


Royd
Royd is the most talked-about restaurant in Phuket right now. Chef Suwijak "Mond" Kunghae, who was born on the island and won Iron Chef Thailand, won the MICHELIN Guide Thailand Young Chef Award 2026, and Tatler Best Thailand named Royd its Rising Star for 2026. The restaurant is also in the Michelin Guide.
Royd seats about 20 people, including a counter, in a shophouse on Dibuk Road in the old town. The tasting menu is contemporary Southern Thai built on Phuket produce, with torch ginger running through it, a Krabi-style fish curry, and frog's legs with fermented rice noodles.
Eight courses cost ฿3,950++ and five courses ฿3,290++ (about USD 118 and USD 98 before tax and service). Dinner is served Thursday to Monday, with seatings at 5pm and 8:15pm, and lunch on Saturday and Sunday. Book a few weeks ahead in high season.
Guest Reviews
Dining at ROYD is an exceptional experience. This is Southern Thai dining at its finest, so be prepared for bold flavors and textures as well as all of the spice the cuisine is known for. The food is phenomenal - it's so creative and so well presented. Everything I ate from the new seasonal menu blew both my mind and taste buds. There is a story behind each dish which makes the experience even more endearing. There isn't another restaurant like ROYD on the island, and it truly deserves all of its accolades and awards. Top-notch service and just brilliant food. I highly recommend enjoying a meal here.
Food was absolutely amazing, and the service was superb from start to finish. I happened to visit Royd during what I was told is Phuket’s lowest season, so it was incredibly quiet - in fact, I was the one and only diner that evening. Rather than taking away from the experience, it made the meal feel almost like a private dining experience. Tom was incredibly knowledgeable and introduced every dish with such clarity and enthusiasm. Each course came with its own story, giving context to what was on the plate and making the entire experience much more memorable. Every single course was beautifully executed, with wine pairings that complemented the food perfectly. What impressed me most was how thoughtfully everything on each plate came together. Every element had a purpose; nothing felt unnecessary or out of place. The flavours, textures and pairings worked so harmoniously, creating some truly spectacular tingles on the tastebuds. Eight courses later, I left very happy and slightly tipsy - which I’d say is a pretty great way to end the evening! Beyond the food, every member of the team was exceptionally warm, friendly and welcoming. It was an outstanding experience all around, and I’ll definitely be back. Hopefully, by the time I return, Royd will have earned the Michelin star that I genuinely believe they deserve.
My favorite place in Phuket, where one of the most special memories of my life was made. The creativity, flavors, and presentation of every dish were outstanding. I heard the chef is one of the most important young chefs in Phuket, and after dining here, I completely understand why. Every dish brought pure happiness. What truly made this experience unforgettable was the people. Linn, your warmth, bright energy, and genuine kindness made our special day incredibly meaningful. You have such a beautiful presence that stays in our hearts — thank you for making us feel so cared for and welcomed. Tob, I can’t thank you enough for arranging everything so perfectly. What must have been a difficult mission was executed so seamlessly, and the stunning bouquet you prepared made the entire moment even more magical and unforgettable. And to Royd and the entire team, I wish you continued success. We will definitely come back. For anyone planning a birthday, proposal, or special occasion, I highly recommend Royd.
Bold, Brave and Beautiful This is one of the most exciting meals I've had in Phuket, and quite possibly the most quietly confident. The "Two Seas Through South" menu doesn't chase you. It asks you to meet it where it lives, in the deep, layered world of South East Asian cooking. What moved me most was how clearly it speaks to the Chinese heritage woven through this part of Thailand: the tofu skin, the smoked pig head, the salted and fermented notes that anyone with roots in this region will recognise in their bones. To me it tasted like memory, generations of migration, two seas, two cultures, meeting on a plate. If those flavours are foreign to you, this menu may feel brave to the point of challenging. But if they're part of who you are, it's something else entirely: familiar, tender, and elevated to a level I rarely encounter. Bold and unapologetically local, yet refined with real intent. Make no mistake: this is a rising star already cooking at one star level. Michelin recognition feels not just possible but inevitable, and the fact that food this thoughtful is coming out of Phuket says everything about how far the island's dining scene has come. The duck stayed with me, prepared two ways, each showing serious technique, complex and layered yet still honest to its origins. The salads and desserts were just as remarkable, world class in the way they balanced texture against flavour, never showing off, always in service of the dish. And the service deserves its own mention. The wine list was mid transition, so both bottles I first chose were gone, but what could have been a stumble became a highlight. The team offered an off menu Hungarian bottle that paired so beautifully with the food it felt almost intentional. That kind of grace under pressure is the mark of a truly special place. Beautiful, considered decor rounds it all off. Go now, before the stars arrive and the secret's out.
Southern Thai cuisine at its best. They source fresh local ingredients to cook a memorable meal worthy of a Michelin star. I loved the fresh firm fish, local lamb and crispy fried frog leg. The menu changes often so check the website please for the latest dishes. Definitely would go again and do make an advance reservation (deposit required). Aroi mark!
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