Photo Credit: Anna Yordanova
Restaurants in Bangkok
Sukhumvit's bewildering selection of restaurants includes stylish Thai food at Baan Khanitha, northern Indian dishes at Rang Mahal and French at La Colombe d'Or. Join the crowds in Silom and enjoy pub food at O'Reilly's. Street food snacks, from sticks of satay chicken to steaming bowls of noodles, are popular ...
Sukhumvit's bewildering selection of restaurants includes stylish Thai food at Baan Khanitha, northern Indian dishes at Rang Mahal and French at La Colombe d'Or. Join the crowds in Silom and enjoy pub food at O'Reilly's. Street food snacks, from sticks of satay chicken to steaming bowls of noodles, are popular and widely available. VAT is added to the bill, as is 10% service, but do check. Last orders vary between 10.30pm and midnight.
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Fusion
80/20
The fraction in the name is for the percentage of ingredients (80) that are sourced locally versus elsewhere. The offerings here marry Thai and Western ingredients all under the watchful eye of a young team of thirtysomething chefs. The menu rotates faster than a buzzing tuk-tuk but…$$Chinatown
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Italian
Appia
Styled as a Roman trattoria, the Italian cuisine here is rustic, featuring homemade pastas, stews, and roasted meats such as porchetta stuffed with fennel, garlic, and rosemary. Also on the menu: seafood, cold cuts, cheeses, and a good selection of wine.$$Sukhumvit
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Thai/International
Aquatini
This conveniently located restaurant serving both Thai and international cuisine makes a good stop on your way to and from sightseeing trips if you're based near Khao San Road, as it's right next to Phra Arthit Pier where the river ferry stops. There's a broad, open terrace with…$$Phra Arthit Road Area
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Thai
Baan Khanitha
Our favorite location is on busy Sathorn Road but Baan Khanitha now has three off-shoots around Bangkok. It offers authentic Thai in a comfortable, classy atmosphere. For starters, choose the yam som o, a tangy salad with pomelo, shrimps, and chicken. Then graduate to a curry, from…$$Business District
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Thai
Benjarong
Named for the exquisite five-color pottery once reserved exclusively for the royal family, Benjarong's fine Thai cuisine focuses on the five basic flavors of Thai cooking (salty, bitter, hot, sweet, and sour) in traditional "royal" dishes. While the a la carte menu is extensive, the…$$$Silom & Surawong Roads
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Italian
Biscotti
Biscotti is one of Bangkok's top Italian restaurants, both for its food and its homely feel. Solid tables and wooden floors encompass an open kitchen where the chefs work their magic, and the general mood is very relaxed, created by candle-lit tables, tasteful potted plants, and…$$Pathum Wan District
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Royal Thai
Blue Elephant
Long-known and respected for its cooking school, Blue Elephant attracts diners looking for a taste of Royal Thai cuisine. That includes signature dishes of salmon larb; mieng kham, the classic betel leaf appetizer from the north; foie gras accompanied by a tart, tamarind sauce; Thai…$$Sathon District
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Royal Thai
Bo.Lan
Bo.Lan was founded by a husband and wife team, Thai-born chef Duangporn ‘Bo’ Songvisava and Australian-born chef Dylan ‘Lan’ Jones, who met while working at a top Thai restaurant in London. The menu comes from the pair’s love of this cuisine and country. Ingredients are locally…$$$Lower Sukhumvit
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Pan-Asian
Breeze
This unforgettable restaurant on the 52nd floor of the Lebua State Tower on Silom Road is the place to take someone you want to impress, but make sure that they don't suffer from vertigo and that your pockets are well lined. On arrival, you'll cross a neon-lit "skybridge" and…$$$Sathon District
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American
Bunker
Bunker’s cuisine doesn’t fit into just one category. The Filipino-American chef Arnie Marcella grew up in New York, worked in kitchens in Mexico, Italy, and New York City before falling hard for Bangkok and Thai food and decided to move here. Family-style dishes are an…$$Sathon District
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Thai
Cabbages & Condoms
You may wonder what condoms have to do with dining, but when you realize this welcoming restaurant is run by the Population & Community Development Association, it starts to make sense. In any case, their motto is "Our food is guaranteed not to cause pregnancy," and profits from…$Sukhumvit District
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Indian
Charcoal Tandoor Grill & Mixology
As you can guess from the name, cocktails and grilled meats are the stars here. The latter are seared to perfection in a custom-built tandoor oven, which is kept going overnight so that such side dishes as dal (lentil stew) can be cooked for a good 12-hours before they hit the plate.…$$Lower Sukhumvit
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Cantonese
China House
The opulent colonial-style house on the grounds of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel harkens back to the roaring 1930s Shanghai with dark woods, low lights, and splashes of color accenting the space. The unlimited dim sum buffet Tuesday to Friday fills the house during lunchtime, and…$$$Riverside & Thonburi
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Thai
Deck by the River
With fresh, healthy Thai fare and a few western dishes, the Deck offers intimate dining on an open-air wooden terrace. Go at sunset to gaze at the changing hues of Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn.$$Rattanakosin
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Fusion
Eat Me
An art gallery/restaurant hybrid, showing the works of local painters and photographers, the cheekily-named Eat Me turned 20 in 2018. It still has its rough-hewn chic looks, all exposed industrial beams, dark wood, and indirect lighting on the walls of the ever-changing exhibition…$$$Business District
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Thai
Eathai
Designed to resemble a traditional market, the cooking stations are quartered off into zones representing different areas of Thailand. Collectively they offer something for everyone. Upon entering, you’ll get a card to use for purchases at the food stalls and or for purchasing…$Siam, Phloenchit & Ratchadamri
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Cafe
Eiah-Sae
The doors to this Chinese tea and coffee shop first opened in 1927, and today it’s one of the last places in town to serve traditional Thai-style coffee made with condensed milk. Their selections of Asian teas, both hot and cold, will save some calories and are far less sweet. For a…$Chinatown
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Thai
Erawan Tea Room
★★ THAI[em]This charming tea room at the Grand Hyatt makes for an ideal mid-day break from shopping. The Thai afternoon set is a delicious way to sample a selection of savory Thai snacks, like fried rice, som tum salad, chicken satay, and traditional soups and curries. Jams, cakes,…$Siam, Phloenchit & Ratchadamri
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Thai
Err
Sitting in the shadow of Wat Pho is this casual spin-off of Thonglor’s fancy Bo.Lan (p. ###). The meticulous research and creativity of that restaurant is present and accounted for here in the food; it’s also pleasant place to cool one’s heals after touring the Grand Palace and major…$Banglampoo & Dusit
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Fusion
Gaggan
Welcome to the best restaurant in Asia. I can cite heaps of awards to back that assessment up. Gaggan was described as ‘progressive Indian’ when it splashed onto the scene in 2010. Today, it’s harder to pin down, beyond saying that it is a culinary playground for chef Gaggan Anand’s…$$$Siam, Phloenchit & Ratchadamri
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Japanese
Ginza Sushi Ichi
Fish is flown in daily from Tokyo’s Tsukiji Market which makes this one of the most authentic places for sushi in town. The fact that the restaurant is on the ground floor location of a shopping mall also gives the operation Japanese cred. Two dining rooms offer an intimate dining…$$$Siam, Phloenchit & Ratchadamri
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Thai
Guay Jub Mister Joe
I’d recommend coming here early in any trip to Bangkok because once you tried the signature dish of guay jub (often spelled kuay jap) you’re likely to want to have it again before flying home. It’s pork belly with tender meat and what just may be the crispiest pork skin in Thailand.…$Bang Rak District
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Thai
Harmonique
This place attracts a lot of tourists, as it's been around a long time and is in a handy location near the river. The spiciness of dishes seems to be toned down a bit, and you're unlikely to tuck into anything that makes your hair stand on end or your tongue flap like a trapped eel…$Bang Rak District
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Thai
Hemlock
This place is extremely popular with Thai students, partly because of the very cheap prices and partly for the extensive menu that includes lots of vegetarian options. The walls are plain white with small, abstract artworks, and there's a piano in the corner that sometimes provides…$Phra Arthit Road Area
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Thai
Hemlock
This place is extremely popular with Thai students, partly because of the very cheap prices and partly for the extensive menu that includes lots of vegetarian options. The walls are plain white with small, abstract artworks, and there's a piano in the corner that sometimes provides…$Banglampoo & Dusit
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Chinese
Hua Seng Hong
This busy diner is what I imagine the backstreets of Hong Kong to have been like in the 1930s, with sizzling woks, skinned geese hanging from the ceiling, and the entire food production on display. I highly recommend the roast duck, dim sum, and bird’s nest soup—all are delicious and…$Chinatown
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Thai
Issaya Siamese Club
Celebrity chef Ian Kittichai has his hands in more than a dozen projects across Thailand, including regular appearances on the Iron Chef series, but Issaya Siamese Club is his flagship restaurant. Kittichai’s culinary education began at a young age when he would accompany his mother…$$Sathon District
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Thai
Jay Fai
This is Bangkok’s only street hawker to have received a star from the famed Michelin inspectors. But even before they bestowed that honor in 2018, this rudimentary shophouse (next to Thipsamai Phad Thai) was legendary. It is operated by Jay Fai who is now in her 70s; she is the…$$Banglampoo & Dusit
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Thai
Jok Prince
Why not start your day with a classic Asian breakfasts? Congee, a rice porridge, is the most popular breakfast food in Thailand and most agree that Jok Price sells the best bowl in town. It’s a small shop, down an alley near the Prince Theater. Once you arrive, order a bowl with…$Riverside & Thonburi
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Thai
Khua Kling Pak Sod
The one thing you need to know before heading to Khua Kling Pak Sod is that the food is unapologetically spicy. And not just reach-for-another-glass-of-water spicy but five-alarm hot, which, according to the owner, is just how southern Thai food should be. With taste buds property…$$Lower Sukhumvit
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Japanese
Koi
As an aficionado of Japanese cuisine, it is with some gravitas that I pronounce Koi the number-one Japanese restaurant in town. It’s chic, romantic, and thoroughly sensual. Apart from the sushi and (melt-in-your-mouth) sashimi, most dishes are done with an exquisite international…$$$Sukhumvit
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Thai
Krua Apsorn
Under harsh, cafeteria-style lighting, and glowing white-tiled walls, is a shining star. Krua Apsorn is no secret, thanks to years of patronage from the Thai royal family and glowing media reviews, but even with its lines (they move fast) it’s worth the wait. Over the years, I’ve…$Banglampoo & Dusit
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Thai
Kuaytiaw Reua Tha Siam
Kuay tiaw (Thai noodle soup) is quick, cheap, and tasty, so if you are unsure about eating from street stalls, here is a clean diner with fresh vegetables where you can slurp up Thailand’s most popular dish. Warning: No credit cards are accepted here, so make sure you have cash with…$Siam Square
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French
L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon Bangkok
The renowned Michelin star chef brings his unique dining concept to Bangkok. Chefs experiment and create, working on new ideas in front of customers seated at a high bar and open kitchen. Though the dishes change weekly, you can expect lots of delicacies, exquisite sauces and plates…$$$Bangrak
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French
Le Bouchon
This long-standing French restaurant is located right in the heart of Patpong, so you'll need to walk past the go-go bars without getting dragged in if you arrive after dark. However, once you've settled into this dimly lit bistro, you can relax and enjoy great French dishes in an…$$$Patpong
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Thai
Le Du
After working in some of New York City’s top restaurants (Eleven Madison Park and Jean-Georges), Chef Thitid “Ton” Thassanakajohn returned to his native Thailand in 2015 and proceeded to shake up the fine dining industry. His innovations cover everything from ambiance (the…$$$Silom & Surawong Roads
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French
Le Normandie
Since 1958, The Le Normandie has been the apex of formal dining in Thailand. The ultra-elegant restaurant, atop the renowned Mandarin Oriental, offers panoramic views of Thonburi and the Chao Phraya River. The dining room glistens, from place settings to chandeliers, and the warm…$$$Sathon District
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Thai Vegetarian
May Kaidee
This simple, no-frills restaurant serving vegetarian and vegan food has become so popular among the backpacker crowd that they now have three locations around Khao San Road, and they also run extremely popular cooking classes, where you can meet some new vegetarian friends. There's…$Phra Arthit Road Area
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Thai
MBK Food Island
For a casual, inexpensive option in the center of town, stop by the sixth floor of this market-style mall that’s tops for tech and souvenirs. As well, Thai, Indian, and dedicated vegetarian stands abound offering tasty choices in a clean setting. Many vendors serve their food…$Siam, Phloenchit & Ratchadamri
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Chinese
Mei Jiang
In the plush lower level of the Peninsula lies a Chinese restaurant that serves fresh, unfussy Cantonese dim sum and superbly authentic regional specialties from the Chinese provinces of Guangzhou, Fujian, and Sichuan, not forgetting Northern classics, such as the succulent Beijing…$$$On the River
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Indian
Mrs Balbir's
Vinder Balbir is a renowned Indian chef who has appeared on several TV shows, and the popularity of the original branch on Sukhumvit Soi 11/1 has led to another six branches opening, mostly in shopping malls around the city. However, the original branch still has the best ambience,…$$Sukhumvit District
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Thai/Indian
Muslim Restaurant
Like the simple moniker it goes by, this restaurant doesn’t appear to be much from the outside (or inside, for that matter), and very little has changed since it open more than 70 years ago. But if you park yourself in one of the classic wooden booths along the wall (they date back…$Bang Rak District
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Thai
Nahm
Austrian chef David Thompson made a name for himself dishing out authentic Thai flavors in London before settling in Bangkok. At the time, Thompson was the first farang (Westerner) to attempt to woo local palates with ancient Thai recipes. Thompson was meticulous in his research of…$$Sathon District
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Thai
Nai Mong Hoi Tod
In Thai, hoi tod means oyster or shellfish omelet; however, the famed hoi tod at this Chinatown institution is more like a crispy pancake than a traditional egg omelet. The fillings are oysters or mussels, which are then fried with egg and a sticky rice-flour batter to create a…$Chinatown
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Contemporary Thai
Never Ending Summer
On the Thonburi side of the river is this funky, converted warehouse serving sophisticated, modern takes on Thai food. Duangrit Bunnag, Bangkok’s best-known architect of Jam Factory and Warehouse 30 fame, designed the space. He carefully preserved much of the original structure,…$$Riverside & Thonburi
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Steak
New York Steakhouse
One of the best steakhouses in the region, the JW Marriott's steakhouse offers plenty of dark wood and high, leather wing chairs, and is the best place for a juicy imported Angus steak served with a host of hearty sides (mushrooms, broccoli with cheese, mashed potatoes, and veggies).…$$$Ratchadamri, Sathorn & Sukhumvit Area
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Isan Thai
Polo Fried Chicken
Spend an afternoon walking around the streets of Bangkok and you’ll see many woks bubbling with cracking-hot oil and trays of crisply fried chicken cooling on racks. Thai people love their fried chicken (but don’t we all?) and the best place for it is this open-air shop near Lumpini…$Siam, Phloenchit & Ratchadamri
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Thai
Prachak Pet Yang
Pet yang in Thai means roasted duck— the big reason to head to this institution in Bangrak. The recipe and preparation methods haven’t changed since the shop opened in 1909; a fourth generation of the original family still runs the place. The ever-so-slightly salty duck comes with a…$02236-4830
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Indian
Rang Mahal
Fine dining and Indian cuisine are not often found together in Thailand, but this rooftop restaurant is elegant and chic, and offers a sumptuous selection of culinary delights from every corner of India. Try the tender grilled lamb marinated in rum, herbs and spices.$$$Sukhumvit
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Thai
Rarb
Killer cocktails and one of the best plates of larb moo (a minced pork salad) make this tiny spot a must-try. At the helm is Karn Liangsrisuk, a name locals will recognize from his time at the legendary burger spot Escapades ★, which is across the street. The single page, handwritten…$Banglampoo & Dusit
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Thai
Sala Rim Nam
The Oriental Hotel is the force behind this riverside Thai restaurant with its glittering interior, impeccable standards of cuisine and commendable entertainment. The location is across the river from the main hotel, and the ferryboat ride is quite lovely. The set menu is more like…$$$Riverside & Thonburi
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Seafood
Seafood Market
This place is very fun despite being touristy. Their motto is “If it swims, we have it,” and they aren’t exaggerating. Diners enter the giant hangar of a fish market, and, before sitting down, head to the seafood counters to pick supper, either live or on ice, all priced by the kilo.…$$Lower Sukhumvit
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International
Seven Spoons
New restaurants are constantly opening in Bangkok, though due to fierce competition, few of them survive. A notable exception is Seven Spoons, which has established an enviable reputation in a short time. This gastrobar on the edge of Chinatown serves simple but lovingly prepared,…$$Chinatown
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International
Sirocco
Of the Tower Club’s trinity of high-end restaurants (Sirocco, Breeze, and Mezzaluna), I would say Sirocco is the best. It’s majestically situated on the edge of a glass tower high above the city, but still manages to offer the relaxing ambience of a live jazz venue. An exquisite…$$$Bangrak
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American
Smokin’ Pug
Don't worry: no dogs were harmed to create the meals here. The husband and wife team who created the joint named it for their pet dog. They met in China, while each was teaching English there, and decided to create a restaurant that reminded them of the food back home. That means…$$Bangrak
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Seafood
Somboon Seafood
This hectic seafood hall doesn’t offer much style but it delivers fish so fresh it will usually be still swimming when you arrive. Though it’s packed nightly, you’ll still be able to find a table because the place is so huge. The staff is extremely friendly—between them and the…$$Sathon District
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Isan Thai
Somtum Der
Posh places where one can sample Isan classics aren’t a new concept in Bangkok, but few are as pleasing Somtum Der. The first branch is in Sala Daeng but we prefer the laid-back vibe of the Thonglor outpost (it’s a nice casual spot in a fancy neighborhood). Kick off the meal with an…$$Lower Sukhumvit
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Thai
Soul Food Mahanakorn
Many expats bring first-time guests to Soul Food Mahanakorn because its reliably good Thai dishes cover a range of options and the drinks are innovative and strong. On the food front, that means creative spins on traditional street food. Standout dishes include the Chiang Mai classic…$Lower Sukhumvit
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Trat Thai
Sri Trat
Dishes from Thailand’s eastern seaboard—in particular Trat province—are rarely found in Bangkok, which is a shame, but a good reason to head here. Eastern Thai food uses an abundance of seafood, lots of fresh fruit and tends toward flavors on the sweet and herbal side of the scale.…$$Lower Sukhumvit
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Thai
Suda
It's getting more and more difficult to find cheap, no-frills restaurants in Bangkok, so it's reassuring there are still a few places like Suda where you can fill up on classic Thai dishes such as tom yam kung (spicy soup with shrimps) and gai pat med mamuan (chicken fried with…$Sukhumvit District
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German
Sühring
Before identical German twins Thomas and Mathias Sühring (lovingly known as ‘The Twins’) came around, German fare in Bangkok was represented only by the sub-par schnitzel served at beer pubs around Silom Road. Today, The Twins are introducing an elevated version of that cuisine,…$$$Silom & Surawong Roads
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Thai
Supanniga Eating Room
]The original branch was in Isan at the Supanniga Home in Khon Kaen (p. ###) but this family-run business has created a mini empire in Bangkok. Hungry foreigners and discerning locals wax poetically about the salty-sour fish cakes, cabbage in fish sauce, and the fermented sausages.…$$Lower Sukhumvit
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Thai Seafood
T & K Seafood
If you're looking for somewhere to dine with a quiet and elegant ambience, then don't come here! T&K is in fact the opposite—a noisy, bustling place where waiters constantly rush around shouting out orders—but it is very Thai. No attempt is made to create an ambience, but that…$Pathum Wan District
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Thai
Taling Pling
Like several other successful restaurants in Bangkok, Taling Pling has begun to branch out and now has six locations around the city. The original one off Silom Road has now closed and a new one has opened on Sukhumvit Soi 34, while all the others are in shopping malls. The Sukhumvit…$Sukhumvit District
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International
The Commons
Searching for a meal but not quite sure what you want? Head to The Commons, a market-style space in trendy Thonglor. There are innumerable options here, from Thai food at Soul Food 555, to wood-fired pizzas at Peppina, Tex-Mex at Barrio Bonito, or Bangkok’s best burger at Daniel…$$Lower Sukhumvit
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Thai/International
The Living Room
This sophisticated restaurant with plush carpets and comfortable, armchair seating in the Sheraton Grande Hotel is well worth a visit, especially if you like jazz, as accomplished jazz musicians entertain diners every evening and for Sunday brunch as well. The menu includes some…$$Sukhumvit District
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Thai
The Manohra
One night in Bangkok? Why not wine and dine by candlelight and moonlight on a converted rice barge cruising on the Chao Phraya River? And an excellent dinner it is, too. The barge picks up diners at Thaksin pier and the Anatara; call to reserve. Cruises leave the Anantara at 7pm…$$$Chao Praya
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Thai
Thipsamai Phad Thai
Many visitors are surprised to find how different pad Thai tastes in Thailand from plates they’ve tried back home. For the iconic version of the dish, head to this indoor-outdoor shop on Maha Chai Road. Long lines make it easy to spot (they moves fast). Here, for their so-called…$Banglampoo & Dusit
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Thai
Thiptara
This alfresco venue is set amid a pretty Thai garden with lotus ponds, goldfish pools, and individual, private wooden pavilions, all next to the Chao Phraya River. The menu includes both spicy and nonspicy Thai dishes, all of which carefully encapsulate the taste of simple home…$$$On the River
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International
Toby’s
★ INTERNATIONAL[em]With flat whites and avocado toasts coming from the kitchen and the breezy, light wood and whitewashed walls, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d gone for brunch in Sydney. You’ll have to fight crowds on the weekends (brunch reservations are recommended) but when…$$Lower Sukhumvit
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American
Upstairs at Mikkeller
★★ AMERICAN[em]At this 20-seater restaurant atop the Mikkeller beer bar, a 10-course set menu is expertly paired with craft beers from the famed Danish brewhouse. A rotating cast of dishes highlights gourmet American food (the work of chef Dan Bark, formerly of the popular Grace…$$$Lower Sukhumvit
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Thai
You & Mee
Mee in Thai means noodles, which is the focus of this restaurant in the Grand Hyatt Hotel. Noodles are served either fried in various combinations or with a broth. One exception is khao ski—a famous northern dish that consists of both crispy and flat noodles in a mild curry sauce…$$Pathum Wan District
