Blessed by a cool breeze, the Riverside offers a scenic change to Bangkok's inner-city stuffiness. It's a great place for a sundowner, a romantic dinner cruise, a relaxing lunch, or for afternoon tea.
Alongside the old temples, warehouses, wooden houses and old buildings you'll find classy hotels serving wonderful buffet lunches and sublime afternoon tea. You'll also find local restaurants perched on old wooden piers serving seafood platters, floating restaurants and smart places to eat in Thai houses along the river banks.
Dinner Cruises
Every visitor to the capital should try a dinner cruise. After a long day of shopping or sightseeing, cruising down the river on an old teak rice barge in the cool of the evening is incredibly relaxing. As you float past Bangkok's old temples beautifully lit up against the night sky, add a bottle of wine and an excellent candlelit dinner, and it's an experience you won't forget. Wat Arun temple at sunset, in particular, is spectacular.
Several riverside hotels operate cruises which leave at sunset or early evening. Loy Nava, a genuine old rice barge, offers a great traditional Thai atmosphere and a set dinner choice which includes vegetarian options. Have a look at our Dinner Cruises section for details.
Hotel Dining
Some of Bangkok's most famous and award-winning hotels are scattered along the river banks - the likes of the Shangri-La, The Peninsula Bangkok, Millennium Hilton, Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Towers, Marriot Resort & Spa and The Oriental Hotel. All offer a smattering of equally wonderful restaurants in both outdoor and indoor settings, be it Thai, Asian, Seafood or International cuisine. Many also offer a free ferry service from the piers by The Oriental and River City. Their buffets are great value, allowing you to enjoy all the aforementioned cuisines at the same time. Often, traditional Thai music and dancing is on the menu too.
For a very English afternoon tea, head for the Author's lounge at the Oriental Hotel. Traditional scones, clotted cream and a great choice of teas, but sit outside on the terrace instead to watch the boats (and Bangkok life) go by. You can also find afternoon tea in the lobby-lounge of the Shangri-La Hotel between 15:00 to 18:00. On Sundays they have a wonderful 'high tea buffet' with over 40 delicious items to sample.
Independent and authentic Thai riverside eateries are also plentiful. Thai restaurant Yok Yor (three branches: Soi Somdej Chaowpraya 17, Klong San 762 Lard Yar and 84/4 Sirinthorn Rd) comes highly recommended. As does Khinlom Chom Sa Phan (11/6 Samsen Soi 3), a large but charming outdoor affair where a mostly Thai clientele savours steamboats of seabass and live music while overlooking Rama VIII bridge.
Take a look at these reviews by Thailand Tatler for fine dining experiences at the Riverside.
Learn more about Riverside: Where to Stay, Nightlife, What to See & Do, Shopping, Getting Around
Learn more about where to eat: Sukhumvit, Chidlom - Ploenchit, Silom, Siam, Ratchaprasong, Sathorn, Khao San Road, Old City, Chatuchak, Pratunam, Ratchadapisek |
