In Bangkok, food is often a sight, a destination, a discovery. And we’re not talking about Thai food alone (or the Thai food you’re familiar with). Whether it’s green curry or green tea ice cream, fried chicken or fried bugs, river prawns or paddy frogs, there’s always something that feasts all senses. There are restaurants in quaint old houses and modern eateries with free wi-fi access. It’s as much what you choose to eat as where you to choose to eat. One friendly advice: do not just go for the recognizable. Thai food is more than—far more than—pineapple fried rice!
Our Pick |
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Royal Thai |
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Blue Elephant
The century-old building itself is worth a visit, and any restaurant that boasts a cooking school is not going to offer anything
mediocre. While purists may argue that the cuisine here is not totally royal, it would be royal enough for the rest of us, especially if
you stick to what is described in the menu as ‘Blue Elephant Classic’. The roasted duck curry and fresh lime sea bass are exceptional.
233 South Sathorn Road, Kwaeng Yannawa, Khet Sathorn • (66)2-6739353 • www.blueelephant.com • Daily 11.30am to 2.30pm, 6.30pm to 10.30pm |
Classic Thai |
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Baan Khanitha
One of the most popular restaurants that serve ‘fine’ home-cooked food, Baan Khanitha is still in the two-story house it has occupied
for more than 15 years. The food, although passable by local standards, is authentic enough, but tempered to appease Western taste
buds. While the tom yum goong is good, try instead the geang som, a spicy and sour soup with prawns and loads of vegetables.
36/1 Sukhumvit Soi 23 • (66)2- 2258 4181 • www.baan-khanitha.com • Daily 11am to 2pm, 6pm to 11pm |
Neo-Traditional Thai |
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Bo.Lan
At first glance when the food arrives on your table, you might think its 'fusion', but the presentation is deceiving. Bolan—a conflation of the monikers of the husband-and-wife chefs-owners—is as the name suggests (in Thai it means "ancient"): old-world authentic. While the food is the real-deal, surprises abound such as a dressing for a yum: made with rambutan!
42 Sukhumvit Soi 26 • (66)2-2602962 • www.bolan.co.th • Daily 6.30pm to midnight |
Modern Thai |
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Greyhound Café
While it’s easy to describe spaghetti with green curry as ‘modern’, there’s more to this than using Italian ingredients at Greyhound
cafe. One of the earliest establishments to introduce cafe-style foods in Bangkok, this is still the place to go to for regular Thai fare as
well as standard dishes done with a twist. Their take on the classic Caesar salad called ‘Sandwich in a Bowl’ is simply delicious.
Level 1 Siam Center • (66)2-6581129 • www.greyhoundcafe.co.th • Mon - Thu 10am to 9pm, Fri-Sun 10am to 10pm |
Nostalgic Thai |
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Baan Chiang
The sight of a restaurant packed with fellow travellers may not be especially alluring, but what you get here is both atmosphere and
more-than-decent food. The menu is not exceptional but whatever you choose (try the crab meat curry), you can be sure
they will turn out delicious and hearty, which easily makes dining in this colonial bungalow an unforgettable experience.
14 Soi Sriviang, Surasak Road • (66)-2236-7045 • Daily 11.30am to 2pm, 05.30pm to 10.30pm |
Casual Thai |
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Cabbages and Condoms
The name may suggest something racy but this is a respectable establishment that offers its takings to the rural poor, with an
emphasis on HIV/AIDS education. Familiar Thai dishes and more are here, and at prices that won’t deprive you of champagne at a
fancy bar later, it’s hard to resist, especially the curries and the assorted salads.
6 Sukhumvit 12, Klongtoey • (66)-22294611 ext.222 • www.cabbagesandcondom.com • Daily 11am to 11pm |
Home-Cooked Thai |
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T42
After more than a decade at Siam Centre, this first-rate eatery has to move. Fortunately, it is relocated next door, at Siam Discovery. The cryptic name should really appeal to the SMS generation, but oddly, it's not a hangout for the very young, which may be a good thing for those who like a quiet French-style cafe that serves really good home cooking. Here, the picture menu will give you an idea of what to order. Don't miss the spring rolls and the larb meatballs. If you're here for tea (as the name suggests), grab the cakes!
Siam Discovery, Level 4, Rama I Road • (66)2-2516197 • 10am to10pm |
Street Thai |
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Baan Mae Yui
Situated in front of owner Mother Yui’s home, next to the massive front garden, this is a restaurant mostly frequented by nearby
residents than tourists. It’s a charming, colourful little eatery where you can order street-food favourites such as phad Thai, fishball
noodles, and pork satay, and surprises such as bread and butter pudding all for one meal!
53/1 Soi Ari Samphan 1, Phaholyothin Road • (66)2-6199952 • Daily 11am to 10pm |
North-Eastern Thai |
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Café Chilli
Isaan food, even in Thailand, has not quite received the attention it deserves. In this charmingly decorated restaurant, Isaan cuisine
is unapologetically the star of the menu. The food may be a tad too spicy, but classics like som tum (papaya salad), larb (a warm
meat salad), moo yang (grilled pork), and the rarely seen batter-dipped and fried crispy sesbania buds (of the pea family) are truly
saab (delicious in Isaan dialect).
G Floor, Siam Paragon, Rama 1 Road • (66)2-610 9877 • www.cafechilli.com • Daily 10am to 10pm |
Thai Seafood |
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Je Ngor Kitchen/Seafood
Diners do not come here for its decor or ambiance. Housed in an office block that gets eerily quiet at night, Je Ngor is no place for
a candle-lit meal. What it lacks in setting is more than amply made up for in its hearty dishes, all cooked with home-style honesty.
The sea bass steamed with lime juice and herbs that looked like picking from an unkempt garden is not to be missed.
25 Bangkok Insurance-YWCA Building, 11 Floor, South Sathorn Road • (66)2-6773927 • www.jengor-seafoods.com • Daily 11am to 2pm, 5pm to 10pm |
Thai Vegetarian |
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Anothai
With the chef’s Cordon Bleu training, this is no ordinary vegetarian restaurant, certainly not the garden variety. Well, the garden
is an organic farm in Ratchaburi! All the classic Thai dishes are here, but it’s the surprises such as tempeh tempura that truly
tickles the taste buds. Anothai is not a salad sanctuary. Good news for the occasional vegetarian.
Soi Rama 9 Hospital • (66)2-6415366 • 10am to 9.30pm • Closed Wednesdays |
Thai with a View |
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The Deck
As the name suggests, this an open floor at the back of the hotel Arun Residence. While the menu is not totally Thai, the local
dishes are tasty enough to go with the spectacular sight before you: the stunning Wat Arun. If you do not wish to eat, come for
drinks at the bar above. Amorosa is set for romance and, of course, the magical splendour in front.
36–38 Soi Pratu Nok Yung, Maha Rat Road • (66)2-2219158 • Daily 7.30am to 10pm |
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