Phuket

Phuket's Mexican restaurants are spread around the island, from Phuket Old Town to the beach areas of Rawai, Chalong, Bang Tao and Kalim. Most are casual, with three family-friendly kitchens and a few cantinas for an evening out.

Lucha Cantina in Chalong is lucha libre-themed, with Colima-born chef Luis Villa cooking pozole, tamales and quesabirria. In Rawai, Tahona is a small, late-opening cantina with a well-stocked tequila shelf, and Sala Mexicali serves California-style Mexican beside a garden waterfall. Mamasita Mexican at the Laguna entrance in Bang Tao has been family-run since 2016, and its sister Taco Loco Phuket at Porto de Phuket is pork-free. Salsa Mexicana sits on the hillside above Kalim Bay, MIMA Mexican serves birria tacos at My Front Yard, and Amore Mexican Tapas & Bar is in Phuket Old Town.

Distances are long, so eat near your base. Look out for Margarita Monday at Mamasita.