Region: Southern Thailand> Province: Phuket> Location: Ao Chalong

Ao Chalong

There's a surprising abundance of good restaurants in Chalong. All of the places mentioned are along the road running up to the pier. Bon apetit!

One of Ao Chalong's appeals is the abundance of reasonably-priced places to eat. There's a healthy expat population in the Chalong area and all sorts of international cuisine is readily available. Spicy curries of the non-Thai type can be enjoyed with saffron rice and chewy naan bread at the Mr. India Restaurant. Some claim this is the best North Indian food in Phuket. The new Dos Gringos does passable burritos and fajitas, but the main attraction is their happy hour. All beers all 50B and you can get a margarita for 70B -- a fraction of what the resorts charge. For a hearty Sunday roast look no further than Happy Days. The meal, complete with Yorkshire pudding, is cooked by a retired Thai woman who worked for years as a cook in the UK. It'll set you back 300B, but you'll leave very satisfied.

Chalong's nightlife is relatively tame. Jimmy's Lighthouse comes to life in the late afternoon as Phuket's expat mariners return from sea (or maybe just their nearby homes). A sun-down drink here is a must. Other good places for a drink or two are the already mentioned Happy Days and Dos Gringos. In addition to their cheap happy hours, both have pool tables and attract a younger crowd than Jimmy's. You can make a night out of a seafood dinner at the Kan Eang @ Pier bar and restaurant -- there's usually live music and occasionally a show. The lively atmosphere and coconut husk barbecues have earned it some fame, and it's popular with tour groups. Prices are a bit high, but Chalong doesn't have much else in the ways of entertainment.