The best restaurants, bars and cafes in Phrom Phong

A trading post is where people gather and meet to exchange goods as well as ideas—and that’s the concept behind this new café on the ground floor of 137 Pillars Suites. Step inside and you’ll find yourself in a welcoming high-ceilinged chamber set off by natural light and light-colored furniture. An adjoining terrace and white garden pavilion expose you to surrounding greenery and offer great spots to unwind.  International comfort food, from healthy salads to quesadillas to brunch dishes, makes up the menu. Dishes we like include the Blackened Tuna Tataki (B340), a raw tuna mixed with black and white sesame salad dish with grains and fresh herbs; the soufflé-like Farmer’s Omelette (B290) made with organic eggs, homemade Boerewors sausage, goat cheese, tomatoes and sliced potatoes.  The desserts are equally appetizing. Try their signature Sweet Potato Cake (B105), a soft, layered treat that’s not too sweet or the Triple Chocolate Texture (B255), which pairs a decadent hot fudge brownie with white chocolate cream and Belgian chocolate ice cream. To satisfy your thirst, the café has a wide selection of coffee, tea, smoothies and milkshakes, as well as wines and local beers such as Chalawan Pale Ale and Chatri IPA. 

Banh Mi Bo, as its name suggests, specializes in banh mi or Vietnamese sandwiches. The venue offers a decent list of fillings, but the stars of the show are the BBQ pork and lemongrass chicken. All banh mi are served with cucumber, carrots, coriander and fresh chili.

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.

Comfort food galore at the second branch of Kenny’s BBK at Sukhumvit Soi 31. Try bucatini carbonara (B350) or Kenny’s special pizza (B390) with mystery ingredients. Beef lovers check out the 300g hanger steak grilled on charcoal with chimichurri (B590). And watch English Premier League matches at weekends. 24/1 Sukhumvit Soi 31, Khlong Tan Nuea. 090-995-2040. Daily 10am-3am

If you love rich, creamy chicken-based ramen, Nanase Ramen is a must-visit. As Thailand’s only dedicated tori paitan ramen shop, it has been perfecting its signature chicken broth since 2015 and now boasts multiple branches across Bangkok. The magic lies in a slow-simmered stock made from chicken bones cooked for 10 hours until the broth reaches a thick, collagen-rich consistency packed with deep umami flavours. Each bowl is loaded with juicy, hand-shaped tsukune (chicken meatballs), minced chicken for extra depth, and a perfectly soft-boiled egg with a jammy yolk. The broth is luxuriously thick, offering a hearty yet well-balanced experience. And for a nostalgic touch, the ramen cart out front blends tradition with a bit of street food charm. 1095 Sukhumvit Rd, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana. Tel. 095-547-0324. Open daily 11am-3am

After featuring as a filming location in One for the Road (2021), the bar retains a film set vibe. From neon signs and red lighting to a mini fish tank and a vintage phone booth, every detail is preserved to reflect the aesthetic vision of directors Wong Kar Wai and Nattawut Poonpiriya. The cocktail menu is also inspired by the film’s characters, with signature drinks including Alice’s dance, Noona’s tears, after the rain and WKW (Wong Kar Wai). Whether you're looking for a dimly lit, classic setting to unwind or you're a true cinephile seeking a moviecore experience, this bar is the perfect place to escape into a cinematic world.  Sukhumvit Soi 31, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana. 02-004-2429. Open daily from 7pm-2am. 

Fujiyama Go Go serves the “real taste of Nagoya” in a hot bowl. Try Umakara Tsukemen Special (B330), a dish of chewy yellow noodles with five tasty toppings and a super rich broth on the side. Fujiyama Go Go now has four branches in Bangkok on Soi Sukhumvit 39, BTS Phra Khanong, Soi Ekkamai 2, and Thungkhru, and one in Chiang Mai.

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.

Chef Thitid Tassanakajohn does it again with another venture following Le Du and Baan. With the help of American chef Chandler Schultz, Thitid creates simple yet fabulous plates inspired by the sidewalk fare of Bangkok. Baa Ga Din is where you find everyday comfort food with a sophisticated twist. Try the dry-aged beef tartare with sweet cucumber gel, spicy mustard and salty tamarind sauce. Pair it with the grilled corn salad, a zesty dish that combines corn and mango with kaffir lime emulsion. A full-range bar offers herb-inspired drinks such as Wake Up in Bangkok, a gin-based cocktail with passion fruit, raspberry, ginger powder and absinthe.

Brekkie reinvents yucky-looking health food into mouth-watering dishes using organic ingredients, especially the quinoa. A must-try is the flavorful fried quinoa tom-yum with diced salmon, which was inspired by tom yum fried rice.  

This bar in Phrom Phong is all about music and everything in between. Drumsticks adorn the walls, instruments are set here and there, and you can enjoy live DJ and percussion performances every night.  Come here for cool vibes and music-inspired drinks by head barman Pisit "Jeng" Yooyencharoen.

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.

Sugar Ray was a mainstay in Ekkamai’s nightlife scene for a reason—its creative cocktails and rustic-meets-minimalist speakeasy vibe drew both eclectic hipsters and cocktail connoisseurs to the second floor of Baan Ekkamai. The bar, however, has just gone through a complete makeover, and it includes a new address on Sukhumvit Soi 24. Tucked within new restaurant complex Octo Seafood Bar (we won’t spoil the fun by telling you where the entrance is, but we will say that you have to hunt down a chap that looks as if he’s dressed for Comic Con in the medieval times), the new Sugar Ray is now a sleeker and more dapper version of its former self. Dressed in fine black marble and leather, the dimly lit space now features ample bar seating, which was conspicuously absent in its former digs. In true Sugar Ray fashion, the guys behind the bar are still up for conversation, mostly on cocktails or the bar’s selection of fine whiskey. Head mixologist Vipop Jinaphan and his team have come up with a short list of signature drinks that cater to all kinds of flavor-profile preferences. Un Poco Loco (B420) is a fruity and sour drink that packs a punch with a mix of tequila that's sous-vide with saffron, Amaro, mango, yogurt, lime, salt and bitter. East Coast Boulevard (B420) is a twist on the good old Boulevardier, infusing Bengalese spiced tea into Campari and the smooth blending of rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, Punt e Mes, and chocolate and grapefruit bitters. Local flavor shines in Born...

Octo Seafood Bar has made its name to Sukhumvit’s dining scene as a one-stop seafood destination with eye-striking giant octopus clinging majestically at the very store front. Helping to fulfill the ocean theme of the shipshaped restaurant is a cocktail bar serving cocktails with references to the underwater world. Perching on the second floor of the seafoodcentric complex, Dr. Fetch is embedded with narratives alluding to a laboratory hidden underwater operating by a fictional scientist. That explains the reasons why all the bartenders are dressed up in white laboratory gown. In contrast to the bright restaurant setting, the inside of Dr. Fetch is dimly-lit and succumbed to the heavy beats from live band performing nightly. If you look for a more private corner, take a seat in a connect room quirkily surrounded by wooden rabbits and animal skeletons. To comply with the bustling seafood restaurant downstairs, Dr. Fetch cocktails are conjured up with strong influence from the sea — dominantly via the name of the cocktails, garnishes and the shape of the glasses, not in the drink as we had expected. There’s the Pirate Spice Rum (B400), the concoction photogenically served in a siphon machine with the combination of pea flower-infused rum, toasted coconut and Maraschino liqueur brewed with lemongrass, ginger and butter, before being served hot in a Chinese-style tea cup. (The item is big enough to feed 3-4 people). Ocean Bouquet (B400) is nicely-flavored with accent of spicy...

An old wooden door welcomes you into a classic setting in which wooden tones and brown décor are complemented by warm gold accents. Vintage photos adorn the walls, adding to the nostalgic charm. As night falls, the atmosphere transforms with the glow of red lighting creating a more intimate experience. The cocktail menu offers both classic and signature creations, each inspired by the owners’ personalities and passions. Hendrix’s Garden reflects one owner’s love for music, blending pandan syrup and smoked rosemary for an aromatic twist. Biomimicry brings a refreshing edge with pickled lime, wasabi and celery topped with tonic and finished with an oba leaf garnish. For a playful touch, the S10 Shake takes inspiration from the iconic milkshake scene in Pulp Fiction (1994), serving up a nostalgic yet inventive sip.  5/F, Sukhumvit Soi 24, Khlong Tan, Khlong Toei. 02-550-6820. Open daily from 6pm-midnight. 

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  

The bar door opens onto a Parisian dream, a cafe-bar that feels plucked straight from a European film. Inside, elegance whispers from every corner, subtle lighting and dark wood turning the space into something intimate yet cinematic. The venue splits into two moods: a dining area at the front, soft with daylight, perfect for brunch or dinner, coffee or mocktails served with effortless style. At the back, the Club zone hums differently, a DJ weaving chill beats while live jazz sneaks in on certain nights, turning the room into a slow, playful dance of sound and shadow. Every corner is made for lingering, for stories shared over cocktails that taste as intriguing as the space itself, moments that somehow feel cinematic even before the first sip. Address: 3/F, Staybridge Suites Bangkok Sukhumvit, an IHG Hotel, 3 Sukhumvit 24 Alley, Khlong Tan, Khlong Toei, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon. Open Tue-Sun, 6pm-1am. Closed Mon.

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...