PRU

PRU is Phuket's Michelin-starred restaurant, set within the grounds of the Trisara resort on the north-west coast at Choeng Thale. Its cooking is a seasonal, farm-to-table menu built on produce from the restaurant's own farm and from trusted Thai suppliers. Chef Jimmy Ophorst leads the kitchen, and the cooking is modern and precise, with a strong emphasis on fermenting and preserving to make the most of each harvest.

Dinner here is a full evening rather than a quick meal. Guests usually begin with drinks in a lounge before moving to the main dining room, and the meal includes a short visit to the kitchen to meet the team. The menu changes with the seasons, so dishes come and go, but one signature has become well known: King of the Fruits, which pairs durian with caviar and sea grapes. Expect a long tasting menu and plenty of local ingredients that many visitors will not have tried before.

PRU is open for dinner from Tuesday to Saturday, with lunch also served on Fridays and Saturdays; it is closed on Sundays and Mondays. Booking ahead is essential, particularly in high season, and the restaurant handles its own reservations. This is a special-occasion restaurant at the top of the price scale, well suited to couples and serious food lovers rather than families with young children. Let the restaurant know about any allergies or dietary needs when you book, as the menu is set.

Smart casual dress is sensible. Allow around three hours for dinner, and arrange a taxi home in advance if you are staying elsewhere on the island, as the resort is some distance from the main beach towns. There is valet parking for those who drive, and the setting includes gardens and sea views around the resort.

Choeng Thale is in the north-west of the island, close to Bang Tao and Laguna and within reasonable reach of the airport. If you are staying in Patong or Kata, plan on a longer drive. Combine dinner with a day on the quieter northern beaches, such as Nai Thon or Bang Tao, before heading up the coast to eat.