Raya

1. Taste: 5/5 2. Presentation: 5/5 3. Portion size: 4/5 4 Temperature: 4/5 5. Service: 4/5 6. Value for money: 5/5 7. Overall: 5/5 Raya Restaurant (ร้านระย้า) in Phuket Old Town was founded in 1994 by former bank employee Kularb Jesadawal (“Pa Kularb”), who opened it after friends encouraged her to share her family’s Phuket home cooking. It operates from an early-20th-century Sino-Portuguese mansion on Dibuk Road and is known for preserving Phuket Baba–Peranakan and southern Thai food traditions, especially its signature crab curry with wild betel leaves (kang pu bai cha plu) and soy-braised pork belly (moo hong). Raya’s blend of historic setting and family recipes made it an internationally recognised Phuket food landmark, including a Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition from 2019 through 2024. Food 1word, amazing. Damaged 1500b n v received complimentary fruits. Staff super friendly n extremely helpful. Nice old vibe, a MUST visit plc

Our first day in Phuket turned into an unforgettable food experience thanks to the recommendation from the hotel reception. Just an 8-minute walk from Ibis Styles Phuket City, we found Raya Restaurant, and it was the perfect introduction to authentic Phuket cuisine. Every dish was incredibly fresh and bursting with flavor. The Tom Yum soup was hands down one of the best I’ve ever tasted—rich, authentic, and perfectly balanced. The papaya salad and stir-fried morning glory were equally impressive; you could really taste the freshness of the vegetables, and every bite was packed with flavor. The star of our lunch was undoubtedly the Deep Fried Fish with Tamarind Sauce. The combination of sweet, savory, and slightly tangy flavors was simply outstanding. It was so delicious that I still can’t get over it—Aroy mak! 😋 To complete the meal, we enjoyed fresh coconut juice, which was the perfect refreshing drink for the Phuket heat. As a lovely surprise, the staff treated us to complimentary slices of Thai mango. They were incredibly sweet, juicy, and the perfect ending to an amazing meal. A big thank you to the wonderful staff at Raya for their warm hospitality and excellent service. If you’re visiting Phuket and looking for authentic local food, Raya Restaurant is an absolute must-visit.

Raya Restaurant is a must-visit for anyone looking to experience authentic Southern Thai cuisine in Phuket. Every dish is prepared with high-quality ingredients, bringing out the rich, bold, and well-balanced flavors that Southern Thai food is famous for. The menu features a great selection of traditional recipes, and each dish feels true to its heritage while maintaining exceptional quality. The warm atmosphere and attentive service make the dining experience even more enjoyable. It’s easy to see why Raya has become one of Phuket’s iconic restaurants. Whether it’s your first visit or your tenth, it’s absolutely worth coming to experience the authentic taste of Southern Thailand.

Great upscale dining experience for local cuisine. The owner is extremely friendly and visit every table if possible. Price are on the higher side compared to some of the other thai restaurant but a one time done deal, it is justified. Their signature dish of spicy coconut crab curry with thin rice noodles was awesome and mango sticky rice was also presented beautifully.

One of the best meals I’ve had in Thailand. The quality of the food was exceptional, and every dish felt authentic and full of flavor. For starters, we had the veg spring rolls, which were perfectly crispy and flavorful. For the main course, we tried the famous crab curry along with an authentic local pork curry, both paired beautifully with steamed jasmine rice. We also ordered the pineapple fried rice — not my personal favorite, but still decent and worth trying for the experience. And of course, if you’re in Thailand, you simply cannot skip mango sticky rice — the perfect sweet ending to an amazing meal. They even served us complimentary mangoes, which was such a thoughtful touch. The staff was warm, attentive, and very helpful throughout our visit, making the entire dining experience even better. If you’re in Phuket Old Town, this place is an absolute must-try — Raya Restaurant.