Applied to:
This award recognises a group level F&B strategy or concept deployed across multiple properties, strengthening brand positioning, enhancing guest experience andgenerating measurable business value. It rewards scalable and differentiated F&B models that combine creative vision, operational consistency and financial performance.
The project:
Dara Cuisine Phuket, located at Anantara Layan Phuket Resort, is a groundbreaking culinary destination offering Thailand’s first dining and sky observatory experience. Named after the Persian and Khmer word for "star," Dara combines exquisite southern Thai cuisine with celestial-inspired activities, making it a one-of-a-kind dining venue.
Designed by P49 Deesign, the restaurant embraces Phuket’s rugged natural beauty with materials like weather-worn wood, flamed stone, and local clay, alongside woven textiles and antique mirrors referencing the night sky. The space spills out to a water-facing terrace, while the ground floor features an open-plan show kitchen for intimate dining experiences. By day, the kitchen hosts interactive Thai cooking classes led by Head Chef Supakarn Lienpanich, giving guests the chance to explore Thai culinary traditions hands-on.
Upstairs, the Observatory Deck offers a serene cocktail lounge equipped with a powerful telescope and a custom-built Ash dome. Guests can enjoy craft cocktails inspired by celestial wonders, each showcasing local ingredients such as jasmine, pandan, and hibiscus. A circular daybed under the open sky provides a romantic and educational setting, enhanced by the expertise of the resort’s dedicated Stargazing Guru, who guides guests through the wonders of the night sky.
Dara’s menu celebrates the diversity of Thailand’s culinary heritage, featuring seasonal dishes made with ingredients sourced from eco-conscious local farms and fisheries. An on-site fermentation kitchen and herb garden allow for sustainable, year-round use of fresh produce. Guests can join the chef on farm visits and market tours, deepening their connection to the island's rich food culture.
Blending innovative gastronomy, passionate mixology, and immersive stargazing, Dara Cuisine Phuket delivers a multifaceted experience. It is a scalable concept, ideal for remote locations with unpolluted night skies, offering guests unforgettable moments of culinary and celestial wonder.
The Hospitality Awards celebrate innovation and excellence and highlight the most creative initiatives in a sector that is constantly and rapidly changing hospitality.
