Explore 10 must-visit Bangkok romantic restaurants for the perfect date night.

In a city brimming with culinary destinations, the question isn’t where to dine, but where to fall in love again. Valentine’s Day may be behind us, but romance nevertheless endures. There is still enough time for love, at least for another half a month. Whether your ideal date night is inspired by romance, great food, or a blend of both, make it happen at one of these places. This edition of Koktail Kuisine rounds up the city’s most sought-after tables, perfect for intimate conversations and plate sharing by candlelight.

CLARA

An elegant, garden-embraced dining retreat

Framed by a lush garden at its entrance, CLARA receives its guests with composure. Eschewing ostentation, it reveals a tasteful restraint where elegance is not imposed in a contrived manner but naturally emanates from the spaciousness and warmth of the dining hall. Couples who want an intimate experience won’t be disappointed.

Three appetisers mark the beginning: pristine sea urchin paired with stracciatella and citrus, sea scallop beignet and foie gras tarte in pumpkin purée finished with a dash of aged balsamic. Pasta is homemade, enriched with black truffles and parmesan. The standout is Japanese wagyu short ribs with apple and radicchio, tender and sweet.

69 Soi Prasartsuk, Yannawa, Bangkok. Tel: +66 95 879 6257. Open Monday to Friday from 5pm-11pm, and Saturday for lunch from 12pm-3pm and for dinner from 6pm-11pm.

EAT ME

A dimly lit setting perfect for romance

Located in the heart of Silom, EAT ME serves contemporary American cuisine with Asian accents. Like the “Eat Me” cookies in Alice’s adventures in Wonderland, the name of the restaurant, all in upper case, gets right to the point. It’s a cheeky invitation couples surely find hard to resist. If your date finds humour in everything – including food – take them here.

Pan-seared scallops in velvety lobster bisque brings familiar warmth, while uni and ikura risotto hints at rich oceanic flavours, its creaminess deepened by white wine. Charred Australian wagyu tenderloin, expertly grilled to enhance its natural marbling, is finished with a glossy barbecue glaze that adds a subtle smokiness.

1/6 Soi Phiphat 2, Silom, Bangkok. Tel: +66 2 238 0931. Open daily from 5pm-1am.

etcha

A globally minded restaurant with a borderless approach to cooking

Chef Giacomo Primante’s borderless approach to the culinary arts is informed by his travels around the country, seeking to integrate flavours rare in European cooking. Yet the menu reflects a personal touch, envisioning the dishes his grandmother would prepare if she were living and cooking in Thailand.

Scallops come with guava cream decorated with rose petals. Squid is chopped into thin strands to absorb as much pesto as possible, then finished with precious caviar. Pasta is made pad-see-ew style mixed with prosciutto and mortadella. Red coral fish contrasts with green curry sauce, colourful and slightly tangy thanks to wasabi leaves. The highlight is pigeon prepared carefully with each step, in consommé and skewered forms including heart and liver. It’s wonderfully bold, just like a romantic outing.

728 Phetchaburi Rd, Ratchathewi, Bangkok. Tel: +66 2 126 7999. Open Tuesday to Saturday from 6pm-10pm.

iODE

A contemporary take on the classic French bistro, with candles to set the mood

A neo-bistro that brings Parisian vibes to Bangkok, iODE draws immediate attention from passersby with its deep blue hue. Built around ingredients from Brittany, the experience feels like a quick escape to France. If your date is craving a getaway but not the airfare, iODE brings the trip to the table.

Raw milk raclette from Frères Marchand melts into soft bao, while a scorched comté topping adds a fragrant finish. Hokkaido clams in beurre blanc are generous in proportion, refreshing and satisfyingly chewy. Four-day aged seabream sashimi is drizzled with yuzu kosho vinaigrette, zesty with a hint of balsamic sweetness.

76/8-9 Soi Sribumphen, Thung Maha Mek, Sathon, Bangkok. Tel: +66 6 5045 5628. Open Monday to Friday from 5pm-11pm, and Saturday to Sunday from 11.30am-3pm.

L’OLIVA Ristorante Italiano & Wine Bar

An authentic dining experience set in an Italian cottage atmosphere

Nestled in Sukhumvit Soi 36, L’OLIVA is a rare Italian presence on the block blending spirited ambience, live music and wood-toned warmth into one inviting space. Tradition leads the way and the menu wears it proudly. It doesn’t get any more authentic than this.

Romaine and artichoke meet ricotta, egg and anchovy caesar dressing, with parmigiano chips adding the final crackle. Australian ribeye is succulent off the grill, paired with red wine jus and crisp roasted potatoes. But the highlight remains truffle pizza with fior di latte mozzarella, mushrooms and seasonal truffle.

4 Soi Sukhumvit 36, Khlong Toei, Bangkok. Tel: +66 94 858 9868. Open daily 11am-11pm.

Mezzaluna by lebua

Japanese ingredients refined through French technique served with sweeping city views

Perched on the 65th floor of Mezzaluna at State Tower, the dining room unfolds against a breathtaking sweep of Bangkok’s skyline. Curved glass walls wrap around the space, immersing diners in city views and creating a naturally romantic setting for an intimate evening.

Crafted by Chef Ryuki Kawasaki, the menu highlights seasonal produce flown in from Japan, interpreted through a refined French technique for a seamless blend of influences. Silky somen entwines with tsubugai and oscietra caviar offset by cooling cucumber and aromatic shiso. Braised in miso, sake and soy, Niigata Murakami beef is grilled over charcoal, topped with smoked eel and Fushimi pepper.

65th Floor, State Tower Bangkok, 1055 Silom Road, Bangrak, Bangkok. Tel: +66 2 624 9555. Open Monday to Saturday from 5.30pm-12.30am.

Rossini’s

A villa-style Italian escape, warm and stylish

Inspired by a Tuscan villa, Rossini’s blends warm terracotta and verdant upholstery into an atmosphere of relaxed elegance, upscale with an easy-going charm but not uptight as to scare diners away. It is the perfect setting for couples who connect over classic Italian fare.

Zuppa di pesce brims with prawns, mussels, scallops, clams and calamari, rich in tomato depth, served with thin bread crust cracked tableside. The dish is a celebration of seafood in all its sea-speckled glory. Lamb rack is grilled to a perfect pink lifted by a mellow raspberry jus. Pan-seared sea bass is served with crispy skin over roasted tomato sauce. Tiramisu in a moka pot concludes on a creamy note.

Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, Sukhumvit Rd, Bangkok. Tel: +66 2 649 8888. Open daily for lunch from 12pm-2.30pm, and for dinner from 5.30pm-10.30pm.

Silver Waves by Boon

A riverside setting rich in Chinese character and flavour

High above the Chao Phraya on the 36th floor of Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok, Silver Waves by Boon elevates classic Chinese cuisine with a modern technique. Sleek interiors meet Chinese motifs, from arches to rich red accents. For a memorable Chinese New Year celebration with your loved one, this is the place to be.

Four dim sum bites mark the beginning of the meal, slowly escalating in richness: prawn har gow, goji chicken, parma ham and seabass with ginger. Thickened huangjiu soup is comforting, sweetened by Thai mud crab with egg white. Have roast duck as your main, which is enhanced by the depth of truffle shavings. Then order passion fruit cheesecake to top the evening off.

36th Floor, Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok​, Bang Kho Laem, Bangkok. Tel: +66 2 307 8888. Open daily for lunch from 11.30am-3pm, and for dinner from 6pm-10pm.

Thaan Charcoal Cooking

A dark, intimate space defined by smoke and ember

True to its name, Thaan lets its fire-led cuisine do the talking. Moody lighting and wood-lined spaces complement the overall experience. If exceptional cuts and careful sourcing matter to your date, Thaan proves a worthy destination.

A simple pairing of sourdough with charcoal butter melting over it gives diners a taste of Thaan’s fiery spirit. Begin with a seaside detour: capellini crowned with caviar and truffle ponzu with sea urchin and blue crab brioche. The star of the show is A5 wagyu and sea urchin, a combination of earthy and bright flavours that works. Japanese rice cooked in wagyu fat tossed with spring onion and fresh truffle is dubbed “Oh My Supper,” a name that perfectly captures the surprise.

Sukhumvit 31 Yaek 4, Sukhumvit Rd, Bangkok. Tel: +66 86 303 1211. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 5.30pm-11pm.

Tunu Tarnar Italian Restaurant

A cosy, amber-lit Italian-fusion visit

A sleek Italian-fusion restaurant in Soi Lad Prao 48, where warm lighting creates a hospitable ambience, Tunu Tarnar enlivens guests with live music and clean white interiors. Although the menu presents a range of Italian classics, it is not afraid to get creative with influences, from foie gras terrine and seabass ceviche to tuna tartare. 

Signature prime rib, cooked with precision for maximum tenderness, leads a line-up of pasta and pizza dressed with mushroom, truffle and pork. A theatrical tiramisu ends the meal on a creamy high, backed by a premium wine cellar suited to every course. Quality ingredients and ample portions make for a lovely visit, perfect for couples who want to dive into Italian fusion.

Soi Lat Phrao 48, Huai Khwang, Bangkok. Tel: +66 96 246 2493. Open daily from 11am-11pm.