The best restaurants in Ari

One of Bangkok’s best—yet discreet—Thai restaurant, the long-standing Baan Puengchom has long been favored by long-time Ari residents and their kids. Try pad sam men, a salad which mixes their kinds of smelly—yet flavorfully irresistible—vegetables.

Baby Bar, a cozy poolside space, is swathed mostly in photogenic peachy pink, contrasting quite nicely with the wooden masculinity of the hotel where it sits.

This huge semi-open-air eatery gets its name and decor inspiration from one of the owners’ passion for cowboy apparel. The two-story steel structure is mostly decorated with leather rugs and metal chairs, making the whole place look like a large smithy. 

After months of building a name online and on food delivery services, Burger X has finally launched its food truck at La Villa in Ari. The burger purveyor, which first made its presence known in May during the lockdown, is trying out face-to-face service for a month, giving fans the chance to bite into big, juicy patties slapped in between chewy brioche buns fresh off the grill.

Run by the people behind Sukhumvit hotspots like Above Eleven, Charcoal and Havana Social, medieval-themed Cantina offers simple, produce-driven Italian favorites that deliver on-point flavor.

Dai Lou, a Cantonese eatery in Ari, is next to take on the trend, displaying photogenic Chineseinspired décor, and serving progressive tapas-style food with catchy names.

This colorful cafe from Charoenkrung is now at Gump’s Ari, the community space that’s a favorite among Instagrammers. Like the original branch, Fats and Angry at Ari is set like a 1950s American diner, and serves western comfort food such as milkshakes and burgers.

Jim's Burger and Beer has been a go-to place for burger lovers in Ari for years with delicious homemade buns and juicy patties. Try Jim Lava Cheesy Burger (B290) that comes with charcoal bun, double cheese, onion rings, and tender patty, or Jim Apocalypse Burger (B360) that features patty in freshly baked bun, melted cheese, onion rings, and bacon.

Tucked in quirky Ari, this shophouse-turned-restaurant is a casual and fun place to enjoy flavorful Busan-style Korean delicacies. The restaurant also features an open kitchen where diners can watch Busan-born head chef, Kay Cho, and his younger brother, Junhee, perform their culinary magic. 

Kinlenn, the casual restaurant that started out in Khao Yai, earned a reputation for serving fuss-free fare in a fun and photogenic environment. When it debuted in Bangkok, the hipster haven of Ari seemed like the perfect match. The restaurant ticks all the boxes for an ideal casual hang-out, offering flavorful bites perfect for sharing along with refreshing heady concoctions that can help guests unwind after stressful hours in the office.

A new venture by Chicago-trained sushi chef Kritsada “Kaew” Chittarat, Ma Ichi focuses on larger bites at affordable prices, but still with a promise of first-rate ingredients.

Located next to Onedee Café, Ong Tong Khao Soi is a humble shophouse serving up northern Thai food with the main focus on—you can guess—khao soi (northern Thai-style egg noodles with curry). 

Experience the real flavors of Southern Thai food at this colorful cafe, which serves dishes made using old secret recipes. The fare is rich and spicy but they also have softer flavors for those who can’t tolerate spice. Meals are best shared with friends or family.

Phed Phed whips up tongue-burning northeastern fare. The highlight is somtam, which comes in more than 20 varieties. Try tum tang poo dong (B55), in which a spicy cucumber salad is paired with preserved paddy field crab served with its shell.

Pladib has been Ari’s favorite dining destination for many years. Decorated with minimal décor, this Japanese-fusion restaurant offers homey atmosphere for your group of friends to chill in.

This Japanese curry restaurant serves rich simmered curry soup with a variety of toppings, such as Wagyu beef, tonkatsu, stewed pork and fried shrimp.

Thani Khao Mudaeng is one of the legendary crispy pork (moo krob) and stewed pork (moo daeng) shops in Bangkok. Roasted crispy pork belly that is soft and tender inside is served with rice and topped with savory gravy is to-die-for.

Rooftop eatery Vela’s contribution is a casual vibe complemented by crowd-favorite fusion dishes that merge local flavor with French influences, as well as creative cocktails.

This cafe, set in a house on Soi Ari 1, has a spacious outdoor area for those who like to sip their cappuccino within a green and airy atmosphere. Apart from coffee and smoothies, Yellow Lane also serves brunch plates, poke bowls, salads and sandwiches.

Yoong Chang, a restaurant that describes itself as “Neo-Chinese,” specializes in combining multiple culinary traditions in one dish. The menu boasts creative combinations created by owner and head chef Kulapol “Air” Samsen, who studied at a cooking school in Hong Kong and worked at Michelin-starred Bangkok restaurant Gaa.

Wagyu-importer-turned-beef-specialist Wagyuism pleases meat lovers with fine beef imported directly from Kobe and Hokkaido— we’re talking A4 and A5 grades. (It’s even one of the very few Kobe beef-certified restaurants in Bangkok!) Tucked in Soi Ari Samphan 5, the cozy eatery boasts loft-style interiors decorated with wood furnishings and Japanese art.