Dara Cuisine Phuket — Restaurant in Choeng Thale

Dara, an elevated Thai restaurant located within the Anantara Layan Phuket Resort, offers an exceptional dining experience with impeccable service and flavorful dishes.

Reservations and Arrival While the hotel wasn’t at full capacity during our visit, we recommend booking a table in advance during high season. Upon arrival, the staff explains that “Dara” means “star” in Thai and introduces the star signs displayed in the restaurant. On clear nights, guests can head upstairs to view the night sky using a high-powered telescope available for reservation—a thoughtful and unique touch.

Dining Experience We dined at Dara twice: the first evening for a light dinner and a second visit to experience their tasting menu. Each meal was a delight. The dishes were skillfully prepared, and while the spiciness was adjusted for the predominantly Western clientele, we appreciated being able to request Thai spice levels (though it was still slightly mild for our preferences).

We also asked the staff to slow the pacing of the courses, as we enjoy long, leisurely dinners. The staff was very accommodating and adjusted accordingly.

Food and Wine The food was outstanding, with beautifully balanced flavors and thoughtful presentation. The wine selection was extensive, adding to the upscale experience. While the prosecco was served slightly warmer than we prefer, the staff quickly provided ice upon request.

One detail we appreciated was that the red wine glasses were not pre-chilled, unlike at other resort restaurants.

A Small Suggestion: While everything was nearly perfect, warming the plates before serving would enhance the dining experience further. Some dishes, like the duck curry, arrived warm rather than hot. It’s possible that plating and transfer times contributed to the slight loss of heat.

Atmosphere and Service The restaurant’s ambiance is both romantic and cozy, making it an ideal setting for special occasions or intimate evenings. The staff was exceptional, striking the perfect balance between attentive and unobtrusive.

Special thanks to Kookkai and Boom, who went above and beyond to make our anniversary dinner unforgettable. Their warmth, professionalism, and attention to detail truly elevated the experience.

Final Thoughts Dara is more than just a restaurant—it’s a culinary journey that combines traditional Thai flavors with a refined, modern twist. From the incredible food to the attentive service and starlit atmosphere, it’s a standout destination within the Anantara Layan Phuket Resort.

We highly recommend Dara to anyone seeking a memorable dining experience. Thank you to the entire team for making our...

Fantastic contemporary Thai food. What a pleasure it was to dine here. Ate here 3 nights in a row while staying at Anantara Layan Phuket. Was the best decision ever.

Chef Hongz is a genius the way she combines all the flavors in her dishes.

The curries were delicious. Tried the crab curry, massaman and duck red curry. All were brilliant with entirely different flavors in their own aspects.

The khao soi was also amazing. Elevated and intricate in the level of taste and flavors.

The moohong phuket was also very tasty with the pork meat infused with the five spice flavors.

Their cocktails were also fantastic. The bartender is very talented in mixing the cocktails. So many complex layers and flavors.

On the last night , Head chef Hongz even gave us a complimentary dessert (coconut balls in coconut milk) which was exquisitely presented and incredibly delicious!!

The wait staff, Noi, Boom and their team were incredibly friendly and attentive and made all the 3 dinners we had a spectacular experience.

Thank you Dara cuisine team for such an incredible experience. I wished I had a bigger stomach so I could have eaten more.

Do yourself a favor and come and eat here to have your tastebuds and mind blown.

Worth every...

Title: Still the GOAT for Fine Dining in Phuket! Dara Does It Again! 🤌 Review: Okay, so this was my SECOND time diving into Dara Restaurant's tasting menu, and let me tell you, it somehow got even better?! 🤯 I've already dragged (willingly, lol) a bunch of my friends here because it's just that good, and I'm basically a walking, talking billboard for this place now. Seriously, if you're in Phuket and looking for a fine dining experience that's actually memorable and not just stuffy, Dara is IT. The tasting menu is a journey, every dish is a surprise and a delight. You can tell they put a lot of love and creativity into it. It's my go-to, my always-recommend, my "take all my money" choice for a legit, high-quality tasting menu on the island. The vibe is right, the food is art, and the fact I keep coming back (and bringing more people) should tell you everything. Don't sleep on this gem! You won't regret it. 💯 Hope these hit the mark and get everyone hyped for Dara Restaurant! Let me know if you want...