The new Michelin ‘culinary normal’ is helping to raise standards for local restaurants in renowned tourist destinations like Phuket and Phang Nga; updating important criteria for sustainability, food hygiene, and safety at high-end eateries and noodle shops alike.
The fourth edition of the Michelin Guide Thailand, which covers Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Phang Nga (Khao Lak), launched in December 2020, lists 48 eateries in Phuket and 14 in Khao Lak / Phang Nga. This includes 21 Bib Gourmand-rated eateries with five new additions to the list, including casual eatery Salaloy restaurant on Phuket’s Rawai Beach known for its fresh seafood and outdoor waterfront dining that naturally provides for social distancing.
Raya restaurant in Phuket town, also rated Bib Gourmand, is one eatery that reduced the number of dining tables to allow for social distancing. It also asks customers to make a booking at least three hours in advance and requires all diners to check in and out with the Thai Chana contact tracing application. At the forefront of Phuket’s Michelin dining scene, the one-star PRU restaurant at Trisara resort isn’t just the only Michelin-starred eatery in Southern Thailand, it’s also been awarded the Michelin Green Star – a new distinction from Michelin that reflects how an establishment embraces sustainability in its day-to-day operations; such as, recycling, food waste reduction, and local ingredient sourcing.
Across Phuket, there are 108 restaurants and various food outlets with Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration (SHA) certification, and 12 in Phang Nga on the mainland north of the island. Once the borders of Thailand re-open again for international tourism, the southern Thai culinary scene is waiting to welcome guests to explore safely. For inspiration for your next trip, explore the opportunities available in Phuket with our interactive, easy-to-use Thailand ebook.
