The best restaurants, bars and cafes in Phrom Phong

Chocoholics can get their fill of amazing chocolate-based dishes at this chic bistro. Its chefs participated in Bocuse d’Or Thailand (basically an Olympics for cooking), and excel in French-Nordic dishes with a touch of chocolate and cacao. Breakfast highlights include Shrimp Cocktail Tartine (B290) and Seared Andaman Barramundi (B390).

What is it?: An established and highly respected seafood purveyor in Bangkok, often credited as the original location to popularise the high-quality, casual lobster roll in this city. Why we love it: Their lobster roll (B750) recipe balances classic American and European flavour with light luxury. The house brioche roll is loaded with lobster chunks, seasoned with the iconic Old Bay spice, and lifted by notes of fresh tarragon and a drizzle of subtle truffle oil. It’s hearty, aromatic and the bed of julienned crisp lettuce helps cut through the richness beautifully. Time Out tip: located inside EmQuartier, this is a perfect downtown spot to drop in mid-shop. Don’t skip the impressive selection of imported oysters served with a housemade mignonette. Address: Gourmet Market, EmQuartier. 10am-10pm

Originally a queue-forming phenomenon in Hat Yai, Charlotte Doughnut now has two Bangkok branches – and the Sukhumvit 33 location makes a strong case for being even better than the original with an interior that channels all the vibes of a Parisian side street, complete with all green, white and gold lettering. The doughnuts are made fresh daily and the range is generous.  You simply can’t go wrong with a clean classic glaze or fluffy puff cream that delivers filling in every bite, while fruit-forward options are a hit among those who prefer something brighter. The space is elegant and doughy-soft, making it an easy choice for a proper sit-down binge. Charlotte Doughnut. Sukhumvit Soi 33, Watthana. 9am-9pm

What is it: Larder BKK is an artisanal bakery-charcuterie-deli where bread, house-cured meats and sandwiches meet minimalist Polish-inspired design. It’s a bright, two-storey space that’s equal parts cafe, bakery-lab and deli-counter – perfect for sandwich lovers who care about crust as much as filling.  Why we love it: Everything here feels personal – from the slow-fermented rye and focaccia to the fillings that hit that perfect savoury note. Tuna 3000 with hard-boiled egg and tartar sauce is a cult favourite, while shokupan hot pastrami with sauerkraut and mustard channels classic deli nostalgia. Other standouts include croque khun poo ying (a playful Thai-take on croque madame) and Polish sandwich 3.0 with smoked ham and egg.  Time Out tip: Roast beef on sourdough with dijon, egg and smoked paprika is a lunchtime essential – rich, peppery perfection.  Larder BKK. Sandwiches from B190. Sukhumvit, Watthana. 7am-5pm.

What is it?: A blink-and-you’ll miss it little spot on Sukhumvit Soi 33 with a comforting, living room atmosphere and Lanna design touches that transport you far away from the neighbouring hostess bars and into the kitchen of an indulgent Northern grandmother.  Why we love it: In our brief and extremely informal (possibly while drunk) survey, we found that Thais who go to the North are more likely to crave the khanom jin nam ngiao (rice noodles in a thick, porky broth flavoured with tomato and red kapok flowers), while foreigners go for the khao soi (wheat noodles in a spicy coconut curry). Gedhawa does masterful renditions of both, better than most places in Chiang Mai. Expect all your favourites – spicy sai ua sausage, Northern-style pomelo salad, fresh and green nam phrik num (green chili dip), and one of the best hang le curries (a Burmese-influenced curry with pork and tamarind) we’ve ever had.  Time Out tip: Every magazine seems to mention that this is one of Harry Styles’ favourite restaurants. For some of us that’s decidedly points against the place, but regardless of how you feel about One Direction, this makes us think the man is onto something.  

Unagi Sanya is one of those under-the-radar places that’s been around longer than the hype cycle. Fifteen years, to be exact. They only use large, fresh-cut eel, not the pre-marinated stuff, and the difference is obvious the moment your bowl hits the table. The eel is steamed before grilling, which helps reduce oiliness and makes the bones soft enough that you don’t even notice them. The sauce has been simmered and refined for over 15 years, thick and not overly sweet. They also serve solid sashimi, which is a rare bonus for an eel spot. It’s the kind of place you’ll quietly recommend to friends. 1, 12 Soi Sukhumvit 39, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana. 089-005-1199. Open daily 11am-2pm, 5pm-11pm. Closed Monday.  

This place knows what it’s doing, offering one of the more consistent smash burgers in the city – and building a real identity around its ingredients. From dry-aged, high-welfare beef from Sloane’s – a London-based butcher known for ethically raised quality meat – to buttery house-baked potato buns, every element plays a role. The house pickles and jalapenos cut through the richness, and even the sauces are made in-house rather than squeezed from an industrial pump. Whether you go for a classic or one of their rotating monthly specials, there’s a kind of casual confidence here that’s hard to fake and easy to crave.593 1 Sukhumvit 33 Alley, Klongtan Nuea, Watthana. 097-979-7836. Open daily 11am-2am.  

Scone lovers will love it here! Baker Bricks is a beloved café in Phrom Phong where various types of scones are highly popular. The plain one is only B55, while something different like cocoa chocolate chip scones (B60) and pearl sugar scones (B60) can't be missed.

What is it: A bakery-cafe that’s earned quite the following in Bangkok for its precision-crafted sourdough loaves, buttery croissants and serious sandwich game. With its flagship on Sukhumvit Soi 31 and additional branches in Suan Phlu and Ruam Rudee, Holey brings the bakery-craft to your lunch plate. Why we love it: Bread is the hero here – house sourdough and baguettes get the star treatment, enabling sandwich fillings to shine. Think smoked salmon and fried egg on crisp artisanal bread or a hearty panini pressed with premium ham, cheese and house-fermented pickles. These are the kinds of sandwiches where the bread whispers ‘I’ve been nurtured for 48 hours’ and the filling adds the flourish. Time Out tip: Go mid-morning when the loaves are still warm. Order toasted panini with a cold brew or oat latte – a simple pleasure done exactly right. Holey Artisan Bakery. Sandwiches from B290. Sukhumvit, Watthana. 7am-7pm.

Nuttawan “Yui” Supapong discovered that there is more to honey than the locally grown amber-colored sweetener she would take as a child after trying different kinds of honey on a study trip in the north. Inspired by her knowledge on the sugary food product, she decided to open a specialty cafe offering food and drinks made from honey she sourced herself from around the world. Tucked in Soi Sukhumvit 24, Honeyful boasts warm and welcoming interiors featuring wood furniture and flooring, and white beehive-shaped tiles. Green plants liven up the place, while big windows bring in natural light. At Honeyful, Yui wants to emphasize that honey, aside from being delicious, also carries tons of health benefits. “I want people to be able to incorporate honey in their everyday life,” she says. “Taking honey every morning helps strengthen your immune system. When the weather is bad, especially, the best thing you can do is to be healthy. Take it every day as part of your routine. Substitute table sugar with honey. It’s natural and is made of monosaccharides or single-molecule sugars, which the body can process more easily.”  Honey is incorporated in every drink and dish at Honeyful. The selection of honeys are changed every so often and, this season, the cafe offers collection of “monofloral honeys” in a menu called Honeyful Remedies. These honeys are produced by bees that mostly collect nectar from one floral species, thus giving the honey a distinct flavor. Yui says that each honey...

Mutual Bar opened in 2020 and hasn't looked back since. These days it's the reliable name on Sukhumvit Soi 24, the spot you text your mates to meet at. A group of friends dreams it up, all from different walks of life with their own quirks and obsessions, bound together by one thing – they love a good gathering and a proper chat. The space mirrors that spirit, built to hold both their differences and their common ground. It's welcoming enough that even non-drinkers wander in happily, whether to catch the music, crack open a book or simply see a friend. No pressure to order a drink here.Soi Sukhumvit 24. Open Tuesday-Sunday, 5pm-12am. Call 02 550 6820

La Fontana has opened in Galeri 24 on Sukhumvit Soi 24, bringing seafood-led Italian-Mediterranean cooking and a new cocktail bar to the neighbourhood. A Mamma Mia!-themed party marked its arrival, but the kitchen keeps its focus on traditional coastal recipes, old-world Mediterranean wines and Italian spirits. The menu includes fresh gnocchi Bolognese with traditional Bolognese sauce and cavatelli alle vongole, a pasta from the chef’s hometown served with fresh clams and pesto. Spanish octopus is cooked sous-vide, char-grilled and plated with Sicilian capers, black olives and mashed potato. Behind the bar, eight signature cocktails have been designed to complement the seafood-focused menu, making La Fontana as suited to daytime dining as evening drinks. Open daily, 11am-11pm. La Fontana, Galeri 24, Sukhumvit Soi 24

If you’re tired of overpriced mall food, this food cart parked near the entrance of luxury mall Emporium offers the perfect solution. There is only one thing on the menu: Hainanese-style chicken rice that got all the components right. The fragrant rice is packed with garlicky flavors, while the boiled chicken is juicy and tender. A fried option is also on the offer and the chicken is served crispy and not too greasy. For parties of two or more, a slightly peppery-sweet soup with whole chicken bone is served. Here’s the tricky part—trying to nab a seat is like a game of musical chairs. The minute you spot an empty chair, seize it as fast as you can. Otherwise, the remaining alternative is to take your place in the notoriously long queue for take-away orders—or eat while standing.

The name refers less to actual poisoning than to a cocktail menu divided by strength into ‘poisons’ and ‘antidotes’. Once a three-nights-a-week Ekkamai speakeasy, Sugar Ray has since gone daily and moved into a sleek black-marble space inside Octo Seafood Bar on Sukhumvit 24. Track down the costumed doorman to find the entrance. Head mixologist Vipop ‘Tor’ Jinaphan works Thai flavours into classic cocktail forms, with pandan, Bengal spiced tea and ginseng-infused gin among the ingredients. Octo Seafood Bar, Sukhumvit Soi 24, Khlong Toei, Bangkok. Daily 7pm-2am.

Hone Bangkok exudes zen calm from the moment you enter. Warm, soft light falls on a long counter facing the grill station and staff discreetly glide through the space tending to your every need. It’s an izakaya in spirit but not the cramped, noisy kind. The room leans minimalist Japanese – pale timber, clean lines and thoughtful textures throughout.  Food follows the same mood. Start with the exquisite chilled capellini with hotate and ama ebi. It’s clean and bright in both appearance and flavour with ponzu lifting the sweetness of the scallop and shrimp without drowning it. Saikyo miso black cod is buttery and comforting – a flakey fish with a soft sugary edge that stays just on the right side of rich. Pâté and caviar toast is a pleasing table opener, playfully presented on caramelised crisp bread and dusted with salt and microscopic petals. Yakitori is where the kitchen really shines. Tsukune chicken meatball comes glossy with teriyaki and shoyu egg yolk – tender with a light hint of smoke. Reba liver teriyaki is confident and simple, proof that careful grilling beats fancy tricks. Between rounds, the seasonal vegetables – zucchini, pumpkin, lotus root and baby corn – pick up a sweet char and reset the palate. If you’re still hungry, go for the premium cut gokujo beef tongue with Japanese leek which brings depth and much satisfaction. The unagi cream cheese roll sounds curious but works on the plate – eel, omelette and avocado balanced by crunchy puffed rice. Coconut...

When you think of a department store like Emporium, you might expect a cookie-cutter cafe or just another polished retail space but this new corner is anything but typical. They’ve transformed the old parking lot into a creative hub where craft, design and community come together. Think of it as a little village of ideas: there’s Sauce Coffee, serving up aromatic brews made with beans from Gem Forest Coffee. Right next to it is Colorama, a cheerful eatery that turns every plate into a rainbow of vegetables, proving that healthy can be both colourful and crave-worthy. You’ll also find a curated selection of tableware, with certain handcrafted pieces made exclusively for this space. And perhaps the most unexpected twist –  the parking ramp has been reimagined as an open art zone, lined with creative installations and cosy corners where you can sit back, relax and take it all in. Address: 3/F, Emporium, 622 Sukhumvit Rd, Khlong Tan, Khlong Toei. 022-691-240. Open Daily 10am-8pm 

Sometimes, a good drink and the right music can transform an ordinary moment into something special. For those looking to unwind with a favourite beverage while enjoying the sounds of music, a vinyl bar run by a Japanese enthusiast of vinyl culture offers the ideal setting. The bar’s aim is to provide a true Listening Bar experience, where you can immerse yourself in the soothing rhythms of jazzy vinyl grooves. A key feature of the bar is its dedication to sound quality with the use of vintage audio equipment. The wooden decor enhances acoustics, absorbing sound and reducing echoes to create a cosy, intimate setting. The music, played through classic equipment once used in cinemas, adds to the bar’s nostalgic charm. You can unwind and savour organic ingredients in your drinks. 4th Floor, Cannabis Culture Club, 635, Khlong Tan, Khlong Toei, Bangkok 10110 095-978-9196  

Later that night, I wondered – was I being dramatic for wanting to go back again tomorrow? But when the memory of the Pork Kim-cheese Toastie resurfaces, I know I’m not. Homemade kimchi, melty cheese, and thick-cut sourdough (baked in-house by Sarnies) come together in a perfect storm of flavour. It's crunchy, tangy, savoury – dreamy, even.  This space is what happens when two rule-breakers decide to rewrite the clean-eating script. Pimp My Salad and Sarnies. One built its name on bowls that are vibrant, nutrient-dense and full of personality; the other is known for turning the everyday cafe experience into something bold and unapologetically flavorful. The space itself is bathed in natural light all day long. Ideal for catch-ups over brunch or those spontaneous candid IG stories. But back to the food: Nutty Acai Bowl is the real post-toast finisher. Sure, acai is known as a superfood, but this bowl is also super tasty. Topped with a chunky raw brownie that’s 100% plant-based, gluten-free and dairy-free. Zero guilt, zero sugar spikes – just whole, thoughtful ingredients. And if you're not in the mood for toast or smoothie bowls, don’t skip Hula-Hula Tuna. Chilli miso ponzu gives it this bold, spicy depth right from the first bite. It’s layered but not overwhelming – savoury, tangy, a little sweet. Their house-made kimchi adds a nice kick. It's a masterclass in clean eating with intent: every element feels considered, from texture to taste to how it makes you feel...

Get a taste of Nagoya at Chita Yukata Tei, a secret ramen hub on Soi Sukhumvit 24. Homemade ramen noodles are produced every day and served with rich soups made with tamari (Japanese soy sauce) and miso.

Named after the mellow hue the sky took on when its owner first arrived at the location, Vanilla Sky is nestled on the 35th floor of Compass SkyView (aka that tower sitting right behind the Emporium mall), offering stunning views of Sukhumvit from every angle. The music is pretty chill, and perfectly complement the bar’s selection of refreshing cocktails. For a more exciting experience, ask for the flammable cocktail named Lamborghini (Sambuca, Kahlúa, Blue Curaçao, Bailey’s, B850) or head downstairs to Vanilla Club.