Vibey cafes, IG-worthy restos, and some hidden gems. Here’s our ultimate local’s guide to where to eat near Benjakitti Park.
In the midst of the concrete jungle of Asoke sits the tranquil and green Benjakitti Park, an oasis in the otherwise busy and bustling downtown area of Bangkok. While cars are often stuck bumper to bumper at the stoplights of the Asoke-Sukhumvit intersection, people are jogging, strolling, or taking a paddle boat out at the park.
Benjakitti Park is over 30 years old, yet it still retains the idyllic charm it had back when it opened in 1992 in honour of the 60th birthday of the late Queen Sirikit. There are plenty of malls and offices in the surrounding area, so the park is a welcome respite in the midst of all the buildings. It’s the perfect place for a quiet stroll in the middle of the work day (especially when the weather is nice and cloudy like the past few days), a jog or workout in the morning, or a verdant getaway on a slow Saturday.
If you find yourself feeling peckish or just downright hungry after a visit to the park, then you’re in luck. The surrounding area of Benjakitti is full of cafés and restaurants that you can choose from. And we’re here to give you the lowdown.
[Hero and feature image: Lazy Daisy]
Where to eat, drink, or stay near Benjakitti Park
Malls Nearby
Let’s start with the easy and obvious one. Malls are the go-to refuge against the heat and offer a wide selection of restaurants and cafés. It’s a no-brainer to head to Terminal 21 in the Asoke area. Especially if you’re after Thai street food that’s cheap and sanitary, its Food Court has everything you want. A little down the road is Robinson Sukhumvit but there really isn’t that much there.
On the opposite side of the park is another mall… well, sort of. The Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) has a wide variety of restos, cafés, and other stores, perfect for when you want to grab a meal or just chill after a run or spending time outdoors.
Finally, there are also a few choices over at Empire Tower along Sukhumvit Road: a Starbucks for drinks and pastries, Chagee if you want tea, or Get Fresh for a healthy meal.
Sukhumvit Soi 16
While our other article on Lumpini Park listed the places down by category, there are so many places within Soi 16 that it’s easier to just name them all down here. Fair warning though, this soi doesn’t lead back out to Ratchadaphisek Road but goes all the way to Rama IV Road. How do we know this? No reason. It’s certainly not because we thought Soi 16 led back out to Ratchadaphisek Road so we could just cross to QSNCC, but we didn’t check Google Maps like a dummy.
If you’re after cheap and quick eats that are still tasty, the ever-reliable Took Lae Dee of Foodland is your go-to. Open 24 hours and with a variety of dishes, it’s uncomplicated and delicious Thai food available all around the clock.
If you want a proper restaurant, you’re spoilt for choice so take your pick. Feeling Japanese? Ten-Sui is Japanese fine dining at its finest. Craving for brunch goodies? Lazy Daisy at Gardina Asoke Hotel & Residence is where it’s at. The White House serves up Latvian cuisine with a modern twist, while Fam Time has a quaint little location here. If you prefer somewhere that serves up drinks, check out Blue Electra for sci-fi vibes, Sixteen Grapes if you prefer wine, and finally, Aesops, which also serves up Greek delicacies alongside a variety of drinks and cocktails.
The soi also has a number of cafés if you need a cup of joe to pick you up. These cafés differ in size though, with some being simple hole-in-the-walls meant for a quick pick-up like Authentique, a go-to if you’re craving Vietnamese-style coffee. Cross the road and take a few steps down and you’ll find GRUN Cafe, which has a bigger space and a chill vibe. If you’re after a place that has healthier choices, Smooth Healthy Cafe is where you should go. Finally, if you still want verdant greenery after your stroll through Benjakitti, head to one of Bangkok’s hidden gems, Nina’s Pocket Park. Grab a coffee, a pastry, and a book, then take a seat outdoors (weather-permitting) and chill.
On Ratchadaphisek Road and Near Terminal 21
There are a couple of cafés and small eateries if you’re walking back to Asoke on Ratchadapisek Road, parallel to Sukhumvit Soi 14. Visit the Dutch Pancake Café and enjoy an array of sweet and savoury pancakes, or make a stop at License to Blend for a healthy juice. For something brunchier, Le Paris is the place to go.
Terminal 21 may be the most convenient go-to, but we have two suggestions if you don’t want to head to a mall. The iconic Pizza Pala Romana at the MRT Sukhumvit station has been serving up classic Italian fare for years, but it’s their pizza al taglio that’s a crowd favourite, served by the slice or by the half metre. It’s more likely that you’re after local cuisine though. If that’s the case, cross the road to Sukhumvit 14 and go to Suda Restaurant, an equally iconic classic Thai eatery where a spicy som tum and a cold beer are a must.
Hotels Nearby
You’re also spoilt for choice in case you want to book stays nearby. Plus, the location is incredibly convenient, what with malls, a park, and the BTS within walking distance. Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, The Westin Grande Sukhumvit, Grande Centre Point, and NH Bangkok Aoske are some of the big names nearby. There are smaller hotels around if you prefer a slightly more affordable and quaint stay: Citadines, Gardina Asoke Hotel, and Jono Bangkok Asoke Hotel are just a few of them, most of which are located on Soi 16.
Note : The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.