Roses Family Restaurant (Lebanese), Cooma

Kebabs and fattoush, Roses Family Restaurant, Cooma

The Style: The style at Roses Family Restaurant is mercifuly under-done. Unlike some Lebanese Restaurants  where there are so many plates, carpets and other artefacts hanging from the walls that you are put off your meal by the clashing cacophony of colours, Roses has mercifully few - just enough that there are some nice splashes of colour and character.


The Taste: Oh, the flavour! Roses Family Restaurant provides classic Lebanese meals that pack a huge flavour punch. The salads are fresh and zingy, the meats are tender and marvellously seasoned, the dips are like little bowls of heaven. The tasting plates provide a good overview of the menu but if you order one, make sure you have a big appetite as the servings are very generous. Make sure you save a little bit of room for dessert too - my favourite is the velvety delicious kunefe but the restaurant also has a special signature dessert - the drunken soldier - which is popular with the locals.

Kibbeh, fattoush, bean salad and dips, Roses Family Restaurant

Roses Family Restaurant, Cooma

Kunefe, Roses Family Restaurant, Cooma

The Service - When you eat at Roses, it  is really like being part of a big family - Tony and the team will make you feel like nothing is too much. The hospitality is almost as amazing as the food! Roses also has a belly dancer perform occasionally which adds to the fun of it all. (A word of warning - if you visit on one of these nights, be prepared to get up and shake your booty between courses!)


The Location: Roses Family Restaurant is located on Massie Street in Cooma (opposite the park).

Vegetarian tasting plate, Roses Family Restaurant, Cooma

Lebanese Coffee, Roses Family Restaurant, Cooma

Baklava and Turkish Delight, Roses Family Restaurant, Cooma

Pha's Thai Kitchen, Cooma

Chicken laksa, Pha's Thai Kitchen, Cooma

Thai beef salad, Pha's Thai Kitchen, Cooma

The Style: Pha's Thai Kitchen is perched on the second floor of a building and the experience starts as you get to the top of the stairs - there is a water feature and a welcoming red door which gives a little glimpse of cosy lights that entice you in. The decor is understated but has some nice Thai touches and the lack of gaudiness is refreshing - it definitely doesn't try to hard and lets the food do the talking.

Interior, Pha's Thai Kitchen, Cooma

Massaman curry, Pha's Thai Kitchen, Cooma

The taste: If you go to Pha's, be warned - you will want to keep on coming back! It is absolutely delicious and it is great to see such good Thai food being dished up in country NSW where far too many places serve up processed meat and canned veges floating in fluorescent sauce. Pha's is far removed from that with the smells and flavours seriously bursting out of the food. My favourite so far is the laksa but there has not been a disappointing bite - a deep, earthy massamum curry, fresh vibrant green curry and a Thai beef salad that sings on the taste buds... 

Green Curry, Pha's Thai Kitchen, Cooma

Cashew nut chilli jam chicken, Pha's Thai Kitchen, Cooma

Mixed entree, Pha's Thai Kitchen, Cooma

The service: The service at Pha's Thai kitchen most definitely comes with a smile - nothing is too difficult for the staff and rather than making everything bland, they accommodate different heat levels to suit your taste buds. The food comes out reasonably quickly but being anew kid on the block, it can get quite busy.


The cost: Entrees at Pha's Thai Kitchen are from $8-10 and mains range from $13.90 - $20.90. The serving size is reasonable.


The location: Pha's Thai Kitchen is located at 121 Sharp Street, Cooma (upstairs next to the Visitor's Centre).

Pha's Thai Kitchen, Cooma

Pha's Thai Kitchen, Cooma

Useful links: Pha's Kitchen website