WHY GO? Alessandro Frau, owner and chef of this relatively recent addition to Phuket’s dining scene, specialises in creating new and exciting Italian dishes with the finest ingredients. The stylishness of Acqua’s interior is a testament to modern minimalism. Acqua is also becoming well known for superb special evenings featuring truffle-based menus, and for wine pairing dinners.

WHAT TO ORDER? As a starter, buffalo mozzarella with tomatoes, taggiasche olives and baby basil leaves is hard to beat, and yellowfin tuna and swordfish carpaccio is another example of chef Frau’s art and magic. For mains, consider veal ossu buco with truffle-scented polenta, or black angus rib eye with roast potatoes. Pasta options include pumpkin and sage ravioli, and spaghetti with sea urchin; pizza acqua, with lobster and tuna is the best bet from the wood-fired oven.

The cellar holds Italian favourites from all the main wine producing regions of the country. Amarone della Valpolicella is superb.