Bangkok food goes from cheap and tasty noodle and rice dishes from street vendors up to high class dining in five-star hotels, and everything in between. Obviously Thai food is the big eat, although it is not hard to find virtually any type of cuisine here. In addition, most malls come with a generous supply of food courts, coffee shops, and burger joints.
Thai food is based around herbs and spices and is traditionally spicy, yet most places will intentionally tone it down for the foreigner. It is among the world's greatest cuisines and is turned around very fast when compared with Western dishes. Most of the top restaurants are French or Italian themed.
Bangkok food prices are relatively expensive, but if you've just come in from overseas you won't believe how cheap it is.
This is the most altogether part of central Bangkok and is good for both shopping and eating. All shopping malls here have one or more large food courts, and Siam Paragon in particular has some excellent eating. There are hawker stands on the roads in between malls along with popular Western fast food.
Most street corners are lined with restaurants and food vendors at the top end of Sukhumvit, where tourists usually hang out. Head down virtually any street here and you will come across a decent amount of Thai and Western eateries.
Possibly the best eating in town, Silom Road has the higher end of restaurant, as well as plenty of fast food options like McDonalds and Burger King. All you can eat buffet restaurants can be found here also, with the streets around Sala Daeng Skytrain station having the best of it.
Chinatown is just west of Siam Square and is best reached by meter taxi, or tuk-tuk when it's not too hot. It easily has the best Chinese food in town and at cheap prices. There are also one or two smart expat bars around here, such as O'Reilly's on the banks of the canal.
This is the historic part of Bangkok, which includes the river, where there are many fancy hotels like the Oriental, and Khao San Road. In general, you won't get the best Thai food here as the whole area virtually caters to the tourist palate.
Thiptara
333 Charoen Nakhorn Road, Thonburi
Phone: +66 2 861 2888
Thiptara is a quality Thai restaurant in the Peninsula Hotel on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. Dining is alfresco and Thai amid a quaint garden setting with spicy and non-spicy dishes available. The seafood and wine list are both superb.
Dilli Haat
No 16, K&Y Building, Surasak Road, Silom
Tel: +66 2 630 0895
Although an Indian eatery, Dilli Haat caters to tourists and is representative of the Indian culture that is alive and well in the Pahurat part of town. It has some of the best chicken tikka masala and comes with a relaxing ambiance and décor.
B-ok Restaurant & Bar
559/25 Watchannal, Chareonraj Road, Bangklo, Bangkolaem
Phone: +66 2 291 9899
With its cool, relaxing garden setting, B-ok is a popular Thai-food-only restaurant that also comes with a sports bar and karaoke. The food is distinctly Thai, with dishes from Bangkok and the northern Isaan region.
Vertigo Grill & Moon Bar
Banyan Tree Hotel, 21/100 South Sathon Road, Sathon
Phone: +66 2 679 1200
The Vertigo Grill & Moon Bar is on top of the swanky Banyan Tree Hotel on Sathon Road. It is worth visiting for the amazing 60th floor views alone, while the food and service is impeccable. There is also a smart bar up here.
