Take a little trip to Thailand without leaving the metro at Purple Rice, which brings the flavors and hospitality of Thai dining to its newest branch at Glorietta 2 in Makati City.
Warm wooden accents, curved architectural details, patterned floor tiles, and lush greenery give the restaurant an inviting atmosphere.
Colorful hanging lanterns add a festive touch, while purple upholstered booths and rattan chairs provide comfortable seating for diners.
The staff, meanwhile, welcome guests in purple Thai-inspired traditional attire, or chut thai.
Purple Rice marked the opening of its Glorietta branch—its sixth in the Philippines—with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a special performance on October 26, 2026.
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Director of Hospitality Alyanna Sia explains to PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) that the location allows the restaurant to reach more diners, particularly those who frequent the mall.
“Salcedo is really nice for the people who live around that area. Office staff is there. Here [Glorietta] as well, like the more casual passersby just here in the mall,” she says.
Purple Rice also has branches in BGC, Salcedo, North EDSA, Bacoor, and Pampanga.
For Alyanna, expanding the restaurant’s presence is part of a bigger goal of making Thai cuisine and culture more accessible to Filipinos.
She tells PEP: “We want to be available in more areas. Slowly, we’re gonna expand more in the future.
“I think that our goal is to make Purple Rice one of the bigger Thai restaurants in the Philippines.”
Alyanna also points out that more customers are becoming interested in Thai food, including those who are trying the cuisine for the first time.
“That’s also another reason why we’re trying to be everywhere in that sense, is to really grow the love for Thai culture,” she adds.
Accessibility is also reflected in the restaurant’s pricing.
Purple Rice is not positioned as an elevated dining destination that might intimidate first-time diners.
Instead, it offers options for those who want to explore Thai food without committing to a particularly expensive meal.
One example is its weekday Thai For Me set, which includes an appetizer, a main course, and a drink for PHP 390.
For diners who are new to Thai cuisine, the menu can be a good starting point.
Here are three dishes worth trying at Purple Rice Royal.
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MUST-TRY DISHES AT PURPLE RICE ROYAL
Thai steak salad
The Thai steak salad brings together slices of grilled beef, fresh lettuce, cilantro, and red onions, all tossed in the restaurant’s signature Thai dressing.
The dish combines the richness of the meat with the freshness of the greens to compose a colorful plate that looks as inviting as it sounds.
Alyanna describes it as a "refreshing" option, “It’s a nice way to incorporate meat into an appetizer without being so heavy."
Personally, the Thai steak salad is a zesty and rejuvenating dish that is equal parts crisp and meaty.
The beef is tender and satisfying, while the fresh greens give every bite a refreshing contrast. The dressing brings everything together with a tangy finish.
It is a good choice for diners who want something light but still substantial enough to get their appetite going.
PRICE: PHP249
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Fried curry crab
The fried curry crab is served in a rich-looking orange curry sauce, with crab meat at the center and chopped spring onions as garnish.
Its vibrant color makes it an eye-catching addition to the table, while the generous serving of sauce makes it a natural companion to rice.
Alyanna considers it one of her favorite dishes on the menu.
Unlike the chicken curry that many diners might immediately associate with Thai cuisine, this version puts seafood in the spotlight.
“It’s a really nice way to kind of take a different take on curry,” she says.
“This one’s seafood-y. It’s not spicy. I think people think it’s spicy because it’s red, but then it’s a lot more homey and it’s really nicely paired with rice, like any kind of rice.”
From the get-go, its aroma is the first thing that captures your attention.
The curry’s savory, warming spices give the dish plenty of character, but its flavor is not overwhelmed by the intense chili heat some diners might expect from a curry.
Don't forget: Pair it with rice to make the most of that flavorful sauce.
PRICE: PHP790
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Mango sticky rice
Mango sticky rice gets a colorful interpretation at Purple Rice.
The dessert features slices of ripe mango served alongside a mound of vibrant purple sticky rice, topped with sesame seeds, and accompanied by a serving of creamy sauce.
Its presentation is a visual treat, with the bright yellow fruit contrasting against the deep purple rice.
Alyanna reveals that the restaurant is exploring new ways to introduce different flavors to its dessert selection as well.
She is working with Purple Rice’s founder and Thai chef to draw inspiration from popular dessert trends in Thailand.
“One of them is kind of pushing mango sticky rice with different flavors,” she says, adding that diners can look forward to future dessert developments.
For me, this is the standout dish of the three. The ube-inspired twist gives the familiar Thai dessert a distinctly Filipino touch without taking away from what makes mango sticky rice so enjoyable.
The purple sticky rice retains its rich, slightly sweet flavor, while its soft and chewy texture makes every spoonful satisfying.
The accompanying creamy sauce is another highlight as it complements the rice and mango beautifully, adding just the right amount of richness to the dessert.
It is one of those desserts that makes you want to save room for one more serving.
PRICE: PHP330
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More to explore at Purple Rice
Beyond its food menu, Purple Rice also offers a selection of drinks, including coffee, fruit teas, non-coffee beverages, and signature creations.
Its signature drinks include Matchaberry Cloud Latte, Ube Cream Cheese Iced Latte, Sea Salt Iced Latte, Coco-Pandan Iced Latte, Peanut Butter Mocha Iced Latte, and Espresso Cola Float.
The restaurant also serves smoothies, with options such as Cookies and Cream and Mango Graham.
Alyanna said the team is looking into expanding its dessert and beverage offerings, including experimenting with flavors such as matcha foam and coco-pandan infusions.
The restaurant’s current menu already gives diners plenty to explore, while plans to introduce new flavors hits at more surprises ahead.
For those curious about Thai cuisine, Purple Rice offers an inviting place to start.
With its welcoming atmosphere, accessible weekday set meals, and dishes that balance familiar flavors with Thai influences, it makes exploring the cuisine feel less intimidating and more enjoyable.
Purple Rice is located on the second level of Glorietta 2, Makati City.
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