I have recently been traveling around Phuket, working and exploring the islands, and doing a few Muay Thai lessons.
I was working from some co-working spaces in Phuket (mainly Grindtime), but always looking for good coffee shops to work from. My main criteria were a good atmosphere to work, decent coffee and price, and of course, fast internet – I speed test the internet at every cafe I go to.
One area I stayed in was Phuket town, I was getting a bit bored of beaches are 4 weeks. I stayed at Alleyhill Hotel, which is great value and in a cute residential street.
Alleyhill hotel with all its plants
Phuket Town, the capital of Phuket Province, is known for its charming Old Town, vibrant culture, and delicious food – famed for pig organ soups. This city has plenty of options for coffee lovers, from trendy cafes to traditional coffee shops.
Here are a few of my top recommendations, all based around the old town area.
Shan Coffee
74 Krabi, Tambon Talat Nuea, Amphoe Mueang Phuket, Chang Wat Phuket 83000, Thailand
Shan Coffee was my favorite place to work and drink coffee in Phuket town. Hidden down a little side street, it can be tricky to find.
If you are walking down Saturn Rd, look for a monkey sign, then turn left down the residential street. The place does not open until 10.30am, I first went at 9am and could find the place at all.
The place has an amazing rustic feel, filled with tropical plants against bare industrial walls. I made a quick Youtube short so you can get the vibe:
The menu and coffee are great; I recommend dirty coconut coffee, which is hot coffee with a layer of coconut milk. They don’t have much food on sale, which is a shame, but I think they will expand on this over the next year.
The wifi here was good; I was getting around 50 MB – good enough to work on this article.
My only gripe with the place was the number of people coming just to take photos. Girls were lying on tables and posing for social media pics while I was trying to get some work done.
The 5th Element
4, 7 Stoon Road Talat Nuea, Muang Phuket 83000, Thailand
Just around the corner from Shan Coffee, this place was also top-notch. They have their own roasting machines on site, visible from the cafe area through glass, but no coffee was being roasted when I was there. Started to think it was for show lol.
The internet speed was good and less people taking instgram pictures. I was getting download speeds of 35MB on my laptop.
The baristas were pretty cool too, making some beautiful shapes and designs.
Barista dude made me a swan design
The Old Phuket Coffee
2 Thalang Rd, Tambon Talat Yai, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83000
Old Phuket Coffee has gone above and beyond in capturing the essence of old Phuket through its captivating decor. The coffee shop is adorned with dark, weathered wood, vintage radios, and intricately designed miniature Thai houses that hang gracefully on the walls.
As you step outside, you’ll be greeted by charming scenes of old bicycles positioned proudly in front of the windows. The inclusion of old motorbikes and nostalgic photographs from bygone eras further amplifies the irresistible allure of The Old Phuket Coffee.
Having experienced the charm and ambiance of Old Phuket Coffee firsthand, I know it’s a great place for digital nomading. I was getting internet speeds of around 35MB, which is fine for knocking out emails.
In conclusion, Phuket Town has plenty of excellent coffee shops to choose from. Whether you’re looking for a cozy spot to curl up with a book or a trendy cafe to sip on a specialty drink, there is something for everyone in this vibrant city. So, the next time you’re in Phuket Town, be sure to check out these five excellent coffee shops and enjoy a delicious cup of coffee.
Map of Phuket Town Coffee Shops
Jane Freeman is a travel blogger and digital marketer based in the UK. Jane splits her time between London during the Spring/Summer and Asia in the winter.
