In 2024, I found myself wandering around the southern tip of Phuket’s east coast, which is exactly the kind of place where a casual sunset drink turns into a full-blown love affair. I can attest as it’s happened twice in the same spot now.
It all started with a date at Michelin-recommended My Beach Resort, tucked away on Cape Panwa. In 2024, my date picked and I met here, plopped down in the beach bar’s plush, oversized chairs, kicked off our flip-flops, and sipped on tropical cocktails while the sky hit play for its sunset magic time. It was the kind of scene that made you forget time existed. At midnight, as we forced ourselves to move out of our cozy nook, I noticed a beautiful Victorian-style seafoam green building. The sign read “Jouet D’Art,” and a quick Google search revealed it was a French-inspired bakery attached to a boutique hotel (with the best views of Cape Panwa).
The next morning, I waltzed back over to Jouet D’Art, lured by the promise of flaky pastries and an extensive coffee menu. The space itself is like a dreamy greenhouse perched by the sea—bright, airy, and filled with the scent of butter and espresso. The cafe is led by a well-regarded Thai pastry chef who combines the art of French patisserie with hints of Japanese and Thai throughout.
Behind the glass case, jewel-like pastries shimmered, including their signature pink croissant, made without food coloring but instead crafted from AOP butter and Valrhona raspberry chocolate, filled with raspberry coulis and pastry cream. It was crispy, creamy, and completely addictive. But it’s the coco seco I kept coming back for: a dessert designed to look like an actual coconut, hiding five layers of coconut mousse, praline, biscuits, sauce, and a premium chocolate shell. Every bite better than the last.
And then, there’s one of my favorite caffeinated bevs: the coconut espresso. A chilled glass of iced coconut water arrives with a sidecar of rich, creamy espresso, and a little dish of coconut shavings. Pour in the espresso, top it with the shavings, and suddenly, you have the most refreshing coffee drink of your dreams. If summer had a signature cold coffee drink, this would be it.
My return in winter 2025 was, of course, for the coffee and pastries, but also to enjoy a mini staycation with my Sardinian lover. Note: the premier seaview studio is perfect for a pretend, lusty honeymoon escape as the oversized king bed was positioned for maximum sea-view appreciation (and espresso in bed in the mornings).
For sunset, we slipped into the outdoor balcony bathtub with bubbly to watch the sky turn gold—and then made our way down to the hotel’s restaurant for a Southern Thai feast. The only thing better than dessert first is following it up with a spicy crab curry that makes your lips tingle—only to be later cooled down with Sa Koo Khao Pod (the delicious Thai dessert of sago pearls in coconut milk with sweet corn).