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KALIM BEACH - HOME TO THE BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT ON PHUKET!
Just steps away from the popular Patong Beach is the small quiet Kalim Beach along the main road that leads from Patong to Kamala. Many visitors think that Kalim beach is part of Patong, but it isn’t. Perhaps that’s because you can easily walk there from the north end of Patong Beach within 15 minutes.
Image: 9mot
Driving north on the busy road at Kalim Beach, you will encounter the following beaches; Nakalay Beach, Yae Beach, Hua Beach and Rayee Beach. The terminus is the beautiful Kamala Beach. Southbound you arrive at the north end of Patong Beach within a few minutes. Kalim Beach certainly does not win any beauty awards when it comes to Phuket’s most beautiful beaches. Even swimming is not a treat because of the rocks, stones and dead coral on the seabed. A beautiful sunset is offered by Hat Kalim, or Haad Kalim. (Hat / Haad is beach in Thai). There are not a whole lot of activities and sights to experience in Kalim but you can stay extremely well in some highly rated resorts. Nice and easy if you don’t want to sleep in the hustle and bustle of Phuket, but want to be there that way!
And yet Kalim Beach is visited from all over the world, and that has to do with just one thing…. Acqua Restaurant. According to many, the best Italian restaurant in Phuket and according to others even in the whole of Thailand! What do you say, are you not a fan of Italian cuisine? Fortunately, you can also dine extremely well at a few other superb restaurants in this area such as L’Arôme by the sea.
Activities and attractions around Kalim Beach
There’s not much to do in Kalim on Phuket, but the things you can see and do while visiting or staying overnight at Kalim Beach we’ve listed below. We would go here anyway just to dine at the Acqua Restaurant run by Alessandro and his team, more on that below.
Fishing
Some of you like fishing a lot. Not to look at or feast on, but with such a rod peering at the (sea) water. If the sea of Kalim is calm then the coast serves as a good fishing location. Hereby we give you a little secret, almost opposite IndoChine Resort & Villas is a staircase that leads to a tiny part of Kalim Beach. Here you will definitely catch some fish!
We can imagine you didn’t bring a fishing rod from home. You can rent or buy fishing rods and other necessary fishing equipment at the Nanai Fishing Store on Nanai Road in Patong. See our map of central Phuket for the exact location.
Surfing
The sea off Kalim Beach is often a great surf spot with excellent waves. Therefore, Kalim is frequently visited by surfers staying in Patong. Even the best surf school in Patong, Andaman Sea Surf School, is only too happy to come and ride the waves here! On Kalim’s seafloor is a dead coral reef so waves are not broken too violently but roll on nicely. A true “reef breaker” we recently learned from a surfer living on Phuket.
Kalim Market
Especially during the evening this market is fun to visit! During the day there are only a few stalls, but during the end of the afternoon / beginning of the evening it gets busy with around thirty stalls. This market is frequently visited by locals who like to shop and snack. Thanks to the market you can at least satisfy your hunger and thirst while watching that beautiful sunset on the granite rocks or the beach of Kalim. Of course, you will also find the Kalim Market on our map of central Phuket.
Kalim Viewpoint
Above we described a simple market, but this is not an easy viewpoint to visit compared to the Laem Sing Viewpoint. We’re talking about a tough trek through the rubber plantations of Patong. Your reward, a whopping view of Patong and Kamala Beach. Assume a “walk” of at least an hour, don’t forget to bring water and, above all, wear good footwear.
Fortunately, you have read on, because there is probably also a much easier way to visit this viewpoint of Kalim… After all, according to Google Maps, you can also get there by motorized vehicle…. However, appearances can be deceiving, believe us, we have been fooled by Google Maps before. In some cases you can’t even get there by car or off-road vehicle and in other cases the hike or walk seemed like a piece of cake. Like that time on Koh Tao, when we briefly thought to walk from Sairee Beach to Hing Wong Bay….
Anyway, we plotted the way to Kalim Viewpoint on Google Maps, but just to be sure, ask around if you’re in Patong or Kalim. Or you can just walk to the adventure.
How to get to Kalim Beach on Phuket?
Check out our article about Kamala or Patong where we explain how to get here from different places on Phuket. Kalim Beach is in fact located between these two major resorts of Phuket.
The best restaurants of Kalim Beach
What we quickly noticed was that in addition to the best Italian restaurant in Phuket, there are a number of excellent restaurants to be found in Kalim. Below, we’ve detailed a few for you.
Acqua Restaurant
Kalim Beach is home to Acqua Restaurant which is run by Alessandro Frau and his wife. Alessandro is a friendly, approachable chef from the Italian island of Sardinia. He cooks mainly Mediterranean dishes, never denying his background. Although he has perfectly mastered the standard cooking techniques, this star chef is not afraid to break new ground. Each dish is beautifully presented and elevated to true art, dining at Acqua Restaurant is an art for the eyes and taste buds!
DID YOU KNOW?
Due to the resounding success of Acqua in Phuket, an Acqua Restaurant in Bangkok has also opened in 2020.
The merits of Alessandro and his team
Alessandro has secured numerous titles and awards, which is why we think a Michelin star is not very long in coming. The coveted Michelin Plate has been given to the restaurant for years and in 2020 Acqua Restaurant was in the top 20 restaurants of Thailand Tatler. The Italian Alessandro himself is among the 20 best chefs in Asia!
DID YOU KNOW?
Alessandro has competed on the television program Iron Chef Thailand, the Thai version of Master Chef.
The Menu
At Acqua Restaurant on Phuket, guests can choose from about twenty a la carte entrees such as Black Angus beef tartare, Catalan-style salad with lobster and, for vegetarians, a grilled eggplant. Main courses range from chicken to quail and from beef to red mullet, and desserts like the Memories “Fior di Latte” or Sicilian Cannoli will melt many a heart! Of course, delectable fresh pastas, risotto and pizza (from the wood oven) can also be ordered. See the entire menu of Acqua Restaurant.
Acqua Signatures Degustation
Personally, we would go for the Acqua Signatures Degustation. The condition is that the entire table party must order the same menu. There are two versions, one for 2500 baht and the other for 3500 baht – both excluding drinks. After choosing, a fantastic signature menu is lovingly prepared and served by the extremely friendly staff. That’s what we call amore!
The wine list
The wine list
A great meal like this can only be accompanied by a good glass of wine! That’s why there are numerous good Italian wines on the wine list! Alessandro has also scored high with these wines. Some people visit Acqua Restaurant just for a good glass of wine.
ALSO READ
The interview with colleague Jim Ophorst of the restaurant PRU who also lives on Phuket. Chef Alessandro also contributed to this by asking Jim some questions. Jim Ophorst has been awarded the only Michelin star on Phuket in 2020, plus Thailand’s only Michelin Green Star. PRU is a restaurant located in the beautiful resort called Trisara.
Pantai Seaview Restaurant
The name gives it away, at Pantai Seaview Restaurant you look out over the sea of Kalim and Patong Beach. The view combined with many quality and tasty (Halal) dishes makes Pantai an extremely good restaurant to eat. You can have breakfast, lunch and dinner, but also for a drink or snack you are welcome!
Fond of dim sum? From 22 baht there are numerous dim sum dishes to order. But also roti, a kind of pancake, with banana for example, you order for 40 baht. Rice and chicken is 50 baht, a bargain! A drink like iced coffee or iced tea costs 25 baht and a Honey Lemon or Red Soda for 30 baht. Needless to say, everything here is very well priced, especially for the quality of the products. Pantai is located right on the road that winds along Kalim Beach, almost opposite Acqua Restaurant.
Sea Salt Lounge & Grill
Sea Salt Lounge & Grill is part of the Diamond Cliff Resort where you can sit both outside and inside. The atmosphere is relaxed and especially outside you can lounge on the benches overlooking the sea. At Sea Salt you can enjoy grilled meat to your heart’s content, such as the perfectly grilled Tomahawk Steak of less than 1.2 pounds! Prefer something lighter? Sea Salt Lounge & Grill also serves fresh sushi and sashimi, delicious to share just like the Grilled Seafood Platter or Surf and Turf!
Just having a drink? Then visit this fun spot during sunset for a cozy sundowner. Cocktails cost 320 baht on average and a beer is 160 baht. Want to know more? The menu and other information about Sea Salt Lounge & Grill can be found on their website.
L’Arôme by the sea
Crazy about French cuisine and looking for a romantic dinner for two or is there something to celebrate? L’Arôme by the sea seems to have been created especially for these kinds of occasions! On the edge of Kalim Beach, less than a five-minute drive from Patong city center, this fine dining restaurant is the place to enjoy a relaxed rendezvous.
At L’Arôme, dishes of modern French cuisine are served and for a cocktail, you should especially be on their rooftop! With a wine list of no less than 80 different wines, a good glass of wine should also do the trick.
The Menu Experience offers a six-course dinner for 2,000 baht that includes tuna tartare, crab consume, lobster ravioli and a Thai cheese selection. We find the latter typically French, but with a Thai twist, very nice! The Menu Découverte for 1,200 baht offers three courses but a starter, main and dessert from the menu can of course also be ordered. More information can be found on the Facebook page of L’Arôme by the sea.
DID YOU KNOW?
The kitchen is run by Chef Ann from Krabi and her kitchen brigade consists of only ladies.
Malika Sky Bar
Fair is fair, Malika Sky Bar is not a real sky bar like the sky bars of Bangkok but still we had to tip this top spot! Malika is located on the sixth floor of the Kalima Resort & Spa Phuket which we will write about further on. Malika offers a mighty fine view of the Andaman Sea with service-oriented service in a casual atmosphere.
A signature cocktail costs 280 baht and a classic cocktail 260 baht. A beer such as Chang or Singha costs 130 baht and a soft drink 100 baht. The menu includes salads, burgers, sandwiches, Thai and Western dishes.
The best resorts in Kalim on Phuket
Fall asleep to the murmur of the sea and still be in Patong within minutes? Here are the best resorts in Kalim Beach where you really can!
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Diamond Cliff Resort & Spa
Opposite the beach of Kalim is the Diamond Cliff Resort & Spa. A beautiful resort where you leave the hustle and bustle of Patong behind. And because this resort is built on a mountain a shuttle bus takes you neatly to your room and back. This resort has two swimming pools of which the largest has a water slide and pool bar. Enjoy a cocktail in the pool while the kids are not bored for a second!
Earlier in this article about Kalim Beach we zoomed in on the excellent Sea Salt Lounge & Grill but there are more good restaurants that the resort houses. For example, you can dine to your heart’s content at the Japanese restaurant Kiko or you can snack at the Waterfall Pool Bar. In terms of rooms, you are sitting, or lying, in the right place! The Super Deluxe Room offers you all the peace and comfort you could want, and if you prefer a sea view, we recommend the Super Deluxe Sea View. Are you planning a honeymoon or simply have something to celebrate together? Then choose the Romantic Suite! Curious about this resort? Check it out for yourself via the link below!
>>> More information or book a stay at the Diamond Cliff Resort & Spa
Novotel Phuket Resort
Novotel is no stranger to the hospitality world. In fact, on Phuket, we’ve already tipped a number of Novotels like the ones at Kamala and Surin Beach. The Novotel Phuket Resort overlooks Kalim Beach and is located two kilometers from Patong. A big advantage of this resort’s location is that Kalim is a lot quieter, great for families with small children. The resort has a swimming pool, gym, spa / wellness center and good rooms / suites. Not only in this resort but worldwide the facilities and service are excellent.
>>> More information or book a stay at the Novotel Phuket Resort
Kalima Resort & Spa
Earlier in our article about Kalim Beach we tipped you off to the Malika Sky Bar and here we elaborate on the beautiful resort where this bar is located. Kalima Resort & Spa Phuket is located on a mountain opposite Kalim Beach, thanks to its construction there is a beautiful sea view from almost every common room. Children can play a game of mini golf or splash around in the pool here.
Three times a day there is a shuttle service to Patong beach, nice if you want to explore the beach and / or town of Patong! There are different types of rooms to book such as a luxury double room to a maisonnette with a private pool! This eco-friendly resort is one to remember if you want to travel to Phuket or Khao Lak!
>>> More information or book a stay at Kalima Resort & Spa Phuket
DID YOU KNOW?
We had written about a Kalima Resort before, but not in Phuket. It was Kalima Resort and Villas Khao Lak located on Poseidon Beach in Khao Lak.
IndoChine Resort and Villas
Above we already mentioned a resort where you can play mini golf, but the tennis enthusiasts among us should be at the IndoChine Resort! And not only tennis lovers but anyone who loves good hospitality and luxurious beauty we recommend this resort. The property consists of a number of stunning pool villas all overlooking the Andaman Sea. Villas are at least 240 m2 spacious and have everything for a carefree vacation that feels as comfortable as home. In this case, your bed is made, your villa is cleaned and a nice fresh breakfast is waiting for you every morning. Less money to spend? You can also book rooms here with a standard whirlpool bath, not bad either!
>>> More information or book a stay at IndoChine Resort and Villas
Even more fun destinations in the central part of Phuket
The map of central Phuket
Especially for you, we have created a map of central Phuket. It shows the beaches, the best places to eat and drink, fun sights and other activities. Have fun!
SOME OTHER GREAT INFORMATION ABOUT THAILAND!
