Raya Restaurant

This restaurant is one of the best dining spots in Old Phuket Town. The space has the charm of a lived-in heritage café: high ceilings with exposed beams, pale cream walls, and a graceful central staircase that gives it a colonial, bungalow-like character. Green-framed windows and black-and-white photographs add a nostalgic, timeworn warmth, while the colourful hanging lamps; blue, green, and white; soften the room with a cosy, homey glow. It does get noticeably warm, though, as there’s no air-conditioning; only rotating fans pushing the tropical heat around the dining room. The food, however, more than makes up for it. Everything tastes deeply authentic, bold, and carefully balanced. The crab Thai curry is the standout: rich and fragrant, brimming with sweetness from the crab,spicy, savoury, and rounded, without being cloying or heavy. Each dish arrives with that unmistakable “real Thai” Hospitality here is just as impressive. The staff are warm, attentive, and caring; never hovering, and always making sure you’re comfortable despite the heat. All in, it’s a must-visit if you’re exploring Old Phuket Town: exceptional food, a beautiful old-world setting, and service that makes the whole experience feel effortless; absolutely worth the trip.

From the moment we entered Raya Restaurant, the ambiance immediately felt like stepping into someone’s loving Thai-grandmother’s home; warm, nostalgic and deeply comforting. The service was incredibly attentive: the staff anticipated our needs, were friendly without being intrusive, and made us feel genuinely welcomed. What we had: • The signature dish of Goong Ma-kham (Fried Shrimp with Tamarind Sauce) was outstanding. The shrimp were generous in size, fresh, and the tamarind glaze hit the perfect balance of sweet-tangy and garlicky.  • The spring rolls arrived crisp and full of flavour, an ideal starter that set the tone for a great meal. • And then the world-famous Crab Meat with Curry & Coconut Milk (Kang-Puu) truly deserves every bit of the hype. Rich, comforting coconut curry, great chunks of crab meat, and it absolutely blew us away , honestly a 20/10 experience on my personal scale. Atmosphere & vibe: The building itself is charmingly old-world: a beautifully preserved Sino-Portuguese-style house in the heart of Phuket Old Town.  Sitting there, you feel less like you’re in a tourist spot and more like you’ve been invited into a family home to a special meal. It’s cosy, characterful and very much part of the experience. Final thoughts: If you’re in Phuket and want a meal that goes beyond simply “eating out”, Raya Restaurant delivers; for the flavours, for the service, and for the warm, home-y ambiance. Without hesitation, I’d come back again. Highly recommended.

This restaurant is truly one of the best dining spots near Old Phuket Town, and it quickly became one of my favourite places during the trip. The food is exceptional, offering some of the most authentic and flavourful Thai dishes I’ve ever tasted. Their crab-based dishes are absolutely outstanding — especially the crab omelette and the crab Thai curry, both of which are rich, fresh, and perfectly seasoned. Every dish reflects genuine Thai flavours with great attention to detail. The hospitality here is equally impressive. The staff were warm, attentive, and made sure we felt comfortable throughout our meal. A special mention goes to the lady manager, who took exceptional care of us. Her friendly approach, helpful suggestions, and constant attention made the entire experience feel even more welcoming. Overall, this restaurant is a must-visit for anyone exploring Old Phuket Town. Delicious food, great atmosphere, and top-notch service — definitely worth it.