Almost every Bangkokian has been there: your friends are visiting, and they start texting you weeks in advance, asking for your top recommendations. “Where shall I eat? What are the best Thai restaurants? Send me all your Bangkok food recommendations!” While we honour the trust they put in us, we can’t help but rub our eyes and scratch our heads every time. Such is the burden of having good taste.
Some of us end up recommending the same places over and over again, while others set out to really tailor to specific needs. This list, which comes after one too many late-night “I need recs!” texts, aims to incorporate everyone from first-timers and picky eaters, over to adventurous pla raa regulars. Bear with us, and let us know if we missed any unmissable must-tries. This can be a group project. Our visiting friends beg of us.
[Hero and Featured Image Credit: SOMA]
The best Thai restaurants in Bangkok: Thai food recommendations for any type of traveller
It’s their first time in Bangkok
Is it your friend’s first time in Bangkok, or perhaps, even Southeast Asia? You’re going to want to go easy on them, and recommend Thai restaurants that deliver beginner-friendly menus, cultural touches, and maybe even scenic views. It’s all about easing them into the world of wild, wonderful Thai cuisine.
You won’t go wrong with Chao Phraya river views, and Rongros or Supanniga Tha Thien combine this with a romantic view of Wat Arun, especially in the evenings. If your friends are really into the riverside ambience, you could also try a river cruise with Thai food. The upscale Manohra Cruises host their Thai dinner cruises on a restored antique rice barge. These options are great for visiting parents, or grandparents especially. You catch our drift.
For something special, take your friends to Sala Rim Naam for dinner and a traditional Thai dance show. This was also a filming location for King The Land, if they happen to be K-drama buffs. A city-centre location with a traditional Thai house feel is Jim Thompson, A Thai Restaurant for a touch of history. For something extra-, uber-special, book a private dinner at Siri Sala — not only one of the most beautiful historic Thai houses in the city, but also a filming location for The White Lotus season three.
More info: Rongros, Supanniga, Manohra Cruises, Sala Rim Naam, Jim Thompson, A Thai Restaurant, Siri Sala
It’s not their first time in Bangkok, and they know Thai food
These friends want something a bit less conventional, and they’re not afraid to go a little experimental. They know the difference between northern and southern Thai food, or at least, show willingness to learn. For these friends, it’s about a balance between authentic flavours and being surrounded by cool locals.
Charmgang is always a good place to start, especially if your friends like curry. Sure, they cover some classics, but they always get creative with new menu items. Their sister restaurant, Charmkrung serves up more casual “Thai tapas” with wine, too. 100 Mahaseth is not new, but still gold. The northern and northeastern Thai restaurant follows a nose-to-tail concept, so you can expect adventurous animal parts on the menu. For something very different, Sri Trat offers eastern and coastal Thai cuisine in a homey setting, while Baan Nual embraces the spices of the south in a very authentic way. For a highly ‘grammable omelette and other delicious dishes, Samlor also tops the list. Are your friends coming in a group? Then why not try Haawm? The cheeky private dinner club even hosted Dua Lipa last year.
More info: Charmgang, Charmkrung, Samlor, 100 Mahaseth, Sri Trat, Haawm
They care about the big awards and famous places
Did you know that Thailand had nine entries listed on the recent Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants awards? A lot of these restaurants serve Thai food, too, and if your friends are looking to try something famous and packed with Michelin stars, they’ll want to check these off their list.
Once named Asia’s best restaurant, Le Du is arguably the most famous Thai fine dining restaurant in Bangkok. However, if you prefer temple views and a more romantic restaurant, Chef Ton’s other highly-acclaimed Thai restaurant, Nusara, is definitely worth recommending. Sorn stands out as the only three-Michelin-starred restaurant in Thailand, revered for its southern Thai spice. More casual and super flavourful, Samrub Samrub Thai is another fine choice, with a seasonally-changing menu that focuses on ancient Thai recipes. Very hot this minute is Baan Tepa, though it is located a little out of the way in Ramkhamhaeng. Lastly, if Thai-Chinese cuisine tickles your fancy, block out your evening for Potong, located in a century-old Sino-Portuguese shophouse in Chinatown. They’ve got an award-winning bar (called Opium), too.
More info: Le Du, Nusara, Sorn, Samrub Samrub Thai, Baan Tepa, Potong
They like it street
Street food is quite personal to Bangkokians, and locals have their own preferences — especially based on the neighbourhood in which they live. Therefore, we’re going to keep street food recommendations a little generic.
For first-timers: You probably won’t get a table at Jay Fai (the truth hurts), but if you’d like to try your luck at this famous spot, you should. Next door, you’ll find Pad Thai Thipsamai if pad Thai is something you’d like to try. If your friends are ready and willing to try a hearty tom yum broth, Jeh Oh Chula is the most famous in town. For another slurp with wow factor, Wattana Panich has famously been stewing their beef broth for over 50 years. Fried rice is always fairly beginner-friendly, and the most famous crab fried rice can be found at Here Hai in Ekkamai. A good shortcut is to send your friends to Banthat Thong Road and let them walk, pick, and enjoy.
For regulars: In Chinatown, take your group to T&K Seafood for a big feast, or keep it simple with Nai Ek Roll Noodles. Not too far away is a lesser famous crab omelette that is still extremely good, at Por Pochaya, or you could do Nai Mong Hoi Thod if your friends prefer oyster omelette. Meanwhile, for noodles, it’s got to be Prachak Duck Noodles in Charoenkrung, or Zaew on Sukhumvit 49 (there’s also a Thonglor branch, but they aren’t identical). Ready to feel the heat? It’s always Som Tam O’Clock at Som Tam Jay So. Not exactly street, but locals (especially expats) also love grabbing a beer and casual Thai bites at Jack’s Bar on the river, too.
More info: Raan Jay Fai, Pad Thai Thipsamai, Jeh Oh Chula, Wattana Panich, Here Hai, T&K Seafood, Nai Ek Roll Noodles, Nai Mong Hoi Thod, Zaew, Jack’s Bar
Your friends don’t mind eating in shopping malls
There are some people who refuse to eat in shopping malls, and there are others who are a little more open-minded. These days, Bangkok shopping malls offer a good mix of authentic Thai restaurants. Just because a venue is located inside a shopping mall, doesn’t mean that the locals don’t eat there. Where do you think we all hide out in the rainy season?
Thai food recommendations you can trust include Thong Smith for quality boat noodles (expect queues), or Somboon Seafood for great crab curry and large sharing plates. If your friends can handle the spice, Phed Phed will leave them in tears in a good way, while Zao Isan (and all of its sister brands) will hit those northeastern flavour notes just right. For pad krapao, Easy Buddy is the way to go for something easy, or Phed Mark if you want to feel the burn. Meanwhile, good Thai restaurants that serve a variety of dishes include E_ga, Khao, and Ros’niyom. Dessert is a no-brainer: After You for sweet toast and kakigori (shaved ice).
Funnily enough, the food court at Terminal 21 is kind of legendary in its own right. So is Foodland supermarket’s Took Lae Dee (it’s open 24 hours).
More info: Thong Smith, Somboon Seafood, Phed Phed, Zao Isan, Easy Buddy, Phed Mark, E_ga Bangkok, Khao, Ros’niyom, After You
They want to try new restaurants
Maybe your friends visit Bangkok often, and they want to be in the know with what’s hot and happening every time. If this is the case, there’s a good number of new Thai restaurants to try.
Chef Chalee Kader joins hands with the notorious Gaggan Anand for E-San, a new restaurant that fuses northern Thai and Japanese izakaya dishes into one. Also joining hands with Chef Num Weerawat, Chef Chalee sees a new opening in SOMA, a design-forward Thai restaurant with a bold offering. While rooftop restaurants tend to feel tourist-y, Le Du Kaan, located atop The Empire, manages to balance fantastic city views with delicious food by Chef Ton. An added perk is that it is relatively price-friendly compared to his other fine dining venues, too. Lastly, Chef Pam, named the World’s Best Female Chef this year, recently opened the more casual Khao San Sek on trendy Song Wat Road. It is without a doubt that your visiting friends will want to visit trendy Song Wat Road.
More info: E-San, SOMA, Le Du Kaan, Khao San Sek
Note : The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
