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| Source: Anantara Layan Phuket Resort. A couple admire the most powerful telescope on Phuket island. |
From a grill-focused menu to guided astronomy sessions and hands-on Thai cooking classes, DARA Cuisine Phuket and Sky Observatory is poised to become the island's new go-to venue for modern Thai dining and stargazing.
DARA, meaning 'star' in Thai, celebrates the country's culinary heritage and Andaman seafarers who used stars for navigation. The new Sky Observatory is equipped with a custom-built dome and Phuket's most powerful state-of-the-art telescope, offering an intimate rooftop experience where Sky Storytellers guide guests through the wonders of the night sky.
During the day, an all-star team of Anantara chefs deliver masterclasses in Thai cooking in the show kitchen. In the evenings, diners have the opportunity to try local specialties from all corners of Thailand alongside Royal Thai cuisine.
The Southern region is represented by moohong Phuket, a slow-cooked meat dish seasoned with soy, star anise and cinnamon. From the North, khao soi curry noodle soup offers translucent river prawns served with homemade egg noodles and pickles, as well as the restaurant's signature tam ka noon mun wan – pounded young jackfruit served as a salad with sweet potato chips for added crunch. Central Thailand's complex flavours shine in miang kham khai hoy mhen, a popular snack of the Siamese court involving wild betel leaves, as well as green curry with Phuket lobster.
In the Northeastern dishes, such as the kob thod nam pla with crispy frog legs and the nam tok nuea ko kun featuring Korat wagyu beef, regional ingredients get a creative twist from Head Chef Supakarn "Hong" Lienpanich's family recipes and passion for fermentation. For those with sweet tooths, the goat cheese and honey ice cream paired with Krabi cashew praline will delight.
With an on-site fermentation kitchen, barrel-aged fish sauce cellar, and a verdant herb garden, DARA is a living ecosystem that nurtures every ingredient to its fullest potential. “DARA's culinary philosophy is simple: honour the natural taste of quality local produce and let the ingredients shine,” said Chef Hong.
“In addition to growing our own herbs, we've partnered with ecoconscious local farms and fisheries, which allows us to adapt to the rhythm of the seasons – from serving crisp harvest in the dry months to showcasing Thailand's natural abundance when the monsoon comes.”
Details
DARA Cuisine Phuket is in Anantara Layan Phuket Resort. It is open daily for cooking classes from noon till 3 pm, for dinner from 6 pm to 10 pm.
The Sky Observatory offers drinks and stargazing from 6 pm till midnight.
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