About Phuket – Beachfront Vacation Rental Apartments Rawai

Phuket – A brief history

The history of Phuket starts around 1025 AD when the island was known as a trading post due to the Tin Mining industry. Both Thais and foreigners occupied the island and over the years it was attacked and occupied by the Burmese. In 1825 the Thai people returned and the Tin mining industry continued to encourage development with an influx of chinese businessmen and workers. In 1967 the Sarasin Bridge linked the island to the mainland but by 1985 the tin industry was finished. The island became a popular backpackers destination in the 1970s and tourism has grown continually since then with 5 star hotels and luxury private villas becoming popular with holidaymakers across the globe.

Rawai

The south of the island has become increasingly popular in the last few years especially for people looking for private accommodation. The area has a large number of small restaurants and bars catering to a variety of tastes and is also very convenient for guests looking to visit the offshore islands or to go diving from Chalong Pier. Nightlife is catered for by the Laguna Nightclub and the many bars in Rawai and Naiharn, it is easy to hire a minivan to visit Patong or Phuket Town for a night out. For beachlife you have the choice of the public Laem Ka beach, Rawai Beach, which is a working beach and the place to catch a longtail boat to the offshore islands for the day, or Naiharn Beach which has been voted the Best Beach in Thailand on Tripadvisor.

DaVinci Restaurant - Recommended

Certainly the most well known and popular local restaurant and bar, located in the centre of Nai Harn is “DaVinci”. This Italian Restaurant (offering a great selection of European and Thai specialities) also make their own pizzas (offering entertainment for kids to make their own) and has a separate play area where kids can safely play and be amused while parents relax and enjoy dinner.
However, away from the children’s area there is a relaxed seating area and bar, The V Lounge, where they serve a selection of fine wines and cocktails. “DaVinci” is where the local expats go to relax and unwind. Also offering a guest pick up service from local accommodation, it is a restaurant not to be missed.
Please contact the DaVinci directly for reservations and pick up service:
Tel: 076 289574 or Mobile: 080 525 1400

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Crepes Village - Pancakes & Savouries

On the corner of Soi Naya, you can’t help but notice the Crepes Village Restaurant, with its distinctive style of small wooden bungalows, it is open all day long to serve breakfast pancakes, through to lunch and dinner savory main courses and deserts. Crepes Village is a different option for a tasty meal, daytime treat or delicious desert, also offering wines and cocktails and a takeaway and delivery service, if desired.
Soi Naya, Rawai
Tel: 085 655 7329

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Le Celtique - Recommended

Hidden in one of Nai Harn’s back roads, is this very popular restaurant. With a strong French and Italian influence, but still offering a good selection of Thai favourites, it boasts an extensive menu.
Le Celtique’s decoration combines an eclectic mix of Thai and French artifacts with a beautiful stone Buddhist freeze, chunky wooden furniture and soft ambient lighting, making this a perfect choice for families to relax or discerning diners to try any number of a wide selection of European or Thai dishes.
Complimented by a good wine selection this restaurant is still reasonably priced with attentive service.
Tel: 089 588 9517

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Maggie & Mario's Pizzeria (M&M's) - Recommended

M & M’s, is the best and most established Pizzeria in the area. The Pizzas are extremely appetizing and good value for money, and M & M’s offer a wide selection of delicious pastas and salads, as well as tempting deserts.
With a great atmosphere, as this restaurant is always popular with local ex-pats and tourists, you are assured of an enjoyable meal.
M & M’s also offer a takeaway service, so you can call to place orders and pop along to collect them later.
Tel: 081 569 6244

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Coconut (Paradise) Bar - Recommended

Located on Rawai Beach Road, this modest bar and restaurant is hospitable and likeable, offering a pleasant bar area downstairs and an pleasant dining area upstairs. The restaurant serves excellent western dishes to suit all tastes and a good selection of Thai options. The food is very good, and value for money, so well worth a visit, particularly if you want a change from Thai food.
The restaurant is open daily from 9am, to serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a Happy Hour until 7pm.
Tel: 089 073 1180

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Mando - Steakhouse plus Western

Another popular choice open all year round is Mandos, located on Rawai Seafront. A more plush looking restaurant than the majority of choices along the same stretch of road, Mandos offers Thai food designed to appeal to foreigners (so less spicy than dishes found in more local Thai establishments) and a good selection of western meat dishes, particularly their selection of steaks.
The crisp white tablecloths and comfortable surroundings compliment the good food, friendly service and an extremely good chocolate mousse for desert!
Tel: 076 613 728

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Nikitas Bar & Restaurant - Recommended

A local institution at the end of Rawai Beach, Nikitas Restaurant is in a great location overlooking the sea. Open all year round, the food is excellent, with an extensive menu catering to western and Thai tastes, and accompanied by a good selection of wines and cocktails. Suitable for lunch or dinner (open from 10am), followed by after dinner drinks, Nikitas’ friendly atmosphere, with subtle lighting and casual decoration encourages relaxed socializing at any time.
Open from 10am to Late
Tel: 076 288 703

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Mangosteen - Up-market Dining

If you would like to try somewhere more superior to the local stand alone restaurants located throughout the area, you might be tempted with the Mangosteen Resort, offering a romantic restaurant set on the hills with beautiful views across Nai Harn and Rawai, overlooking four beaches.
Conveniently located just off Sai Yuan Road, the Mangosteen particular specializes in offering a sumptuous Sunday Brunch, every week from 11am to 3pm, with five different menus to choose from and accompanied by a bottle of wine per couple, at a reasonable price of 950 baht per adult and 350 baht for children.
Tel: 076 289 399

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East 88 - Recommended

On site is the first class Serenity Terraces Resort, with two fabulous dining options. The East 88 Beach Club is the trendy restaurant built around the resorts infinity swimming pool serving it’s own fusion of Thai and Western dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
It is a perfect location to enjoy an excellent meal, in superior surroundings, but still with the relaxed ambiance of poolside dining. Balu’s Lounge and Bar is perfect for sundowners and cocktails, accompanied by choices from their comfort food menu, while again, taking in the stunning views.
The East 88 Beach Club hosts many special events throughout the year, and the website gives more information on these events and the dining options available.
Tel: 076 371 900

Vijitt Resort - Superb Surroundings

A little further along the road towards Rawai you will find the newly renovated Vijitt Resort, beautifully landscaped and comprising of 92 luxurious villas, and offering a number of dining options. We recommend The Savoury, which offers all day dining, commencing with a sumptuous buffet breakfast and options of Al A Carte and Buffet Dinners, all served in a beautiful setting adjacent to the extensive infinity edge swimming pool and overlooking Chalong Bay. This Restaurant is particularly renowned for its Sunday Buffet Lunch, suitable for anyone to enjoy the wide selection of food on offer.
Alternatively, the flagship restaurant of the resort is “Baan Vijitt”, a Sino-Porugese style house that’s architecture and decoration suggests days of a bye-gone era where the food compliments the surroundings and guests revel in the delicious flavours of dishes with a Southern Thailand influence. The ambiance if of romantic luxury, and perfectly located on the waterfront surrounded by lush gardens, Baan Vijitt is an ideal choice for a special celebration.
Tel: 076 363 600

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Vijitt Resort - Thai & Western

A few minutes walk away is the very relaxed local favourite, Friendship Beach, a great venue for all the family, especially if you have children. The resort is located directly on Friendship Beach, a shallow and very tidal beach (some days the tide is out half a km) and has a selection of small bungalows for holiday or longer term rental.
The restaurant is designed around the large inviting swimming pool, with children’s pool, that dining guests are welcome to use, plus with easy access to the beach, Friendship Beach is an excellent destination to enjoy a long leisurely lunch or a casual and relaxed evening meal. The extensive menu offers many western favourites.
Thai food and a good selection of children’s options and is open from breakfast until well into the evening.
Tel: 076-288-996

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Norbus Steakhouse - For Steak Lovers!

f you are a steak lover and craving a western style Rib Eye, Fillet, T-bone, Tenderloin or Chateaubriand for dinner, then you certainly should visit this hidden away eccentrically decorated, open fronted restaurant.
The bold colours, unique design, large chandeliers and eye opening ornamentation ensure a memorable evening, not just because of the excellent European, Tibetan and Thai food.
Reservations are recommended and a free pick up and drop off service is offered.
Tel: 076 289 098 or 081 367 5416

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Kan Eang@Pier - Thai Food with a View

Specialising in seafood this large, open air restaurant, with a 200 metre terrace, overlooking Chalong Bay and Pier is a well established venue that has been open for 30 years. Kan Eang’s recent refurbishment allows guests to enjoy the panoramic views, while dining on a tantalizing meal at arguably one of the best seafood restaurants on the Island.
The chic décor, with a traditional Thai influence compliments the extensive menu, specifically using freshly caught seafood, such at Phuket lobster, tiger prawns, oysters, crabs and a variety of fish, and accompanied by local Thai specialities to ensure a dining experience not to me missed. Kan Eang also boasts the Bay Bar, for pre or after dinner drinks, and the K1 Kaffe for breakfast or afternoon tea, cakes and ice cream.
Conveniently located 10 minutes from the apartments.
Tel: 076 381 212

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The Green Man - A little bit of England

If you want a touch of English fare and a larger than life English landlord, plus activities for the children, then visit this traditional English Tudor style Pub, located on the main road between Kata and Chalong.
The Green Man offers an extensive menu covering breakfast, traditional pub favourites, bar snacks, vegetarian, Indian and of course Thai dishes, plus Sunday’s traditional roasts, so there is a huge variety to choose from. With a Pub Quiz every Thursday night and special events arranged for the Holiday Season if you want to sample a small part of England while visiting Phuket, this is the place to visit.
Closed Mondays
Tel: 076 281 445

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