Supposedly, there are more than two billion cups of coffee consumed daily around the world. While we are unable to independently verify this number, we can certainly confirm that Phuket consumes its fair share of the stuff. There are something like 200 coffee shops around the island, and that’s likely a very conservative number. Coffee seems to go hand-in-hand with, well, just about everything – productivity, pastries, socializing, and on and on. Meeting someone? Coffee shop. Need a change of scenery to work on your laptop? Coffee shop. Impossible to fully awaken without some caffeine in your veins? Coffee shop. In the not-so-distant past, it wasn’t easy to find a good cup of coffee in Phuket, but those days are long gone. 

Over the past decade, Phuket's coffee scene has evolved considerably. You’ll find independent roasters, specialty cafes, and skilled baristas boasting everything from single-origin Thai beans to modern espresso and trendy pour-over techniques on the island. In Phuket Old Town, you can’t throw a rock without hitting a cafe where there is an actual coffee scene.

While there are a plethora of places to grab a solid cup of coffee around the island, here are a few worth seeking out.

Hock Hoe Lee

This is the logical starting point for a discussion about coffee in Phuket because Hock Hoe Lee was the very first. Starting way back in 1958, this third-generation family-run business in Old Town has been carefully roasting beans and supplying shops around the island for more than half a century. Originally, beans were brought in from Penang, then roasted, brewed, and sold to tin mine workers. Coffee plantations eventually popped up around Thailand, and they shifted to Thai-grown beans, some grown in the south near Phuket. Nowadays, they’re still roasting domestically-sourced beans in an unassuming shophouse on Ranong Road, and also have a nice little cafe in Rawai.

RUSH Coffee Rommani

For the serious coffee aficionado, RUSH is certain to pique your interest. This spot is notable before the coffee even touches your tongue, as it’s located right in the middle of one of Phuket’s most atmospheric streets, Soi Romanee. Housed in one of the iconic, beautifully restored Sino-Portuguese shophouses, RUSH roasts its own top-shelf beans and offers espresso, cold brew, and other bespoke brewing methods. They’re so serious about coffee that they even have a conference room where they host training and information sessions about all sorts of coffee-oriented topics.

Osmosis Coffee Roaster

Head a little ways south across town, and you’ll discover Osmosis Coffee Roaster. While their location can’t match the trendy surroundings of RUSH, they are equally as serious about their craft and passion for coffee. They source the best beans from locations like Ethiopia and Costa Rico and roast them fresh to order. To add another level of legitimacy, they are a Thailand National Barista Champion. Their signature blend is a popular and well-loved option.

Yes Coffee Roasters

For those down south, Yes Coffee Roasters in Rawai is a long-standing favorite offering fresh in-house roasted beans and blends in a shady spot off the beaten track. All of their beans are sourced in northern Thailand, a fact that attracts those interested in the distinct flavor of Thai-grown coffee. They also offer a small selection of food and snacks and, to top it off, donate ten percent of all proceeds to their on-site school for underprivileged local children.