Bangkok, Thailand — Food and Dining
Restaurants in Bangkok, Thailand
Restaurants
Expensive
Le Normandie
This small, plush restaurant with a rarefied atmosphere serves up what has to be the best French cuisine in Bangkok. Located in the original part of The Oriental hotel, the restaurant boasts floor-to-ceiling windows with unrivalled views over the Chao Phraya River. The menu, prepared by a three Michelin star chef, is extensive. An excellent choice is baked red snapper in puff pastry. No lunch Sunday. There is a strict dress code.
The Oriental, 48 Oriental Avenue
Tel: (02) 659 9000.
Website: www.mandarinoriental.com/bangkok
Price: $$$$
Moderate
Baan Khanitha
This restaurant, located off Sukhumvit Road, has won the Bangkok Dining and Entertainment Award for ‘Best Thai Restaurant' for nine consecutive years and its popularity is proof of this, so it is essential to book. The converted villa has stylish and typically Thai décor, a mainly wooden interior with antiques and works of art that create a very calm atmosphere. The exquisite presentation of the food is as stylish as the interior. Set menus are available for two people.
36/1 Soi 23 Sukhumvit Road
Tel: (02) 258 4181.
Website: www.baan-khanitha.com
Price: $$$
Breeze
Sweeping views from this smart second floor restaurant, reached by crossing a dramatic illuminated sky bridge, make this an ideal venue to impress. Dine al fresco or in the contemporary interior on a menu of Asian-style seafood. The Dim Sum lunch is popular with business people.
State Tower, 1055 Silom Road
Tel: (02) 624 9555.
Website: www.breezebkk.com
Price: $$$
Nippon-Tei
One of the best Japanese restaurants in the city, the classic interior is often full of Japanese diners - always a good sign. There are eleven Japanese-style Tatami rooms for between two and 60 people as well as a sushi counter and teppan grill counter. The set lunches of Donburi rice with a choice of toppings are good value.
161 Nantawan Building, Ratchadamri Road
Tel: (02) 252 9438.
Website: www.nippontei.com
Price: $$$
Rang Mahal
This restaurant, on the rooftop of the Rembrandt Hotel (see Hotels), with superb views of the city, serves gourmet Indian food at its best. The décor is sumptuous with Indian wall hangings and plush colors and the atmosphere very tranquil with Indian musicians playing unobtrusively in the background. The food is all excellent but a particularly fine dish is jheenga kadhai, shrimp cooked in a wok with oriental spices. Sunday brunch is very popular.
Rembrandt Hotel, 19 Soi 18 Sukhumvit Road
Tel: (02) 261 7100.
Website: www.rembrandtbkk.com
Price: $$$
Aubergine
Located in a charming house on a quiet soi off Silom Road, this cozy but classy restaurant serves classic French cuisine such as escargots with garlic sauce complemented by an impressive wine list. A good value set lunch is served Monday to Friday.
71/1 Sala Daeng Soi 1/1
Tel: (02) 234 2226.
Website: www.aubergine.in.th
Price: $$
Ban Chiang
Ban Chiang is a restored wooden house with lush garden (lit up at night) in the Silom area, serving up traditional Thai food. The magnificent selection of food is beautifully presented. The restaurant is popular with businesspeople at lunchtimes but the simple, classic décor makes it ideal for a special evening meal.
14 Soi Sri-vieng, Surasak Road
Tel: (02) 236 7045 or 266 6994.
Price: $$
Harmonique
Situated fairly close to the river and the famed hotel The Oriental, the family-run Harmonique is incredibly welcoming. The restaurant is located in an old house, dating back more than 100 years, with a lush garden, Thai antiques and fans. The fantastic starters are particularly recommended, including the steamed shrimp in wine sauce. A selection of starters for two people is available. Closed Sunday.
22 Charoenkrung 34
Tel: (02) 237 8175.
Price: $$
Le Dalat Indochine
Down from the busy Sukhumvit Road, the upmarket Le Dalat Indochine serves probably the best Vietnamese food in Bangkok. This award-winning restaurant is located in an old house in a small, lush garden, and dining here is really a delightful experience. The elegant interior has a colonial feel and photos and memorabilia cover the walls. It is deservedly well known for its seafood particularly crispy fried crab fish. Its equally superb sister restaurant, Le Dalat, is just across the road.
14Soi 23 Sukhumvit Road
Tel: (02) 661 7967.
Website: www.ledalatindochinebkk.com
Price: $$
Zanotti
The simple but stylish décor contributes to a relaxed ambience in this Italian restaurant off the Silom Road. The restaurant appeals more to a business clientele rather than romantic diners as it can be quite busy in the evenings. There is an extensive menu put together by the Italian chef, including tasty Tuscan pizzas.
21/1 Saladaeng Colonnade Soi Saladaeng, Silom Road
Tel: (02) 636 0002/0266.
Website: www.zanotti-ristorante.com
Price: $$$
Bacchus
One of the places to be seen in Bangkok, this smart multi-level restaurant and wine bar has an impressive wine cellar. Relax after a dinner of fresh Andaman tuna steak by reclining on the top floor which has a glass roof with urban night views.
20/6-7 Ruam Rudee, Ploenchit
Tel: (02) 650 8986.
Website: www.bacchus.tv
Price: $$
Blue Elephant
Housed in an elegant old colonial building, with a Thai restaurant, bar and a cooking school on the top floor. The food is innovative and presentation is delightful; it tastes good as well. Be brave and try the durian cheesecake.
233 South Sathorn Road, Kwaeng Yannawa
Tel: (02) 673 9353.
Website: www.blueelephant.com
Price: $$
Eat Me
A magnet for trendy and sophisticated diners, the Australian Pacific Rim-inspired menu has innovative dishes such as beetroot carpaccio with walnuts and ricotta. The restaurant is multi-leveled with an open-air terrace and regularly hosts changing exhibitions of photography and paintings. Closed lunchtimes.
1/6 Soi Pipat 2, Silom
Tel: (02) 238 0931.
Website: www.eatmerestaurant.com
Price: $$$
Jesters
Located in the Peninsula Hotel, this restaurant over two levels is a great place to dine, with fun contemporary décor and stunning views of the Chao Phraya River. It serves an eclectic mix of Mediterranean food, with dishes such as PigeonAndre Malraux, originally created in Paris. No children 12 years or under. No lunch.
Peninsula Bangkok Hotel, 333 Charoennakorn Road
Tel: (02) 861 2888.
Website: www.peninsula.com
Price: $$$
Mango Tree
Tucked in a quiet soi between the busy Silom and Surawongse Roads, Mango Tree is made up of two old houses, with intriguing photos of old Bangkok on the wall and a collection of old cameras. Although cheap, this restaurant still serves fine Thai food. The dishes are influenced from all corners of Thailand and the spicy green and red curries are particularly tasty.
37 Soi Tantawan, Surawongse Road
Tel: (02) 236 2820.
Website: www.coca.com/mangotree
Price: $$
Cabbages & Condoms
Cabbages & Condoms is nearly as strange as its name, with displays of condoms of all shapes, sizes and colors and a tableau of vasectomy equipment in the restaurant. However, the place goes from strength to strength and combines its work to improve life for rural Thailand through contraception, hygiene programs and AIDS education with great Thai cuisine. Located off busy Sukhumvit Road, the restaurant is surprisingly relaxing, with a lush garden and delicious food, and the addition of a deserving cause make it well worth a visit.
10 Soi 12 Sukhumvit Road
Tel: (02) 229 4610.
Website: www.pda.or.th/restaurant
Price: $$
Deck by the River
An intimate restaurant on decks right by the Chao Phraya River with Rattanakosin as a backdrop. A must-try are the grilled tiger prawns in garlic. High tea is an ideal time to watch the sun go down and weekend brunch is particularly popular.
36-38 Soi Pratoo Nok Yoong, Maharat Road
Tel: (02) 221 9158.
Website: www.arunresidence.com
Price: $$
Kinnaree
Dine indoors or alfresco at this good-value Thai restaurant located in a cosy converted house. The food served is a modern twist on Thai favorites, such as deep-fried prawns topped with sweet and spicy tamarind sauce. The presentation is superb and diners can eat well without spending a fortune.
43 Sukhumvit Soi 8, Klongtoey
Tel: (02) 256 0328.
Website: www.kinnareegourmet.com
Price: $$
Manohra Cruise
There can be no better way to experience the Chao Phraya River than on a dinner cruise on a beautifully restored rice barge. Operated by the Marriott Resort & Spa Hotel, the Manohra Cruise welcomes visitors for daily dinner cruises passing riverside temples, waterfront homes and provides the opportunity to see river life close up. There is a set menu of beautifully presented Thai food, including green curry with duck and sweet basil. The cruise departs from the Marriott Hotel at 1930, but can be boarded from different piers: Taksin Public and Oriental Public piers. Reservations recommended.
Marriott Resort & Spa Hotel, 257 Charoennakorn Road
Tel: (02) 477 0770.
Website: www.manohracruises.com
Price: $$$
Cheap
The Barbican
In a quiet soi off the Silom Road, The Barbican is a music cafe with a small contemporary area with stools and tables downstairs and a simple, teak restaurant upstairs. Tapas-size snacks are available, as well as Thai food. There is a good-value three-course set lunch. No lunch at weekends in the restaurant.
9/4-5 Soi Thaniya, Silom Road
Tel: (02) 234 3590.
Website: www.greatbritishpub.com
Price: $
Black Swan
At this British pub, run by a Yorkshireman, mementoes of Sheffield cover the wood-panelled walls and sports events are shown on a large plasma screen. Traditional British pub grub is served including fish and chips and bangers and mash. Fish flown in from Scotland is served on a Friday.
326/8-9 Sukhumvit Road
Tel: (02) 229 4542.
Website: www.blackswanbkk.com
Price: $
Bourbon Street
A longstanding favorite, this friendly restaurant serves hearty American Cajun and Creole food. Tuck into jambalaya or gumbo or try the all-you-can-eat Mexican buffet on Tuesday nights. Try raw or char-broiled oysters in the Oyster Bar. Open for breakfast.
29/4-6 Sukhumvit Soi 22, Washington Square
Tel: (02) 259 0328/9.
Website: www.bourbonstbkk.com
Price: $
O'Reillys Irish Pub
This traditional Irish pub on the Silom Road has a comfortable bar with a great atmosphere. The floor is wooden and there are photographs of traditional Irish scenes adorning the walls. A good selection of Thai and European food is on offer, including some pub classics. Happy hour from 1600-1900 every day.
62/1-4 Silom Road
Tel: (02) 632 7515.
Price: $
Rasayana Raw Food Cafe
After being rejuvenated and detoxed at the Rasayana Retreat, treat yourself to some raw food, rich in vitamins and minerals, in their cafe. Try the marinated eggplants, zucchine and avocado sauce under a shady tree in the delightful courtyard. The cafe closes at 2000 and it is best to make a reservation.
57 Soi Prom-mitr, Sukhumvit 39
Tel: (02) 662 4803.
Website: www.rasayanaretreat.com
Price: $
Crepes & Co
A bustling restaurant, popular with locals and expats, located in an old wooden house. Choose from a large selection of savoury and sweet crepes and dine in the bright dining room or on the terrace. Brunch is available every day but is an institution at weekends.
18/1 Sukhumvit Soi 12, Klongtoey
Tel: (02) 653 3990.
Website: www.crepes.co.th
Price: $
Nightlife
Much of Bangkok's nightlife is concentrated in the two red light districts of Bangkok - Patpong (between Silom and Surawong Roads) and Soi Cowboy (Sukhumvit Road), named after the first bar that opened here, the Cowboy Bar. Bangkok's sex industry is as blatant and booming as ever. However, in addition to the numerous sex clubs and massage parlours, there are many excellent cocktail bars and restaurants and, at night, the area is always thronging with people.
Most venues are open all day and late into the night, although bars and clubs are supposed to close at 0200. Sometimes there is an admission fee but this usually includes one or two drinks. The dress code is very relaxed, although a few of the nightclubs do enforce smarter dress. The minimum drinking age is now 20 and all air-conditioned bars are smoke free.
As in any city, nightlife venues come and go and news of the latest hotspots can be found in the city's listings magazine, The Big Chilli (website: www.bigchilli.com) and Bangkok 101.
Bars: The Bull's Head, 33/1 Sukhumvit Road, is popular with expats. It is a British-style pub, with regular quiz and theme nights. Irish pubs are popular in most cities in the world and the busy Molly Malone's, Convent Road, Silom is no exception. The Office is an Aussie-run sports bar on Sukhumvit Soi 33 showing live sports from the UK and Australia. To see a different perspective of Bangkok while enjoying an aperitif, try the open-air Vertigo bar on the 62nd floor of the Banyan Tree Hotel, 21/100 South Sathon Road.
Clubs: Concept CM2 (website: www.cm2bkk.com), a huge disco and bar in the basement of the Novotel Hotel on Siam Square, continues to be very popular and now has the B@S sports bar. The amazing light and sound system and ostentatious art deco-style interior of Narcissus, 112 Soi 23 Sukhumvit Road (website: www.narcissusclubbangkok.com) attracts the smart set keen on house, trance and techno. The outrageous Bed Supper Club at 26 Soi 11 Sukhumvit Road (www.bedsupperclub.com) has beds decorating this all-white cylinder shaped club, where you can chill before entering the Bed Bar to listen to house, hip hop and bhangra. Just down the road, the hangout for trendy locals and expats is the stylish Q Bar, 34 Soi 11 Sukhumvit Road (website: www.qbarbangkok.com), which also imports top international DJs. Both clubs offer a range of music from house to hip hop.
Live Music: Tokyo Joe's (website: www.tokyojoesbkk.com), 25/9 Sukhumvit Soi 26 hosts nightly blues bands with a Sunday jamming session. Saxophone Pub, 3/8 Victory Monument, Phayathai Road (website: www.saxophonepub.com), has great acoustics, a lively atmosphere and a variety of live music including funk, jazz, blues and ska. Classy Spasso, in the Grand Hyatt Erawan, Rajadamri Road, is an ideal place to dance to the sounds of top international acts playing retro, pop and top 40 music. The Bamboo Bar in the upmarket hotel The Oriental (see Hotels), is an intimate, refined club with an excellent reputation for its guest jazz bands. Brick Bar on Khao San Road (website: www.brickbarkhaosan.com) attracts a fun crowd for the live ska and reggae.
