naat restaurant (ร้านอาหารป้านารถ) — Restaurant in Rawai

TL:DR If you are looking for exceptional and affordable Thai food with a stunning view and relaxed quaint environment, worry not, you’ve found you’re spot, it’s Mama Naat.

Mama Naat got me through a lot.

Naat is situated along the southeastern coast of Phuket at the very end of Rawai Beach and looks out onto the Andaman Sea. Getting to Naat requires a stroll past a number of other restaurants situated along the strip, all with their own hungry-eyed owners and calls to action. But, I am a loyal patron, and I knew there was only one place I was going to sit. While there is indoor seating, the place to sit is on the covered patio that is literally on on the water edge. As we approached who i can only assume is Mama Naat, she made eye contact and waved. “Long time no see!” A greeting we worked very hard to achieve over the course of our many visits. We were home. Now typically we order our usual. I get the deep fried catfish fried rice with its extremely powerful salty-umami, which I then top generously with chilis from the spice caddy. My partner typically swings between chicken or prawn pad thai with a side of fried spring rolls, which she says tastes “more like pad thai than any other pad thai. Not too dry, and not too saucy. I love the soft tofu pieces.” As always sharing a som tum (thai green papaya salad) for that signature thai blend of umami, sweet, spicy, and fresh crunch, is a must. This setup usually runs us around 250 THB not including tip, and fills our bellies nicely.

However, this isn’t the dinner order that prompted such a lengthy review. Last night we changed things up a bit, and those things changed us a bit.

The “Deep Fried Snapper with Fruit and Herb Salad” is quite possibly the single most delicious seafood dish I have ever had. As someone who has been a lover seafood their entire life, I do not say that lightheartedly. The expertly butchered fish was presented as beautiful chunks of deep-fried crispy-crunchy filet piled high with everything my heart didn’t even know it desired. There were flavors and textures out the wazoo as I scooped bites of dragonfruit, cashew, pomelo, green papaya, carrot, birds-eye chili, carrot— I mean what more could you want from a dish!

The pineapple fried rice which seemed to be fried with yellow curry spices, and boasted chunks of satay style chicken breast and a tasteful helping of sweet pineapple. The pineapple shaped bowl it was served in seemed to poke fun at the endless number of other restaurants serving this popular dish in a hollowed out pineapple carcass and made us chuckle in delight.

The garlic fried rice, which was something out of a garlic lovers fantasy. The dish was immensely garlicky in the best possible way and the mouthwateringly satisfying texture of the ever so chewy rice paired fantastically with the crunchy bits of fried garlic that adorned the top on the mound.

In summary, this restaurant embodies everything I imagined food in Thailand would be and the absolute comfort, satisfaction, and elation I fell every time I dine at Naat is the reason I have continually returned and why you will to. Highly...

Brilliant Som-Tam, beautiful view, cold beer. What else would you want? If you need luxury go elsewhere, but if you want Thailand this is the place to go. The fried morning glory plate is super delicious and huge portion. The watermelon shake was amazing too. Love the friendly people. Service could be a bit more attentive, but that's ok. The curries were ok, but not great, thus one star down...

The best butter fish I have ever had in my life! This restaurant is a gem and they also have a great children’s menu that is hard to find in the Phuket/Rawai Beach area. We are only here for three days and will 100% be back.

We also recommend the papaya salad, spice but super refreshing.

We had no wait and arrived around 19:45. Highly recommend this restaurant, we were...