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Tours in Bangkok |
The selected restaurants have been divided into five categories: Gastronomic, Business, Trendy, Budget and Personal Recommendations. The restaurants are listed alphabetically within these different categories, which serve as guidelines rather than absolute definitions of the establishments.
These restaurants have been further divided into four different pricing categories:
$$$$ (over ฿2,500)
$$$ (฿1,800 to ฿2,500)
$$ (฿1,000 to ฿1,800)
$ (under ฿1,000)
The prices quoted above are for an average three-course meal for one person and for a half bottle of house wine or cheapest equivalent; they do not include VAT or service charge, unless stated otherwise.
There is VAT of 7% added to restaurant bills in Bangkok and this is usually added to the bill at the end. In addition, many restaurants also add a service charge of around 10%. Where this is not added, visitors should tip around 10%.
These restaurants have been further divided into four different pricing categories:
$$$$ (over ฿2,500)
$$$ (฿1,800 to ฿2,500)
$$ (฿1,000 to ฿1,800)
$ (under ฿1,000)
The prices quoted above are for an average three-course meal for one person and for a half bottle of house wine or cheapest equivalent; they do not include VAT or service charge, unless stated otherwise.
There is VAT of 7% added to restaurant bills in Bangkok and this is usually added to the bill at the end. In addition, many restaurants also add a service charge of around 10%. Where this is not added, visitors should tip around 10%.
Gastronomic
Auberge DAB
This elegant but friendly restaurant has dark wood-panelled walls and a cool tiled floor. The sumptuous French food is served at tables with crisp white tablecloths and elegant fine dinnerware. The excellent service and the restaurant's superb speciality seafood, such as pan-fried seabass with lobster bisque sauce, make this a very special place.
Ground Floor, Mercury Tower, 540 Ploenchit Road
Tel: (02) 658 6222.
Price: $$$$
This elegant but friendly restaurant has dark wood-panelled walls and a cool tiled floor. The sumptuous French food is served at tables with crisp white tablecloths and elegant fine dinnerware. The excellent service and the restaurant's superb speciality seafood, such as pan-fried seabass with lobster bisque sauce, make this a very special place.
Ground Floor, Mercury Tower, 540 Ploenchit Road
Tel: (02) 658 6222.
Price: $$$$
Baan Khanitha
This restaurant, located off Sukhumvit Road, has won the Bangkok Dining and Entertainment Award for ‘Best Thai Restaurant' for eight consecutive years and its popularity is proof of this, so it is essential to book. The converted villa has stylish and typically Thai decor, a mainly wooden interior with antiques and works of art creating a very calm atmosphere. The exquisite presentation of the food is as stylish as the decor. Set menus are available for two people.
36/1 Soi 23 Sukhumvit Road
Tel: (02) 258 4181.
Website: www.baan-khanitha.com
Price: $$
This restaurant, located off Sukhumvit Road, has won the Bangkok Dining and Entertainment Award for ‘Best Thai Restaurant' for eight consecutive years and its popularity is proof of this, so it is essential to book. The converted villa has stylish and typically Thai decor, a mainly wooden interior with antiques and works of art creating a very calm atmosphere. The exquisite presentation of the food is as stylish as the decor. Set menus are available for two people.
36/1 Soi 23 Sukhumvit Road
Tel: (02) 258 4181.
Website: www.baan-khanitha.com
Price: $$
Le Banyan
Le Banyan is one of those restaurants where the welcome is genuine, the decor elegant and the food superb. This intimate classy restaurant, located off Sukhumvit Road, serves French haute cuisine, including delicious fillet of Atlantic snow fish with a beer beurre blanc.
59 Soi 8 Sukhumvit Road
Tel: (02) 253 5556.
Website: www.le-banyan.com
Price: $$$
Le Banyan is one of those restaurants where the welcome is genuine, the decor elegant and the food superb. This intimate classy restaurant, located off Sukhumvit Road, serves French haute cuisine, including delicious fillet of Atlantic snow fish with a beer beurre blanc.
59 Soi 8 Sukhumvit Road
Tel: (02) 253 5556.
Website: www.le-banyan.com
Price: $$$
Le Normandie
This small, plush restaurant with a rarefied atmosphere serves up what has to be the best French cuisine in Bangkok, if not in the region. Located in the original part of The Oriental hotel, the restaurant boasts floor-to-ceiling windows with unrivalled views over the Chao Phraya River. The menu, prepared by a three Michelin star chef, is extensive. An excellent choice is the sole fillets with baby squid, swiss chard and chestnuts. No lunch Sunday. There is a strict dress code.
The Oriental, 48 Oriental Avenue
Tel: (02) 659 9000.
Website: www.mandarinoriental.com
Price: $$$$
This small, plush restaurant with a rarefied atmosphere serves up what has to be the best French cuisine in Bangkok, if not in the region. Located in the original part of The Oriental hotel, the restaurant boasts floor-to-ceiling windows with unrivalled views over the Chao Phraya River. The menu, prepared by a three Michelin star chef, is extensive. An excellent choice is the sole fillets with baby squid, swiss chard and chestnuts. No lunch Sunday. There is a strict dress code.
The Oriental, 48 Oriental Avenue
Tel: (02) 659 9000.
Website: www.mandarinoriental.com
Price: $$$$
Rang Mahal
This restaurant, on the rooftop of the Rembrandt Hotel (see Hotels), with superb views of the city, serves gourmet Indian food at its best. The decor is sumptuous with Indian wall hangings and plush colours and the atmosphere very tranquil with Indian music playing unobtrusively in the background. The food is all excellent but a particularly fine dish is murgh makhanwala, succulent chicken simmered in creamy fenugreek-flavoured tomato gravy. Sunday brunch is very popular.
Rembrandt Hotel, 19 Soi 18 Sukhumvit Road
Tel: (02) 261 7100.
Website: www.rembrandtbkk.com
Price: $$
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 decor is sumptuous with Indian wall hangings and plush colours and the atmosphere very tranquil with Indian music playing unobtrusively in the background. The food is all excellent but a particularly fine dish is murgh makhanwala, succulent chicken simmered in creamy fenugreek-flavoured tomato gravy. Sunday brunch is very popular.
Rembrandt Hotel, 19 Soi 18 Sukhumvit Road
Tel: (02) 261 7100.
Website: www.rembrandtbkk.com
Price: $$
Trendy
A Matter of Taste
A contemporary, calm restaurant with an al fresco dining area which is conveniently located a short walk from both Ploenchit and Chitlom skytrain stations. An excellent choice of Thai and international food is on the menu including lamb chops served with baked garlic, mint jelly and mushroom risotto. The food is beautifully presented and the desserts are luscious. The set lunch is excellent value.
548/7 Embassy Park Plaza, Ploenchit Road
Tel: (02) 252 2002.
Price: $$
A contemporary, calm restaurant with an al fresco dining area which is conveniently located a short walk from both Ploenchit and Chitlom skytrain stations. An excellent choice of Thai and international food is on the menu including lamb chops served with baked garlic, mint jelly and mushroom risotto. The food is beautifully presented and the desserts are luscious. The set lunch is excellent value.
548/7 Embassy Park Plaza, Ploenchit Road
Tel: (02) 252 2002.
Price: $$
Blue Elephant
Housed in an elegant old colonial building, with a Thai restaurant, bar and a cooking school on the top floor. The food is innovative and presentation is delightful; it tastes good as well. Be brave and try the durian cheesecake.
233 South Sathorn Road, Kwaeng Yannawa
Tel: (02) 673 9353.
Website: www.blueelephant.com
Price: $
Housed in an elegant old colonial building, with a Thai restaurant, bar and a cooking school on the top floor. The food is innovative and presentation is delightful; it tastes good as well. Be brave and try the durian cheesecake.
233 South Sathorn Road, Kwaeng Yannawa
Tel: (02) 673 9353.
Website: www.blueelephant.com
Price: $
Jesters
Located in the Peninsula Hotel, this restaurant over two levels is a great place to dine, with fun contemporary decor and stunning views of the Chao Phraya River. It serves an eclectic mix of Pacific Rim food, with dishes such as Tasman lamb cutlets, ginger beet wantons and watercress sauce. No children 12 years or under. No lunch.
Peninsula Bangkok Hotel, 333 Charoennakorn Road
Tel: (02) 861 2888.
Website: www.peninsula.com
Price: $$$
Located in the Peninsula Hotel, this restaurant over two levels is a great place to dine, with fun contemporary decor and stunning views of the Chao Phraya River. It serves an eclectic mix of Pacific Rim food, with dishes such as Tasman lamb cutlets, ginger beet wantons and watercress sauce. No children 12 years or under. No lunch.
Peninsula Bangkok Hotel, 333 Charoennakorn Road
Tel: (02) 861 2888.
Website: www.peninsula.com
Price: $$$
The Barbican
In a quiet soi off the Silom Road, The Barbican is a music café 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: $
In a quiet soi off the Silom Road, The Barbican is a music café 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: $
Zanzibar
This chic and contemporary restaurant in a converted Thai house is situated in the Sukhumvit area. The ground floor is loud and buzzing with live music, while upstairs is more mellow, with comfy seating and wooden floors. Thai, Japanese and Italian dishes are on offer, including excellent spicy beef with herbs and crispy aubergines. No lunch.
139 Soi 11 Sukhumvit Road
Tel: (02) 651 2700.
Price: $
This chic and contemporary restaurant in a converted Thai house is situated in the Sukhumvit area. The ground floor is loud and buzzing with live music, while upstairs is more mellow, with comfy seating and wooden floors. Thai, Japanese and Italian dishes are on offer, including excellent spicy beef with herbs and crispy aubergines. No lunch.
139 Soi 11 Sukhumvit Road
Tel: (02) 651 2700.
Price: $
Budget
Black Swan
At this British pub, run by two Yorkshiremen, 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.
326/8-9 Sukhumvit Road
Tel: (02) 229 4542.
Website: www.blackswanbkk.com
Price: $
At this British pub, run by two Yorkshiremen, 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.
326/8-9 Sukhumvit Road
Tel: (02) 229 4542.
Website: www.blackswanbkk.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 a past Bangkok on the wall and a collection of old cameras. Although cheap, this restaurant still serves fantastic 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.
Price: $$
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 a past Bangkok on the wall and a collection of old cameras. Although cheap, this restaurant still serves fantastic 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.
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 a wholesome beef and Guinness pie. There is a happy hour from 1700-1900 every day.
62/1-4 Silom Road
Tel: (02) 632 7515.
Price: $
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 a wholesome beef and Guinness pie. There is a happy hour from 1700-1900 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 leafy vegetables, almonds and cashew nuts stuffed in tomatoes under a shady tree in the delightful courtyard. The café 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: $
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 leafy vegetables, almonds and cashew nuts stuffed in tomatoes under a shady tree in the delightful courtyard. The café 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: $
Singapore Chicken Rice
At first sight, the functional white tiles, practical tables and frenetic atmosphere of this small restaurant are not particularly appealing. However, it is frequented by expats, visitors and many locals, who all come for the fantastic food. Diners can watch dishes, such as the scrumptious won ton, being prepared out the front. No credit cards.
440/5 Soi 55 Sukhumvit Road
Tel: (02) 392 4247.
Price: $
At first sight, the functional white tiles, practical tables and frenetic atmosphere of this small restaurant are not particularly appealing. However, it is frequented by expats, visitors and many locals, who all come for the fantastic food. Diners can watch dishes, such as the scrumptious won ton, being prepared out the front. No credit cards.
440/5 Soi 55 Sukhumvit Road
Tel: (02) 392 4247.
Price: $
Personal Recommendations
Cabbages & Condoms
Cabbages & Condoms is nearly as strange as its name, with displays of condoms of all shapes, sizes and colours 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 programmes 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 4610/1.
Price: $$
Cabbages & Condoms is nearly as strange as its name, with displays of condoms of all shapes, sizes and colours 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 programmes 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 4610/1.
Price: $$
Ma Be Ba
Leave the hot, steamy streets of the Phloenjit area of Bangkok to enter Ma Be Ba and it feels like you are in a different country, or rather continent, altogether. The smell of the bakery and the tiled mosaic floor, warm colours, plants and open kitchen are evocative of southern Italy. Family friendly, the place is as popular with expats as it is with locals. The restaurant offers a set lunch and seafood, such as the pan-fried crispy seabass filet, is a speciality.
93 Lung Suan Road, Phloenjit, Lumpinee
Tel: (02) 253 9426.
Price: $$
Leave the hot, steamy streets of the Phloenjit area of Bangkok to enter Ma Be Ba and it feels like you are in a different country, or rather continent, altogether. The smell of the bakery and the tiled mosaic floor, warm colours, plants and open kitchen are evocative of southern Italy. Family friendly, the place is as popular with expats as it is with locals. The restaurant offers a set lunch and seafood, such as the pan-fried crispy seabass filet, is a speciality.
93 Lung Suan Road, Phloenjit, Lumpinee
Tel: (02) 253 9426.
Price: $$
Manohra Cruise
There can be no better way to experience the Chao Phraya River than on a dinner cruise on a beautifully restored rice barge. Operated by the Marriott Resort & Spa Hotel, the Manohra Cruise welcomes visitors for daily dinner cruises passing riverside temples, waterfront homes and provides the opportunity to see river life close up. There is a set menu of beautifully presented Thai food, including green curry with duck and sweet basil. The cruise departs from the Marriott Hotel at 1930, but can be boarded from different piers: Taksin Public, Oriental Public and Peninsula Hotel pier. Reservations recommended.
Marriott Resort & Spa Hotel, 257 Charoennakorn Road
Tel: (02) 477 0770.
Website: www.manohracruises.com
Price: $$$
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, Oriental Public and Peninsula Hotel pier. Reservations recommended.
Marriott Resort & Spa Hotel, 257 Charoennakorn Road
Tel: (02) 477 0770.
Website: www.manohracruises.com
Price: $$$
Seafood Palace International
At night you can't miss this large restaurant with its thousands of twinkling nights. Inside, the tables surround a small, central stage where there are nightly displays of traditional Thai dancing. The menu is limited but delicious, particularly the stir fried crab in Thai chilli. The restaurant is popular with locals; always a good sign.
348 Sukhumvit Road, Asoke Road
Tel: (02) 653 1145.
Website: www.seafoodpalace.net
Price: $$$
At night you can't miss this large restaurant with its thousands of twinkling nights. Inside, the tables surround a small, central stage where there are nightly displays of traditional Thai dancing. The menu is limited but delicious, particularly the stir fried crab in Thai chilli. The restaurant is popular with locals; always a good sign.
348 Sukhumvit Road, Asoke Road
Tel: (02) 653 1145.
Website: www.seafoodpalace.net
Price: $$$
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