Thara Penang — Restaurant in George Town

My family and I were so looking forward to our dinner here but came away a bit underwhelmed. So let's get the negatives out of the way. First, make your guests feel welcome. Not just us, but we heard others being told on arrival that they would need to leave after 90 minutes. We were informed about it at the time of reservation, so why keep rubbing it in. How about a warm welcome first before reminding guests. Not a word, just a pointer to your alloted table. Second, if you don't serve some dishes three days in a week then make sure diners know about it beforehand. Atleast put it up on your menus. Or tell us at the time of reservation just as you so clearly announced the 90 minute limit. In our case it was about fried rice not being available on weekends starting Friday. Three, the service team seems undercooked. For instance, we asked what one of the desserts had and were give a wrong answer we found out later from Google. In addition, good service especially when you get a Michelin recognition includes following up with your diners. We asked for less spicy and to the credit of the team, including the chef, did get our food accordingly. But there was no checking-in from the serving crew either regarding that or the meal overall. Now, the positives. The food was indeed tasty and well prepared. The portion sizes were decent too. We ordered the chicken green curry, omelette with acacia leaves and pork with lemon garlic sauce. All made less spicy as we requested and top notch. Our drinks were superb as well. So the takeaways. Given the prices, get your staff to smile more, be more welcoming and warm. Hey, you have just been given a Michelin honour!! Know more about your menu and its contents. Plus be a bit more transparent about your policies. Will we go back? Sure. If they allow us through their...

Ambience: Very nice place for get-together. The place is cozy, and having a very suitable “feel” of decorations.

Customer service: The waiters/waitresses are polite.

Food: I am very impressed with the authenticity flavors of the food. Among many of famous Thai food in Penang (which you know who they are), I think Thara is among the best I ever had. The ingredients are fresh and very reasonable price. When I saw the menu repeatedly printed “we insist to use fresh seafood, and not frozen”, that makes me to put high expectations and yet so curious about their pick on ingredients, especially the seafood. But when they served, I know! These are their pride & selling point too! Of course, when the ingredients are fresh, and the flavoring is nice, it makes the dish superb!! When looking at the menu, you feel their price is expensive. But I only can comment, they served what they charged. Each dish is more than enough to serve like 4 people. If you are ordering more dishes, in fact it is really enough to serve like 8-10 people. Serving portion is substantial. I ordered their “fern omelette”, “otak-otak”, pineapple fried rice, and also a red tomyam (I missed to snap the photo). They are all very very nice and tasty!!!! For sure, I will go again! And if anyone asking recommendation for Thai food, for sure I will recommend this one!

The only thing would like to comment for improvement will be the Thai milk tea and also the ruby dessert. I think they can be done better…

Thara, keep up the...

Cosy environment, but less seat, only about 8 table... Better to do reserve... Currently Mon to Wed got 15% discount....

Papaya salad - among all the dish we order, this is the less recommended ones, actually wanted to order mango salad, but not available... Unless u like raw Papaya taste, if not don't order...

Thai coconut otak - it serve in coconut shell, not only taste nice but look nice as well....inside got octopus, fish, and shrimp...totally different from the usual otak that I eat, because its not solid base, its rich liquid.... The coconut meat is nice also....

Thai crispy pork knuckle - SUPERB! it really crispy, not only the skin but the meat as well... Every bite can hear the crunchy sound... It comes with the special sauce, taste good...even ask for more sauce..

Chicken with cashew nut - This dish normal, but not bad as well, just that the taste is what u can imagine..

Pak liang melindjo leave with egg - staff mention that the leave was import from Thai, it fried with egg and glass noddle, taste slightly salty but not bad.. Red rubby dessert - fresh coconut sauce (椰浆) ，with nangka and water chestnut wrap by jelly... This dessert also not bad, can try..

Passion fruit with lemon - refreshing, sour level 2/5...

Beside the above dishes that I order, their Tom yam and pandan chicken quite alot of ppl order..... U can try also...

Menu price shown nett price... Full menu can view on...