In a flavourful city such as Bangkok, it is not easy to know which Thai restaurants are worth your time and money. They seem to sprout in every corner and suddenly, you are overwhelmed by the various choices you have. If you are a visitor unfamiliar with the capital, this can be especially challenging when trying to decide on an empty stomach.

This edition of Koktail Kuisine looks at some of the must-try Thai restaurants in Bangkok. Carefully chosen, these restaurants together tell the story of a city where food is held in high regard.

Blue Elephant

A landmark restaurant housed inside a historic building 

Visited by Lalisa “Lisa” Manobal of BLACKPINK fame, the stately mansion in which Blue Elephant operates stands in awe-inspiring contrast to the neighbouring skyscrapers. The colonial-style architecture painted in light buff evokes mild nostalgia for a bygone era.

From creamy, herb-infused tom yum koong soup to grilled foie gras drizzled in Thai tamarind sauce, the restaurant brands itself as Bangkok’s ambassador of refined taste, a kind of culinary diplomacy that leaves guests wanting more. The highlight is chef Nooror’s iconic massaman curry, stewed with tender lamb braised to perfection and roasted peanuts.

Desserts are as pretty as they are delicious, an elegant balance hard to strike. Mango sticky rice is presented in a way that accentuates its daintiness, with soft ice cream bathed in rich coconut milk and embellished with crispy pomegranate rubies. If you want a formal introduction to deluxe Thai cuisine, this is one of the best spots in the city.

41 South Sathorn Road, BTS Surasak, Bangkok. Tel: +66 2 673 9353 8. Open daily for lunch from 11.30am–02.30pm, and for dinner from 05.30pm–10.00pm.

Burapa Eastern Thai Cuisine & Bar

Dining in Orient Express style

Located in lively Sukhumvit Soi 11, the train-themed eatery displays its regional identity through Eastern Thai cuisine that sharpens a sense of wanderlust. The dimly lit cocktail bar on the first floor exudes suaveness. And if you want to experience what it’s like to be inside a vintage railway coach, check out the interior of the second floor.

As the name suggests (burapa means ‘east’ in Thai), head chef Wongwich ‘Ack’ Sripinyo takes inspiration from menus in Koh Chang and other eastern islands, for instance sun-dried calamari with a dollop of fermented fish sauce, barramundi deep-fried to a golden colour, and chargrilled chicken with sweet and sour tamarind relish.

The restaurant leans towards an Eastern rather than a Northeastern (Isan) palate, though an interesting fusion angle is there as well. If you wish to journey east but are too tired to do it physically, consider doing it here gastronomically.

26 Soi Sukhumvit 11, Khlong Toei Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok. Tel: +66 2 012 1423. Open from Tuesday to Sunday from 12.00pm-11.30am.

Jim Thompson, A Thai Restaurant

From silk to cuisine

Some may associate the name Jim Thompson with the Thai silk industry, but serious gourmets know that it is also the name of a charming restaurant surrounded by verdant gardens and a peaceful koi pond. The soothing atmosphere is ideal for those who want to escape the urban bustle.

Reinterpreting traditional flavours with a focus on contemporary plating technique, Jim Thompson offers Thai classics that look radically different from their predecessors. Northern hang-leh curry is artfully served with slices of braised Doi Tung pork. Chef’s style khao pad pu, or crab fried rice, is creatively presented to elevate its form.

The standout is titled ‘A Culinary Journey from Ayuttaya to Malaysia’, a grand tribute to Jim Thompson featuring river prawn and roti bread. The Malaysian travels of the restaurant’s namesake are recounted in a single dish.

6/1 Soi Kasemsan 2, Rama 1 Road, Bangkok. Tel: +66 61 421 8951. Open daily for lunch from 11:30am-04:30pm, and for dinner from 06:00pm-11:00pm.

Mango Tree

The tree that keeps on giving

With its bright neon sign on the front and eye-catching jutting roof design, Mango Tree seeks to attract diners first with its unusual visual flair. Once inside, they are greeted with warm lighting that encourages chumminess among the ongoing banter as the sun goes down.

Mango Tree serves accessible Thai cuisine with generous portions. The river prawns here are fat and juicy, swimming in the velvety texture of tom yum. Other delights include spicy pork spareribs, deep-fried sea bass with your sauce of choice, and marinated chicken with fresh lemongrass. End the evening on a sweet note with khanom tom (sugared rice balls rolled in coconut flakes) or mango sticky rice to remind you to visit again.

37 Soi Tantawan, Surawongse Road, Bangkok. Tel: +66 2 236 2820. Reservations are encouraged.

Nusara

A restaurant with a view

Opposite the venerable Wat Pho, the award-winning Nusara is a distinguished restaurant with an unforgettable view. The starry sky outside accompanies the fine dining experience perfectly. With soft shadows falling around dinner tables, the interior is designed to highlight the tranquil spirituality of the impressive temple nearby.

If you are a wine aficionado, this is a perfect place to share a bottle or two with your date. But if you are unsure of the finer details, service staff are there to elucidate why the wine pairings make sense. The standout is Thai wagyu holy basil, phad kra pao of the most unusual sort.

336 Maha Rat Rd, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok. Tel: +66 97 293 5549. Open from Wednesday to Monday from 05.00pm-21:30pm.

Phra Nakhon

Regional cuisine by the riverside

Phra Nakhon at Capella Bangkok offers authentic Thai cuisine by the Chao Phraya River. Guests are seated out in the open although cool air passes to strike a most satisfying atmospheric balance.

Regional cooking is the restaurant’s strong suit, with a focus on Southern cuisine. Tom holey, a squid soup with fried garlic shallot originating from Surat Thani province, is a rarity in Bangkok, so check this place out if you’re in the mood for some unique dishes.

300/2 Charoenkrung Road, Yannawa, Sathorn, Bangkok. Thailand. Tel: +66 2 098 3888. Open daily from 06:30am-11:00pm.

Sra Bua by Kiin Kiin

A narrative interwoven with culinary wonders

With Michelin-starred chef Henrik Yde Andersen at the helm and Thai head chef Berm Chayawee overseeing the day-to-day operation, Sra Bua by Kiin Kiin presents Thai fusion at its most ambitious. Course-driven storytelling is crucial to the restaurant’s success and with decades under its belt, quality assurance is a given.

True to the concept, the interior is bedecked with tiny lotus ponds. This is progressive Thai cuisine, with each dish in the tasting menu presented with a twist. Ingredients are sourced from local communities all over Thailand, showing a deep commitment to sustainability. The restaurant nestled inside Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok provides a transformative experience every visitor should undergo at least once. 

Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok, Rama 1 Road 991/9, 10330, Bangkok. Tel: +66 2 162 9000. Reservations are encouraged.

Thara Thong

Thainess explored in dishes

Commanding a sweeping view of the Chao Phraya River, Thara Thong is located on the first floor of Royal Orchid Sheraton Riverside Hotel Bangkok. The pavilion-like interior is spacious, and the dining area is furnished with low tables and silk cushions on raised platforms. On occasion, Thai classical performers provide tableside entertainment as they dance gracefully throughout the teakwood chamber.

The menu concentrates on traditional Thai cuisine with regal elegance. Tom kha gai is spiced up with galangal, fused with the aromatic lightness of lemongrass. Thai pomelo salad, or yum som-o, is served in the ornately carved fruit, topped with red shrimp for colour contrast. Every detail is rooted in tradition, and the place is best suited for lovers of Thai culture and the country’s fine art.

2 Charoen Krung Road Soi 30 (Captain Bush Lane) Siphya, Bangrak, Bangkok. Tel: +66 2 266 0123, +66 2 236 8320. Open from Monday to Saturday from 6:00pm-10:30pm.