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Iconic Local
Heritage Restaurant

Great Thai Food in an Old Phuket Mansion ✓

Raya Restaurant (also known as Raya House) is a unique restaurant in Phuket Town, combining all the right ingredients to make it a perfect local experience. They serve great food in a superb setting in an old Thai house that is kept just the way it has always been, with no excessive renovation but well maintained. Raya is unpretentious and straightforward; it feels like being invited to a Thai home for lunch or dinner.

Raya House in Phuket Town

Raya Restaurant on Dibuk Road belongs to two sisters and can accommodate many guests on two floors. They only use the second level when downstairs is full or for special occasions, as a large balcony makes it convenient for small parties. You notice the decorated flooring tiles, which are typical of the Sino-Portuguese houses, and these have probably welcomed several generations of feet. The green wooden windows with safety bars and Portuguese stained glass create the right atmosphere for the dining rooms.

raya restaurant phuket town

For more than ten years, we regularly visited the Raya restaurant, and the place hasn’t changed much. At first, the restaurant was relatively quiet as those old houses were somehow under-appreciated and not yet considered ‘heritage’. The food was excellent, affordable and an authentic Phuket experience. Year after year, word of mouth spread the name. It didn’t happen overnight, and they didn’t do any visible advertising, but people talked. Slowly, the place became well-known across the country, the way a good restaurant becomes famous for what it does best.

raya house phuket

If you go for lunch, you will still get a table, of course, and in the evening, you might have to move upstairs unless a member of the royal family has booked the entire place. It is not unusual to see Bangkok celebs coming down here for dinners with their friends. You might not be able to recognise any, but you will know when one arrives! First, you’ll hear a lot of whispering and giggling; then, the photo sessions will start.

raya house phuket town

Usually, celebs play the game happily, so get in the queue and get one yourself. You might not know who that person is, but you’ll have a good story to tell once back home!

What to Eat at Raya Restaurant?

Here are some of the recommended dishes at Raya restaurant, but the menu is long and easy to browse.

Mee Hoon Gaeng Poo

Mee Hoon Gaeng Poo

Mee Hoon Gaeng Poo is a Southern Thai speciality featuring a creamy, aromatic crab curry made with coconut milk, turmeric, and fragrant herbs. It is served with Mee Hoon (thin rice noodles), offering a perfect balance of rich flavours and delicate textures. This is Raya House’s famous speciality.


Pak Miang

Pak Miang

Pak Miang and Pak Liang are some excellent fried pan leaves cooked with dry shrimp or pork.


Moo Tod Krob (crispy deep-fried pork belly)

Moo Tod Krob (crispy deep-fried pork belly)

Moo Tod Krob, crispy deep-fried pork belly, a popular Thai dish. The pork belly is marinated and fried until golden and crunchy on the outside while remaining tender on the inside. It’s often garnished with fried kaffir lime leaves and served with fresh vegetables and a spicy dipping sauce.


Gaeng Som Fak Thong

Gaeng Som Fak Thong

Gaeng Som Fak Thong is a Southern Thai sour curry made with marrow gourd. The dish features a tangy, spicy broth flavoured with turmeric, tamarind, and chilli paste, creating a bold and aromatic taste.


Pla Tod Kratiem (deep-fried fish)

Pla Tod Kratiem (deep-fried fish)

Pla Tod Kratiem is a Thai-style deep-fried fish topped with garlic. The fish is fried until crispy and generously coated with fragrant fried garlic, giving it a rich, savoury flavour.


Tom Yum Pla Muk (Thai Spicy Squid Soup)

Tom Yum Pla Muk (Thai Spicy Squid Soup)

Tom Yum Pla Muk (Thai Spicy Squid Soup), a variation of the classic Tom Yum soup. It features tender squid pieces, mushrooms, and fresh herbs such as lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and galangal. The broth is typically spicy, tangy, and aromatic, enhanced with lime juice and chillies.


The restaurant is on Dibuk Road, just next to the bridge over the canal, a little hidden behind a newer restaurant. There is a small dedicated parking at the back of the restaurant.

Photos of Raya Restaurant

raya restaurant phuket raya phuket

Raya Restaurant Info

Location: Phuket Town
Address: 48/1 Dibuk Road, Tambon Talat Yai, Phuket Town, Phuket 83000
Open: 10 am – 10 pm
Phone: 076 218 155
Cuisine: Southern Thai
Price: a little expensive
Contact: https://www.facebook.com/therayarestaurant/

Raya Restaurant Map

Get the directions on your phone: https://goo.gl/maps/fK2BzXEbMHKWo5qY6

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Phuket 101 Blog shares 30 years of Phuket exploration and thousands of photos, tips and secrets. This travel guide is written from our real experiences: we tried and visited every place, and we paid for almost everything, which allows us to keep our honest opinions. Phuket 101 was born in January 2011.View Author posts