Bangkok, Thailand's vibrant capital, is a city of contrasts where ancient temples stand alongside modern skyscrapers, and street food stalls compete with Michelin-starred restaurants. Known as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon in Thai, the city offers world-class shopping, a legendary nightlife scene, and some of Southeast Asia's most ornate Buddhist temples.
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Jay Fai
Jay Fai is Bangkok's most famous street food vendor and the only street food stall in the world to hold a Michelin star. The 72-year-old proprietor (nicknamed Jay Fai, meaning 'Aunty Fai') has been cooking at this location since the 1970s, wearing her iconic ski goggles to protect from wok smoke. The signature dish is khai jeow poo, a crab omelette stuffed with enormous fresh crab, and the pad kee mao (drunken noodles) is equally legendary.
327 Maha Chai Rd, Samran Rat, Phra Nakhon
Nahm
Nahm is one of Bangkok's most acclaimed fine dining restaurants, earning a spot on Asia's 50 Best Restaurants list multiple times. Chef Pim Techamuanvivit now leads the kitchen, continuing the legacy of David Thompson's meticulous exploration of ancient Thai recipes. The menu features elaborate dishes based on 19th-century royal Thai cuisine, with exceptional ingredients and complex flavors.
COMO Metropolitan Hotel, 27 South Sathorn Rd, Sathorn
Bo.lan
Bo.lan is a benchmark of sustainable, organic Thai cooking in Bangkok. Chef-owners Bo (Duangporn Songvisava) and Lan (Dylan Jones) are passionate advocates for traditional Thai ingredients and farming practices. Every dish is made from scratch using organic, locally-sourced ingredients. The restaurant has consistently featured on Asia's 50 Best Restaurants list.
24 Sukhumvit Soi 53, Khlong Toei Nuea, Watthana
Gaggan Anand
Gaggan Anand's eponymous restaurant is one of the most celebrated in Asia, repeatedly named Asia's Best Restaurant. Chef Gaggan presents a 25-course emoji tasting menu that reinterprets Indian cuisine through progressive techniques. The intimate 14-seat restaurant creates an extraordinary theatrical dining experience that might be the most unique meal you'll have in Asia.
68/1 Soi Langsuan, Lumphini, Pathum Wan
Thip Samai
Thip Samai has been serving what many consider Bangkok's finest Pad Thai since 1966. The restaurant is famous for its 'superb' Pad Thai (wrapped in an egg net) and fresh-squeezed orange juice. Nightly queues are long but move quickly. The original owner's recipe using thin rice noodles, quality shrimp, and a wood-fired wok has never changed.
313 Mahachai Rd, Samran Rat, Phra Nakhon
Chote Chitr
Chote Chitr is a beloved family-run restaurant that has been serving traditional central Thai cuisine for three generations. The tiny restaurant near Democracy Monument is known for its miang kham (betel leaf wraps), yam mamuang (green mango salad), and various curries prepared from family recipes. Praised by food writers and chefs as one of the most authentic Thai restaurants in Bangkok.
146 Phraeng Phuthon Rd, Phra Nakhon
Krua Apsorn
Krua Apsorn has been a favorite of Bangkok's middle class since it first opened, and the Thai royal family has reportedly sent chefs here to learn traditional recipes. The menu specializes in central Thai dishes that are rarely found in tourist restaurants, including extraordinary crab and coconut curries and stir-fried crab dishes.
169 Dinso Rd, Bowon Niwet, Phra Nakhon
Supanniga Eating Room
Supanniga Eating Room specializes in eastern Thai cuisine from the Trat and Chanthaburi provinces, a regional style rarely seen in Bangkok restaurants. The dishes are known for their use of fresh herbs, seafood, and distinctive flavors. The Thong Lo location is set in a charming wooden house, and the restaurant has expanded with multiple branches across the city.
160/11 Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Thong Lo), Khlong Toei Nuea
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
Thai
Jay Fai
Nahm
Bo.lan
Thip Samai
Chote Chitr
Krua Apsorn
Supanniga Eating Room
Somtam Nua
Polo Fried Chicken
Roti Mataba
Kor Panich
Benjarong
Soul Food Mahanakorn
Paste Bangkok
Sra Bua by Kiin Kiin
Cabbages & Condoms
Baan Phadthai
Wang Lang Market
MK Restaurant
Greyhound Café
S&P Restaurant
Lert Ros
Pier 21 Food Court (Terminal 21)
Smooth Curry
Indian
Gaggan Anand
Saras Restaurant
Italian
Zanotti
Racini's
Bistro
Quince Bangkok
Café & Western Brunch
Café Bones
Chinese
Nai Mong Hoi Thod
Contemporary International
Eat Me Restaurant
Desserts & Café
After You Dessert Café
European
Canvas
French
Le Normandie
Fusion
Breeze Restaurant
Israeli
Shoshana
Pan
Food Republic (Siam Paragon)
Steakhouse
El Gaucho
Vietnamese
Tonkin-Annam
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Tipping practices vary — check local customs. Service charge is often included.
Restaurants may close between lunch and dinner. Plan meals around local dining hours.
Popular restaurants may not take reservations — arrive early or be prepared to wait.
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $5-15/meal | Street food, local eateries, and simple restaurants. |
| Mid-range | $15-40/meal | Sit-down restaurants with good service and varied menus. |
| Upscale | $40+/meal | Fine dining, international cuisine, and premium experiences. |