The best restaurants and cafes in Phloen Chit

After a busy day exploring the attractions of the city center, the refreshing flavours at KHAAN offer a great culinary pick-me-up. Chef Sujira ‘Aom’ Pongmorn’s contemporary Thai fine dining tasting menu features fresh takes on traditional dishes using modern cooking techniques. On the 11-course menu (B3,850) treats such as Khao Yai duck curry with five spices and rice paddy crab elevate a dining experience based firmly on the foundations of Thai gastronomy.  14/3 Somkid Soi, Lumphini, Pathum Wan. 092-441-6547. Open Tuesday-Sunday 5pm-midnight

For New York-style cuisine with a distinct Thai twist, look no further than the Penthouse Bar + Grill at Park Hyatt Bangkok. This exceptional venue delivers a stand-out experience, fusing the best of New York's legendary dining culture with the dynamic energy and style of Bangkok. Contemporary sophistication meets a sizzling urban atmosphere. From mouth-watering grilled meats to iconic cocktails, here are four standout features that make this place truly shine The Grill: A smoke-infused culinary experienceThe Penthouse Bar + Grill is about the art of grilling. An open kitchen showcases a wide range of premium meats and they know their stuff. Chef Marco Chavez Javier brings distinctive cooking methods to the kitchen, with the Koppa Oven Parrilla Oven giving each dish a deep, smoky flavour. These techniques highlight the natural taste of the meat, resulting in a bold and refined dining experience. You'll taste the essence of New York in every bite, whether you're enjoying a perfectly seared steak or a tender rack of ribs. Cocktail Bar: Where craft cocktails meet sleek designThe Cocktail Bar boasts a relaxed yet stylish atmosphere, with high ceilings and a modern design. Enjoy a classic martini, followed by an Old Fashioned or one of the signature drinks, like the smoky, burgundy "Dancing on the Graveyard". As you sip away, enjoy live music from different bands each night, adding another layer to the diverse Bangkok nightlife. Skilled bartenders and talented performers come...

Just for a moment, picture stepping into a world where the sounds of the city fade away and you find yourself transported to the heart of a lush jungle. At COBA, Bangkok's exciting new culinary sensation, that's the experience you can expect. Surrounded by towering greenery, cascading plants and the soul of nature, diners are treated to a multi-sensory experience. The blend of jungle aesthetics with fine-dining creates an atmosphere so captivating, you'll feel like you've stepped into a tropical rainforest. The mastermind behind this jungle oasis is the acclaimed Michelin-starred chef and visionary culinary curator Olivier Limousin, with his years of expertise honed in globally renowned Michelin-starred kitchens, he has created a menu that's as imaginative as it is delicious in collaboration with COBA and executive chef Sebastien Lallane. This team has crafted a culinary journey that marries the bold, rich flavours of Latin America with the refined techniques of French cuisine. From the moment you sit down, you'll be taken on a pulsating sensory journey through bold, creative flavours. A Tapas Tower is the star of the meal and features perfectly seared tuna tataki with a citrusy dressing, delicate confit scallops paired with tangy umeboshi and rich, buttery wagyu tartare that highlights the beef's deep umami. The unexpected fusion of flavours continues with humita gyoza filled with creamy sweetness, complemented by the salty, savoury kick of Joselito Iberico ham – a...

What is it?: A low-key hotspot for classic and regional Mexican flavours on the upper floors of Phloen Chit’s Mahatun Plaza. Why we love it: Only 10 years ago, Mexican food was largely unknown in Bangkok. At best, there were simple casual-dining spots where you could get some decent tacos and a pitcher of margaritas (La Monita, just downstairs from Santiaga, being a prime example). However, Mexican food can be so much more, and in Thailand it’s a natural fit. The crossover in ingredients is massive – chillis, limes and cilantro, of course, and even more niche items like crickets and ant eggs – but Santiaga is one of the first restaurants to explore that potential. The upper floor of the two-story space is dedicated to a la carte options made with aplomb, but real heads go upstairs and then back downstairs to the counter area, where Chef Mauricio Rosales’ set menu provides a culinary tour of Mexico, from the Northern deserts to the Southern jungles and everywhere in between. Time Out tip: As befitting a Mexican restaurant of this calibre, the mezcal list is extensive, with diverse options that range from light to smoky, from young and grassy to aged and brandy-smooth. The pechuga, made with a turkey breast in the still, is especially delightful.

Here's one of the best Japanese restaurants in Bangkok that deserves more recognition. Tsu Japanese Restaurant in JW Marriott Hotel Bangkok is all about serving the authenticity of the culinary culture from the Land of the Rising Sun with both traditional dishes and more contemporary offerings.

As one of the most romantic restaurants in Bangkok, Medici Playhouse Italian Restaurant & Bar offers an immersive Italian dining experience paired with nightly live music. Set in an intimate, candlelit atmosphere within Hotel Muse Bangkok, the restaurant draws from the Medici family of Florence – the Renaissance patrons who turned their palace into a living room for Michelangelo, da Vinci and Botticelli – and channels that same idea of a room where good food, music and company belong together.  The design leans into it: intimate, candlelit and warm – classic Italian cellar energy. The cooking follows Tuscan tradition – fresh pasta, carefully chosen wines. Live music runs every evening from 7pm and, depending on the night, reads somewhere between jazz club and vintage European theatre. The menu celebrates authentic Italian cuisine, serving generous portions of signature handmade pasta, premium meats; all paired with a world-class wine list. Whether you are seeking a sophisticated dinner or a theatrical night out, Medici Playhouse Italian Restaurant & Bar is a true Langsuan gem. Medici Playhouse Italian Restaurant & Bar.Hotel Muse Bangkok, Autograph Collection by Marriott , Autograph Collection, 55/555 Langsuan Road, Lumphini. Open daily from 5.30pm. Live music from 7pm

SIWILAI City Club welcomes SAOLE as its new restaurant partner, introducing a seafood-led menu shaped by the flavours of the coast and the mountain roots that inspire the brand. The cooking blends Mediterranean, Yunnan and Lao influences, leaning into clean, wood-smoked dishes layered with wild herbs and sea salt. Highlights include gambero rosso with fish sauce, scallops in butter garlic, white chives with oyster, and SIWILAI-exclusive grilled king river prawn with lemon capers. Two signature spritzes – heatwave negro and saole – round out the experience with a bright, sun-soaked character. It is an easygoing, flavour-driven addition to the rooftop, designed for relaxed meals, good music and the city’s shifting light. Reserve via 02 160 5631. SAOLE at SIWILAI City Club, Central Embassy. 10am-10pm.

Chef Antoine Darquin and sommelier Théo Lavergne took over the space that used to be Gaggan's natural wine bar Wet and transformed it completely. Where Wet was deliberately dark and cave-like, Bisou is sleek and modern with abundant natural light during the day. Come evening though, the whole thing shifts. Warm seductive lighting takes over, spiral mirrored staircase becomes properly atmospheric, French kiss-themed film posters on the walls start making sense. The tagline is 'Keep it simple and sexy' and it is. The ground floor has a lively bar, upstairs is more refined and private, kitchen counter if you want to watch the chefs work. Earned a spot in the 2025 Michelin Guide, wine list is genuinely impressive, homemade limoncello at the end is a nice touch. European sophistication with Bangkok prices that won't make you wince (too much). Location: 68, Lumpini Sub-District, 9 Langsuan, Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok

What is it?: Elements, at the Okura Prestige, is a refined French restaurant with subtle Japanese influences that’s sure to impress. Why we love it: Executive chef Sebastiaan Hoogewerf and chef de cuisine Gerard Villaret Horcajo create culinary magic. Think melt-in-your-mouth Hokkaido scallop tempura and world-class smoked eel with caviar. The elegant atmosphere, the quiet thrill of the open kitchen, and impeccably crafted dishes come together for an evening to remember. Plus, the flexible menu lets you tailor your experience – don’t miss add-ons like the Barbary duck or the unique binchotan charcoal cake. Every bite is a perfect balance of flavor, and the service? Exceptional.   Time Out tip: Love wine? The pairing is phenomenal! But for something different, try the house-brewed kombucha pairing – it’s refreshing and totally unique. Snag a seat near the open kitchen to watch the chefs in action – it’s like dinner and a show!

Francesco Lenzi, the culinary genius behind the upscale Lenzi Tuscan Kitchen, and the former chef of Medici at Hotel Muse, abandons fine-dining efforts at his new eatery, opting instead for more a casual space that that spotlights traditional Italian fare. Nonna Nella by Lenzi is a tribute to the chef’s Sicilian-born grandmother Sebastianella Tusa, whose nickname is, apparently, Nella (nonna means “grandmother” in Italian). The venue exudes the simple charm of a neighborhood restaurant, merging a bistro feel with a delicatessen offering. The front showcases fresh produce, including ham and cheese, most of which are produced by Lenzi’s family in Tuscany. Inside, a spacious room is divided into a wood-heavy dining area and a modern open kitchen equipped with Italianimported kitchen appliances. The menu is a testament to Lenzi’s close attention to produce; the front page lists artisanal products from his family’s farm such as bazzetta (cured pork leg, B250), truffle-infused cured pork sausage (B350) and bazzon cotto (cooked ham, B400). The menu also features items, such as fish ham, which are imported from other artisanal farms in Italy. We opted for the smoked sturgeon, which is lean and flavorsome, served with grilled zucchini and feta cheese, and drizzled with mustard dressing. Benefitting from an in-house pasta machine, Nonna Nella is able to produce fresh egg-based pasta that go into dishes like spaghettoni all'amatriciana (B400), spaghetti’s fatter brother topped with...