8 new restaurants and bars on Soi Sukhumvit 26 to visit right now

The team behind Messengerservice Bar on Phatthanakan Road has opened a venue closer to downtown Bangkok. BAR US on Soi Sukhumvit 26 gives a fancy twist to drinking by coming up with a list of cocktails that follows the multi-course concept of most fine-dining establishments.

The menu consists of three different sections. The first is Starter, which is all about refreshing aperitivo, followed by Main, where savory ingredients are used to make unexpected concoctions. Then you have After, a catalog of aromatic tipples that taste like dessert. We also love BAR US’ creative take on many classic cocktails in the All Night menu, which is ideal for traditionalists.

Now open just below Mia, Behind the Curtain is a compact watering hole with limited seating. Here, the cocktail experience is heightened by an omakase-style dessert-pairing feature curated by Chef Michelle Goh and new bar manager Marc Perez.

Munch on unconventional sweet nibbles packed with hints of Asian and Mediterranean flavors while sipping on classic tipples with a playful twist.

Located above omakase and kaiseki house Mokuzou Juutaku on Soi Sukhumvit 26, Hinoiri Bar (which means “sunset” in Japanese) takes its name seriously; a round, gleaming centerpiece shines brightly upon patrons alongside beautiful visuals projected on the walls. Also equally serious is its commitment to making the mixes for its drinks in-house, from its syrups, to a variety of juices, to garnishes.

These all go into cocktails that are served “obarkase” style—basically you sit at the bar and let the mixologist customize drinks for you.

What used to be an automotive studio and assembly center has gotten a new lease on life as an English-style social club called Kilik. Spacious and airy, it is an ideal spot for post-work or pre-game hangouts with friends and business partners. 

Kilik Social Club is one of those modern-day drinking houses that commit to sustainability by maximizing the use of natural ingredients. So know that you’re at least helping minimize waste with every sip.

Scandinavian fare is getting more recognition in Bangkok these days. The latest venture to promote cuisine from this region is Loyrom, where Norwegian fare is presented with a modern take.

Be one of the first to have a taste of its New Nordic Philosophy through its ever-changing tasting menu, which depends heavily on seasonal ingredients. Some months, you’ll be having fresh lobsters, while other months will be all about fennel and chestnut.

Omakase dining has been around for some quite some time in Bangkok’s dining scene, but Mokuzou Juutaku is probably the only restaurant in the game that presents the Japanese dining concept with an artistic twist.

The restaurant focuses on six elements—visual, taste, smell, sound, touch, and emotion—in each serving of its Digital Art Omakase Course. Seated at one of the counter seats, you’ll be amazed left and right with Edo-inspired graphics projected onto each dish, which themselves are works of art made with premium ingredients like truffle, caviar, and Wagyu.

K Village has recently welcomed nais, a casual, loft-style restaurant that promises wholesome meals like those cooked by your mom. While the dishes may be not as attractive for your socials, what truly matters are the tastes and aromas oozing from every bite. 

The Caesar salad, for instance, has a smoky flavor from the greens being grilled on charcoal before getting tossed into a mix that also includes a generous pile of cheese and juicy grilled chicken. The pastas and steaks are also worth looking into. 

nais is currently only open for lunch, but they will soon open for dinner and bound to serve more delicious comfort fare with a big selection of fine wines.

At the Soi Sukhumvit 26 branch of hipster favorite café chain Rico’s lies Rica, a restaurant that’s sworn to the concept of Boutique Upscale Dining. European and Asian flavors are combined to create a line-up of fusion fare, including a tiger prawn pasta that will slap your palate with tingling spice or mille-feuille layered with mango and passion fruit. Rica will likely be a hit among Instagrammers as well, thanks to photogenic interiors that emphasize earth colors and Nordic design.