Top Places to Dine in Bangkok

Bangkok is a food lover's paradise, offering everything from humble street food stalls to high-end Michelin-star restaurants, ensuring an unforgettable culinary journey.

Here are some top picks to kickstart your culinary adventure in BKK:

Nahm

Renowned for its refined Thai cuisine, Nahm brings authentic flavors with a focus on high-quality ingredients. Led by Michelin-starred chef David Thompson, who previously earned acclaim for his London-based restaurant, the Bangkok location opened in 2010 at the Metropolitan Hotel.

If that doesn’t convince you, perhaps the fact that it’s the only Thai restaurant to make it into the top 10 of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list will. By drawing inspiration from ancient Siamese cookbooks and traditional recipes passed down through ‘funeral books,’ you'll enjoy perfect renditions of Thai staples like tom yum goong, alongside unique dishes that are hard to find outside a Thai home.

Nahm Restaurant, 27 S Sathorn Rd Hotel Metropolitan by COMO, Bangkok 10120 Thailand, +66 2 625 3388

Issaya Siamese Club

Issaya Siamese Club is the flagship restaurant of renowned Thai chef Ian Kittichai in Bangkok. Housed in a beautifully restored colonial building, the menu features traditional Thai dishes with a contemporary twist.

While there are a few misses, most dishes on the menu are unique, flavorful, and visually stunning. Highly recommended are the banana blossom Thai salad, chili-glazed baby back ribs, and massaman lamb.

Issaya Siamese Club, 4 Soi Sri Aksorn, Chue Ploeng Thung Mahamek, Bangkok 10120 Thailand, +66 2 672 9040

Bo.lan

Bo.lan has been making waves in Bangkok’s dining scene since its 2009 debut. Known for offering rare Thai dishes in a chic, upscale setting, the restaurant stays true to traditional Thai flavors while introducing exciting, creative twists.

Bo.lan, located on Sukhumvit Soi 24, is known for dishes like smoked Chiang Mai river trout salad, green curry-stuffed egg yolks, and stir-fried beef with dried shrimp paste. Ideal for a romantic dinner or a business meeting with colleagues who enjoy exquisite food. For those with a hearty appetite, there’s also a generous set menu available.

Bo.Lan, 24 Soi Sukhumvit 53 Klongtonnua, Wattana, Bangkok 10110 Thailand, +66 260 2962

Gaggan

Gaggan, the progressive Indian restaurant that clinched the top spot on the latest 'Asia's 50 Best Restaurants' list, is one of Bangkok's most exciting new dining spots. But don’t expect the usual Indian fare like butter chicken or mutton biryani here.

Chef Gaggan Anand, trained at El-Bulli, uses molecular gastronomy to reimagine classic Indian dishes, transforming them into new, unrecognizable forms that will give you that ‘a-ha!’ moment when the familiar flavors hit. The best table in this two-story colonial-style Thai house offers a view right into the kitchen, where you can watch the culinary magic unfold.

Gaggan, 68/1 Soi Langsuan Ploenchit Road Lumpini, Bangkok 10330 Thailand, +66 2 652 1700

Supanniga Eating Room

For those seeking more than the usual Thai dishes like green curry, pad Thai, and papaya salad, Supanniga Eating Room in Bangkok is a must-try. Housed in a narrow, three-story Thonglor shop house with industrial-style concrete walls, yellow booths, and rooftop outdoor sofas, it offers a menu inspired by the flavors of Trat province and the Isaan region, providing hidden gems for adventurous diners.

Standout dishes include Yum Tua Puu Goong Sod (a crunchy winged bean salad with prawns and boiled eggs in a chili paste dressing) and the sweet and herbal moo chor muang (rich pork chunks in a flavorful curry with sour leaves). Nearly every dish here is vibrantly colorful – you’ll likely snap a few photos before digging in – and the atmosphere is relaxed and casual.

Supanniga Eating Room, 160/11, Soi Sukhumvit 55, Bangkok 10110 Thailand, +66 2 714 7508

Somtum Der

At this cozy spot, you’ll enjoy personal service and authentic Isaan-style street food, but in a comfortable, air-conditioned setting – a welcome relief when the dishes are as spicy as they come. Grilled chicken, pork, and seafood are served alongside sticky rice, with fresh, crisp veggies. A perfect, casual pit stop for a quick meal.

Somtum Der, Sala Daeng, 5/5 Sala Daeng Road Silom, Bangkok 10500 Thailand, +66 2 632 4499

Soul Food Mahanakorn

A favorite among expats, this laid-back spot features a cozy ambiance with soft lighting and wooden finishes across its three-story shop house. The menu at Soul Food Mahanakorn focuses on whatever’s freshest in the markets – one day you’ll get seafood from Sam Yan, the next day it’s premium cuts of meat from Or Tor Kor.

The restaurant emphasizes healthy organic foods, including rice, meats, and vegetables sourced from organic farms in northeastern Thailand. Every dish here is worth trying – it’s all delicious. The cocktails are also top-notch, with the 'Bangkok Bastard,' a mojito-style drink with a Thai-inspired twist, being a standout.

Soul Food Mahanakorn, 56/10 Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Thong Lor), Bangkok 10110 Thailand, +66 2 714 7708

Shop houses and street food

Renowned for its vibrant street food scene and shop-house restaurants, choosing just one food vendor in Bangkok can be a challenge. To truly immerse yourself in Bangkok’s street food culture, we recommend exploring some of the city’s most famous dining neighborhoods and indulging in a variety of dishes.

Many street vendors or shop houses specialize in a single dish, whether it’s duck noodles, pad Thai, or red pork served with rice. Some of the best areas in Bangkok to enjoy street food include:

– Bang Rak (between Taksin BTS station and the intersection of Charoen Krung and Silom Road)
– Victory Monument (BTS: Victory Monument)
– Soi Ari (BTS: Ari)
– Chinatown
– Wongwian Yai
– Ratchawat