A Taste of Bangkok: A Guide to Eating & Drinking Your Way Through Thailand’s Capital

Eat your way through Bang Rak (a.k.a. the Village of Love)

This riverside neighborhood is full of family-run shophouses serving up recipes passed down through the generations. Take a self-guided food crawl or book a street food walking tour through local vendors who specialize in dishes like roast duck noodles, pad Thai, and mango sticky rice.

Ride the Chao Phraya River ferry

A cheap and breezy way to see the city from the water. Hop on and off to explore temples, neighborhoods, and riverfront cafes. The ride itself is a vibe, especially during golden hour.

Unwind at a traditional Thai spa

Try a foot massage after a day of wandering or splurge on a multi-hour ritual at the spa inside The Siam or Capella Bangkok. Bangkok excels at balancing high-end and no-frills wellness.

Shop & snack your way through Chatuchak Weekend Market

This sprawling, chaotic maze of over 15,000 stalls is half retail therapy, half sensory overload. Come for handmade goods, vintage clothes, and hard-to-find ingredients, and stay for coconut ice cream, grilled skewers, and fresh sugarcane juice.

Take a Thai cooking class

Learn how to make your own curry paste from scratch and get a better understanding of the sweet-sour-salty-spicy balance that defines Thai cooking. Many classes include a market tour beforehand, which is a treat in itself.

Sip your way through the rooftop bar scene

Start at the sleek Lennon’s Bar at Rosewood Bangkok or the dramatic Vertigo at Banyan Tree. For something with a little more edge, try Tropic City, one of Asia’s best cocktail bars tucked away in Chinatown.

Jay Fai

The Michelin-starred queen of Thai street food. Her crab omelet and drunken noodles are legendary (and worth the long wait). It’s an experience you’ll be talking about for years.

Err Urban Rustic Thai

A casual offshoot of Bo.lan, focusing on home-style Thai comfort food with beautiful presentation. A great intro to traditional dishes in a cool, unfussy setting.

Samlor

Modern Thai with unexpected twists—this is where local chefs go on their night off. Try the grilled river prawn with chili jam and don’t skip dessert.

Phed Mark

A love letter to pad kaprao, one of Thailand’s most beloved street dishes. It’s run by local YouTuber Mark Wiens and serves different spice levels (but even the medium is hot).

Raan Jay Fai’s Alleyway Neighbors

Some of the best food in the area isn’t in guidebooks. Explore the little noodle shops, dessert stalls, and fried banana carts just around the corner from her restaurant.

Sorn

For those craving the pinnacle of southern Thai cuisine, this two-Michelin-starred restaurant is a journey. Book far in advance—it’s an intimate, seasonal tasting menu experience unlike any other.

Baan Ice

Beloved by locals for its wide-ranging menu of southern Thai classics. It’s flavorful, relaxed, and perfect for a group dinner.

Teens of Thailand & Asia Today

Two of the most interesting cocktail bars in the city are tucked into Chinatown’s back alleys. They lean toward experimental and source hyper-local Thai ingredients.

The Never Ending Summer

Set in a converted warehouse along the river, this stylish Thai restaurant gets everything right, from the interior design to the grilled catfish with green mango salad.

Blue by Alain Ducasse

A fine dining experience that blends French techniques with Thai ingredients. The tasting menu is indulgent but has a local sensibility. Expect stunning river views and flawless service.

Vertigo & Moon Bar at Banyan Tree

If you’re looking for a drink with a view, this is one of the most dramatic rooftop bars in the city. Go early for sunset and order the classic mojito—still one of the best in Bangkok.