Sukhumvit Restaurants

Cabbages & Condoms

This oddly named restaurant started out a part of a campaign to promote birth control and has become an established attraction in the Bangkok dining circuit with its imaginative menu and free condoms. A multitude of crepes and tasty fillings feature on the menu, best enjoyed on the cushioned porch. Alternatively the menu is laden with classic Mediterranean dishes including tsatsiki and numerous pasta dishes. Profits support family planning and anti-AIDS projects in Thailand.

Crepes and Co

Crêpes & Co has never failed to impress food aficionados with the extensive menu consisting of over 350 Mediterranean-inspired dishes including Spanish, French, Italian and Grecian, as well as countless different kinds of crêpes. Like an oasis in the middle of the ever-hectic Sukhumvit area, Bangkok's one and only authentic crêperie is surrounded by lush tropical gardens, allowing guests to enjoy a healthy dose of fresh air (you can dine out here too if you wish). The restaurant is divided into three sections: the Lounge, the Dining Room, and the Terrace.

La Colombe d'Or (formerly Le Banyan)

The sprawling Banyan Tree sitting outside the restaurant obviously inspired the name of this upscale French eatery, featuring an extensive list of fine wines and a menu that would be right at home on Paris’s Left Bank.  

New York

Voted time and time again as Bangkok’s best steakhouse, New York exudes the sort of atmosphere one might expect congressmen to talk business in. Dimly lit, with walnut walls and huge, leather armchairs the choice of iconic Manhattan images hanging on the walls adds to the Rockefeller vibe of the joint. The restaurant, located in the JW Marriott Bangkok is renowned for its imported prime beef and lobster, seasoned with a dash of old-school glamour. 

Arirang

With a wooden water mill in the display window and an eye-catching glass-encased façade, Arirang is easy to spot when approaching from the Asoke intersection. Inside, the all wood interiors give the place a cosy, friendly ambience. Find both Korean barbecue and a-la-carte dishes (including the hard to find ddeokbokki) on the multi-page menu, but most people come here for the barbecue experience using charcoal grill. The restaurant is well-ventilated, sparing you from going home with a strong ‘barbecue’ smell afterwards.

Basil

A contemporary take on Thai food and design, Basil features a hip and stylish interior and an extensive menu of Thai treats. We recommend the som tam ruam goong yang salad to begin, followed by the delicious chicken curry and the kanom ruam to finish the evening on a high note.  

Le Beaulieu

This sophisticated French dining establishment is a strong contender for Bangkok’s best French restaurant spot. Housed on the ground floor of Asoke Residence, you enter the restaurant to find a chic, glass-encased wine cellar, a tall tasting table, then the dining room decked out with white marble, glass, black leather and stone tiles. Helming the kitchen, Chef Hervé Frerard – one of Bangkok’s top French chefs – presents an ambitious menu of classic and contemporary French fare. The business lunch sets offer great value. Chef Frerard is also an expert in French wine, so get his recommendation for the perfect bottle to go with your meal.

Big Mama Pizzeria

Casual, cosy and widely popular, Big Mama is the place where you feel completely at ease. The menu is extensive, featuring homemade soups, salads, pizzas, pastas, lasagnas and grilled meat. Spaghetti cabonara, a signature dish, comes in a clay pot, topped with oven-baked crust. There’s also a hint of Thai on the menu, so you will find both traditional and fusion dishes such as grilled chicken salad and spaghetti tom yam seafood. Desserts are highlights as well, with chocolate cake and banoffee selling out on a nightly basis. Big Mama is often packed both at lunch and dinner, so call ahead to make a reservation.

Chez Charlie

This lovely French bistro offers an ideal escape from the hustle and bustle of Sukhumvit. Brightly lit and neatly decked out in a contemporary country style, the interiors feel warm and inviting. The menu includes French sandwiches, crepes, soups, salads and daily chef’s specials with hearty fare like beef stroganoff, stews and ratatouille. For something less filling, try one of the sweet crepes, gelatos, mocktail or French coffees and just chill out to your heart’s content.

Chokchai Steakhouse

Inspired by American cowboy stories, this local steakhouse brand has a history that goes back to the 1970s, when its owner decided to set up a ranch in Saraburi province (2.5 hours north of Bangkok) to raise cattle. Today, the Chokchai brand is synonymous with high-quality beef and cowboys. Chokchai Steakhouse’s Sukhumvit branch screams American Wild West, with its wooded interiors, stone tiles and white canopy. A choice of charcoal-grilled steaks range from premium, dry aging to chicken, pork and fish steaks. The menu extends to soups, salads, pastas, rice and finger snacks.

Doo Rae

This three-storey Korean barbecue house is one among many housed inside Sukhumvit Plaza (Korean Town), but Doo Rae stands out in terms of service and a down-to-earth ambience. The menu covers all kinds meat for barbecues and a-la-carte items, such as bibimbab (sizzling rice with vegetables, meat, raw egg served in a stone pot), kimchi jigae (kimchi stew), yukgaejang (spicy beef stew), hae mool pa jeun (seafood pancake) and more.

Frienz

This corner restaurant on ground level of Serm-Mit Tower is packed at lunch with office workers coming for its reasonably-priced gourmet set lunch menu. Brightly lit, with all glass windows, the contemporary ambience is a prelude to a well-cooked and artfully presented meal. The menu fuses traditional and modern Japanese flavours, with a few Thai-inspired dishes, such as raw tuna larb. Evenings see fewer patrons, as the dinner a la carte menu is pricier. The happy hour deal (16:00-19:00) is a steal; get draft Asahi and Santa Carolina premium at a bargain price you won’t find anywhere else in Bangkok.

Govinda Italian Restaurant

This place is buzzing and upbeat, with the menu featuring all the cheese your heart desires and real bread you can tear with your fingers, pizzas drizzled in truffle sauce and a huge selection of salads. Home-made pastas, soups, risotto, gnocchi all lavishly populated with veggies, herbs and the real formaggio.

To complement the authentic and inspired edible offerings, wines from Sicily (as well as Australia and South Africa) appeal. And as one would expect, Amaretto, Grappa and Campari make an appearance too. Coffees and puddings are traditional style - tiramisu (alcohol- and egg-free), pannacotta, and affrogato al cioccolato (ice cream and chocolate sauce) are some of the favourites.

Kuppa

One of Bangkok’s original ultra-hip cafes, this Australian-run joint is a one of its kind in Bangkok. Kuppa's Thai and Australian management partnership is evident throughout, from the décor to the Australian beef, the sandwich selections, and salads and of course the traditional Thai fare. 

La Gritta

Located just off busy Sukhumvit Road close to Robinson's Department Store, La Gritta's menu boasts a variety of Tuscan delicacies, from traditional liver bruschetta, vegetable & black cabbage soup and homemade Pappardelle pasta with hare sauce to cod fish stew “Livornaise style” and a tender grilled T-bone steak with cannellini beans and grilled vegetables. All the favourites including pasta, lasagna, macaroni and ravioli are available. To supplement your meal, there is also a full bar and an excellent wine list.

The Living Room

Bangkok's premier jazz venue hits all the right notes. The lounge bar plays host to the hottest international jazz musicians every night, and the Sunday Jazzy Brunch serves a spectacular buffet. The Living Room - It Simply Swings!

Long Table

The Long table offers a dining experience like few others. From the people who brought the city Bed Supper, this is Bangkok’s latest gimmick restaurant that claims to have the longest table in the world! Elevated 25 floors up it is one of Bangkok’s finest Rooftop Venues, where you can dine on the terrace amid sprawling views of the city. As well as the delicious food the restaurant's cutting-edge interior won’t fail to impress. 

Minibar Royale

Famous for its Sunday brunch, this New York-style French brasserie brings a slice of the Big Apple to Bangkok. From the street, the bright red British phone booth and Parisian sidewalk café setup will draw you in. The interiors feel casual and classic, with exposed beams, white brick walls, marble-topped tables and dark wood chairs, transporting you back to the post-industrial revolution period. The two-page menu covers hearty American dishes like macaroni and cheese, petite burgers (recommended) and ribs de Brooklyn. Cocktails are another reason to come here, and two of the four-page drinks menu is dedicated to various concoctions.

Nobita Yakiniku

Carnivores rejoice! This casual eatery has a mountain load of meats to keep your stomach busy for hours on end. Enjoy all-you-can eat beef, steaks of salmon, river prawns, chicken, pork with zesty kimchi, grilled orinji mushrooms and crispy lettuce leaves – but please note: this all-you-can-eat extravaganza is limited to two hours each per diner. The interior décor is not much to look at, but the main focus here is on food and having a good time with friends. Things get really busy during lunchtime and peak hours, so make sure to call ahead to book your table.

Rossano’s

Rossano’s Tuscan-inspired interiors feel homey and cosy. The restaurant brings Italian fine-dining to Asoke, with a menu that features both classic Italian fare and regional specialties, showcasing the chef’s creative twists. Tuna Tartare and foie gras are delightful starters, while a wide range of homemade pastas are well executed. For lunch, the set menus offer good value. The wine cellar stocks only Italian wines, sold by the glass or bottle.

Rossini’s

Rossini’s is an award-winning Italian restaurant offers a memorable culinary experience. The restaurant brings diners the passion, creativity and authentic taste of Italy with exquisite food and fine wines, the authentic décor of a Tuscan villa, and impeccable service. With its elegant setting – evoking a feel of a Tuscan villa – impeccable service, and an exceptional selection of wines to compliment the refined cuisine, dining at Rossini’s is always a memorable culinary experience.

Salads & More

This casual eatery is devoted to health food. Do it yourself salads and sandwiches dominate the menu, so you can create your own meal from a daily selection of vegetables, seeds, breads, meats, condiments and extra toppings. There’s also a standard menu, featuring grilled northern sausage salad, shrimp and black spaghetti salad, shoyu Thai-French beef salad, dory and almond salad as well as bagel sandwiches, Panini and tortilla wraps. Smoothies are yummy too.

Suda Pochana

This is one of the best places to eat Thai in Bangkok, offering an authentic dining experience, best reflected in the décor, menu and eye-wateringly reasonable prices. Don’t expect much from the décor; the main emphasis is on the food. The crab in curry powder comes highly recommended. Hidden down soi away from the hustle and bustle of Sukhumvit, most evenings an elephant will make an appearance. 

V8 Diner

A blast from the past! This American-style diner transports you back to the 1950’s with its multi-coloured neon lights, shiny double doors, juke boxes and classic leather booths. The menu covers all the basics of American cuisine – homemade burgers, milk shakes, hot dogs, chilli fries, buffalo wings, beers, sundaes – plus all day breakfasts, pizzas, pastas and a selection of Thai dishes.

Yumeiji

This hole-in-the-wall restaurant is popular among Asoke office workers, many Japanese expatriates. It has strong Japanese character, with hanging red lanterns out front and a stairwell greeting you upon entering. Until you make your way to the second floor will you find the sushi bar and a few tables. Continue up to the third floor for a bit more space. Hand-written menus in Japanese adorn the walls, a good indicator of authenticity. The multi-page lunch set menu covers all the popular dishes and a few special combos. Drinks include a range of imported sakes and beers.

Bo.lan

Slow food is in, and the atmospheric Bo.Lan is the best place to indulge in the experience. Trained by celebrity chef David Thompson of the Michelin-starred Thai restaurant Nahm in London, the owners – a husband and wife team who are the Executive Chefs here – adhere strictly to the principles of freshness and preservation of natural tastes through the use of seasonal ingredients. Despite its innovative concept, Bo.Lan is not a fusion restaurant but quite the opposite, as its menu is inspired by ancient Thai recipes and the tastes, as you will discover, are truly original.

Bourbon Street

Virtual HQ of the American expat set and one of the oldest US food restaurants in Bangkok, Bourbon serves up a combination of great Cajun / Creole food and American classics like meatloaf, ribs, burgers, steaks and buffalo wings, liberally serviced with American national sports.

Govinda

The menu features 100% vegetarian Italian food and Govinda is understandably very popular in Bangkok as the ambience and food are outstanding. The menu features pizza and pasta dishes, complemented by smooth acid-jazz background music.  

Koi

Koi restaurant in Bangkok is the third to open worldwide – the other two branches being in New York and Los Angeles. Koi's contemporary blend of furniture with dark wooden floors makes for a balanced interior. The menu comprises Japanese food with Californian accents.  

L'Opera

This fine-dining Italian restaurant has been around since 1983 and remains popular among old-timers. Its cave-like interiors imparts a cosy feel, while the menu covers classic Italian fare, Tuscan specialties and weekly chef’s recommended menu whipped up from fresh, imported ingredients. The Opera Wine Bar, offering more than 480 labels from all over the world and a large Grappa selection, is ideal for wine tasting and socialising. There’s also an Italian delicatessen shop, Traditional Gastronomia Italiana, where you can enjoy authentic thin-crust pizzas or pick up a selection of fresh sausages, salamis, cheeses, smoked salmon, wine, and more, to enjoy back home.

Lemongrass

An established expat favourite with an interesting menu. Dishes from all regions of Thailand, including some fiery southern dishes. Located in an old Thai mansion and furnished with antiques. Good pomelo salad and classic tom yung goong (hot and sour shrimp soup). Reservation recommended.

Ninja House Hero

Inspired by the stories of Japanese feudal mercenary agents, or ninjas, this theme restaurant is full of surprises. From its mysteriously cloaked entrance to the blazing-red ambient lighting, you will be forgiven for thinking that you have somehow fallen into a wormhole and emerged in the midst of a ninja-infested ancient forest.

Open the menu, and the theme continues, with set menus named after the supernatural ninja powers – Wind, Fire and Cloud. The a-la-carte menu offers a good selection of grilled fish, hotpots and sashimi as well as Japanese-style desserts – all prepared by experienced Japanese and Thai chefs. Entertainment includes live ninja shows and games.

After You Dessert Cafe

This popular sweets café, inspired by the Japanese love affair with dessert cafés, takes a no-nonsense approach to the art of making – and savouring – desserts. From the outside, the all-glass window walls reveal a compact space decked out in natural wood tones, a few tables and a counter with a colourful display of homemade cakes, puddings and cupcakes. The signature item, Shibuya Honey Toast, served with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream and honey, continues to draw repeated fans.

Athena

Try Athena's unique flavours to give you a taste of Europe while in Asia. Soups, salads, dips, vegetarian dishes, grilled beef and other meats tempt in a rich menu which also offers seafood choices, complemented by a list of fine wines. 

BonChon Chicken

We’ve all had a fair share of KFC, now it’s time to try something new. BonChon Chicken, a global chain, brings tasty Korean-style fried chicken to Bangkok, after much hype following its debut in the USA. Crispy and savoury, the chicken comes in either soy garlic or hot sauce marinade (or mixed). Additional side dishes like kimchi coleslaw, kimchi, or clear mushroom soup help tone down the spices. The menu also features a selection of a la carte dish, including BonChon chicken salad, pork bulgogi wrap, gimchi fried rice, BonChon salmon steak and BonChon potstickers.

The Face

Named after the proprietor's chance encounter with a wood carving of a Buddha face in Chiang Mai, this teakwood venue is not one you will forget in a hurry. Comprising three restaurants – Thai, Japanese and Indian. The Face fuses traditional Thai décor with international cuisine. (Read Review) 

Kub Khao Kub Pla

A bold move to carve a niche in Bangkok’s dining scene by the popular local ice cream brand iBerry, Kub Khao Kub Pla is a contemporary dining concept offering an extensive menu of creative Thai, Asian and Western dishes as well as homemade desserts. Housed inside Thonglor Town Center, the restaurant’s pastel yellow façade and European sidewalk café style exterior invite you to step inside.

It has two stylishly decked out zones: the Sweet Café for its signature iBerry ice creams, cakes and confectionery and the restaurant, which serves up an array of delectable a la carte dishes. The ambience is pleasantly laid back, ideal for enjoying a casual meal with friends.

My Place & Thonglor

A great place for homemade fusion fare, the eclectic menu features crispy prawn-and -ebiko cream salad, soft shell crab and a wide variety of pasta-based dishes. The yellow-themed restaurant is divided into three sections and decorated in a contemporary European style. Many of the ingredients, including the meats, are imported.  

Little Home Bakery

Established back in 1951, Little Home has become a household name for traditional bakery and western-style desserts. With bakery shops located across the city, the Thonglor branch also features Thai and western a la carte dishes as well as American breakfast, waffles and French pancakes. There’s also a bakery corner where you can pick up freshly baked breads and pastries. After over five decades in the bakery business, Little Home is good at what it does best – you have be warned, so don’t be disappointed if your Thai dish doesn’t taste so good.

Nara

This stylish restaurant serves up an array of conventional Thai dishes. Its menu covers some 200 items, ranging from typical rice dishes to stir-fried seafood and specialty fare such as spicy fried northern pork balls and signature ‘boat noodles’ – Ayutthaya-style beef noodle soup. The crimson wall and golden nameplate at the entrance might hint at a fine dining venue with a lofty price tag to match, but Nara is rather a laid-back place to enjoy a reasonably priced Thai meal. There’s also a small selection of house-special cocktails as well as local and imported wines to pair with your dishes.

Phuket Town

This shop-house restaurant brings a slice of Phuket’s culinary and architectural heritage to Bangkok. The restaurant’s bright-yellow façade showcases Phuket’s signature Sino-Portuguese door archway, old wooden door panels and coloured glass windows. Inside, the life-sized wall mural depicting the perspective view of a Phuket street makes you feel like you are actually in Phuket Town.

While the ambiance is a plus, the food here really does shine. Pad sataw goong, kanom jeen nam ya poo and kua kling Phuket are among the must-try dishes. But be warned, though, as the southern Thai cuisine is very spicy. If you are not immune to chilis, dining at Phuket Town, while extremely palatable, will leave you in tears.

Soi 38 street food

A hidden gem of Bangkok’s street cuisine, Soi 38’s collection of hawker stalls are your best bet when it comes to original Thai tastes. This short strip at the foot of the BTS (opposite Thonglor) is popular among local revellers dropping by for a quick, delicious bite either before or after a night out at nearby party and clubbing establishments. Expect to find all the typical Thai dishes from phad thai to som tam to barbecued pork over rice, Hainanese chicken rice and a whole lot more, whipped up in the ‘show kitchen’ set right on the street.

Tasman Pub

Xuan Mai

This two-storey shop-house restaurant claims to serve ‘the most authentic, interesting and delicious Vietnamese food in Bangkok’. Quite an ambitious statement to make, although not at all uncommon in Bangkok’s dining scene. With a beauty pageant-turned-FBI agent-turn-chef at the helm, Xuan Mai has got quite a story to tell. But what about the food? Besides Vietnamese mainstays, Xuan Mai's menu offers a number of speciality dishes, such as Vietnamese papaya salad (no, it's not som tam), grilled chicken with coconut and mung bean sticky rice as well as Saigon-style cold noodles. The food here has received more than a dozen ‘two thumbs up’ from local food critics, so Xuan Mai does live up to its bold claim.

Parata Diamond Gastro Bar and Gallery

Parata Diamond presents a new concept of chill lounging and dining. The executive chef, trained at one of the top culinary schools in the USA, delivers contemporary American cuisine, inspired by local fresh ingredients and prepared by French technique. The bold and flavourful dishes provide new creations to classy American choices with ingredients that will dance on your taste buds, topped off with a decadent presentation. Dine on the balcony, sip on our signature cocktail at the bar (The Parata Prae) or enjoy shisha on the couches on the patio all encompassed by the Moroccan themed atmosphere and décor.

Akiyoshi

This two-storey eatery is popular among the office workers, who come for a fulfilling meal in a laid-back atmosphere. The menu is simple: Japanese shabu-shabu or sukiyaki or both. Choose from the a la carte menu or all-you-can-eat style. A selection of sushi, sashimi, grilled fish and meat, tempura and other typical Japanese fare is also available, but it’s better to stick to either the shabu-shabu or sukiyaki. The restaurant is easy to find. Take the BTS to Phra Khanong Station (exit 1) and walk about 2 mins. towards Thonglor, you will find Taisin building on your right.