Bangkok Business Dining

Eating is an intregal part of Asian culture with many business ventures and potential partners  assessed over a meal. In Bangkok, hotels often provide the venue for many business lunches and dinners. Apart from the food, a central location, accessibility and a known restaurant are important factors.  Most hotels offer private dining rooms, especially in their Thai or Chinese restaurants, indicating the importance of eating before sealing the deal. Book in advance, as some may be the preferred venue of local business people.

It's rare to have a bad meal in Bangkok and the choice is pretty overpowering. Hotel restaurants are popular as they offer good value although wine (highly taxed at 300%) is expensive. There are also many good local restaurants around town, which offer excellent value for money, interesting locations and private areas. 

In recent years the restaurant scene has become more stylish and adventurous with not only a wide choice of ethnic restaurants but also fusion food and very chic Thai. Some Thai restaurants have a private Sala or pavilion, located at a distance from other diners and ideal for private discussions.

Some larger hotels offer rooftop restaurants with stunning views over the city. Check the Dining Out section for listings and read the reviews. For a quick guide to restaurants, plus restaurant reviews, check our Dining Out section and look for the B icon - indicating a suitable business dining venue.

Tipping is not customary in Thailand, although Thais are getting used to the idea in upmarket hotels and in some of the new restaurants where a service charge is often added as part of the bill

Fine Dining - Recommended to Impress
A selection of well-known hotel restaurants in Bangkok for both business and pleasure.

The Mayflower
Dusit Thani Hotel
02 236 0450

Highly regarded, the Mayflower, with its elegant décor (Chinese artwork and ceramics) attentive staff and good wine selection, makes an excellent choice for a business dinner. Specialising in regional Chinese dishes, with an emphasis on seafood and poultry, the Mayflower offers Peking Duck, a huge selection of abalone dishes, and Phuket lobster salad - just a few of the delectable offerings. Dishes are beautifully presented and whisked out the kitchen with precision. Tables are laid with crystal glasses, fine linen and bone china. Elegant and impressive.

Average cost: Around 2,400 Baht - 4,500 (if house specialities are ordered) for two.
Reservations recommended

The New York Steakhouse
JW Marriott Hotel
Bangkok
02 656 7707

The perfect venue for a special but relaxed meal. Perfectly cooked, the certified US and Australian grain fed beef is simply the best. Huge portions and large cuts of meat - Filet mignon, ribeye, striploin, T bone and Porterhouse are accompanied by a good selection of red wines. Steaks cooked to your absolute order - rare steak means rare. Seafood is also on the menu and beautifully cooked with specialities like Phuket lobster. Large servings from appetisers to desserts.  Unassuming and comfortable. Reservations recommended

Celadon
Sukothai Hotel
02 287 0222

Located inside the beautiful Sukothai hotel, so you know it's going to be good. The setting, beside lotus ponds in the grounds of the hotel, perfectly compliments the Royal Thai cuisine - a brand of the Thai culinary art formerly used only in the Royal kitchen. Specialities like zingy Mango salad with dried prawns, char-grilled squid, deep fried Pomfret with chilli sauce and a variety of vegetarian dishes, or a set dinner with a range from appetisers to desserts provides an excellent introduction to Thai food. Good curries, especially the Gaeng Ped or Duck curry and a choice of wild or white rice.  There's an extensive wine cellar spanning a fairly broad price range, although you can bring your own (corkage 500 Baht) if you have some special in mind. Staff are attentive and will assist in your selections.

Average cost: Around 2,000 Baht (without wine) for two.
Reservations recommended

Genji
Nai Lert Hotel (formely Hilton International Bangkok)
02 253 0123

Traditional Japanese décor and exquisitely presented authentic Japanese cuisine, make this restaurant a culinary experience. Well trained Teppanyaki chefs offer a choice of Kobe or US beef, and there's also a delicious selection of local and imported sashimi and sushi, noodles and rice dishes. As you would expect, a good range of Japanese sake.

Ma Maison
Nai Lert Hotel (formerly Hilton International Bangkok)
02 253 0123

A lovely teak panelled interior opens out onto the Hilton's famous tropical gardens in this lovely authentic French restaurant.
Instead of those traditional but cholesterol laden sauces, the menu offers creative dishes with  subtle flavours with a light touch like Tasmanian salmon scented with tangerine oil and almond crusted duck with orange and kumquat sauce. The varied menu changes with the seasons.

Always a good dining experience at the Hilton, there's a serious wine list which includes some 5 figure bottles.
Cost: Av. 3,500 Baht (without wine) for two. Reservations recommnended

Thais eat with a spoon and fork, except when eating Chinese food. Generally a Thai meal consists of several dishes which include a range of tastes and textures, accompanied by steamed rice. It is better to let your host decide on the menu and generally if you are a non-Thai, any spicy dishes will be toned down. If the food is too spicy, then eat plain steamed rice which will absorb the heat. (Water won't help!!)