The Verdict
The Grotto is set into a dramatic limestone cave at the edge of Phra Nang Beach, part of Rayavadee, the resort reached only by boat on the Phranang Peninsula in Krabi. Tables sit under stalactites with the Andaman Sea a few metres off; it is run by the resort, a member of the Leading Hotels of the World.
The kitchen balances Thai and international plates: lunch runs salads, seafood, pasta and burgers, while dinner turns to grilled lamb, a 1.2-kilogram tomahawk and set menus. The Andaman Seafood Set gathers lobster, scallops, sea bass, mussels and tiger prawns. Dinner runs about 5,500 baht for two, with a sunset barbecue set at 10,000 baht for two.
The Kitchen
The Grotto is operated by Rayavadee, the Leading Hotels of the World resort on Phra Nang Beach, with the kitchens overseen by French group chef Cyrille Keyser; the cooking plays to the setting with seafood and grilled meats. The plate to book is the Andaman Seafood Set, built around lobster, scallops, sea bass, mussels and tiger prawns; the Ocean & Earth surf-and-turf set and the Rayavadee Set with Wagyu, chicken and ribs are the alternatives. Dinner runs roughly 5,500 baht for two, and the Sunset Barbecue, served by reservation with wine and drinks, is about 10,000 baht for two. Lunch is lighter and cheaper, around 3,000 baht for two. The cooking is competent resort fare, but the cave and the beach are what the bill buys.
The Room
The Grotto is built into a natural limestone cave at the edge of Phra Nang Beach, with stalactites overhead and the Andaman Sea breaking metres from the tables. By day it is shaded cave-and-beach dining; by dusk it turns to candlelight against the rock. Rayavadee surrounds it, a 26-acre resort of coconut groves and three beaches on the Phranang Peninsula, reached only by the hotel boat. The mood is dramatic and romantic, among the most striking dining rooms in Thailand, and tables are limited, so it leans toward resort guests and booked visitors.
Best for a Proposal
Book The Grotto for a proposal or a milestone anniversary, because the limestone cave, the candlelight and the Andaman sunset make a setting hard to better anywhere. Reserve the Sunset Barbecue for the full effect, time the table for dusk, and the seafood set does the rest. It is built for two people marking a once-in-a-while occasion, not an everyday meal.
Not For
Not for budget travellers or anyone wanting a quick, casual bite. The Grotto is a resort restaurant reached by boat, where dinner runs into the thousands of baht and the draw is the setting more than the cooking. Tables are limited and often held for hotel guests. Skip it if you want value, convenience or a simple beach shack.
Reservations
The Grotto takes reservations through Rayavadee, and the Sunset Barbecue must be booked before mid-afternoon, so arrange ahead; the resort is reached only by the hotel boat from Ao Nang or Krabi. Dinner runs about 5,500 baht for two, the sunset set about 10,000 baht for two, and lunch nearer 3,000. It opens daily from midday to late evening on Phra Nang Beach; dress is resort-smart.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Grotto at Rayavadee worth it?
The Grotto is worth it for the setting above all: a candlelit table inside a limestone cave on Phra Nang Beach, among the most dramatic dining rooms in Thailand. Run by the Rayavadee resort, it serves Andaman seafood sets with dinner around 5,500 baht for two. The cooking is solid resort fare; you are paying for the cave and the sunset, so treat it as an occasion.
What should I order at The Grotto?
Order the Andaman Seafood Set, built around lobster, scallops, sea bass, mussels and tiger prawns, the dish that matches the beachside setting. For the full effect, book the Sunset Barbecue, about 10,000 baht for two with wine and drinks. Meat eaters can take the Rayavadee Set with Wagyu and ribs or the 1.2-kilogram tomahawk.
Where is The Grotto at Rayavadee?
The Grotto is set into a limestone cliff at the edge of Phra Nang Beach, part of the Rayavadee resort on the Phranang Peninsula near Railay, Krabi. The resort is reached only by the hotel boat from Ao Nang or Krabi town, with no road access. Tables sit under the cave with the Andaman Sea metres away; booking through the resort is required.
How much does The Grotto cost?
Dinner at The Grotto runs about 5,500 baht for two before drinks, with the reservation-only Sunset Barbecue, including wine, at around 10,000 baht for two. Lunch is lighter, nearer 3,000 baht for two. It is a Rayavadee resort restaurant reached by boat, so prices sit at the top end and the setting, not the kitchen, is the main draw.
Also in Krabi
Explore the full Krabi dining guide, or compare it with Krua Phranang and Lae Lay Grill. See our seafood and Thai guides, and the best restaurants for a proposal.