Between the monitor lizards, the aerobics classes, the green bridge, and the hawker centre, now’s as good a time as any to head to Lumpini Park. If, like us, activities like these leave you hungry, consider our guide to the best food spots nearby. From a quick Americano to a full-fledged Japanese omakase, here’s exactly where to eat near Lumpini Park.
Often dubbed the ‘Central Park’ of Bangkok, we could write a Shakespearean sonnet on the reasons to love Lumpini Park. This year, as the park turns 100 years old, various refurbishments and improvements have been added to this beloved destination, encouraging Bangkokians to revisit and spend more time here once again.
It’s not just the park that has seen changes. As more runners fill up the lanes, and tourists float along on yellow duck boats, the area around Lumpini Park has seen a lot of movement in recent years. Luxury hotels now tower outside its sidelines. Coffeeshops act as rocket fuel for its morning visitors. And did you know that you could go on a solid bar-hop in the area, too?
From massive art installations to yearly festivals, Lumpini Park always has something going on, and now the area around the park offers ample to explore, too. In our guide, we’ve tried to include spots that are within a five-minute-walk radius of the park, with a few further options if you’re feeling more adventurous. Whether you’re using the newly-opened green bridge as your excuse, or you’re looking for that motivational push to finally join run club, here’s where to eat next time you’re in or around this true Bangkok gem.
Where to eat near Lumpini Park: Cafes, restaurants, bars, and more
Standalone cafes for after your run (or your coffee run)
There’s a good number of quality coffeeshops around Lumpini Park. The newest, most Instagrammable is undeniably Rocket Coffeebar, where brunch favourites and good coffee come hand-in-hand. For serious coffee lovers, further down Sarasin Road is F.I.X. Sarasin & The Lazy Bunch, as well as BrewLab Cafe Rompini. Not much of a coffee drinker? Then check out HOMU on Sathorn Soi 2. This Japanese cafe makes really good matcha, as well as Japanese-style desserts.
A little down the road:
Silom boasts quite a few tucked-away cafes worth checking out. La Cabra Bakery is great if you like a cardamom bun with your brew, and Dusit Gourmet works well for those who prefer a calm, garden ambience. For heartier cafe food items, Kasnäs is a long-time go-to for brunch lovers in Sathorn.
On the other side, Soi Ruamrudee is also home to a good number of restaurants and cafes: Qottontale, Holey Bakery, and Cafe Tartine are among our favourites.
Good street food
Buzz-about-town and hot in the local news is Lumpini’s new hawker centre. Open daily from 5am to 2pm, and again from 4pm to midnight, you’ll find everything from light bites to full meals here. It’s easy to reach whether you’re already in the park or leaving and arriving via the MRT especially.
Outside, there’s also a famous khao gaeng buffet. Your dish comes at a set price of only THB 50, for which you can choose from a variety of Thai curries (including refills). There are good vegetarian options, too.
Lastly, and absolutely unmissable, is the famous Polo Fried Chicken. Arguably the best Thai fried chicken in the city, you can find a half or whole fried chicken here, as well as other really good Thai street food staples: deep fried sea bass, curry fish cake, and various spicy salads, to name a few.
A little down the road:
Silom’s Soi Convent is a popular street with ample street food options, especially in the evenings.
Standalone restaurants
Just on the corner opposite the park entrance, Northeast in Saladaeng has been serving no-fuss Thai food for many years now. They do good Isaan dishes, but also other Thai food that is authentic in taste. If you’re into award-winning chefs, Chef Ton Thitid Tassanakajohn has a casual Thai outlet in Baan Restaurant, located on Wireless road. Showcasing family recipes, there’s a menu of casual skewers over to bigger plates and sharing dishes.
For western cuisine, down the street towards Saladdaeng Soi 1, consider Cento for Italian food, Bitterman for international all-day dining, and Shelly House Bangkok for Mediterranean brunch classics.
A little down the road:
Silom is home to a fantastic selection of Japanese restaurants in Thaniya square, mostly at friendly prices, and often prepared with fresh produce. On the other side, on Langsuan road, there are ample standalone restaurants. Our favourites include French restaurant and wine bar Bisou (winner of our LSA Best Bites Date Night award), and Smokin’ Pug for all your barbecue cravings.
Cocktail hour
From inside Lumpini Park, it’s hard to tell just how buzzing the bar scene around it may be. Cocktail lovers can rest assured: you’ll find plenty of quality bars here. Some are located within hotels, like social-club-inspired Caleo at The Ritz-Carlton Bangkok, Mediterranean rooftop bar Piscari at Andaz One Bangkok, or Iris & Wild Iris at SO/ Bangkok. Dusit Thani Bangkok has two bars on property: Spire Rooftop Bar for the views, and 1970 Bar for a more intimate 1970s-inspired cocktail experience.
Over at Central Park, there’s the well-designed living-room-style bar The NORM, and the wildly popular AETHER on the rooftop for clubbing. Sundry is a cute, four-storey bar with an artsy feel and rooftop views, too.
A little down the road:
Soi Convent is home to the famous, award-winning Vesper Cocktail Bar, as well as the brand-new Cherry Olive Cocktail Club, run by a famous alumnus of the bar. Silom itself is known as a top spot for LGBTQ+ locals and visitors, so there are plenty of bars and clubs to check out.
Nearby hotels
If you’re not sure where to begin on your Lumpini Park food journey, the hotels around the park offer both casual and high-end dining options. They may even inspire your next staycation. Dusit Thani Bangkok inarguably has the best park view in all of the city, with big windows to admire the park from every room. The newest kid on the block, Andaz One Bangkok also boasts gorgeous park views from its dining venues, whether it’s more casual dining on the terrace, or upstairs at the aforementioned Piscari. Just across from Andaz One Bangkok, The Ritz-Carlton Bangkok adds a touch of luxury to the hotel’s city centre, with fine dining options as well as afternoon tea. From the other side of the park, SO/ Bangkok is a great choice for those who prefer to stay in Sathorn, with park views from the rooms, pool, and restaurants.
A little down the road:
Ratchadamri Road is not far from Lumpini Park, and is home to a whole row of luxury hotels: The St. Regis Bangkok, Anantara Siam Bangkok, Grand Hyatt Erawan, Grande Centre Point Prestige, and Waldorf Astoria.
Over in Langsuan, you’ll also find the Sindhorn Kempinski, Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok, and Sindhorn Midtown.
Nearby shopping and community malls
When all else fails (or you really just need some air conditioning), the malls around Lumpini Park are worth visiting, too. Unlike the malls in some of Bangkok’s other neighbourhoods, there’s a clear focus on food at most of them. Inside the new Central Park there are a lot of options for foodies (Downtown by Fran’s, Katsu Midori, Solsot, and Noi Samrub Bar come to mind), as well as that popular urban roof park. Just opposite the park’s main entrance, there’s also Silom Edge, which features mostly casual restaurants that are open 24 hours a day (Ñamñam Pasta and Tapas, A Ramen, and even Swensens). Within the same neighbourhood, you’ll also find The Commons Saladaeng. Here, in a more casual setting, you can pick and mix from a variety of cool vendors (Fowlmouth and Crackhouse, Bun Meat & Cheese, Cyu Shabu, Guss Damn Good), and take part in community events. They even host a series of run club activities specifically.
One Bangkok is the most expansive lifestyle space and shopping mall near the park. Between offices, luxury shopping, flagship stores, and a whole lot of foodie firsts for Bangkok, it’s the biggest space to explore for good food near the park. Some of our favourites include Sarnies in the morning, Wolfgang’s Steakhouse for meat, and Fillets for high-end Japanese dining.
A little down the road:
Silom Complex is a relaxed centre for everyday essentials with some popular mall restaurants. Right across, you’ll also find Don Don Donki for all your Japanese food needs.
[Featured Image Credit: SO/ Bangkok]
Note : The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
