It’s a wrap for 2023! Just like the year before, we ate a lot in 2023, from tasty plates at casual dining spots to beautifully presented fare at fancy restaurants in five-star hotels. And we also tried a lot of new and noted dining spots that popped up in town throughout the year. These are the ones we recommend.
Note: The list features restaurants we tried between December 2022 and November 2022, and is ranked in random order. New restaurants we haven’t tried will be considered for next year’s list.
The downtown branch of the Song Wat mainstay continues to serve dishes that are true to real Thai flavors. A special addition is the breakfast menu (served daily from 7:00 to 10:00), which includes dishes inspired by the owner’s childhood memories of growing up in a family that provided breakfast for G.I. officers during the Cold War. Expect nostalgic fare such as Isan-style hotdog, a hearty American breakfast, and ketchup fried rice.
Soi Sathorn 12
Recently awarded its first Michelin star, this fine-dining restaurant garners praise for beautifully plated fare that boasts the many vibrant flavors of India. Stunning interiors and lighting design add to the jaw-dropping dining experience.
Langsuan Road
This casual (and kinda hidden) brunch spot deserves five stars for boldly flavored western-style comfort fare, from pot pies to roast chicken, that have been adapted for the Thai palate. The virgin coconut cake is a must.
Soi Sukhumvit 26
This French gastro bar by chef-sommerlier duo Antoine Darquin and Théo Lavergne lures you in with sexy lighting and super chic vibes, courtesy of a spiral mirrored staircase, artsy vintage wall collages, and beautiful clientele. But what will keep you in your seats—and coming back for more—are stylish comfort fare such as truffle toast and fried chicken, plus fine and affordable wines.
Langsuan Road
It may sound like a tourist trap, considering its location in busy Asiatique, but The Crystal Grill House is the real deal, pairing a charming setting overlooking the river with seriously good fare. The perfectly grilled seafood and imported beef offerings are the main draws, but we urge you to also try the linguini with Alaskan king crab.
Asiatique, Charoenkrung Road
Though located on the suite floor of the uber-luxurious Sindhorn Kempinski, Bistrot de la Mer offers a casual French bistro atmosphere that’s complemented by gorgeous views of Langsuan greenery. Don’t miss the bouillabaisse.
We’d definitely travel across town to Ari just to indulge in Neapolitan-style pizza at this cool and youthful spot. The magic is in the perfectly chewy dough, which features just the right amount of char. Do try its signatures like the smoked peppered bacon pizza with Fior Di Latte cheese and sunny-side-up egg.
Chef Buddy Thomthanut, who calls himself “a fat kid”, draws inspiration from his life-long love of food to give a modern reinterpretation to Thai comfort dishes, from rice with roast pork to fried pork with sticky rice.
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Fatboy is perhaps the most picturesque izakaya in Bangkok to date, thanks to the perfect marriage of both old and modern Japanese motifs and a minimalist Brutalist-style structure. The menu lists modern Japanese and Yoshoku (western-influenced Japanese recipes) fare designed by Chef Arnie Marcella. It’s a bit pricey, but the experience is definitely worth it.
Soi Ekkamai 2
Chef Ton Tassanakajohn works his magic once again, this time wowing diners with an all-day dining spot set in a mind-blowing setting inspired by the Thai traditional sticky rice container called kratib. In France, a salon is where people come to socialize, and that's exactly what the prolific chef is aiming for with this place. The food definitely plays a part too, with sharing portions that allow you to enjoy comfort Thai and Western dishes with friends and loved ones.
Get a great introduction to Hakata food, the gastronomic culture of Fukuoka at this new Japanese import, which originated in the Japanese prefecture during the Second World War and still carries the original recipes. The grilled skewers are a must, as is the tonkatsu ramen with al dente noodles, which represent the quick eating habits of the Japanese locals at the time.
Soi Sukhumvit 39
Fire is essential to perfecting the menu at Choen, the latest addition to the impressive dining options on Soi Nana in Yaowarat. For its introduction menu, Chef Mew Mesaengrilverakul and her team took inspiration from the street fare that abound in Chinatown, but present them in different ways without compromising the original flavors.
Born in Tokyo, Den Kushi Flori is a collaboration between Michelin-starred chef Zaiyu Hasegawa of Den and two-Michelin-starred chef Hiroyasu Kawate of Florilège. The creative kaiseiki from Den and Japanese-French fare from Florilège have come together to craft skewers ('kushi' in Japanese) like you've never tried before.
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