What happens when you take Central Phuket’s entrance and turn it into Thailand’s most ambitious food court? You get Lanlom (Public House) – a sprawling culinary cook-out that somehow makes international dining feel both sophisticated and wonderfully unpretentious. This isn’t your typical shopping centre eatery. This is where Phuket’s food scene flexes its global credentials, providing everything you could want or need.
By: Mia James
UPON ARRIVAL
Lanlom operates as Central Phuket Festival’s gateway, but calling it merely an entrance undersells the ambition entirely. This open-air plaza transforms throughout the year – live performances during festival seasons, immersive celebrations that draw crowds from across the island, and a year-round buzz that makes it equally popular with locals grabbing lunch and visitors seeking their first taste of Phuket’s cosmopolitan dining scene in shoppers paradise.
Most restaurants open at 10am, with select venues serving until 3am. Perfect for everything from civilised brunches to those late-night moments when you need proper food after too many cocktails elsewhere.
THE GLOBAL SPREAD
Forget the usual Thai-only offerings found at most local food destinations. Lanlom’s roster reads like a passport stamp collection: Italian, Chinese, Mexican, Japanese, Mediterranean, American – all executed with enough care to justify the journey from wherever you’re staying.
THE STANDOUTS WORTH YOUR TIME
GINGER FARM KITCHEN champions the “farm to city” concept with genuine conviction. Their organic ingredients come from their own farm or carefully selected providers, creating Thai comfort food that tastes like someone’s grandmother cooked it – if that grandmother happened to be obsessed with sustainable farming. The space itself feels deliberately rustic, all weathered wood and earthy tones that underscore their agricultural roots.
PRIME BURGER arrived in 2019 and quickly conquered Thailand’s burger scene through sheer quality. Their smash burgers use beef ground fresh daily and buns baked that morning – details that show when you bite down. The 2024 Burgerfest victories (“Phuket’s Best Burger” and “Best Vegan/Vegetarian Burger”) weren’t flukes. With 19 locations across Thailand’s prime destinations, they’ve earned their reputation one perfectly cooked patty at a time.
SUNRISE TACO takes Mexican food seriously enough to import techniques from Mexico itself. Their corn tortillas follow traditional nixtamal methods, using non-GMO corn and produce from the Royal Project. No shortcuts, no unnecessary toppings – just authentic flavours that transport you to Mexico City without the flight. Their commitment to natural ingredients (rice oil instead of hydrogenated fats, fresh salsas made daily) shows in every bite.
WINE CONNECTION operates Thailand’s largest wine retail and restaurant chain, and their Lanlom outpost showcases why. The deli-bistro hybrid offers European-inspired dishes alongside an impressive wine selection, plus artisanal cheeses and charcuterie for takeaway. Perfect for assembling an impromptu picnic or settling in for a proper wine-paired dinner.
ZEN RESTAURANT has spent 32 years perfecting Japanese cuisine, and their expertise particularly shines with fish – the heart of any serious Japanese kitchen. Their sushi and sashimi reflect genuine craftsmanship, whilst their cooked dishes maintain the same exacting standards. Not revolutionary, but consistently excellent.
AZZURRO’s authentic Italian dining, Born in Rome, shared with the world, spreading to cities like Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Sulaymaniyah, Baghdad, Amman, Cairom and now Phuket. Bringing Italy’s timeless flavours to life, Azzurro is renowned for its handmade pastas, wood-fired pizzas, and warm hospitality. A cozy welcoming space where food is love, Azzurro blends Roman roots with local charm to make ever meal a memory, from Rome, to Dubai, to Phuket, with love.
HAIDILAO brings China’s hotpot culture with their legendary service standards. The experience extends beyond the food – expect entertainment, personalised attention, and Instagram-worthy presentation that makes sharing hotpot feel like an event rather than just dinner.
PIZZA & CO keeps things refreshingly straightforward – classic Italian comfort done well without unnecessary fuss. Their Halal options broaden the appeal considerably, making this the rare pizzeria that accommodates diverse dietary requirements without compromising flavour. The focus remains firmly on pizza fundamentals: fresh ingredients, reliable execution, and that satisfying comfort good experience that sometimes trumps culinary innovation.
LUCKY 13 SANDWICHES elevates the humble sandwich through genuine craftsmanship. Daily bread baking and premium ingredients create hefty constructions that justify the 150-250 baht price range, especially when biting into their beef striploin with mustard mayo on fresh ciabatta.
SEMSEM MIDDLE EASTERN GRILL occupies Central Phuket’s outdoor eating section with loungers and a decidedly relaxed atmosphere. Their shawarma, falafel, kebabs, and koftas present genuinely difficult choices – beef, lamb, chicken, plus thoughtful vegetarian options that avoid feeling like afterthoughts. The casual outdoor setting suits the cuisine perfectly, creating an almost street-food authenticity within the shopping centre environment.
COMING ATTRACTIONS
August 2025 brings Wuwula (Chinese-style skewers and wok-fried dishes designed for sharing) and Nami Izakaya (Japanese drinking culture complete with yakimono, sake, and the kind of atmosphere that encourages lingering conversations). Both promise to fill gaps in Lanlom’s already impressive international coverage.
THE FAMILIAR FACES
KFC, McDonald’s, and Subway provide the reliable comfort food some travellers crave, which when push comes to shove, can end up keeping the whole family happy.
WHY IT WORKS
Lanlom succeeds because it treats international cuisine with respect rather than dumbing it down for tourist palates. The restaurants here understand their source cuisines well enough to execute them properly, creating a dining destination that locals frequent – always the best endorsement for any food venue.
Whether you’re seeking authentic Mexican tacos, expertly crafted Japanese sushi, or simply want to explore multiple cuisines without leaving one location, Lanlom delivers. It’s that rare shopping centre food court that doesn’t feel like a compromise.
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