Babble & Rum Restaurant at Riva Surya Hotel

The menu is a combination of hearty international classics and Thai specialities; Babble and Rum really brings together the best of global dining. Open every day from 10:30 to 22:30 there is a range of burgers and sandwiches including a very juicy waygu burger served with a side of truffle fries, or for something lighter, there’s a range of fresh, tasty salads, including a spicy and sweet pomelo salad with river prawns that’s a real treat for those who like intense flavours. There’s also a full range of popular Thai dishes, such as tom yum kung, pad Thai, and braised pork noodle soup. Babble and Rum is a great place to bring the family for brunch when they serve up plates of eggs, pancakes and French toast from a dedicated midday menu. Those with a sweet tooth should try Boran ice-cream. This traditional ice cream has been given a modern twist at Babble and Rum, with a choice of coconut, black bean or durian served in a bread bun with sticky rice, peanuts and condensed milk. For something that sounds like it shouldn’t work, it really is delicious.

Babble and Rum isn’t just a great spot for food, it also has an excellent drinks menu, making this the ideal place to come for a chilled sunset drink in the Old Town. Their house cocktails include a sweet and sour mandarin chilli martini and the Jelly River, which thankfully does not look like water from the Chao Phraya but is a muddle of rum, melon liquor and jelly. There is also a good selection of wines by glass and bottle including a couple of choices from Thailand. Their selection of soft drinks is worth mentioning and includes a traditional chocolate shake and a refreshing mango smoothie.

Getting here isn’t too hard, either jump on the boats that ply the river from Sapphan Taksin BTS and get off at stop no 13, which is definitely the most scenic route. For those who prefer to remain on dry land you can grab a taxi from National Stadium, although the traffic can be a nightmare during rush-hour. Some hotel bars and restaurants are not distinctive enough to merit their own attention, but at Babble & Rum the experience is distinctive and the atmosphere just as chic as at the boutique hotel to which it is attached.

Babble & Rum

Opening Hours: 10:30 to 22:30 every day
Address: Riva Surya, 23 Phra Athit Rd., Bangkok
Tel: +66 (0)2 6335000
How to get there: Either take a boat at the pier near Sapphan Taksin BTS or grab a taxi from National Stadium BTS