This guide to Bangkok’s top 10 favourite restaurants was last updated on 30 Mar 2015.
The dining scene in Bangkok is constantly changing. Every time we visit the city, besides revisiting our favourite places, there are always new restaurants and cafes to check out. With an impressive choice of eateries and the endless offerings, it is little wonder why Bangkok is a destination for those who anticipate a culinary adventure. So if you want to have a taste of the enthralling options that Bangkok has to offer, this is a list of our Top 10 Favourite Restaurants in Bangkok.
A perennial favourite is Inter at Siam Square Soi 9. It serves terrific Thai dishes – like tomyum, pad Thai, green curry chicken, stir-fried morning glory, stir-fried kale with crispy pork, fried rice and fried pork with garlic and pepper - at very affordable prices ranging from THB 65 to 120. It is my must-go place in Bangkok for cheap and good local food.
Siam Square Soi 9
Tel: +66 2 251 4689
Nearest Station: Siam
Isao Sushi Bar, known for its fusion sushi creations, is probably one of the hottest Japanese restaurants in Bangkok. It is the kind of place where you will go crazy and want to order everything from the menu.
Overall, the food at Isao is very good. Bold, playful and delicious. Not to mention that the prices are a bargain for the quality of food.
5 Sukhumvit 31, Watthana
Tel: +66 2 258 0645
Daily: 11am – 2am
Nearest BTS: Asok
Lek Seafood
This no-frills eatery is located just underneath Chong Nonsi BTS, and serves cheap and mouthwatering seafood. We had Garlic Prawns, Steamed Fish in Lime Sauce, Stir-fried Pork with Chilli Sauce, Thai-style Omelette, Stir-fried Kale, Stir-fried Morning Glory, Salted Egg yolk Squid – everything was delicious.
The food is just as good, if not even better, than the famous T&K Seafood in Chinatown. But if we had to choose between them, we’d pick Lek Seafood because it is much more accessible.
156 Soi Phiphat, Narathiwat Ratchanakharin Road
Nearest BTS: Chong Nonsi
Let Them Eat Cake
When I tried the desserts from Let Them Eat Cake back in 2012, I was amazed how a little patisserie in a hidden alley in Sukhumvit could produce such high standard cakes. Now they have a more accessible location in Siam Center, and I’m happy to say that the desserts are still very very good. The Thai ice tea tart is brilliant, while its Mille-feuille is as good as the ones that I’ve had in Paris. I am going on a limb to say that Let Them Eat Cake is the best patisserie in Bangkok.
4th floor, Siam Center
989 Rama I Road
Tel: +66 2 658 1603
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Karmakamet Diner is a super gorgeous and stunning restaurant. The space is very well-furnished, with so much thoughts put into every detail. From coasters that are folded from envelopes, to the papers used to line the tables which are literally newspapers, albeit specially designed and printed ones bearing Karmakamet’s branding.
30/1 Sukhumvit Soi 24 Bangkok
Tel: +66 2 262 0700 1
Daily: 9am – 11pm
Nearest BTS: Phrom Phong
Krua Apsorn
Krua Apsorn is quite possibly the best traditional Thai restaurant in Bangkok. It serves simple but super delicious Thai food at pocket-friendly prices, and it is somewhere that only locals and foodies in-the-know head to.
The signature Stir-Fried Crab in Curry Powder (THB 350) is one of the best that we’ve had and a must-order when you dining here. We also enjoyed the Omelette with Crab, Stir-fried Green Mussels with basil Leaves and Chilli, and Deep-fried Mackerel with Mango Salad.
Krua Apson has a few branches in the city, but go to its original shop at Samsen Soi 9 – located just north of the National Library in the old town of Bangkok. If it was located near Siam or Sukhumvit, we would dine here every day.
Samsen Soi 9, Bangkok
On Lok Yun is a 80-year-old institution in Bangkok which specialises in serving traditional breakfast. It reminds us of Yut Kee in Kuala Lumpur, as well as Singapore’s very own Chin Mee Chin Confectionary – places that are as old-fashioned as they can get. It is like time stood still here, and Thailand never advanced. On Lok Yun is every bit old school, but it radiates a charm like no other.
The menu is concise, with few options to ponder over. We liked the kaya bread, or in their words – egg custard. The bread and spread are served separately – a dollop of sweet kaya atop a layer of evaporated milk on one plate, and bite-sized pieces of traditional pillowy bread on the other. Dip as you wish.
72 Charoen Krung Road
Daily: 6am – 4pm
Opposite Mess Hall
At Opposite Mess Hall, the food is phenomenal, the atmosphere is lively and buzzing. Among the many tempting options on the menu, the savoury duck waffle is mind blowing good!
27/1 Sukhumvit Soi 51
Tel: +66 2 662 6630
Tue to Sat: 6pm – 11pm
Sun: 11am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 11pm
Nearest BTS: Thong Lo
Roast
Roast is a hip and trendy spot at Seenspace Thonglor Soi 13 where you can go for a good brunch and coffee, or a nice romantic dinner.
Roast is also listed in our other guides – Bangkok’s Best Coffee, and 10 Cafes in Bangkok.
SeenSpace Thong Lor Soi 13
Tel: +66 2 185 2865
Mon to Thu: 10am – 11pm
Fri & Sat: 9am – 12.30am
Sun: 9am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Thonglor
The White Flower Bakery Restaurant
It is easy to miss The White Flower Bakery Restaurant because it looks unassuming and univiting from the outside. But once you step in, you will discover that the two-story restaurant has a huge space, and it is buzzing with many Thai people chatting away.
The White Flower Bakery Restaurant is frequented by locals, you can hardly find tourists here. It is a place where you would want to come with a big group because there are so many excellent Western and Thai dishes on the menu to choose from. Prices are extremely reasonable for the quality of food, most of the dishes are priced from THB 100 to 165.
678/4-7 Bamrungmaung Road
Wattepsirin, Pomprabsattrupai
Tel: +66 2 527 4950
Sun to Thu: 10.30am – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 10.30am – 10.30pm
For more recommendations, read our Bangkok Travel Guides.
Good to see opposite mess hall on here – an absolute favourite of mine! Next time you must try seven spoons, soul food mahanakorn, appia and chomp
plenty more BKK eating up on my blog http://www.beirutibrit.com
Nice well written blog, I agree abour Greyhound, good service , good food, haven’t been for so long! No mention of Sizzler? or am I just a Philistine?
Next time , Try Obaroi (ob – arr – roi) Seafood restaurant at town in town. it my favorite restaurant.
and go to restaurant before 17.00.
recommend : Steam Prawns with glass noodles (kung ob woo sen)and Grilled Scallops with Butter.
Just for your info, Isao sushi bar closes at 10pm and Not 2am as stated above.
We ate at Opposite Mess Hall a while ago. The smoked bone marrow dumplings were amazing!
Please remove som tom nua as a too 10 resturant in your recommendation. I was at the resturant on 26th July 2014. The food is not anywhere good. I ordered the pork rib soup and it’s so sour that it’s not possible to even swallow, the pork is so hard only the straw mushroom is fresh. On the salad I ordered mince pork salad. I’m shocked when I’m served a plate of boiled mince pork mix in sour fish sauce. Not a strand of vegetable or garnish. How do you call this salad? The fish I ordered was sold out but they didn’t even inform me till I asked. I was also over charged with an additional item which I didn’t order, the receipt is in Thai so please check your tab if you ever happen to go. Did you even follow up on your recommendation since your postings are popular? Is this your standard?
I know I’m nitpicking a little here but calling your feature “BANGKOK’S TOP 10 FAVOURITE RESTAURANTS” implies that these restaurants were chosen by say Bangkok residents or reviewers as their favorite, or what you think may be their favourite restaurants… Which is not the case. Just saying.