala. It’s a great beachfront restaurant, with a pool, BBQ food & delicious cocktails.

There are plenty of photo opportunities at this funky, family friendly, beach club with plenty of cabanas, swings & even a tree or two to climb. The food is perfectly barbecued and you can choose from a selection of meat dishes, whole grilled fish, vegetables and even tacos. Which are all washed down nicely with a creative cocktail or a chilled glass of vino – which is absolutely what you need on a very hot summers day in Thailand.

It’s a great space for families to enjoy as there is plenty of space for the children to play and swim but there’s equally a great space for the adults to enjoy good food, good music & a drink or two. This one is another busy venue so if you fancy a visit, pop them a quick message on their Instagram to reserve a table.

---

We have lots more guides to help you plan your ultimate holiday in Phuket. You can find more recommendations and reviews for popular Phuket spots here.

Travel safe and don’t forget to subscribe for more travel tips + guides!

Until next time,