Bangkok restaurants
There are plenty of restaurants in Bangkok, so you’re never far from some form of food outlet. Everywhere you look there are noodle stands, fruit stalls, curry shops, road-side barbecues and even carts selling fried insects; and 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.
See our list of Bangkok’s most recommended restaurants.
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 – especially the ones offering non-Thai cuisine. But if you take to the streets some very good and more affordable Bangkok restaurants present themselves – there are many Thai restaurants but you can also find Indian, Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese restaurants to satisfy Asian tastes; and for western food Bangkok is well served with its Italian, French, German, Scandinavian and British eateries.
If you’re staying in a guesthouse it’s even more important to get out and experience Bangkok restaurants as guesthouse food can be bland and after a while it all starts to taste the same.
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: the very spicy 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?); and laap – minced pork fried with mint and, yes, more chillies and served with salad. Southern Thai dishes include gaeng som – a very flavoursome and tangy curry made with oranges; 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.
To provide a comprehensive guide to all of Bangkok restaurants would be a monumental task. A selection of recommended restaurants are listed below:
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
$$$$ dishes b350 and above; quart of beer b300; whiskey shot b300; cocktails b450
Bangkok restaurants - Thai dishes
Lemongrass: very nice décor and excellent food. Serves a touristy clientele but the food is distinctly Thai. $$
5/1 Sukhumvit 24 Rd., Klongtoey, (02) 258 8637, open daily: 11:00 to 14:00, 18:00 to 23:00, booking recommended
Baan Kanitha: doubles up as arib roomn 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. $$$.
Baan Khanitha Thai Cuisine: 36/1 Soi Sukhumvit 23, (02) 258 4181, open daily: 11:00 to 14:00, 18:00 to 23:30.
Baan Khanitha & Gallery: 69 South Sathorn Rd., (02) 675 4200-1, open daily: 11:00 to 14:00, 18:00 to 23:30.
Klang Soi: very affordable and popular with locals and tourists alike. Good food, good value. $
2 Soi Sukhumvit 49, Khlongton Nuea, (02) 391 4988, open daily: Mon. to Fri. 11.00 to 14.30, 17.00 to 22.00, Sat. 11.00 to 22.00, Sun. 11.00 to 15.00, booking not necessary.
Anna’s Café: ideal for lunch, this bright and cheerful café serves a range of dishes, both Thai and western but the Thai food comes highly recommended, now has several branches. $$
Two Pacific Place branch: 142 Sukhumvit, (02) 653 2395-6, Silom branch: 118, Soi Saladaeng, Silom, (02) 632 0619-20, Diethelm Tower B branch: Ground Floor, Wireless Rd., (02) 252 0864.
Vientiane Kitchen: serving Lao and Northeastern Thai food, this great 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. $$$
8 Naphasap Yak 1, Sukhumvit Soi 36, (02) 258 6171, open daily: 12.00 to 24.00, booking recommended.
Tom Yam Kung: named after one of Thailand’s signature dishes, this is by far the best Thai restaurant on Khao San Road. Very affordable too. $
9 Trokmayom, Jakapong Rd., (02) 629 2772, open daily: 11.00 to 14.00.
Naj: a pricey and sophisticated venue, Naj is a good restaurant for a special occasions. Features classical Thai music performances on the more informal second floor. $$$
42 Convent Rd. (Opposite BNH Hospital), (02) 632 2811-3, open daily: 11.30 to 14.30, 17.30 to 23.30, booking recommended.
La Na Thai: if you’re feeling very flush then the elaborate La Na Thai 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 of course, outstanding food. $$$
29, Soi 38, Sukhumvit Rd., Prakanong, (02) 713 6048-49, open daily: 11.00 to 14.30, 18.00 to 23.30, Booking essential.
Bangkok Restaurants - International dishes
Gullivers (international, pub food): very much an expat bar and restaurant, this large and air-conditioned venue has some great British-style pub grub as well as some Thai dishes. A good place for night time entertainment too. $$
Sukhumvit branch: 6 Sukhumvit Soi 5, Wattana, (02) 655 5340-2, Khaosan Road branch: 2/2 Khaosan Rd., (02) 629 1988 and Mayompuri branch: 22 Jakapong Rd., (02) 629 4511.
Outback (Australian): more of a lunchtime or post-shopping diner, expect hearty meals of burgers, steaks and ribs at this friendly, cheerful establishment. $$
2nd Floor Siam Discovery Center,
Rama 1 Rd., (02) 658 0201-2, open daily: 11.30 to 22.30.
Sweet Basil (Vietnamese): great atmosphere and live piano combine with delicious Vietnamese food to make for a highly recommended city centre restaurant. $$
1 Srivieng Rd., Silom, (02) 238 3088, open daily: 11.30 to 14.00, 17.30 to 22.00, booking recommended.
The Irish Exchange (Irish, pub food): a wide selection of British-style pub meals and Irish stews provide a hearty meal in this popular night-time venue. Special offers and happy hours are frequent. $$
1/5-6 Soi Convent, Silom, (02) 266 7160-1, Open: 09.00 to 01.00.
Little Italy (Italian): fun restaurant located in the busy Sukhumvit Road area, with pizza dough being thrown in the air and full-length windows looking out onto the streets below. $$$
JJasmine City, 1st Floor, 2 Soi Prasarnmit, Sukhumvit soi 23, (02) 260 9750, open daily: 11.30 to 18.00, booking recommended.
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. $$
Original Branch: Bangrak, Charoenkrung Soi 47/1, (02) 235 1569, Sukhumvit Branch: Sukhumvit Soi 31 (near Phrom Pong BTS), (02) 259 6677, Silom Branch: Convent Rd., (near the Sala Daeng BTS Station), (02) 238 1478-9, open daily: 11.00 to 15.30, 18.00 to 22.30.
Jasmin (Chinese): great Chinese food is to be had at this award winning Bangkok Chinese restaurant. Specialising in Hong Kong cuisine, the Peking duck and suckling pig are not to be missed. $$$
Time Square Building, 4th Fl.,246 Sukhumvit Rd., (02) 250 0501-3, open daily: 11.00 to 14.00, 18.00 to 22.00, booking recommended.
Three on Convent (Swiss): fondue, salmon steak and raclette are all excellent here, and there are some Thai options on the menu too. Great, fun restaurant, ideal for large groups of diners. $$$
Swiss Lodge Hotel, 3 Convent Rd., Silom, (02) 233 6721, open: 24 hrs. booking recommended.
Rib Room Restaurant (Steakhouse): recommended by Thailand Tatler Best Restaruants, this upmarket restaurant with intimate atmosphere and fantastic birdseye view of Bangkok is located in the Landmark Hotel, quality assured. $$$.
138 Sukhumwit Road, (02) 253 4259, open: daily 18:00 to 23:00.
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 feels fresh and exciting. $$$$
Shangri-La Hotel, 89 Soi Wat Suan Plu, (02) 236 7777, Open daily: 18.30 to 22.30, bar 16.00 to 24.00, booking essential.
Kisso (Japanese): popular with Japanese expats and tourists, this expensive but excellent restaurant is worth the effort to sample if you can afford it. Features a sushi counter, a Sunday buffet and teppenyaki tables. $$$$
The Westin Grande Sukhumvit Hotel, 259 Sukhumvit Rd., (02) 207 8000, open: daily 11.30 to 14.30, 18.00 to 22.30, booking essential.
Le Beaulieu ((French)): French restaurant with a Mediterranean twist, Le Beaulieu is going down a storm with the critics. Excellent, classy food and a great wine list, somewhere for a special occasion. $$$
50 Soi 19, Sukumvit Rd., (02) 202 2004,open: daily 11:30 to 14:00, 18:30 to 10:00 booking recommended.
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 but the dishes are good, $$
2nd Floor, Thonglor 8 Sukhumvit Soi 55, (02) 7138317, open: daily 11:00 to 15:00, 18:00 to 23:00, all afternoon weekends.
Na Ooran ( Vegetarian International and Thai) Set in the gardens of the Ariyasomvilla Hotel, the predominantly vegetarian restaurant uses organic ingredients where possible. A good children’s menu, as well as a sweets list to die for. $$
65 Sukhumvit Soi 1, (02) 4754940.
Updated: January 2010
on sale widely
