Phuket, nestled in the Andaman Sea off the coast of Thailand, beckons with white sandy beaches and ancient temples – but it's the culinary delights that will truly captivate you. As you shake the sand from your sandals and admire Wat Chalong, the aroma of banana pancakes and noodle soup wafts towards you. Culinary experiences await you around every corner in Phuket – sample to your heart's content and savor the island's diversity with just a few dollars and a big appetite. We asked the travel experts at Expedia Australia for their top recommendations for culinary adventures in Phuket…

One of the best activities you can do during your stay in Phuket is take a cooking class. Not only can you sample delicious Thai dishes, but you can also recreate them yourself after your holiday. Some of the island's most popular classes are held at hotels in Phuket, such as the Boathouse Resort. There, classes led by Chef Brian Burger are offered on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. You'll start by learning about Thai herbs before watching a wok demonstration on how to prepare a sweet Massaman curry.

Another popular course takes place near Kata Beach at Kata Thai. Your instructor, Sally, starts each session with lemongrass tea before showing you step-by-step how to prepare green curry, pad thai, and other savory dishes from scratch. Classes are offered Monday through Saturday and usually include a visit to the food market across the street. Your dinner parties at home afterward are guaranteed to be unforgettable.

UNESCO has recognized Phuket Town as one of the "World's Leading Gastronomic Cities," and the culinary city tours offer you the chance to discover the region's diversity (or at least enough to impress). Embark on the "Old Town Phuket & Peranakan Food Trail" tour and savor local specialties such as dim sum, rice noodles, moo hong, and oven-roasted roti pancakes. After chatting with locals and soaking up the charm of Phuket Town, your day concludes atop Khao Rang Hill. This viewpoint is the perfect spot to indulge in dessert and take in the panoramic views of the city.

If you're on a budget, we recommend grabbing a bite at one of the street food stalls. You can get a filling plate or bowl for under 50 baht. You don't need binoculars to spot food stalls around the island, but they do tend to be concentrated in certain areas, including Phuket Town. Some of the best street food options include satay skewers, noodle soup, dim sum, roti pancakes, and o-tao omelets. You can also find street food outside of Phuket Town – on most busy street corners and in front of event venues and shopping malls.

Markets are an integral part of daily life in Phuket and therefore a must-visit for any foodie. One of the most popular public markets is Banzaan Market on Patong Beach. Upstairs, the food court invites you to dine, or you can stroll through the fruit and vegetable market, where you can pick up peppers and plantains, for example, before choosing fresh flowers and a delicious guava juice. Phuket is also known for its night markets, and one of our favorites is Chillva Market. It opens daily at 4 pm and is the perfect place to enjoy live music while sampling homemade fruit ice cream or sipping a beer and savoring Pad Thai.

Phuket offers countless things to do, but one thing is for sure: you'll leave with a happy heart and a full stomach! With open eyes and a little extra cash in your pocket, you can try almost anything – and your next holiday destination will have to live up to high expectations.