Bangkok restaurants and dining
Dining out on the street in Bangkok, Thai style
There are plenty of restaurants in Bangkok and you’re never far from some form of food outlet. Everywhere you look there are noodle stands, fruit stalls, curry shops, cafes, fast food joints, roadside barbecues and the obligatory carts selling fried insects!
Then there are countless superb restaurants serving international as well as Thai and other Asian cuisine to suit most tastes and budgets. The range of options is quite staggering and very few visitors or expats can claim to have tried everything Bangkok restaurants have to offer.
During your time in Bangkok, it’s certainly worth making the effort to seek out a few quality restaurants, and there are many throughout the city. Most of the top hotels will have at least one or two restaurants and these can be excellent, although often pricey.
But if you take to the streets, some affordable and very tasty Bangkok restaurants present themselves. In addition to Thai food you can also find Indian, Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese restaurants to satisfy Asian tastes; along with Italian, French, German, Scandinavian and British eateries.
Bangkok restaurants - Thai cuisine
Lemongrass: very nice décor and excellent food. Serves a touristy clientele but the food is distinctly Thai. Open: 11:00-14:00, 18:00-23:00 (booking recommended); 5/1 Sukhumvit 24 Road, Klongtoey, tel: (02) 258 8637. $$
Baan Kanitha: doubles up as a rib room and art gallery, so the numerous works of art on the walls add to the ambience of this superb, award winning Thai restaurant. Well worth a visit. Baan Khanitha Thai Cuisine - open: 11:00-14:00, 18:00-23:30; 36/1 Soi Sukhumvit 23, tel: (02) 258 4181; Baan Khanitha & Gallery - open: 11:00-14:00, 18:00-23:30; 69 South Sathorn Road, tel: (02) 675 4200-1. $$$
Klang Soi: very affordable and popular with locals and tourists alike. Good food, good value. Open: 11:00-14.30, 17:00-22:00 (Monday to Friday), 11:00-22:00 (Saturday), 11:00-15:00 (Sunday); 2 Soi Sukhumvit 49, Khlongton Nuea, tel: (02) 391 4988. $
Anna’s Café: ideal for lunch, this bright and cheerful café has several branches and serves a range of dishes, both Thai and Western. The Thai food comes highly recommended. Two Pacific Place branch - 142 Sukhumvit, tel: (02) 653 2395-6; Silom branch - 118, Soi Saladaeng, Silom, tel: (02) 632 0619-20; Diethelm Tower B branch - Ground Floor, Wireless Road, tel: (02) 252 0864. $$
Vientiane Kitchen: serving Lao and north-eastern Thai food, this great Bangkok restaurant features nightly Lao dancing and sometimes even Thai boxing matches. These performances are unobtrusive, though, so you can get on with enjoying the excellent food. Open: 12:00 to midnight (booking recommended); 8 Naphasap Yak 1, Sukhumvit Soi 36, tel: (02) 258 6171. $$$
Tom Yam Kung: named after one of Thailand’s signature dishes, this is by far the best Thai restaurant on Khao San Road. Very affordable, too. Open: 11:00-14:00; 9 Trokmayom, Jakapong Road, tel: (02) 629 2772. $
Naj: a pricey and sophisticated venue, Naj is a good restaurant for special occasions. Features classical Thai music performances on the more informal second floor. Open: 11:30-14:30, 17:30-23:30 (booking recommended); 42 Convent Road (opposite BNH Hospital), tel: (02) 632 2811-3. $$$
La Na Thai: if you’re feeling flush then this elaborate eatery can provide you with some of the finest Thai food in the city. Located in the trendy Face complex, which also features an exclusive spa, a swanky cocktail bar and another superb Indian restaurant, this is a place for extravagance and outstanding food. Open: 11:00-14:30, 18:00-23:30 (booking essential); 29, Soi 38, Sukhumvit Road, Prakanong, tel: (02) 713 6048-49. $$$
What a view! Flush diners are also catered for
If you’re new to Thai food and you’re feeling adventurous, then Bangkok is a great place to start. Dishes from all regions of Thailand can be found here:
North-eastern Thai food (from the area known as Isaan) includes somtam - a salad made from papaya and a variety of pungent sauces and spices, and of course copious amounts of chilli (how many can you handle?). There’s also laap - minced pork fried with mint and, yes, more chillies, served with salad.
Southern Thai dishes include gaeng som - a very flavoursome and tangy curry made with citrus essences; and massuman - another curry, this time very creamy and made with peanuts and potatoes.
Then you have the Thai classics such as tom yam goong - a sour and spicy soup made with lemongrass, ginger and chilli; pad thai - a very popular fried noodle dish available on the streets as well as restaurants everywhere; and gaeng phet – the famous red curry, which can be found in Thai restaurants the world over.
Bangkok restaurants - international cuisine
Gullivers (international, pub food): very much an expat bar and restaurant, this large, air-conditioned venue has some great British-style pub grub as well as Thai dishes. A good place for nighttime entertainment, too. Sukhumvit branch - 6 Sukhumvit Soi 5, Wattana, tel: (02) 655 5340-2; Khao San Road branch - 2/2 Khao San Road, tel: (02) 629 1988; Mayompuri branch - 22 Jakapong Road, tel: (02) 629 4511. $$
Paris Bangkok (French): superlative French restaurant in Bangkok featuring the very best Gallic cuisine including classic dishes coq au vin, cassoulet and duck confit. The ambience is continental chic and the wine list one of the best in the city. A true gourmand's dream. 120 Saladeang 1/1, Silom Bangrak, tel: (02) 233 1990. $$$
Outback (Australian): more of a lunchtime or post-shopping diner, expect hearty meals of burgers, steaks and ribs at this friendly, cheerful establishment. Open: 11:30-22:30; 2nd Floor Siam Discovery Center, Rama 1 Road, tel: (02) 658 0201-2. $$
Sweet Basil (Vietnamese): great atmosphere and live piano combine with delicious Vietnamese food to make for a highly recommended city centre restaurant. Open: 11:30-14:00, 17:30-22:00 (booking recommended); 86/1 Ramkhamhaeang Rd., Pure Place Mall, tel: (02) 729 8527. $$
Watermark (Italian): one of the finest Italian eateries in Bangkok, internationally-renown chef Dr Roberto Ugolini takes exclusive dining to a new level in his flagship establishment. Enjoy delectable food whilst sampling the finest wine, champagne and cocktails. 131 Soi Sukhumwit 53 (Paidee-Madee) Sukhumvit Road, North Klongton, Wattana, Tel: 02 7129991, email: info@watermarkbangkok.com $$$
Brownery (Italian): this classic Italian restaurant serves the very best Mediterranean fare such as sumptuous fresh seafood, grilled meat and hearty pastas amid elegant surroundings. A fabulous wine list and courteous staff adds to the first class experience. Sukhumvit 16, Tel: +66 (0)2 6633376, email: eat@brownery.com $$$
Molly Malones (formerly The Irish Exchange) (Irish, pub food): a wide selection of British-style pub meals and Irish stews provide a hearty meal in this popular nighttime venue. Special offers and happy hours are frequent. Open: 09:00-01:00; 1/5-6 Soi Convent, Silom, tel: (02) 266 7160-1. $$
Little Italy (Italian): a fun restaurant located in the busy Sukhumvit Road area, with pizza dough being thrown in the air and full-length windows looking out onto the streets below. Open: 11:30-18:00 (booking recommended); Jasmine City (1st Floor), 2 Soi Prasarnmit, Sukhumvit soi 23, tel: (02) 260 9750. $$$
Bet you didn’t know that!
Bangkok’s most expensive meal costs one million dollars and is served once a year at the top of the Baiyoke II Towers. The guest list is top secret, but they are outnumbered by the Michelin-star chefs. By the way; one million dollars will buy you one million plates of fried rice at the street side noodle shop 100m from the hotel’s lobby. Fortunately, some of the proceeds go to charity.
Himali Cha Cha & son (Indian): one of many excellent Sukhumvit Indian restaurants, Himali Cha Cha specialises in Northern Indian dishes. It’s all very affordable too. Open: 11:00-15:30, 18:00-22:30; Original Branch - Bangrak, Charoenkrung Soi 47/1, tel: (02) 235 1569; Sukhumvit Branch - Sukhumvit Soi 31 (near Phrom Pong BTS), tel: (02) 259 6677; Silom Branch - Convent Road (near the Sala Daeng BTS Station), tel: (02) 238 1478-9. $$
Jasmin (Chinese): great Chinese food is to be had at this award-winning Bangkok Chinese restaurant. Specialising in Hong Kong cuisine, the Peking duck and suckling pig are not to be missed. Open: 11:00-14:00, 18:00-22:00 (booking recommended); Time Square Building (4th Floor), 246 Sukhumvit Road, tel: (02) 250 0501-3. $$$
Three on Convent (Swiss): fondue, salmon steak and raclette are all excellent here and there are some Thai options on the menu too. Fun restaurant ideal for large groups. Open: 24 hours (booking recommended); Swiss Lodge Hotel, 3 Convent Road, Silom, tel: (02) 233 6721. $$$
Rib Room Restaurant (Steakhouse): recommended by Thailand Tatler Best Restaurants, this upmarket restaurant with intimate atmosphere and fantastic bird's eye view of Bangkok is located in the Landmark Hotel, quality assured. Open: 18:00-23:00; 138 Sukhumwit Road, tel: (02) 253 4259. $$$
Price guide
$ dishes b60 – b100; quart of beer b100; whiskey shot b100; cocktails b120
$$ dishes b100 – b200; quart of beer b150; whiskey shot b150; cocktails b200
$$$ dishes b200 – b350; quart of beer b200; whiskey shot b200; cocktails b300
$$$$ dishes b350 and above; quart of beer b300; whiskey shot b300; cocktails b450
Angelini (Italian): located in the five-star Shangri-La Hotel, this award winning Italian restaurant is certainly a great place to visit if you fancy splashing out. The menu is constantly being updated so that the place always feels fresh and exciting. Open: 18:30-22:30, bar 16:00 to midnight (booking essential); Shangri-La Hotel, 89 Soi Wat Suan Plu, tel: (02) 236 7777. $$$$
Kisso (Japanese): popular with Japanese expats and tourists, this expensive, excellent restaurant is worth the effort to sample if you can afford it. It features a sushi counter, Sunday buffet and teppenyaki tables. Open: 11:30-14.30, 18:00-22:30 (booking essential); The Westin Grande Sukhumvit Hotel, 259 Sukhumvit Road, tel: (02) 207 8000. $$$$
Le Beaulieu (French): French restaurant with a Mediterranean twist, Le Beaulieu has been a hit with the critics with its excellent, classy food and a great wine list. This is some place perfect for a special occasion. Open: 11:30-14:00, 18:30-22:00 (booking recommended); 50 Soi 19, Sukumvit Road, tel: (02) 202 2004. $$$
Masala Art (Indian): cuisine from the northern part of India and a very good, creative menu. The décor is modern, with a gentle touch of India, and the dishes are good. Open: 11:00-15:00, 18:00-23:00; 2nd Floor, Thonglor 8 Sukhumvit Soi 55, tel: (02) 713 8357. $$
Na Ooran (Vegetarian international and Thai): set in the gardens of the Ariyasomvilla Hotel, this predominantly vegetarian restaurant uses organic ingredients where possible. It features a good children’s menu, as well as a sweets list to die for. 65 Sukhumvit Soi 1, tel: (02) 475 4940. $$
Updated and correct: January 2012
