Phuket Sunday Brunch

Indigo Pearl Phuket

Hidden away at Nai Yang beach, not far from the island’s airport, sits the very chic Indigo Pearl Phuket. The owners have invested 40 million US dollars to transform this family owned resort into the most exciting and stylish holiday property on the island.

Food stations brimming with exotic tastes surround guests in this fresh open air dining room. I was most intrigued with an innovative tandoori oven, the only one of its kind in Thailand, that produces Indian spiced bits of chicken, shrimp and lamb upon request. My companion spent much of her time savouring the Japanese sushi and meats cooked on the teppanyaki grill.

As brunch should be a three-hour love affair with the food, it leaves lots of time for the younger members of the family to run off and explore any of the resort’s three swimming pools or enjoy the circus performers who teach the young ones how to manoeuvre on a trapeze.

The Indigo Pearl is a wonderful place to stroll around between delicious courses of Sunday brunch and discover all the interesting design concepts used only here on the island including a grass-terraced amphitheatre used for special performances. There’s 35 acres of interesting resort set next to the long expanse of Nai Yang Beach, perfect for long family walks after brunch.

Read more about Indigo Pearl Resort

TwinPalms Phuket

Set farther south on the island’s west coast at Surin Beach, Twinpalms Phuket has become the darling of the hip and happening set featuring stylish urban interiors and an international flair to its cuisine and beverages.

Twinpalms often features wine dinners and special events attracting international chefs and their devotees so it’s no wonder that its Sunday brunch became an instant success. Residents are known to drive 30 miles for the opportunity to taste this brunch.

Each Sunday there is a different theme for this buffet depending on what treasures the suppliers can find. It might be foie gras one week or a special cheese promotion the next. But guests can be assured of fresh Sydney oysters from Australia, tiger prawns, blue crabs and salads with Alaskan crab every week.

The Sunday brunch is presented in the resort’s main dining restaurant, the Oriental Spoon but for younger family members, beautiful Surin Beach is waiting just outside as well as Twinpalms Phuket's Catch Club, which has the biggest hamburger found on Phuket.

You could spend your entire Sunday just wandering between Oriental Spoon and the Catch Beach Club eating and enjoying the tropical air the extensive offerings.

Read more about Twinpalms Phuket Resort

Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort & Spa

Moving south to glorious Karon Beach past busy Patong, sits Phuket’s largest resort complex, the Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort & Spa, which welcomes visitors and residents for their extensive Sunday brunch and recreation programs. While the resort looks imposing with its large towers of guest rooms, it features one of the island’s top health spas and wonderful restaurants.

Here, there is a particular focus on hot food. Guests can taste Peking duck, prime rib, New Zealand lamb, beef from Australia, ham from America. 

There’s a choice of fresh indoor air-conditioned dining or a table set outdoors with the sounds of the pool’s waterfall nearby.

As the Hilton Phuket Arcadia has large swimming pools with waterfalls and a Club special for the children, Sunday brunch means that the older members of the family can relax around one of the resort’s several swimming pools knowing their children are having a great time with the professional childcare staff. And Karon Beach is just across the road.

Read more about Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort

Mangosteen Resort & Spa

Perched up on a hill looking over the islands on Phuket’s eastern coast, sits the Mangosteen Resort & Spa, a resort that has been given awards for bringing a stylish elegance to a part of the island more known for relaxed informal beachside restaurants. The Mangosteen Resorts is a collection of charming cabanas with beautiful views to the sea. The main restaurant wraps around the lovely swimming pool with channels of blue turquoise waters flowing just next to the guests’ tables.

Sunday brunches are very popular with local families who want to relax on their day off. The resort offers five different kinds of brunch which rotate each week including a unique Belgium inspired brunch offering French quality with German quantity.

The Sunday I visited Mangosteen was presenting a Seafood-themed Sunday brunch. Guests were enjoying red snapper with tarragon sauce, roasted rock lobster with basil, crawfish with garlic butter and a piquant and popular tom yam seafood. Meanwhile, children were swimming and using the fitness facilities between snacking on their brunch. This Seafood-themed Sunday brunch also has lamb and steaks from Australia and pork loin with pepper sauce in addition to cheese and the best chocolate mousse I’ve had in a long time.

Read more about The Mangosteen Resort

Mare at Centara Grand Beach Resort

Mare is Centara Grand's flagship restaurant and it certainly is an impressive set up. The restaurant's Sunday lunch is rightly celebrated by locals and it's a bustling, colourful and - above all - a delicious event. With independent Idian, seafood, pasta, cheese and cold cut stations (and much more) you'll never be able to get through this impressive collection of culinary creations in one sitting.

 The Sunday lunch also offers live strolling musicians, good wine deals and close proximity to one of the resort's swimming pools as well as the beach. 

There are so many treasures at this buffet, it’s hard to choose between a plate of fresh salad items or the rack of lamb, prime rib or roast beef. Large luscious sushi sits near probably the biggest selection of French cheeses in Phuket. It’s a feast for royalty.

And always nearby is the brilliant shine of the sea dazzling guests as they concentrate on their plates. This Sunday event takes place from April to November.

Read more about Centara Grand Beach Resort