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I have visited Bangkok countless times; I even lived there last year for six months, but I have never, until now, dared to write an article about the best restaurants in Bangkok. Or even just sharing my favorites.
It is a daunting endeavor to say the least. The number of great restaurants in Bangkok seems endless – where to start? There are so many fine dining options, street food institutions, market stalls, national and international chain restaurants, Instagram-worthy cafes, everyday eateries, and everything in between.
From classic Thai to modern Thai, from southern flavors to Isaan cuisine, from Indian to one of the best German restaurants in the world, Japanese, Korean, Italian, Mexican, and any other cuisine you may dream of – you will probably find it in Bangkok.
So seriously, where to start? Still, I thought it was high time to share. As per usual, this is not a comprehensive list, but simply some of my old and new favorite restaurants in Bangkok, and a work in progress.
Tips for eating out in Bangkok
- Bangkok is huge, and traffic seems to be getting worse by the minute. I sometimes like to plan my culinary adventures according to where I stay or make sure a restaurant is really worth the trip. Regardless, make sure to leave early enough and try to take the BTS or MRT whenever possible.
- I have organized my favorite Bangkok restaurants loosely by fine dining, modern eateries, cafes & lunch options.
- Don’t get me wrong – I love food courts and night markets as well as street food in general. However, if I wanted to make a list of the best street food in Bangkok too, we would be here all day. I have included a few favorites for now, and will be sharing my favorite Bangkok food tours in the future.
- Many restaurants will usually add 7 % tax as well as a 5-10% service charge. Unless it is a street food vendor or a really small restaurant, you can usually pay with a card at no extra charge. For everything else, take cash unless you have a Thai QR payment app.
- I know there is always a debate on whether a service charge is actually a tip. I honestly don’t know. But since Thailand is not a tipping country as such, I usually don’t tip extra if a restaurant charges a service fee. If they don’t, I usually round up unless it’s street food or a market vendor. When I do order for delivery through Grab, I always tip the driver.
My favorite restaurants in Bangkok
Quick tips for your Bankok Trip
Great hotels in Bangkok for foodies
- Public House Bangkok – A design hotel on one of my favorite Bangkok streets with many restaurants around
- Capella – Ultra luxury with some of the city’s best restaurants
- The Standard Bangkok – Cool design hotel with great cocktails and dining options
Cool food tours in Bangkok
Practical things
Modern eateries in Bangkok
Not in the mood for street food or even necessarily Thai? Here are some of my favorite Bangkok restaurants that I have loosely summarized as modern eateries.
Ba Hao
If I had to pick one restaurant in Bangkok to eat exclusively and for the rest of my life, it would probably be Ba Hao. This is the place I take visitors, would go on a first date, and look forward to when arriving back in town after being away.
Ba Hao is both a small restaurant & bar and a tiny, two-bedroom guesthouse or residence, as they call it, in Chinatown. I love staying here as well, and whenever I do, I order my food in the lounge upstairs, which feels both cozy and very indulgent at the same time.
If you are not staying there, you will need to eat downstairs just like everyone else, but I dare say, it is a vibe. Ba Hao is located on Chinatown’s coolest street, Soi Nana. You eat surrounded by some of the best bars in Bangkok.
On the menu – modern Chinese for lack of a better description. Order the scallion pancakes, they are amazing, and the steamed shrimp balls, or even better, the spinach and shrimp wontons with siracha mayo. After, go for the pork belly mantou, or the scallion pancake beef rolls if you can handle the spice, or the tan tan mian, one of the best soups in Bangkok. They can also make it vegetarian! Honestly, whatever you order, you can’t really go wrong.
The cocktail and drinks selection is extensive, and they do themselves proud amongst Soi Nana’s cocktail bar extravaganza. Try the Drunken Mistress – it is one of my favorite cocktails in the world. Just ask them to put it in a regular glass unless you are very good with balancing delicate Chinese bowls, which the drink is usually served in.
Chenin
Chenin was probably one of the first “little dishes, sit-on bar stools, and look cool” Bangkok wine bars. I like it because it is located on my favorite soi in Sukhumvit, and they have a really nice selection of wines, including some interesting natural wines. Admittedly, you are better off in a group when you can order a bottle of wine, because their by-the-glass selection can be a bit hit or miss depending on the menu.
Make a reservation or come very early. Every time I have eaten there, I was on my own and would have qualified for an early bird special, but the staff never seems really enthusiastic to seat no-reservation diners. Or maybe it was just me because I hate sitting on their shared bar stool counter (I don’t mind the sharing, I just don’t like bar stools).
The menu offers wine bar classics, as I would call them. Nibbles like oysters and olives, beef tartare, baby cos salad, burrata, and mixed cold cods. More interesting is their selection of pasta dishes – try the Bucatini in Salsa with anchovy butter and gremolata. It is wonderfully weird, and the Cacio e Pepe comes with extra Italian sausage, always a plus. I don’t often order pasta when eating out, but I think theirs is exceptional.
Most people, however, seem to come for their flatbreads. I actually don’t know if they are flatbreads or small pizzas. Still, they are apparently very Instagrammable thanks to a thick crust covered in parmesan shavings and options like a runny egg, a whole burrata, or clams. I have tried one before and was a little underwhelmed, to be honest. That said, maybe it is time to go back, drink great wine from Slovenia, and give the little cheese monsters another chance.
Mod Kaew Wine Bar
Mod Kaew’s motto? A natural wine dive bar in the guts of Bangkok. What’s not to love?! The bar is a great dinner and drinking destination if you are staying at the Standard or anywhere else in Silom.
It is a little hidden, but just follow the very understated sign on the wall, and you find yourself in a wine lover’s paradise. The staff is equally cool and friendly, and really knows their stuff when it comes to wine and, of course, the menu. They have about six wines by the glass, a bubbly, a dessert wine, and a sake option. Perfect for solo diners or if you need to find your groove first and get acquainted with orange wine & Co.
On the menu, some more wine bar classics like oysters, steak tartare, chicken liver parfait, and pasta. However, they do have some rather unusual choices, many of them vegetarian. I went for the anchovy toast, smoked ricotta, focaccia, and the burnt leeks with hazelnut and truffle manchego. I think it was the first time in a long time I didn’t mind truffle flavor, and the anchovy toast had me wanting more.
Prices are definitely on the higher end, both for food and wine, but I say it is definitely worth the splurge – best to come in a group and try the whole menu!
Hikiniku to Come
While I can appreciate a good food court in Bangkok, most are too crowded for my liking, especially on a Saturday. I know, rookie error to go. Alas, I found myself at Siam Paragon to get a bracelet fixed and hungry for lunch, and the options were terrifying – I have never seen such long queues and so many people.
Then I remembered I had read that Hikiniku to Come had a few locations in Bangkok now – one at Siam Paragon. What’s that, you may ask? They are a somewhat viral restaurant I had eaten at in Kyoto. All they do is meatballs on rice. Yes, you read this correctly – freshly chargrilled meatballs and nothing else.
I do appreciate the Japanese way of perfecting one dish, and one dish only. At Siam Paragon, Hikiniku is hidden behind a black corridor and curtain – perfect to escape the crowds. You pay for your meal before you start and choose to add a couple of sides and drinks. I just went for the regular meatball set: 3 meatballs, miso soup, and unlimited rice served with their signature condiments and spices.
After, you sit at a communal round table around the grill where the meatball masters are at work. There is a somewhat strict order of ceremony. You are supposed to eat your first meatball just as is. The second will get a side of shaved radish and ponzu sauce, and for the third one they also bring you a raw egg to make a delicious sloppy meatball-rice-egg mix. I went a bit rogue, asking for my egg immediately, which clearly threw them off, though they obliged.
Can you live on meatballs alone? Obviously Hikinku is not a great choice for vegetarians. Still, if you like meat and are looking for a place to escape the crowds at Siam Paragon, I cannot recommend them enough – the meatballs are truly perfection.
Apparently they also have a branch in Canggu, Bali now – can anyone confirm that?
Fine Dining restaurants in Bangkok
It might not be Tokyo, but when it comes to Michelin-starred restaurants, Bangkok does not have to be shy. There are 2 three-star restaurants, 8 two-star restaurants, and a whopping 31 one-star restaurants. Similar to Singapore, many of those are humble street food stalls, but others are proper fine dining places. One of the three-star restaurants in Bangkok happens to be a German eatery, which makes me oddly proud.
I tend not to eat multi-course tasting menus every day (shocking, right?!) but recently got to try a few of Bangkok’s fine dining establishments which I think are worth a trip.
Restaurant POTONG
I have been wanting to eat at POTONG for a very long time, and I will admit that one of the reasons was Pichaya Soontornyanakij, short Chef Pam. Being crowned the World’s Best Female Chef 2025 as an Asian woman is really inspiring. She has collected quite an impressive array of accolades and has since opened several restaurants. Still, POTONG is her first baby, a one-star restaurant in her family’s former apothecary in the heart of Chinatown.
Getting there is already an adventure. Or rather, I took the most adventurous route through narrow alleys with cats and people hanging out in front of their TVs – normal Chinatown life.
Today the building has undergone a major overhaul while retaining a few of the original touches – history in every corner. A big plus: a tiny slim lift so you don’t have to brave the very narrow staircases. On top, you will find Opium bar, aptly named with a big menu full of concoctions. I am sure they are all really good for you as well, though nothing tastes like bitter medicine despite the clear inspiration.
The building was home to Chef Pam’s family business, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine producer. Over 100 years of history are present, including the original logo of POTONG, the business’ name, two tigers framing a globe.
So what’s on the menu? Once you have made your way downstairs to the main dining room, you will be seated for a multi-course tasting menu. Dishes reflect Chef Pam’s memories and can be summarized as progressive Thai-Chinese. You have the option to add extra specialty courses and order wine or fermented drinks pairings.
Some dishes are prepared table-side (or the ingredients are presented table-side – hello, little crab!); there are bites and bowls; most are eaten with chopsticks that you get to select; some you can eat with your hands.
One of her signature dishes is a deconstructed pad thai, a clever twist on a beloved classic. Otherwise, It is hard to pick favorites, but my friend and I both loved the cured ham and lard as well as an oyster bite, and the marinated squid with its ink. That said, unforgettable highlights were the mud crab roe with cilantro and lemongrass that came in the cutest bowl, as well as the 14-day dry-aged duck. I don’t eat duck all that much, but this was one of the best dishes I have had this year.
Another favorite is the dessert assembly, for lack of a better word, with the very house you are sitting in on a plate. Cute doesn’t even begin to describe it.
Chef Pam has opened a few more casual eateries in Bangkok, and after that night I am keen to try them all!
Côte by Mauro Colagreco at Capella Bangkok
I am no stranger to Capella Bangkok, but I am usually downstairs: either at their Auriga Spa or at Thai restaurant Phra Nakhon. To my utter excitement, I was recently invited to Côte by Mauro Colagreco, one of the few 2-star restaurants in Bangkok.
I had no expectations, to be honest, knowing very little about the chef or the cuisine I would get. The cuisine at Côte is multifaceted: Italian, French, Mediterranean, and calls itself a contemporary reinterpretation of traditional recipes and culinary heritage. Considering that this heritage spans a few countries, this can mean a lot. And considering that Mauro Colagreco himself is Argentinian, you can expect an even looser interpretation.
You can choose between various tasting menus for lunch or dinner. The smallest is a 4-course lunch, and the largest menu is the 8-course Carte Blanche, available for lunch and dinner. I had the 6-course Signature Experience. All menus are available with additional cheese courses as well as wine or non-alcoholic pairings.
The dining room overlooking the Chao Phraya River is light and elegant with an open kitchen counter in the back where some, but not all, of the magic happens right in front of your eyes. I arrived for lunch, and there were only two other tables. Whichever menu you order, I recommend you have the wine pairing if you do drink, as it is exceptional. I usually don’t do wine pairings anymore as they tend to leave me underwhelmed, but this one was so good.
Let’s talk about the food though, because that was even better. The first course will stay in my head rent-free for a very long time: raw red prawns on a prawn gel with ajo blanco, cherries, and red shiso. I paid my compliments to the trainee who probably had to practice slicing the thinnest cherries slices for days, but wow, it paid off! The whole dish was sweet, umami, summery, and something I have never eaten before (and probably won’t ever again which makes me sad).
Next up was a zucchini with beans, razor clams, and pistachio – I loved the cute presentation – as well as Côte’s signature bread with geranium olive oil. Trofie with langoustine and black sesame was followed by another stunner: baby potatoes with not just morels but what I think was half a truffle. Who knew that all I needed to like potatoes (I am a bad German) was a load of fancy mushrooms?!
My main was as adventurous as a restaurant like Côte will get, with a variety of pigeon with figs and black olive vinaigrette. After it was finally time for dessert. I am a sucker for a dessert that is simple and gets all the flavors right. This was one of them thanks to coconut, green apple, and green shiso – perfect for a hot summer’s day in Bangkok.
After you may need a nap, I recommend you don’t stray far and book yourself a room upstairs. This way, you can return for dinner too!
Ms. Maria & Mr. Singh
If you like Indian and fine dining, chances are you have heard of Gaggan. The rockstar chef is back in Bangkok and stronger than ever with his signature restaurant topping all the charts as well as various pop-ups, a Louis Vuitton collaboration, and Ms. Maria & Mr. Singh.
In the kitchen are Chef Hernán Crispín Villalva and Chef Roshan Kumar, creating a self-proclaimed “Fantasy Cuisine”. Based on the fictional characters Ms. Maria and Mr. Singh who introduce each other to their respective countries’ cuisine and ultimately fall in love, the menu offers a melange of Mexican and Indian cooking.
The Sukhumvit restaurant is whimsical to say the least, definitely showing Gaggan’s handwriting, but in a more relaxed atmosphere. Yes, there is cool music, but you can still have a conversation, and picture-taking is allowed as well.
You can either choose a tasting menu for two or go à la carte. Most dishes really blend the two cuisines perfectly and unexpectedly – think papdi chaat but on a corn taco shell – but without dogma. I mean, who doesn’t want to have minced lamb curry in their quesadilla?? Whatever you order, you must have the homemade chips & dips. The spicy queso is out of this world, so don’t skip it! In fact, I think they should sell it in jars.
Of course, there are various tacos and – a nice nod to the solo diners – they are served in pairs, but you can mix when dining alone to try more. The curries have their own category aptly named “for wedding and maybe a funeral”. The Kerala fish curry is a must, as is the mutton pepper fry with a goan poee bread. And do leave room for dessert: the granita de guayaba con chamoy is salty, fruity, and all the things you could ever want from a dessert.
Drinks are an interesting topic at Ms. Maria & Mr. Singh as there is no tequila, mezcal, or lassi on the menu. Instead, there is an extensive wine list with a big focus on skin contact wines, many available by the glass. Just ask the lovely sommelier!
Cafes & lunch spots in Bangkok
Looking for a quick bite or lunch in Bangkok? Check out these cafes, street food stalls and little eateries for a yummy meal.
Odeon Crab Noodle
The name says it all: at Odeon you eat crab noodles. The little eatery in Chinatown has been around forever and focuses on succulent crab dishes. You can order your noodles dry or with broth, add pork or crab wontons, or most importantly, whole claws. They also make some really juicy dim sum, and the prices are just right.
Don’t be scared to walk in – they are very friendly and have English menus too!
Mango Vegetarian & Vegan
If you want to stay close to Khao San Road because you are new to Bangkok, I understand. I get it. That said, finding decent food on Khao San Road is so difficult. Places are either super loud (I am showing my age, don’t I?) or just a really bad representation of what Thai food is all about. And if you wanted something fresh and healthy, forget about it.
There is one exception: Mango Vegetarian & Vegan. So I recommend you have a Singha and a scorpion on a stick to impress your friends, and then head to Mango for your real meal. The restaurant just parallel to Khao San Road has been around forever and resembles a green oasis amongst the chaos. Plus they have two cats!
The food is fresh, with many raw and/or vegan options; the portions are very generous, and the staff is lovely. The only downside: the cats know they are cute and can be quite aloof. Oh well, no other Khao San restaurant has cats at all…
Ya Chaem’s Kanom Bueang Yuan
I discovered the stall of grandma Chaem all on my own a couple of years ago, after being introduced to the Nang Loeng market. The Nang Loeng market is Bangkok’s oldest non-floating market and always good fun. Just outside in a little alley, you will find Ya Chaem’s Kanom Bueang Yuan – a Bangkok institution.
Grandma Chaem makes Khanom Bueang Yuan, which is a Vietnamese-style crepe similar to bánh xèo. They are stuffed with mung beans and sprouts, minced pork, and, if you want, an egg before being deep-fried over the coals. They are served with a side of vinegary cucumbers, onions, chillis, garlic, and ginger and it is one of my favorite Bangkok meals. I have yet to find the same dish anywhere else, so whenever I am in the area, I take a trip here first to get my fill.
Gaga Udon House
I love Japanese food. So much so, I ate a lot more Japanese than Thai food when I lived in Bangkok last year. Lucky for me, Bangkok has the most Japanese restaurants outside of Japan.
My favorite Japanese noodle is udon; I think they are by far superior to ramen or soba noodles. One of my usuals is from Gaga Udon House. They have two locations in Bangkok, and yes, you can also order them via Grab. Are they objectively the best udon in Bangkok? I don’t know, but they are good enough for me to order frequently.
My go-to order is either a simple stewed beef udon and a side of shiitake tempura, or if I am feeling cold and need comfort, I will go for the spicy sesame udon with minced meat. They also have some good options for vegetarians and seem very kid-friendly, with a dedicated menu for little ones. By the way: I usually don’t like tempura; it is always too oily for me, but theirs is wonderful!
Bartels
Who makes the best sandwich in Bangkok? I thought it was just me, but the vote is clear: Bartels. They make incredible sourdough bread that you can also buy as a whole and that is used for all their sandwiches.
They now have a few outlets in Bangkok as well as in Phuket (hurray), though to be honest, I have never set foot in one. (This is why there is no picture of the best sandwich in Bangkok yet.) Instead I just order by Grab. There is a sandwich for everyone, though I obviously have a go-to order I never, or very rarely, stray from: siracha chicken with avocado, cucumber and red onion pickle with extra aged cheddar. To me, it is the best sandwich in the world, but as I said, the options are plenty so find your own.
EASY! buddy
I was on a domestic flight in Thailand when I made friends with a Thai woman who shared all her local Bangkok food tips with me (thank you, Dora!). One of them was EASY! buddy, where you will get one of the more unusual versions of Pad Kra Pao.
To me and many others, Pad Kra Pao is the ultimate Thai dish. Stir-fried holy basil, a protein source, garlic, chilli, and fish and oyster sauce are served over rice and usually with a fried egg on top. Usually, Pad Kra Pao is a quick, easy, and inexpensive dish. Still, these days you can also get fancier versions with seafood or even wagyu (I had that at the Slate in Phuket and was pleasantly surprised, even though I am usually not a wagyu fan).
(this is not a picture of EASY! but your normal street food Pad Kra Pao)
One of the most famous Pad Kra Pao restaurants in Bangkok is Phed Mark, though I like EASY! buddy for a slightly more elevated take. They have several outlets, usually in the bigger malls. On the menu are a few different Pad Kra Pao variations, but I like Buddy’s Favorite: the beef is not minced but sliced and marinated (and incredibly tender), and served over sticky rice. If that wasn’t fun enough, it gets a fried duck egg on top as well as caramelized corn on the side.
You can also make your own plate and, of course, add a second duck egg or some more meat if you are very hungry (I definitely recommend doing that!).
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