Thus, in this study, we aimed to fill this research gap by investigating customer expectations and overall experiences in Phuket’s Michelin local food restaurants and identifying novel elements that impact the restaurant experiences in the local-establishment context using online reviews. By offering insights into travelers’ perceptions, this study contributes to the extant literature and can influence the business performance of local restaurant entrepreneurs. The specific goals of this study include determining the key components of the restaurant experience to enrich the extant literature and deepen the understanding of the factors affecting customer perceptions. Additionally, we offered practical, data-driven recommendations for local restaurant entrepreneurs to improve the quality of their services based on customers’ expectations. In doing so, we bridged the gap between academic inquiries and real-world applications in the restaurant industry by supplying actionable insights for local entrepreneurs to enhance their businesses.