Pimalai Resort & Spa, the iconic and authentic five-star retreat on the pure shores of Koh Lanta, is setting new culinary standards in southern Thailand after its signature seafront restaurant, Rak Talay, rose to the top of the rankings on TripAdvisor, the world’s leading travel review site.
Nestled on Koh Lanta’s pristine beach, overlooking Kantiang Bay and the Andaman Sea, Rak Talay is an exquisite dining destination where guests can enjoy magical and memorable moments. Couples can create romantic beachfront dinners, while families and groups can gather together for special occasions. A regular beachfront barbecue specialises in the most succulent seafood and guests can unwind with cool cocktails as the sun sets over the ocean.
Expert Thai chefs use fresh, local produce to craft authentic southern Thai dishes. Key to the restaurant’s success is its focus on organic ingredients; Pimalai’s owner, Anurat Tiyaphorn, believes strongly in sustainable farming and even operates his own fruit orchards, herb gardens and vegetable farms. The resort also works closely with small-scale southern Thai producers, including Koh Lanta’s native fishermen.
This combination of personal care and creative flare has helped Rak Talay rise to the top of TripAdvisor. With a perfect five-out-of-five bubble rating, it is now the number one restaurant in Koh Lanta (out of 364) and the third best in the whole of Krabi province. It was also awarded the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence in 2019.
“We are absolutely delighted that Rak Talay has been recognised as Koh Lanta’s best restaurant. Thailand is renowned as a centre of global gastronomy, but until now this has largely been focused around major tourist centres like Bangkok and Phuket. At Pimalai, we are proving that exceptional epicurean experiences can be discovered in emerging areas like Koh Lanta. Rak Talay and Seven Seas, our fine dining restaurant, are raising the bar and allowing international guests and Thai residents to savour world-class cuisine in a truly stunning setting,” said Patrice Landrein, Pimalai’s General Manager.
Rak Talay has received more than 130 reviews on TripAdvisor, over 90 percent of which rated the restaurant as “Excellent”. One happy reviewer said that it was the “Best ever! – Everything top! Best food, best service!”, while another thanked Ray Talay for creating an “amazing private dinner on the beach”. The location was a recurring theme, with one diner describing Rak Talay as a “Lovely restaurant with unparalleled views across Kantiang Bay”.
Several other diners thanked the restaurant’s “wonderful staff” for providing outstanding service, and many mentioned individual team members by name – a reflection of the personal attention Pimalai’s team members provide to each and every guest.
Spread across 40 hectares of lush hillside and beachfront land, Pimalai has become favourite for A-listers and repeat visitors seeking a natural retreat, away from the tourist bustle of Thailand’s better-known islands. For the last two years, the resort has invited Bruno Menard, the three Michelin-starred French chef, to host a “Gastronomic Journey” fine dining event. This exclusive evening forms part of Pimalai’s mission to elevate the quality of dining in Koh Lanta and all across southern Thailand.
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