13points · on 2 of 3 lists: Hotels.com Go Guides and Phuket 101
COAST sits on the sand at the north end of Karon Beach, in front of the Centara Grand resort, and its loungers face straight out to the sunset. The mood is barefoot and unhurried, with tapas and pizzas served through the day and dishes such as blue swimmer crab and a Thai satay wrap on the menu. On many evenings a live band or a DJ plays as the light goes.
“Menu and food perfect.”
a Google reviewer
“There was also a great variety of food choices.”
a Google reviewer
12points · on 2 of 3 lists: Hotels.com Go Guides and Tripadvisor
Walkabout is a sports bar beside the Karon Whale Resort, where nine screens, one of them 80 inches across, carry live sport, AFL and Formula 1 included. Aussie draught beer is on tap, and on weekends local rock bands play, sometimes with the owner joining in. Families are welcome through the day, and the staff are good with children.
“Just great vibes with everyone enjoying the sports on TV.”
a Google reviewer
“Fantastic cocktails, icy cold Chang beer and scrumy food.”
a Google reviewer
9points · on 2 of 3 lists: Hotels.com Go Guides and Phuket 101
Bangla Plaza is the name locals and taxi drivers give to an L-shaped street of about a dozen open-sided beer bars on Luang Poh Chuan Road, just before the hill to Kata. The name appears on no sign, and the bars are the old-fashioned kind, with outdoor tables and a pool table here and there. Montana Music Bar, down a side alley, is the air-conditioned one and plays retro music through the night.
“Great little bar for a sneaky drink or two while you watch the world go by.”
a Google reviewer
Google ratings from Google on 3 October 2026. Quotes are from the published lists and reviews named beside each one.
Honorable mentions
Named on 2 lists, but in the top 10 of only one, so under the two-list rule it counts as a one-list place.
“Superb atmosphere and band.”
a Google reviewer
Named on only one list we found, so it cannot be ranked under the two-list rule.
Named on only one list we found, so it cannot be ranked under the two-list rule.
The lists we counted
- Hotels.com Go Guides · February 2026
- Phuket 101 · August 2026
- Tripadvisor · 2026
How the points work
We read every independent published best-of list we can find for the question. Each list gives 10 points for first place, 9 for second, down to 1 for tenth, and 5 points to each place on a list with no order. Points are added up. A business must be in the top 10 of at least two lists to be ranked. Rankings are never sold. Full method.
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