Bangkok has always had more than its fair share of excellent restaurants, but 2023 is truly a boom year for food in the Thai capital. With a Bangkok restaurant taking top prize in a prestigious Asian food award and many innovative restaurants continuing to up their game, this year is the time to discover a great meal in Bangkok. Here are a few of our favorites – which ones have you tried?
Gaggan
The number one spot in the list of San Pellegrino Asia’s 50 Best Restaurant Awards for 2015 was recently won by Gaggan. The restaurant opened in 2010 and has been going from strength to strength, showcasing chef Anand’s spectacular blend of Indian cuisine from traditional to modern. He aims to reinvigorate Indian food by using contemporary techniques to give a modern twist to traditional classics. This is undoubtedly the world’s best Indian restaurant – you can find it in Bangkok.
Nahm
Nahm was the prestigious winner of San Pellegrino Asia’s 50 Best Restaurant Awards in 2014. Now it is seventh on the list, but this remains a beautiful place to eat. The restaurant has a Michelin-starred chef running the show and serves a blend of Thai dishes using premium ingredients and a range of innovative techniques. If Gaggan is the number one Indian restaurant in the world, Nahm could well be the number one Thai restaurant.
Issaya Siamese Club
As well as serving outstanding food, the Issaya Siamese Club is in a charming setting. The 100-year-old house has a curving staircase and a wooden verandah, and it evokes times past, making it perfect for romantic meals. The food sets this place apart, but head chef Ian Kittichai makes Issaya Siamese Club one to remember.
Bo.Lan
If you’re looking for Thai food with a difference, go to this fabulous place in Bangkok. Bo.Lan, named after chefs Bo and Dylan Jones, impresses with its blend of casual charm plus an extra serving of delicious Thai food.
Le Du Restaurant
The new and trendy restaurant in Bangkok – Le Du– is not a French restaurant. Le Du is Thai for the season and references the dishes’ seasonal nature and the emphasis on fresh and original cooking. The style of this restaurant may be classified as international Thai – there are Thai dishes here that have been given a new twist. This restaurant is a rising star in the Thai capital and worth visiting.
Enoteca Italiana
If you’re looking for authentic Italian cuisine in the Thai capital, look no further than Enoteca Italiana. This restaurant is a bit hidden away, but it is wildly popular and the location for a fine romantic dinner. Make sure you call in advance to reserve a table.
Soul Food (closed)
Great-tasting Thai food in a cozy, unpretentious atmosphere. Go to Soul Food to enjoy fresh-tasting, fabulous Thai dishes in a wood-lined restaurant on Thong Lor. Soul Food is a little bit different and is certainly not in the least bit intimidating, as some of the highly-rated restaurants in the city tend to be.
Le Beaulieu at Plaza Athenee
Le Beaulieu at the Le Meridien Plaza Athenee on Chidlom is a super-stylish choice for French cuisine. This elegant place serves superb French food with all the classics given a new twist by professional and experienced chefs.
Seven Spoons
At the other end of the scale, this tiny four-tabled restaurant located in a small shophouse at the end of a quiet street is the place to go for a meal to remember. The food is Mediterranean and vegetarian, and there are a variety of specials every night. The cocktails are great, and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming. No wonder this attracts regulars time and time again.
Sra Bua
Book at the fine-dining restaurant Sra Bua for Thai food with a difference. You won’t recognize the Thai favorites on the menu – classics have been given a modern twist, and the dishes are delicious and look great. This restaurant is located on the ground floor of the Siam Kempinski Hotel, and it also benefits from some tasteful decoration and interior design.
Elements
The restaurant Elements at Okura Prestige Hotel is stylish, fashionable, and chic – the ideal place to take a special person. The restaurant has a nice open kitchen and serves various internationally-inspired dishes. Its location on the 25th floor of the hotel also ensures a great view.
La Table de Tee
French cuisine at a fair price. This restaurant is a good quality, intimate restaurant for a meal to remember. Particularly good if you are looking for a romantic place to dine. Le Table de Tee is a real find in the city.
Final Words
Bangkok is a foodie’s paradise with infinite restaurants offering delicious Thai and international cuisine. We’ve compiled a list of the 12 best restaurants in Bangkok for 2023, each with unique charm and flavor.
From the traditional Thai dishes at Bo.lan to the modern twists on Indian cuisine at Gaggan Anand, there’s something for every palate on this list. And with Bangkok’s vibrant and exciting dining scene, there will surely be even more incredible restaurants to discover in the coming year.
So why not plan a culinary adventure and try some of these top-rated restaurants for yourself? Whether you’re a local or a visitor, there’s no better way to experience the flavors of Bangkok than by dining at some of the city’s best restaurants.
Which of these 12 restaurants are you most excited to try? Have you visited any of them and have a favorite dish to recommend? Let us know in the comments below and share your Bangkok foodie experiences!
