Bangkok is one of the best places in the world to eat Thai food. Bangkok is the capital of Thailand and boasts a wealth of excellent restaurants. Thai food can be cheap, tasty, elaborate, gourmet, and inventive. Thai food is never dull. But how do you decide where to eat in a city packed with restaurants, cafes, and bars?
Where do you find the best Thai food in Bangkok? The restaurants serving the best Thai food do not cater primarily to tourists; they are authentic places that serve delicious food locals love. Here are a few suggestions for your best Thai meal in Bangkok.
Thai Street Food in Bangkok
The great news if you are on a budget is you don’t have to go to a fancy restaurant in Bangkok to enjoy delicious Thai food. In many cases, the best place to go is on the street. You’ll find cheap and excellent Thai food on the sidewalk or served from food stalls all over the city. Here you can sit at a small table and enjoy a tasty meal while you watch the world go by.
Some of the best places for authentic Thai street food are on Sukhumvit Soi 38. For a good reason, the street food market on Soi 38 is a favorite among locals, tourists, and ex-pats. You’ll find a great variety of dishes from satay chicken and pork to pad Thai, fried rice, noodles, and Thai curries. The food is made fresh as you watch from a variety of fresh ingredients. On the sky train, the fresh food market is next to the Thong Lo station.
La Table de Tee
On the other hand, sometimes you want to sit and dine in style in a world-class restaurant. If you are looking for a gourmet restaurant serving Thai food in Bangkok, this is your best choice. The concept is a “chef’s table” where you choose between two different menus created and set by the head chef every night.
The food is expensive by Thai standards, but if you are coming from abroad, you will be able to compare the price of a gourmet Thai feast here with what you could get at home—ideal for a special birthday or celebration. La Table de Tee is located in Silom, close to Silom sky train station. Be sure to book ahead as this place is trendy.
Bangrak
If you are looking for somewhere a little different and somewhere with its style ambiance to enjoy Thai food in Bangkok, then look no further than Bangrak. The Bangrak restaurant has a low-key appeal with art on the walls and lives music. More of a café than a restaurant, Bangrak is the place to go for fresh, delicious Thai food served simply with a twist. The restaurant is on Silom Road, close to the Silom station.
Kalpapruek
Set on the 7th floor of the big Bangkok mall Central World, this restaurant is a glorious exception to the rule that all food courts are loud, brash, and not particularly good quality. Kalpapruek restaurant has a calm, relaxed atmosphere; the food is delicious and cheap. You can stop here while you are shopping or make a special trip for the food. The place is deservedly popular with Thais as well as visitors.
Pad Thai/ Image via Charles Haynes/ Flickr
Thip Samai
Where in Bangkok do you go to find a truly delicious Pad Thai? Well, you could stop at any one of the street stalls selling this popular classic, or you could try Thip Samai. A great place for a good fix of the delicious staple in all its variations.
Somtum Der
This small, cozy place is an excellent destination for tasty northeastern Thai food in Bangkok. The house’s specialty is the Som Tam (papaya salad), and there are many different versions on the menu, each with various ingredients.
Most of these dishes are spicy and completely flavorsome, so come with an open mind, and you will enjoy a meal to remember. You will also like the outdoor seating area with its lovely ambiance – a fantastic place to enjoy a few cocktails if you don’t want to eat a full meal. The restaurant is simple, affordable, and located near Silom sky train station.
Tom Yum Chicken/ Image via alpha/ Flickr
Bamee Sawang
Look here for possibly the best noodle soup in all of Bangkok. This simple café has indoor and outdoor seating and serves a range of homemade noodle soups full of ingredients and flavor. You won’t be disappointed by the authenticity of this place. Located close to Hua Lamphong sky train station.
For more Thai Food in Bangkok inspiration, check out the blog at PhuketOn. Find the best Bangkok restaurants and Bangkok bars, plus information about Phuket and Koh Samui at PhuketOn.
