The best restaurants and cafes in Phloen Chit

Fancy a night that plays more like a Barcelona blowout than a quiet dinner? VASO Spanish Tapas Bar is one of Bangkok's hottest tables. Tucked inside the smart Velaa Sindhorn Village on Langsuan Road, it's famously tricky to book, pulling in the city's social set, food obsessives and night owls alike. VASO reworks the traditional Spanish tasca with a slick, modern edge, its curved Mediterranean lines wrapped around an open kitchen and a sprawling counter bar. Choose the lively 'Blanco' room or the intimate 'Negro' space. Chefs plate up inches away, a DJ sets the beat and a giant bell rings out for 'la buena vida'. Velaa Sindhorn Village, 87 Lang Suan Road. Open Daily, 12pm-3pm and 5:30pm-12am. Call 098 914 4664

There’s a lot going on in Langsuan. A number of cool establishments have been popping up in the upscale residential neighborhoods over the last few years, from eateries serving fresh premium ingredients to greengrocers to posh condominium complexes and hotels. One of these newest additions is Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok, Thailand’s first Kimpton-branded hotel, located within the Sindhorn Village mixed-use mega-project. For those who are new to the brand, Kimpton is part of the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) family of hotel brands. From its playful and sophisticated design to award-winning restaurants and bars, the luxury boutique brand is known for creating immersive guest experiences that foster genuine human connection. The luxury hotel is set to officially open its doors in October, but it’s giving Bangkokians a taste of what to expect by first opening up its lobby café CRAFT. As its name implies, CRAFT prioritizes craftsmanship in every aspect of its business, from the natural wood and rock decorative details that make up its interiors to the coffee it serves to the service it offers. Grab a seat by the coffee counter and order yourself a serious cuppa brewed from high-quality beans sourced from Thai and foreign suppliers, including Bangkok-based brand Kad Kokao, local growers in Mae Tang, and growers in Costa Rica and Vietnam. A cup of regular coffee is, amazingly, priced as low as B90. If you’re in the mood to try something more atypical, try either the...

If you consider yourself an avid foodie, then you’re probably familiar with the delectable fare at long-established eatery Quince. The restaurant, which first opened about a decade ago on Soi Sukhumvit 45, was one of the very first dining establishments in Bangkok to champion produce-driven international cuisine and wood-fire cooking. The restaurant moved to multi-concept space Siri House in Chidlom a few years ago and recently came under the reins of American chef Steve Doucakis (formerly at Jean-Georges and Isa Restaurant in New York, as well as Little Donkey and Bunker in Bangkok). The restaurant’s essence, however, has not changed—Quince still serves mouth-watering and aromatic dishes with a hint of char. As it marks its 10th anniversary this year (which also coincides with its inclusion on the list of Asia’s best restaurants), Quince will host a celebration that sees the launch of an updated menu. Leading the pack of highly recommended dishes are Salmon Nori Taco (B190/piece), which stuffs seaweed tortilla with fresh salmon seasoned with spicy sesame aioli; and Australian Lamb Sweetbreads (B340), a perfectly cooked appetite-invigorating dish. Though you have lighter, healthier fare such as Endive & Comte Salad (B360), Quince’s expertise really lies in big and meaty dishes like Aged Duck Breast (B760), Spiced Lamb Rump (B650) and Diamantina Wagyu Hanger Steak (B1,080). A smoky flavor is also added to Quince’s new sweet release Milk Ice Cream & Burnt Orange (B180),...

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.

Khaan’s premise is an act of translation: bringing Thai street food to the fine-dining table without stripping away what made it street food in the first place. Chef Aom Sujira Pongmorn – the first recipient of Michelin’s Young Chef Award – has built a zero-waste tasting menu around regional Thai ingredients sourced from across the country, with biodynamic wine or tea pairings. Grilled rice paddy crab from Singburi farmers,served with sticky rice, directly references the way the dish is eaten on the streets of central Thailand. The restaurant’s name means both ‘tiger’ and ‘to proclaim’ in Thai, which feels apt: this is Thai cuisine with something to say, served in a two-storey house on a quiet, tree-lined soi that feels far removed from the traffic outside. Khaan, 14/3 Soi Somkid, Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok.  

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

Bangkok may enjoy a gamut of international dining choices, but Ethiopian cuisine is relatively exotic in the city’s vibrant food scene. Tucked in Soi Nana 3, Ethiopian Restaurant churns out authentic, generously portioned Ethiopian and Arabic dishes. Make a beeline for the Ethiopian Meat Combo, which includes chicken and minced beef stew and a selection of grilled meat alongside Ethiopian flatbread

Autumn’s magic comes alive at Aman Nai Lert Bangkok, where the hotel’s restaurants and bars beautifully capture the season’s spirit. At Arva, Chef Edoardo Traverso celebrates the Italian harvest with dishes that are both heartwarming and refined, from parmigiana d’autunno, a pumpkin terrine with roasted pumpkin seeds and amaretti crumble, to risotto ai funghi porcini with carnaroli rice and aged parmigiano, followed by seasonal desserts such as torta di castagne, poached pears in spiced red wine and indulgent millefoglie. Meanwhile, 1872 presents an autumn afternoon tea inspired by the soft light and tranquillity of Nai Lert Park itself, featuring pumpkin and mushroom amuse bouche, savoury treats such as goat’s cheese with poached pear and lobster tartlet and sweets such as vanilla parfait and tangerine roll cake, accompanied by your choice of milk tea scones. As the day winds down, the terrace at 1872 offers a front-row view of the autumn sunset, where cocktails, including 1872 martini and blossom negroni, crafted with local botanicals and century-old tea traditions, turn a simple aperitivo into a sensory celebration.  Price for three-course dishes at Arva starts at B1,800. Reserve via here, midday-2.30pm (lunch) and 5.30pm-10.30pm (dinner). Price for afternoon tea at 1872 starts at B3,900 (two guests). Reserve via here, 2pm-5pm. 1872, open daily 11am-11pm. Reserve via here. 

After its first Sukhumvit 49 branch became one of 2025’s most sought-after reservations, KAYAKI now lands at Central Embassy with a new space dedicated to the art of yakizakana – Japanese grilled fish elevated through premium sourcing and precise technique. The restaurant honours the Japanese belief that simplicity reveals depth, grilling sashimi-grade fish to a tender, medium-rare centre with crisp skin and clean, focused flavour. At the new branch, diners can sit at one of three counter bars to watch chefs work over the grill, or settle into the airy dining room and terrace overlooking the city. To mark the opening, KAYAKI introduces ‘Tenkai: The Art of Seven Bites’, a tasting set that moves from Chutoro with fresh leeks to omakase-grade Hotate, followed by Shade of Toro – three cuts of tuna skewered and brushed with house sauce – plus salmon, unagi, aka ebi and a final, fragrant charcoal-kissed tamago. With exclusive dishes available only at this location and its focus on wellness-minded dining, KAYAKI brings a refined yet accessible expression of Japanese grilled seafood to the heart of the city. Tasting set B1,290. Reserve via @kayaki.thailand. KAYAKI, Central Embassy 5/F, daily 11am–10pm

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