Based on an earlier contribution, we incorporated the perception terms derived from sentiment analysis into the reviews of Phuket’s local restaurants. This study uncovered specific words that were barely reported in previous studies. These terms indicated that the tourists appreciate the uniqueness and value of Phuket’s local cuisine, particularly those in the Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurants. This finding supports those of previous studies, emphasizing the significance of culinary motivations for visitors when exploring the local gastronomy of their travel destinations (Li & Su, 2022; Pérez Gálvez et al., 2021; Pérez-Gálvez et al., 2021).