The best restaurants, bars and cafes in Phrom Phong

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.

This is one of the many Korean barbecue places in the city, but what make GoGi SeKi special are their friendly prices and noteworthy promotions that extend to those who want to enjoy grilled meals under their own roof. Delivery: LINE (gogiseki1975), Facebook, or call 08 3073 4756

Fans of comfort food with the sensibilities of the West will be impressed with Leon, the eatery by Cocotte that aims to use both local and imported quality ingredients like a dry-aged beef to create a big array of delicious dishes.

 For those who’re into a quieter, more intimate experience, Alonetogether Bar in Sukhumvit is a retreat for jazz lovers and audiophiles. With live jazz performances lighting up the main bar five nights a week and a second floor dedicated to vinyl records, this place stands out for its laid-back vibe and dedication to the art of sound. The cocktails are classic, and the setting is sophisticated yet approachable. If you're in the mood for casual drinks or celebrating a special occasion, Alonetogether creates a vibe where the music steals the show. 29 Sukhumvit 31 (Soi Sawasdee), Klongton Nue, Wattana. 082-569-8583. Open daily 7pm-1am.

Hidden in a small soi near Phrom Phong, Hair of the Dog is where craft beer meets dark humour. A passion project started by two Canadian beer lovers, it serves as both a safe space for the beer-curious and a playground for hardcore hopheads. The aesthetic, a bizarre fusion of medical asylum and prison ward, is unsettling yet oddly attractive. Decked out in stainless steel and eerie operating tables, the first floor serves up 13 rotating taps and an extensive bottle selection. Upstairs, The Clinic offers a change of pace with a gin and tonic bar. If you appreciate strong themes and even stronger beers, this is your spot. 593/27 Sukhumvit Rd, Soi Villa Parking (near Sukhumvit 33/1), Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana. 02-030-2538. Open daily 11am-12am.

Spread the word! Propaganda Bar is all about having a good time with great company and  pocket-friendly refreshments. This new hangout spot on Soi Sukhumvit 33 was put up by Tom Athey, who also runs well-regarded public relations company Spark Communications. As Athey explains, Propaganda Bar is one of those endeavors born out of a pandemic crisis. “The company owns the building, but the tenant [a Japanese restaurant] couldn’t handle the rent, so I was thinking of what to do with it,” he says. Though the PR man admits that his experience in F&B is practically non-existent, he still saw a great opportunity to explore uncharted territory and open up a bar.  Athey, who used to be a journalist in the UK, intended for Propaganda to be a place where other journalists and people in media can come and chat with like-minded individuals over cocktails or a cold beer, and listen to relaxing music—a casual and welcoming place that stands out in a city filled with swanky establishments serving overpriced drinks. As is, Propaganda’s drinks list boasts a line-up of pocket-friendly cocktails inspired by its name. Six signature drinks (priced at B275 each) are inspired by well-known figures and events in world history. You have The Churchill, a whiskey-based drink with zesty hits from lime and pineapple zest; The 1984, which combines gin and pomegranate juice; and the vodka-focused Red Revolution. Other drinks to try include Loose Lips Sink Ships, Reporter’s Revenge, and The Cuban Missile....

You’ll be surprised to find that khao pad comes in many iterations at this eatery. Chef Pattarawit “Park” Junthai, who is also behind Chim Ramen, has come up with a roster of unforgettable rice-based dishes like fried rice with salted beef jerky, with crab meat or with beef tongue. Delivery: LINE (@frieddining)

Spirits importer and distributor Bacchus is no stranger to the city’s Japanese restaurants and izakayas. The company has been acting as purveyor, importer and distributor of premium Japanese spirits for years and has introduced Bangkok to some of the best palate-pleasing, head-numbing whisky and sake the island country can provide. Now, Bacchus has made it easier for Sukhumvit tipplers to access their bottles with the launch of a stylish watering hole that, curiously enough, is backed by a French-sounding name. Tucked in Sukhumvit 39 (an area regularly packed with Japanese expats) Salon du Japonisant, at first glance, looks a tad like those earth-toned townhouses that dot upscale residential neighborhoods in Tokyo. Step in and you’ll find yourself in an achingly cool drinking room that will please Japanophiles. The walls are decked with colorful sake labels, setting a playful vibe for a comfy room that blasts slick-as-hell hip hop tunes. Your journey into Japanese spirits begins with the exploration of a wide range of whiskey selections from distilleries like Suntory, Mars Shinshu and Chichibu. Our go-to choice was the Hakushu single malt whiskey served highball in a stylish Kimura glass. You can also find rare selections like Suntory Whiskey Century 2001, Suntory Whiskey “Imperial” and Suntory Crest 12 Years. For those who prefer sake, Salon stocks up on a variation of rice wines such as Born Junmai Daiginjo “Gold”, which has a complex flavor but is not too difficult to...

There's no shortage of steak restaurants in Bangkok. You’ve got the big chain eateries that charge you exorbitant prices for below-standard beef; and you have the hotel dining rooms that do serve excellent steak dishes, but in rather uptight environs. There is a dearth of choices, however, when it comes to steakhouses that deliver an amazing dining experience but in a more casual setting. Steakhouse newbie Thaan fills in the void. We won’t blame you if you associate the eatery with the popular aromatherapy brand. This Thaan derives its name from the Thai word for charcoal; basic logic would lead you to surmise that the restaurant specializes in charcoal-grilled meat and not diffuser-inspired dishes. Tucked within the Sukhumvit Soi 31, Thaan looks rather nondescript from the outside. Step inside to discover a welcoming space that connects a rather busy open kitchen to an intimate dining room that’s lit up only with the small electric lamps sitting on each table. The restaurant is a proud owner of a Josper grill, one of those trendy, top-tier oven-and-charcoal-grill hybrids that’s praised for giving meat more aroma, a smoky flavor and crusts on the right side of charred. The steak selection includes imported beef mostly from Australia, as well as local himawari-gyu beef, which is fed on a mix of sunflower seeds, corn and sake kasu (leftover bits from the sake-making process). The owners also pay great attention to the produce it uses, only picking the freshest ingredients,...

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.

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  

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...

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...

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.

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.

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 

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. 

Odtomato, at first glance, seems like just another eatery churning out casual East-meets-West fusion fare in a clean, minimalist setting. But this sleek Sukhumvit restaurant takes it up a notch by offering hearty modern Australian dishes made with top-quality ingredients.  Owed by Gavin Vongkusolkit (who’s also behind Kuppadeli café and Glowfish co-working space), Odtomato is dominated by masculine elements such as dark wood and teal-colored furniture. A cocktail bar at the front welcomes guests to the restaurant and serves tipples created by Australian bar master Nick Braun. The menu reveals creative Mod-Oz creations such as a refreshing green gazpacho made with cucumber, green grapes and avocado (B350), and a baked cauliflower and broccoli salad served with a drizzling of Dijon mustard (B275). Heavier plates include Beef Wellington (B1,550) made with premium beef from a farm in Hokkaido. Don’t miss the indulgent sticky date pudding (B225), created following a secret recipe from Gavin’s family. Keeping up with its name (pretty much a combination of “Od”, Gavin’s nickname and “tomato”), the eatery serves plump and fresh tomatoes as a complimentary overture prior to the meal. Odtomato has a great selection of wine, but you can also opt for for one of the cocktails such as the frothy and floral Blossom (vodka, raspberry and elderflower, B355), or the headier Cobbler (B385), which mixes three kinds of sherry (Fino, Palo Cortado and Ximénes) with rum and house-made pineapple...