Top 10 Restaurants in Bangkok
Bangkok is a foodie lovers paradise, bustling full of delicious meals to suit every taste. Here are my top picks making my Top 10 Restaurants in Bangkok.
The House on Sathorn
Squeezed between the looming W Hotel and the new MahaNakhon building, what is now The House on Sathorn is a house of history, dating back almost 130 years to when it was built as a Thai aristocratic home before later serving as the centre of the Soviet Union’s Asian operations during the Cold, Korean & Indochine wars. Its interiors have been returned to its original pastel colours with all of the original fixtures remaining, from the window shutters to ornate pillars and even the grand old trees in the courtyard. Head chef Fatih Tutak’s ‘fun dining’ concept tells as much of a story as the building itself with influences from both his native Turkey and other areas he has lived in Asia making creative dishes perfectly presented in bonsai trees, on lily pads and a de-shelled lobster in its original shape. Be sure to retire to the bar for an after-dinner drink with lavish touches like heavy leather sofas, hanging artwork and a beautifully elaborate ceiling, the dark bar exudes atmosphere with secret corners to enjoy a more intimate moment.
Vertigo
Reaching for the clouds on the 61st floor of the Banyan Tree tower, Vertigo & Moon Bar are the perfect end to a day in Bangkok. An unusual, narrow and elongated shape, it occupies the entire top floor allowing stunning and unique 360-degree views, giving the feeling of being aboard a spaceship. There is no shortage of rooftop restaurants in Bangkok, but this one is definitely my favourite. The sofas in the Moon Bar make for a perfect sundowner to get you in the mood for dinner, with clear nights lighting up the river in the distance shining out from the surrounding sky scrapers. Make sure to call ahead to book in the restaurant and don’t arrive too late for sunset, the best seats will be snapped up quickly. A menu of imported steaks and great seafood make for a memorable experience as you dine on top of the world. And if you’re in need of a keep-sake, they take a photo of your table and frame it ready for you to take home.
Quince
Located in the Phrom Pong area of Sukhumvit, the furniture and design of this restaurant is very unique for Bangkok. The renovated house features different rooms which retain its homely feel, with the dining area divided between the glasshouse at the front with a casual and industrial feel, and the dining hall in the back seeming more European. A constantly changing menu of locally-sourced ingredients creates delicious international dishes, with a perfect array for both vegetarians and carnivores, and a host of cocktails to wash it all down with. With a large list of ever-changing specials, the concept is based on a tapas style so luckily you get to try a lot of the dishes. The restaurant appears like an extension of Casa Pagoda, the smart interior design store next door where many of its furnishings come from and can be purchased. If you’re not ready for the night to end, head to the next door Sing Sing bar for a very different bar experience.
Appia
A manu based on mama’s homemade Roman Italian recipes, you are guaranteed to leave here both happy and full. All of the traditional favourites are served; creamy burrata cheese, deliciously fresh pastas, classic Roman porchetta and definitely the most delicious tiramisu in town. Its worth booking ahead, these cosy wooden tables are some of the hottest in town. Stepping through the door, you are transformed from a skyscraper-filled city to a country trattoria. The focal point being the bar above which hangs a chalkboard of of specials, chickens slowly turning on a spit and roast pork cooling on the side. When you finally stumble out of the door at the end of the evening, you’ll be surprised not be greeted by Italian cobbled streets.
L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon
Having visited Joel Robouchon’s restaurants in London & Monaco, I thought I knew what I was in for. But his Bangkok opening, while keeping many of his signature features, and of course focusing on French haute cuisine, is a different experience. Tucked away in the new Cube at MahanaKon building, most of the seats are at the counter (except for the hidden crystal table and a private dining room looking out to the MahanaKon), taking away the formal feel that would be expected and making the restaurant feel more alive as the staff mix and mingle on the other side of the counter, talking you through your culinary journey. There’s a tasting menu or you can choose your own combination of the smaller dishes, just be sure to get one that comes with his signature mashed potato which never disappoints. Wine is always a central aspect of the Joël Robuchon experience and the selections from the small batch of wineries will be paired by their Sommelier who is more than happy to assist. Later the irresistible cheese and dessert trolleys will be wheeled to you which just can’t be turned down as the perfect finish to a perfect meal.
Medici Kitchen & Bar
Bangkok is blessed with countless Italian restaurants and up there with the best of them is Medici. Housed in the basement of the boutique Hotel Muse this is a finer-dining, yet authentic and creative option. Entertainment is a focus for the restaurant with hourly opera singers walking through the restaurant singing while you eat or Flamenco guitar performance nights. The decor has an elegant East-meets-West feel, looking like an Italian wine cellar tucked into the rusting rafters of an Art deco skyscraper with the circular booths making for a romantic feel. The menu has been carefully selected with a Southern Italian focus of fresh, authentic, home-cooking keeping the ingredients as pure as possible and serving up bold Italian dishes. After dinner head upstairs to the Speakeasy roof bar for a delicious cocktail looking over the city as you’re whisked back to the 1920’s Prohibition era with cool jazz playing in the background.
Park Society @ Sofitel So
On the 29th floor, this rooftop restaurant is covered by a roof making it a great option even during rainy season. Excellent food, an amazing view and a sense of exclusivity, Park Society looks out to the green sprawling Lumpini Park which provides a magnificent sunset view which can be enjoyed with an aperitif at the next door Hi-So bar. Make sure to get one of the tables running along the windows, the best spots in the house. As the sun sets, the lights of the buildings are mirrored around the restaurant thanks to its design aimed to bring the outdoors in. The staff here are the best in Bangkok and make the experience all that more special, taking their time to get to know you and ensure that your time spent in their care is the best it can be. An international menu is created by an Australian Chef who is happy to alter the menu to suit every individual. Park Society is a restaurant that you just want to lounge in, enjoying the luxurious decor and savouring every bite over a glass of wine. When you think it’s all finished, you’re given a goodie back of sweet treats to take away with you, as if it couldn’t get any better.
Thon Kreung
Having moved from its prime location on the corner of Thonglor Soi 13 to its more tucked away home on Sukhumvit 49, Thon Kreung is a long-running Thai comfort food restaurant which is regularly packed with large groups and remains a neighbourhood favourite. With both indoor and outdoor seating, the decor is plain and simple, but the dishes perfect for a more Western Thai palate. With a typically ginormous Thai menu, you are sure to find your favourites and make sure to order them all because the bill will be tiny.
Long Table
With a stunning 25th floor setting, Long Table may not be sky scraping, but it makes up for it in every other way. With a focus not just on its delicious Thai foods, but the total dining experience, and cocktails that will make you forget that you’re not actually on a rooftop. A daily sundowner offer of 2-4-1 cocktails every evening from 5-7pm and well-priced food, the lounge feel makes this one of Bangkok’s coolest sky bars. Living up to its name, it has a 25m table, the longest in Thailand, extending through the restaurant and double floor to ceiling windows which extend onto a buzzing terrace overlooking the city. The menu is Thai fusion with many dishes that are recognisable to Western tastes and a chef that understands that not everyone can handle the spice levels preferred by locals. If you want a table next to the window, be sure to book ahead as this is one Bangkok restaurant that remains a firm favourite year after year.
Toro
The new Courtyard 72 in Thonglor is home to this Manhattan-chic fusion tapas bar which combines a vibrant and fun atmosphere into a casual dining space. The menu is full of plenty of Spanish classics while the Toro concept also includes some more fancy tapas bites, taking culinary tricks from Asia. While you can mix and match, make sure that you don’t miss out on the classic Barcelona-inspired options like the croquettas and the paella. Toro Bangkok calls itself a bar rather than a restaurant which comes across in the vibe and the drinks menu which focuses on gin and cocktails that play with the senses.
