Long has Bangkok been hailed the land of the mouthwatering street foods. Backpackers and foodies alike wander the city’s labyrinth in search of the best cheap eats that the many street stalls have to offer. Bloggers and travel writers have made entire careers out of documenting the ever-changing street-food landscape.
But what about those who prefer eating sitting down? That prefer their red wine slightly below room temperature and their cocktails served in the appropriate glass?
For those looking for an indoor dining experience it should be noted that three of Bangkok’s restaurants have broken the top 20 on this year’s prestigious The World’s 50 Best Restaurants Asia list, as voted by industry professionals.
While there may be debate about who voted, which restaurants were left out and which were included, nobody is denying that the lucky few who were chosen serve up some of the world’s best food.
With a total of five of the city’s restaurants making the list, there is little doubt that Bangkok has whatever your palate is looking for.
Here is a breakdown of those Bangkok restaurants that made this year’s top 50 Restaurants in Asia.
#3 Nahm – Thai food done with a high-end twist. Chef David Thompson’s London Nahm was the first ever Thai restaurant to earn a Micheline star. Must try: Bite-sized portions of smoky Chiang Mai-style chilli relish with quail eggs and pork crackling. Cost: Individual dishes 300 – 700 BHT range, or indulge in the 1,700 fixed menu gets you apps, main and dessert.
#10 Gaggan – A modern take on Indian classics. Must try: Slow-cooked Iberian pork neck topped with a vindaloo curry reduction. Cost: 300 – 700 BHT a dish.
#19 Eat Me -Hip and laid back, this art gallery-cum-cafe is perfect for a late meal. The food is described as “Pacific Rim with South-East Asian and Middle Eastern twists.” Must try: Grilled kurobuta pork loin with cumin, garlic and spiced apple compôte. Cost: 300 – 1,200 BHT range.
#29 Sra Bua By Kiin Kiin – Molecular Thai cuisine with a theatrical twist (read: liquid nitrogen serving trays and do-it-yourself syringed noodles.) Must try: Grilled shrimp with frozen satay ice cream sauce and coconut pearl. Cost: Dinner for two 5,000 – 10,000 BHT.
#36 Bo.lan – Authentic Thai. The chefs Duangporn ‘Bo’ Songvisava and Dylan ‘Lan’ Jones are alumni of David Thompson’s London Nahm restaurant. Must try: The Bo.lan Balance allows guests to try a little bit of all things Thai, from traditional dishes to more interpretive meals. Cost: 300-800 BHT for the a-la-cart menu, or go for the Bo.lan Balance, a multi (8+) course meal with a little taste of everything at 1,880 BHT.
And if, by some chance, you find none of the above restaurants tickle your fancy, you can always call on the Journeys Within team to whip something up. Or even better, include your own cooking class in your next tour of Bangkok.… Read more »
