Lush Inn Phuket

This unassuming gem serves around 30-40 juicy, tender charcoal-roasted ducks every day. Order a half or whole bird and savour the wholesome flavour and crispy skin fresh off the stove with either spicy-sour or tamarind sauce for dipping. Grilled chicken is sometimes an option, too.

Southern Thai soul surges through this gallery-like space, its wooden tables framed by soft light and glinting ranks of Buddha images and Luang Pu Thuat amulets. House-made curry pastes drive dishes that roar with the spicy and mildly sour hallmarks of the South. Highlights include yellow curry, fresh herb salads and crisp local fish draped in pungent budu sauce. As portions are generous and meant for sharing, gather your friends and taste a variety of dishes.

Customers with a sweet tooth and fans of deep-fried goodness line up here from 6am to get their daily fix. The deep-fried Patongko (dough sticks) and salapao are freshly prepared; the crunchy fries are golden-brown. It’s all very tasty; even without the dipping sauces.

For over 35 years, the locals have flocked to Roti Chaofa for Thai-Muslim breakfasts, curries and Thai-style chicken biryani. The crisp, golden-brown rotis with a fluffy inner, are nicely salted and enjoyed with sweets or savouries. The tangy, juicy Beef Massaman curry is delightful.

The legacy of the original roadside stall lives on, thanks to the owner's granddaughter. Famous for its boiled rice with fish, this humble restaurant also serves a variety of other home-style dishes that are worth trying. The quality is clear in these bold-flavoured plates. The deep-fried meatballs, made to a family recipe, are a great start to the meal and go well with the fresh fish menu, which is cooked in a traditional Phuket style.

Chef Suthee, a former 5-star hotel chef, uses expertise to produce simple southern Thai fare that’s packed with flavour. The crab meat curry with betel leaves and southern Thai sour curry with fresh local fish and pineapple get our nod of approval.

If you're near Gorjan Bridge, consider this simple family-run eatery. Every dish is rife with rich flavours, and many are created from their own recipes. The owner is poised to cook your food to order, which ensures a personalised dining experience.