Restaurants in Bangkok

Thai food has become internationally renowned in the last decade or so, and its capital serves up traditional dishes for every budget in the city. Although the street vendors the city is famous for are under threat by city authorities, who aim to clear them off main roads by 2018, the markets are good places to sample delicious pad thai, tom yam or creamy curries. International cuisine is also well catered for, with everything from Chinese and Indian to Italian and Mexican available, even the odd Peruvian eatery.

The Bangkok restaurants below have been hand-picked by our guide author and are grouped into three pricing categories:
Expensive (over 2,000 baht)
Moderate (1,000 to 2,000 baht)
Cheap (under 1,000 baht)

These Bangkok restaurant prices are for an average three-course meal for one, including half a bottle of house wine or cheapest equivalent; they do not include VAT or service charge, unless stated otherwise.

VAT of 7% is added to restaurant bills in Bangkok and this is usually added to the receipt at the end. In addition, many restaurants also add a service charge of around 10%. Where this is not added, visitors should tip around 10%. All air-conditioned restaurants are now smoke-free.

Sirocco

Price: Expensive
Cuisine: Modern European

On the 63rd floor of the Lebua Hotel is the celebrated Sirocco restaurant, famous for its views over Bangkok and fine-dining Mediterranean cuisine. The Chef’s Tasting Menu is a popular choice, while a-la-carte dishes include Maine lobster with homemade pasta, slow-cooked duck breast and chocolate desserts. A cocktail at the Sky Bar is a great way to start, or end, the evening too.

Address: Lebua Hotel, 1055 Silom Road, Bangkok, Thailand
Telephone: +66 2 624 9555.

Seafood Market

Price: Expensive
Cuisine: Seafood

It doesn't have to be expensive here, but if you have a penchant for fresh lobster, Seafood Market is the place to indulge. Their motto is, “If it swims, we have it”, and with Phuket, rock and live Maine lobster among the many varieties on offer, they certainly do. The concept is simple: customers wander around the various stalls, pick up the live or iced food they want, and pay by the kilo. The kitchen then prepares the food as requested.

Address: 89 Sukhumvit Soi 24, Bangkok, Thailand
Telephone: +66 2 2612 0715.

Bo.lan

Price: Expensive
Cuisine: Thai

Built on the idea that the best Thai food should be found in Thailand, Bo.lan celebrates the country’s culinary heritage in a peaceful setting away from the bustle of Sukhumvit. Diners can choose a-la-carte dishes or opt for the Bo.lan Balance menu which features five dishes. Sample meals include stir-fried pork belly with Thai cucumber, lamb with betel leaf and deep-fried quail.

Address: 42 Sukhumvit Road 53, Khlongtanuea, Bangkok, Thailand
Telephone: +66 2 260 2962.
Website:

Long Table

Price: Moderate
Cuisine: Thai

Designed around what is claimed to be the world’s longest table at 25m (82ft) long, this 25th-floor level restaurant serves up cutting-edge Thai cuisine and creative cocktails in a stylish setting. Dishes include tuna and octopus capriccio, a trio of grilled Chiang Mai sausage, crispy pork belly and minced pork, wok-fried snapper and chilled noodle with mushroom salad. There’s a good dessert menu too, while signature cocktails include Salty Soi-Dog and Long Table Margarita.

Address: 48 Column Building, Sukhumvit Soi 16, Bangkok, Thailand
Telephone: +66 2 302 2557.

Oskar Bistro

Price: Moderate
Cuisine: International

For value-for-money pizza, 10 varieties of wine by the glass, tasty cocktails and a live DJ, Oskar Bistro is a great spot for good-quality, non-Thai cuisine such as pasta, wood-oven pizza, burgers and salads. Dishes worth trying include the signature Oskar salad of duck confit, ham, plums, eggs and truffle oil, and French casserole stews. There are plenty of tables inside as well as a porch with tables for two.

Address: 24 Sukhumvit Road, Soi 11, Bangkok, Thailand
Telephone: +66 9728 94410.

Deck by the River

Price: Moderate
Cuisine: Thai

Right by the Chao Phraya River, overlooking the beautiful Wat Arun, with Ratanakosin as a backdrop, this intimate restaurant on the deck is the perfect spot for sunset drinks and supper. The must-tries are the grilled or deep-fried prawns in garlic, a classic pad thai and the fresh fish such as steamed sea bass. It’s also a good spot for high tea and the weekend brunch is particularly popular.

Address: 36-38 Soi Pratoo Nok Yoong, Maharat Road, Bangkok, Thailand
Telephone: +66 2 221 9158.

Cabbages and Condoms

Price: Cheap
Cuisine: Thai

Not many restaurants have a mission, but this city favourite helps fund safe sex awareness and rural development programmes for the Population and Community Development Association (PDA). With indoor and al fresco seating under colourful canopies, there’s an extensive menu of affordable Thai classics from spicy seafood salads and green curry to stir-fried morning glory and shrimp patties. The restaurant is creatively decorated with colourful condoms, and purchases from the handicraft store near the entrance support PDA projects.

Address: 10 Sukhumvit Soi 12, Bangkok, Thailand
Telephone: +66 2 229 4610.

Crepes & Co

Price: Cheap
Cuisine: French and Mediterranean

More than just a creperie, Crepes & Co is a bustling restaurant decked out with comfortable sofas, artwork and an open kitchen. Popular with locals and expats, its vast collection of crepes includes 50 savoury and 40 sweet varieties, as well as delicious Mediterranean dishes, all served in a bright dining room or on the terrace. Brunch is available every day but is an institution at weekends. 

Address: 953 Community Mall, Room B101, 124 Soi Sukhumvit 53, Wattana, Bangkok, Thailand
Telephone: +66 2 726 9398.

Dosa King

Price: Cheap
Cuisine: Indian

Serving vegetarian Indian cuisine on busy Sukhumvit 11, Dosa King is, as you’d expect, renowned for its dosas. It also whips up classic south Indian pancakes made with rice and lentil batter, while plates like pizza dosa and spicy paneer tikka are good too. It also serves north Indian curries and daals, sizzlers and has an authentic Indian drinks menu with classic beverages such as nimbu pani (fresh lime with water/soda), lassi (yogurt drink) and badaam milk (almond milk).

Address: 153/7 Sukhumvit Road, Soi 11, Bangkok, Thailand
Telephone: +66 2 2651 1700.
Website:
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