Phet Phet — Restaurant in Al Maathar Municipality

You walk into Phet Phet expecting a little chaos. The kind of heat and heart that Thai food, when done right, doesn’t just deliver. It demands. Instead, you’re greeted with a space that’s polished, measured. A little too tidy, maybe. The lighting’s good. The plating’s pretty, and the art is contemporary pop. The prices don’t make you angry. It’s a solid balancing act, and in Riyadh’s limited Thai scene, that already sets it apart.

But let’s talk about the food.

The Khao Soi came with hopes high. This dish, when done right, is a symphony of textures and aromatics. Creamy coconut, crunch, a slap of curry, and northern Thai funk. Here, though? It leaned heavy on ginger, and the broth tasted unsure of itself, like it couldn’t decide if it wanted to be bold or behave. It missed that fermented bite, that street-side soul.

Panang curry followed, and it didn’t offend, but it didn’t charm either. A forgettable middle child.

Sticky rice? Dry. Almost defensive. Like it had somewhere else to be.

Then came the redemption: Tom Yum soup. This one got it. Bright, bracing, and unapologetic. Lemongrass, lime leaf, chili, that right depth of fish sauce, everything in its place. For a moment, you’re back on a plastic stool in Bangkok, sweating into your shirt and smiling like an idiot.

The staff? Friendly, attentive, genuinely helpful. But not a Thai face among them. Strange for a restaurant that leans so heavily on a national identity, but not uncommon in our country. Still, it makes you wonder who’s telling the story back in the kitchen, and whether they’ve ever lived it.

Verdict? It’s not unforgettable. But it’s trying. And in a city still figuring out what good Thai even means, Phet Phet might just be the best of the bunch. That...

Phet Phet has quickly become a hotspot in Riyadh, and it’s clear why — a buzzing vibe, casual-eatery atmosphere, and a menu that promises authentic Thai flavours at reasonable prices. However, our first visit left us with mixed feelings.

To begin with, the reservation and table turnover system needs urgent improvement. Upon arrival, we were informed of a long queue: 54 ahead for tables, and 4 for the bar. We opted for the bar and registered my friend’s number, as we were told we’d receive a call once our turn came. While waiting at the café next door, we returned to check on the status, only to be told by Mohammed that we had been called 4 times — which was not true, as there was no incoming call recorded.

This led to a brief but avoidable commotion, especially since there were empty tables at the time. It was only after speaking with the Manager, June, that we were promptly and politely seated — kudos to June for the professional intervention.

Service was efficient, the food arrived quickly, and the prices were fair for the portion sizes. That said, as someone quite familiar with Thai cuisine, a few dishes like the Pad Thai and Som Tam lacked the expected kick of spice and bold flavours we were hoping for.

The overall 3-star rating reflects the frustration with the seating process, which set the tone for the visit. With better queue management and consistency in flavour profiles, I’m hopeful future visits will be more enjoyable — and I’m still curious to try more of what’s...

Phet Phet truly lives up to the hype! The food is top-notch, made with noticeably high-quality ingredients that shine through in every bite. The Tom Yum soup was bursting with flavor, the Paw Paw shrimp was incredibly delicious, and the Pad Kai noodles with vegetables were perfectly balanced and satisfying. The real standout, though, was the Garlic Pepper Beef — tender, fresh, and full of rich, bold flavor.

The Chili Wonton was decent, but felt a bit overpriced compared to the other dishes. That said, the pricing overall is fair and worth it for the quality you get.

We also tried the Sticky Rice Mango dessert — the flavors were good, but the dish would’ve been better served cold. The rice was hot, which took away a bit from the expected contrast.

Service was excellent — the staff were friendly and attentive throughout. However, a few things could be improved: you need to arrive 30 minutes early to book a table, as there’s no online reservation system, which can be inconvenient. Also, the table on the right side as you enter the restaurant lacked proper air conditioning, which made the experience slightly uncomfortable.

Still, these are minor issues compared to the overall experience. Phet Phet is, in my opinion, the best Thai restaurant in Riyadh right now. I just hope they introduce advance bookings soon to make dining there even...