Portofino at Le Meridien will infuriate and enthral you — tiny tuna portions yet a chef who conjures vegan masterpieces and staff adore you
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Portofino Italian Restaurant — a gorgeous mess that nearly gets everything right
Listen up. Portofino Italian Restaurant sits on a razor edge between sublime and indulgent. With a 4.9 rating from 21 reviews, most diners are losing their minds in the best possible way. That score tells you the place consistently impresses — but it hides the delicious contradictions waiting at the table.
Hours and practicalities that actually matter
Open every evening from 18:00 to 22:30, Portofino is an after-sunset playground. Card and NFC payments are accepted; cash-only is not an option. Simple. Plan your night accordingly and leave the jingling coins at home.
Location: elegant hotel setting with an unexpected edge
The restaurant operates inside Le Méridien Phuket Beach Resort, so expect hotel polish mixed with resort crowds. That backdrop explains why the room can swing from intimate to lively in a heartbeat.
Kitchen: impulsive artistry meets disciplined technique
Stop pretending off-menu dishes are rare miracles. The head chef, Stefano, is repeatedly described as an artist; he improvises with confidence — creating an impromptu verdure pasta for a vegan guest and whipping up a special lobster linguine on request. The chef also steps out to check on guests, which is one hell of a finishing touch. That combination of flair and ownership is why many diners leave starry-eyed.
Food: brilliant highlights and one honest caveat
- Order the burrata with Parma ham — reviewers called it inexpensive yet generous, a genuine value moment.
- Bruschetta earned obsessive praise from a repeat eater who had it daily during a hotel stay, which is the kind of small obsessive endorsement you trust.
- Expect refined plates such as seafood soup, spaghetti, duck and parfait, all listed among favorites.
- Note the one real quibble: the tuna tartare was smaller than expected even though its flavor pleased the diner. Portions can surprise you; taste usually wins, but size may not.
Service: well-trained brigade with memorable individuals
Staff training shows. Multiple reviewers flagged excellent service and a highly capable team. Individual standouts exist too — the hostess Thanssani received singled-out praise for hospitality. This is not robotic hospitality; it’s engaged and human, with staff who know how to make a table feel taken care of.
Vibe: music, atmosphere and rooftop romance
The place has pulse. Guests reported great vibe and music, and some chose to take food up to the rooftop bar where the atmosphere was described as simply gorgeous. If you like dining that feels alive rather than antiseptic, Portofino delivers sensory energy without losing composure.
Actionable, brutally honest guidance
- Ask for the chef early if you want something off-menu or dietary-friendly; Stefano has proven he’ll invent masterpieces on the spot.
- Make a point of ordering the burrata and Parma ham and the bruschetta — reviewers flagged them as high-confidence picks.
- If tuna tartare matters to you, check portion size before ordering; expect peak flavor but confirm how much you’ll get.
- Praise the team by name when they shine; it works. A little recognition goes a long way in getting extra care.
Final verdict — who should go
If you crave honest Italian cooking with moments of improvisational brilliance, want personable service, and don’t mind an occasionally modest portion, run — but don’t literally run — to Portofino. This is a place where the kitchen will surprise you, the staff will make you feel like a regular, and the atmosphere will lift your evening. Flaws are few and forgivable because the culinary heart here beats fiercely and with skill.
Bring your appetite, your sense of adventure, and a card. Don’t expect perfection in every tiny detail, but expect real passion on the plate. That, my friends, is rare — and worth it.
🕒 Opening Hours
💳 Payment Options
7.866285, 98.28299
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