Baan Rim Pa, Phuket – Royal Thai Cuisine

Baan Rim Pa, Phuket – Royal Thai Cuisine

Words: Monica Tindall
Photos: Han Sen Hau

Located high above the crashing waves, Baan Rim Pa in Phuket impresses with its stylish ambience and beautiful setting. The teak structure offers a stunning view, surrounded by lush tropical foliage. One side is a panorama of Patong Beach, while the other is a blissful escape looking out to the horizon. It’s a global name loved by international travellers, expats, and locals alike. With its stunning view of the Andaman Sea and expertly crafted Royal Thai cuisine, it’s easy to see why it’s multi-award-winning. Any time of day here is inspiring, but book a table timed for sunset for breathtaking views guaranteed to blow you away.

The Thai décor extensively uses teak wood and regional silk and produces an ethereal ambience against a background of blue waters or night lights. In addition to its grand piano and nightly pianist, it has a magnificent cocktail bar, a prize-winning wine cellar, and delectable, award-winning Thai food. When visiting Phuket, Baan Rim Pa should not be missed.

Royal Thai Cuisine at Baan Rim Pa

Thai royal cuisine is a sophisticated culinary tradition rooted in Thailand’s royal palaces. It combines fresh ingredients, including herbs, spices, fruits, and shellfish, with sweet, sour, spicy, and salty flavours. These opulent recipes exhibit painstaking preparation, artistic presentation, and elaborate garnishes. It delivers a delicate mix of flavour and aesthetics while honouring Thailand’s culinary tradition and royal court culture.

Thai street food is distinct from royal Thai cuisine (although the restaurant does offer some of both). Don’t let anyone convince you that the food at Baan Rim Pa isn’t authentic because it isn’t street food. As with most culinary cultures, there are numerous regional, historical and contextual variations. So come to Baan Rim Pa for an imperial experience in terms of recipes, service, wine list, views and service.  

“New” Location, Same Views

Baan Rim Pa has been a culinary institution on the island for over 30 years. The original location sat on cliffs at the end of Patong Beach and was a must in every visitor’s itinerary. Eight years ago, the restaurant moved to a new location just around the cove. Good fortune has it that the team found an incredibly similar view, recreated an almost identical look in teak carving and lush gardens, and even had the craftsman who made the original polished wood bar recreate another beauty in the current building.

Although Joe’s Downstairs and Da Maurizio are no longer part of the group, the current address features an incredible space for events downstairs. With sweeping ocean views and its own bar, the covered but open-walled floor would make a magical setting for special occasions and group functions.

Wine List

Earning a Wine Spectator Award yearly since 2002, Baan Rim Pa has a well-reputed wine list, especially considering its island location. This award is not given lightly and is expected in exceptional restaurants in capital cities. So, for a laid-back tourist island to earn it year after year demonstrates the team’s commitment to providing outstanding hospitality.

Although it’s early, we have our arm twisted to have a glass of wine; well, why not a bottle? The unique legacy of its vines—some of the oldest in the area—is reflected in the Wairau River Estate Marlborough Pinot Gris 2021 (THB 2 150). These mature vines give the wine a distinctive character, texture, and weight on the palate. It offers layers of floral aromas, with a mouth-filling presence and interplay of juicy pear, crisp apple, and spice flavours. It’s delicious, easy drinking and an excellent match for today’s royal Thai cuisine.

Royal Thai Cuisine at Baan Rim Pa

Our lunch begins with Yaam Polamai (THB 275), beautifully presented in carved orange skins. The herbed salad of assorted fresh fruits with shredded chicken and prawns is bright, fresh, cleansing, and great on a warm afternoon. Red and green apples, pomelo, grapes, deep-fried shreds of coconut, slivered peanuts, and a zesty dressing perfectly balance sweet, sour, and savoury flavours. It’s a refreshing and healthy option leaving us feeling satisfied and energised.

Goong Char Rim Pa Sa Rai Sod (THB 375) features a delightful fusion of flavours. The succulent prawn ceviche, marinated with zesty citrus, is complemented by vibrant Andaman sea grapes. The dish is attractively plated with prawns at the base, adorned with a delicate crown of sea grapes. It seems simple enough to just pick these “grapes” from the sea, but it takes a concerted effort to clean them properly to allow their delicate flavour to dominate, rather than the gritty taste of the sea. Adding crunch, mini towers of sweet and creamy pickled onions create a harmonious balance. Slices of red chillies contribute a touch of heat.

Chormuang (THB 345) presents delicately crafted flower-shaped Thai dumplings (kudos to the fine motor skills of the chef!) filled with a blend of crab meat and chicken. The vibrant blue hue from the butterfly pea adds an artistic touch, complemented by striking red chilli slices. The finishing touch of fried garlic provides an aromatic note. The dumplings offer a rich and sweet profile, accompanied by a subtle pepper kick that gently tingles the palate after swallowing. 

The Goong Lai Sarong (THB 335) is an impressive example of expert craftsmanship. Thin hair-like strands of Phuket noodles wrap tiger prawns, creating a delicious contrast of textures. The accompanying chilli sauce gives a hot bite, and the local honey drizzle harmonises the flavours. 

Lastly, and a dish meant for sharing, we feast on Pla Nueng Manow (THB 645). An entire white snapper is steamed to provide juicy, delicate fish. The dish is complemented by a spicy lemon and garlic sauce, which gives it an extra citrous bite. Coriander adds a burst of freshness. This Thai speciality is a must-try for seafood lovers looking for typical fare that is healthy as well as delicious.

Thai Dessert

Is it even a Thai meal if you don’t end with Sticky Rice with Mango (THB 215)? I think not! Coming from the woman who eats this for breakfast with Champagne every day in Thailand, there is no other answer. Baan Rim Pa’s version is gorgeously plated with a love-heart mound of – half-white sticky rice and half-blue butterfly pea rice. It’s sided with sliced mango halves and finished off with a striking red rose to contrast the vibrant yellow, blue and white. For the final flourish, slightly salted coconut milk splashes across the top to taste. 

Reasons to visit Baan Rim Pa Phuket: fabulous location for lunch or dinner and especially sunset; beautifully-presented, delicately-spiced Royal Thai cuisine; kind and attentive service; incredible views.

Baan Rim Pa – Royal Thai Cuisine Phuket
249/4 Prabaramee Rd,
Kalim, Phuket 83150, Thailand
+66 092-2749095, +66 076 618191 or +66 076 618076
[email protected]
www.baanrimpa.com

Baan Rim Pa Opening Hours
Daily 12 pm – 11 pm

Find more gourmet travel recommendations for Phuket  here and stay up-to-date with the latest gourmet and travel happenings in Malaysia and globally here and here.