Raya Restaurant — Restaurant in Ratsada

We have eaten here twice now. Each time the food has been very good with some real standout dishes.

Crab Curry with rice noodles. This is one of their signature dishes and it is very tasty. The crab pieces are big and chunky and it is a large portion that is probably too much if sharing for two (if you want to eat other dishes). The crab is delicately retaining a soft springy texture and the curry is surprisingly light.

Stir fried vegetable with crispy dry shrimp with egg: This dish is one of the standouts. A light savoury dish with delicious vegetables mixed with eggs, topped with an umami punch from the dried shrimp. A truly fantastic dish.

Shrimp Cake: It was crunchy and savoury but perhaps could have been a bit stronger in flavour. It was served with some sweet chilli sauce.

Pork Crackling Omelette: Warning! Not for the faint hearted (literally). This is a heart attack on a plate, but oh so good. Imagine a deep fried savoury egg omelette, beautifully crunchy on the edges in that special way that only egg can be. Now top that egg with some crispy pork belly. This pork belly has been baked AND further deep fried resulting in some extra crunchy pork goodness! Now finally, if all of that was not enough, they added extra pork crackling (skin) throughout. This dish so good but oh so bad for you!!! Super highly recommended but you will feel your arteries hardening up and you will also feel guilty for treating your body so poorly (but your taste buds so well)!

Steamed Tiger Prawn with Lemon: The prawns were large, fresh and delicious. A fantastic contrast to the deep fried extravaganza mentioned above. It was seriously spicy so be warned (or ask for a mild version).

As I said earlier, the food was very good with some standout dishes. Service was friendly and attentive. Interior decor and atmosphere was so so. There is no air conditioning (although they have fans).

I would (and did) return just for that vegetable dish...

Another Mark Wiens recommended joint, Raya Restaurant is located in Phuket town and serves up some delicate & scrumptious Thai Sino dishes. Set in a renovated Sino-Thai mansion with a hint of Portuguese (or so I was told) this place feels more like home than a well-known restaurant. I had planned this visit well in advance and knew exactly what I was going for. Pork being my favourite meat, Moo Hong (Pork Stew cooked in Garlic & Pepper) was the obvious choice. Mark’s videos had driven me insane and it was time to put it to the taste test. I also ordered the Crab Fried rice to go with the Moo Hong and a cold bottle of Chang beer (Singha is second best). What happened next was pure ecstasy. Watching the piece of pork belly wobble as I picked it up with the spoon, it was delightfully tender and cut through with a spoon like a knife through butter. The crab fried rice added to the already wonderful experience, making this pork dish one of the best, well-seasoned delight I have had in a long time. The beer helped with the little heat from the dish and the humid weather outside. I rate this place a 9/10, the lack of an air conditioner being the only reason for a point lost.I unreservedly recommended this wonderful eatery in the heart of Phuket. It is a lil on the pricey side compared to other restaurants in Phuket, but it is worth every penny. They have also been featured on the 'Michelin 2020' Guide so even more reasons to visit this unique restaurant...

If you’re after a classic Thai dining experience in Phuket with a touch of history and charm, Raya Restaurant is a great choice. It’s Michelin-listed, and while it’s best known for its local Phuket specialties, the restaurant also does the classic Thai staples really well — perfect if you’ve already sampled the regional dishes elsewhere.

The setting itself is part of the appeal: Raya is housed in a beautifully preserved Sino-Portuguese heritage building, with elegant arches, colourful louvered windows, and vintage tiled floors. We dined on the second floor, which was incredibly spacious — ideal for large groups or even small celebrations, while still feeling relaxed and welcoming.

Since we had already tried a number of Phuket-style dishes the day before, we opted for more familiar fare this time. The basil pork was rich and fragrant with the perfect hit of spice, the stir-fried cabbage was simple but full of wok hei, and the salt and pepper prawns were a highlight — crispy, juicy, and packed with flavour. We finished with a classic mango sticky rice, which was nicely balanced and not overly sweet.

Service was efficient, and while the atmosphere is casual, the heritage setting and careful cooking make it feel special. With its Michelin nod and authentic charm, Raya is a solid pick whether you’re a first-time visitor or returning for a reliable, delicious Thai meal. Definitely one to bookmark if you’re planning a group dinner in...