Few have helped to elevate the fine dining scene in Phuket like Sardinian-born chef Alessandro Frau. Guests are able to watch him in action most nights in the open kitchen here, as he carefully orchestrates the service, making sure the pacing of the meal is just right, and that each dish is artfully plated. He does this in a chic black and white space which has both romantic two-top tables and booths for groups. One could cherry pick dishes from the extensive a la carte menu (loaded with great fish dishes and homemade pastas), but the curated degustation menus features the best of the best, so go for the gold. Highlights include sous vide octopus, a 55-minute slow cooked egg, saffron risotto with caviar and urchin, scallops with foie gras, and the signature Sardinian roasted suckling pig. Frau personally oversees the selection of some pretty rare wines, and the wine pairings are so generous you’ll need a taxi back to the hotel. Acqua is a real treat.