How it works
- Walk the stalls and compare prices per kilo.
- Negotiate and have the fish weighed in front of you.
- Take it to the restaurant opposite, which cooks it as you choose (grilled, steamed, sauce).
- Ask for the cooking and side-dish price before sitting down.
Quieter alternatives
To avoid the coach groups, restaurants along Rawai Beach serve fish without the market: Nikita's Beach Restaurant (Thai and seafood for over 20 years according to a guide) and Laem Hin Seafood, cited as one of the island's best-known seafood restaurants. No reliable prices found: check the menu.
Tips
- Come late in the day when it is cooler; stalls are fuller in the morning.
- Pick fish with clear eyes and firm flesh.
- For the area, read Rawai and Rawai Beach; for other tables, the best restaurants in Phuket.
- To sleep nearby: where to stay in south Phuket.
FAQ
How much is seafood in Rawai?
Prices vary: from 250 baht per kilo for red snapper to 1,500 baht for large prawns according to two guides. Bargain.
Do I need to book?
Not for the market; in the evening, come early to find a table.
Is it cheaper than Patong?
Yes according to one guide, but the tourist appeal has pushed prices up.
