Gaggan Anand
The original Gaggan restaurant in Bangkok was voted one of Asia’s best restaurants four times. So, it was a bit of a shock when they suddenly closed their doors despite being booked out for months in advance. Apparently there were creative differences amongst the partners in the kitchen and those putting up the money. But, fortunately for the culinary world, the people in charge of the food quickly opened their doors again and maintain the same food that foodies everywhere came to love about the original.
Famous for their stunning and experimental mix of Indian and South Asian flavors combined with the most artistic culinary presentations you’ll find anywhere, this multi-course menu is one of the best dining experience you’ll find anywhere on the planet. Interestingly, the entire menu is described only by emojis, so you’ll have no idea what you’re ordering until it comes out. Just sit back and let them surprise you.
Thip Samai
Known for having the best Pad Thai in Thailand as long as you’re willing to brave the lines. This family run eatery has become one of the most famous places in Bangkok to get that perfect bowl of Phat Thai. If you want to impress the locals with your knowledge order your dish with “shrimp oil,” the rich fat from the shrimp’s head.
The Sixth
A lovely, small, local eatery serving up delicious, traditional meals at incredibly reasonable prices.
Boonsap Thai Dessert
Come here for some of the best mango and sticky rice in Bangkok.
Raan Jay Fai
This might be the only street food restaurant with a Michelin Star in the world. It’s certainly the only one in Bangkok. Raan Jay Fai received a Michelin Star recently which has caused an overwhelming increase in the amount of customers that come through each day. So it is highly recommended that you book a table, but you won’t be disappointed as the food is well deserving of this honor (send an email to jayfaibangkok@gmail.com or phone them on 092-724 9633).
Somtum Der
Come to Somtum Der for the best papaya salad in Thailand.
La Table De Tee
La Table De Tee is one of Bangkoks true gourmet treasures. The restaurant itself is small and unassuming with a casual atmosphere, but the food is simply stunning, both in its presentation and taste. The food is an experimental mix of Thai and modern Western fusion. There is no a la carte menu, the available choices change every day and for a set price you can choose Each evening the chef has a set menu where you can choose between two starters, two main dishes, and two desserts to build your own three course meal. In between the main dishes, you’ll also receive two small dishes chosen by the chef, so five dishes all told. And, the best part is the price. All this for under $50 (not including drinks).
Sorn
In just its first two years in existence Sorn rocketed to the top of Bangkok’s fine dining scene while earning two Michelin stars along the way, as well as a spot on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants List. They didn’t stop there as they’ve also received Top Tables 2020’s Best Restaurant in Bangkok award as well. Ice Jongsiri and his childhood friend, head chef Yod U-Pumpruk have scoured southern Thailand for the finest ingredients money can buy and built one of the most exceptional dining experiences in all of southern Thailand. The dishes are unbelievably well balanced. If you’re looking to splurge, this is it. Many foodies consider this the best restaurant in all of Thailand.
Nusara
Multi-Michelin Star winning chef, Ton Tassanakajohn, moved on from his famous Michelin-starred flagship and opened a new restaurant dedicated to and named after his late grandmother. Nusara is designed to be a tribute to her memory as well as her home cooking. The menu is designed to replicate the homestyle, traditional food his grandmother used to cook, but is spaced out into 10-15 small plate courses. The restaurant is also located just upstairs from his casual and excellent wine bar, Mayrai. So you have a built in place to grab drinks before or after your meal.
Royal Osha
On first inspection, your hair will be a bit blown back by the intentionally over-the-top decor, just opulent gold leaf everywhere. This restaurant specializes in small one-bite dishes called miang kham provide fantastic takes on classic Thai dishes.
Khao
Khao means rice in Thai, and as the building block of almost all Thai cuisine it is an appropriate name. Chef Vichit Mukura, who was the top chef for the Mandarin Oriental company for almost three decades, has opened his own Thai restaurant in Bangkok. If you’re going, try to book the chef’s table so you can get the incredible experience of watching this master chef as he prepares your meal. The menu is entirely set by the chef daily depending on his mood and what ingredients looked best to him when he went shopping for them in the market that morning. They also offer cooking classes as well.
Saawaan
Saawaan means heaven. And, as far as a culinary experience goes the name is not that far off. The idea of Saawaan is to elevate traditional Thai home cooking recipes and humble street food favorites into stunning culinary experiences. Chef Sujira Aom Pongmorn has crafted a tasting menu that achieves this innovative yet traditional balance to perfection.
Maze Dining
Made famous by her winning appearance on Top Chef Thailand, Chef Phattanant “May” Thongthong has one of Bangkok’s most successful northern Thai cuisine based restaurants. This Chiang Mai native chef uses her trademark northern style to make truly unique Thai dishes in Bangkok.
Karmakamet Conveyance
According to Chef Jutamas Theantae, better known as Chef Som, the idea behind the name Conveyance is not so much in the connotation of simply moving from one place to the next, but rather to be open to the unexpected. The menu reflects this ideal with cryptic, non-descriptive dishes named simply as things like Wealth or Motion. The tasting menu is designed to take the diner on a journey that reflects the chef’s own story, from her days as an art student, to honing her cooking craft in America, to a desire to pass on her experience to others.
Ginza Sushi Ichi
Sushi Ichi is the only Japanese restaurant in Bangkok to win the coveted Michelin star. Most proud of its wild tuna, always sourced from the highly respected distributor Hicho. There are set menus for sushi lovers, but the best recommendation is to order omakaze style where you leave your meal entirely in the hands of the chef.
Nan Bei
North and South, that’s the English translation of Nan Bei. This Chinese restaurant located in the Rosewood Bangkok Hotel is like a Dream Team of master Chinese chefs. Five certified masters of Chinese cuisine spanning from regions in the far north to the southern most cities in China work together under the guidance of executive chef Matthew Geng. Known for their incredible Peking duck, served in courses table side, this place is known as the best Chinese restaurant in all of Thailand.
Mahanakhon Bangkok Skybar
The Skybar…Thailands HIGHEST restaurant, sits 820 feet above the ground with stunning 360 degree views. The restaurant specializes in family style meals made to be shared as you enjoy unbelievable views. Diners also have access to the Sky Walk two floors above the restaurant, the best rooftop in Bangkok particularly for those who love the thrill of walking over the glass-floored observation deck.
Allium
Allium, a part of the Athénée Hotel, stands out in Bangkok for its contemporary French food combined with its dedication to being a sustainable and seasonal restaurant depending on locally and organically sourced produce as well as some items that are grown on site. Sitting at the chef’s table is highly recommended as it offers ringside seats to the masterful cooking on display.
Prachak Pet Yang
Come to Prachak Pet Yang for hands down the best Cantonese-style duck in all of Bangkok. Stuffed with herbs and spices, slow cooked to perfection and then made crispy, crunchy on the outside, it is the perfect meal.
Nahm
Nahm has worldwide renown for being, by any measure, one of the finest restaurants in Bangkok. The dishes are creative and eccentric. Every plate will probably have something in it that you’ve never even heard of, let alone had, before. Despite being one of the nicest restaurants in the entire city the extensive tasting menus remain under $100. And, they even have a very reasonable lunch menu.
Supanniga Eating Room
Set along the river with floor to ceiling glass, this hip, trendy restaurant offers one of the chillest atmospheres to go with some of the best and boldest Thai comfort foods that you’ll find anywhere in Bangkok.
Gaa
If you’re a self-described foodie, you are undoubtedly aware of world famous Copenhagen restaurant and former number 1 on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants List, Noma. Well, Mumbai native Garima Arora was one of the chefs at Noma until 2017 when she opened Gaa. She takes what she learned at Noma and combines it with Indian cuisine flavors and techniques as well as Thai ingredients to create a completely unique combination of flavors and styles in this top restaurant on the Bangkok dining scene.
Somsong
Located in the old quarter of Bangkok known as Rattanakosin Island, Somsong is a favorite mom-and-pop famous for serving Thai food not typically found outside the home. You’ll have plenty of choices here: Go for Sukhothai noodles (rice noodle with pork broth and string beans), a variety of Thai curries and rice, daily one-plate meal specials, and fantastic Thai desserts like khao fang (young rice pudding), durian and sticky rice (seasonal). Try one of everything if you can, and don’t leave without getting the rice with shrimp paste.
Kanom Beung Bang Mae Prapa
The best place in Bangkok for traditional Thai crispy crepes, or kanom bueang. Made from mung bean flour, the crispy shell of the crepe is typically filled with delicious sweet filling like sweet eggs, coconut, Thai egg floss (foi thong), and candied persimmon. Savory filling options include dried shrimp, grated coconut, and a pinch of makrut lime leaves and shallot. There is often a wait as it’s one of the only places making these types of crepes.
Sra Bua by Kiin Kiin
The best Thai food made by a Danish chef you’ll ever eat…or maybe the only Thai food you’ll ever eat made by a Danish chef. Either way this Danish interpretation of Thai food, while it might not be “authentic” Thai cuisine, is undeniably intriguing and stimulating to the palette.
Nataporn Ice Cream
This vintage Ice Cream shop makes Thai ice cream the old fashioned way. Using fresh tropical fruits to provide the flavor with Thai-style toppings like candied palm seeds, candied yam, toasted peanuts, corns, red beans, and millet.