Bangkok Restaurants

Thais take their food very seriously. When you combine this with Bangkok’s vibrant cosmopolitanism, you get a city that will keep your taste buds constantly tingling. You could dine in a traditional Thai house that serves the finest Thai cuisine, or you could find yourself in a French restaurant that competes with the best Parisian kitchen. You can savour the latest Pacific Rim fusion food or a serving of pasta that an Italian would be proud of. Or, if it is noodles you are looking for at three in the morning, Bangkok’s street stalls will keep you satisfied.

Local cuisine

Thai cuisine is characterised by strong spices, lime juice, lemon grass and fresh coriander, a combination which gives Thai food its distinctive taste. In addition, Thai food has a deserved reputation for being spicy, with hot little torpedo-shaped chilies making their way into many a dish. Thais are well aware that these can be more than Westerners can handle, and will often ask if you like it hot.

Where to eat

If you are out shopping and want a quick meal, you will be surprised by the quality and range of food served at very low prices in the food halls or malls. There is usually a coupon system in place, whereby you can conveniently pay for your meals with coupons and return any unused ones afterwards. Thai pubs and bars serve delectable food, making an evening of bar-hopping a fine way to pass the time. Try the area around Phra Arthit Road or Narathiwat Soi 15 for such an evening. Not to mention the ubiquitous street food.

On the other hand, if it is international cuisine you are hankering for, Bangkok will satisfy you. From Indian to Greek, Middle Eastern and Latino, name your cuisine, and somewhere there will be a waiter ready with an appropriate menu. Throughout the city, there are loads of Chinese and Japanese restaurants, and while European restaurants are relatively new on the scene, there has been a recent boom in Italian cuisine.