The best restaurants, bars and cafes in Phrom Phong

Softree’s softcream treat is now only available in one flavor – milk. The shop compensates by offering an extensive list of toppings. The stars of the show are easily the liquid honey, sweet coco, and Wow!Honey Chips (imagine organic honeycomb sticks on top of your ice cream). For coffee lovers, the affogato is well recommended.

Everyone loves Sanries and its bold and sophisticated coffee selection. The latest outpost of this Singapore-born chain features Japanese-themed decor (light wood and minimalist details) and an array of delicious comfort fare. Do check it out. 

Travel blogger OATS x Somewhere’s passion project Drop by Dough has outgrown its original idea as a shop dedicated to the beloved donut, and has been fully developed into an all-day dining restaurant that serves eats beyond sugary holed desserts and café drinks. The third and latest Drop by Dough outpost takes up 130 square meters of space on the first floor of Emquartier, and it serves savory dishes created in collaboration with Chef Wittawat “Max” Jermsurawong. Described as Modern Scandinavian comfort food, the roster includes appetite-driving dishes like potato fries with truffle-infused mayo dipping sauce (B190) and roasted pork belly penne with tomato sauce (B420). The donuts have also taken on a savory twist. There’s a breakfast-inspired donut sandwich stuffed with scrambled eggs and Parma ham (B240) and a chunky burger-like version with juicy beef stuffing (B290). Drop by Dough at Emquartier also plans to include a section for lifestyle products, like its donut-scented candles launched back in June.

Restaurant creators The Mall Group may have outdone themselves with Flamenco, a new venue that unexpectedly combines over-the-top Baroque splendor with bold brash Latino party vibes. Distinguishing itself from other shopping mall eateries in The Emquatier, the entrance to Flamenco is marked by potted greenery and a mish mash of tribal accessories. The main chamber is bathed in red light, and is liberally decorated with an eclectic mix of Baroque and Middle Eastern furniture that includes French rococo-style chairs, crystal chandeliers, Persian rugs and velvet curtains. Amidst all the opulence, the whole setting feels like a luxurious mansion of a South American drug lord—at least how we think one would look. A cocktail bar leads to a small al fresco area and a stage where live bands or a DJ kick off the night with heady Latin-inspired beats. There’s also a handsomely decorated cigar for those inclined to sip their drinks with a Habano. The drink menu includes a long list of spirits and a smattering of creative cocktails. Star in My Eye (B380) is a photogenic blue drink that mixes rum and blue curacao syrup with lime, egg white and vanilla, while Autora Nuevo (B380) is a heavily garnished tiki drink that blends rum, gin and Cointreau with a fruity mix of strawberry purée, mango and orange juice. The bar also serves five different margaritas. We tried the Margarita del Reposado (B380), which uses El Jimardor Reposado tequila as a base, and adds Cointreau and agave syrup, making

An Emquartier branch of one of Sukhumvit's most favorite all-day-dining bistros serves up a number of international drool-worthy goodies amidst socializing vibes. 

Scone lovers will love it here! Baker Bricks is a beloved café in Phrom Phong where various types of scones are highly popular. The plain one is only B55, while something different like cocoa chocolate chip scones (B60) and pearl sugar scones (B60) can't be missed.

La Cucina di Mamma—or Mom's cuisine—is the wisdom of Italian restaurant Mozza By Cocotte at the EmQuartier. Chef Samuele Alvisi has brought out his Italian root to a big list of foodstuffs at the restaurant, including brick-oven-baked pizzas and handmade pizzas.

Cocotte welcomes you all to its brasserie outpost at the EmQuartier where you can create your own cuisine from its wide-ranging products.

These days, everyone is pretty much into the wellness craze. Left and right, people are flocking to health centers and health food restaurants to engage in a new fitness program or to get their fill of low-calorie, high-nutrition fare. But sometimes, trying to be healthy can be frighteningly pricey, and just discourages us from jumping into the wellness wagon. Although, there is one place where wellness is affordable and, more importantly, drinkable!  naatea, located at United Business Centre II in Phrom Phong, proclaims itself as an expert in full-leaf tea. The brand is dedicated to providing a daily dose of wellness to anyone seeking a simple and convenient way to cleanse and detox both their body and mind. The tea served here is made using the cold-brewing process. This technique, according to founder Pratchaya “Sun” Sananvatananont, is rarely used in making tea, but it does offer a full range of benefits for nutrition and taste. He explains that, because it doesn’t go through heat, cold brew tea retains its antioxidant and vitamin C content. Moreover, the bitterness people come to expect from most teas is rid of. The result is a more enjoyable and a more body-beneficial drink. naatee has six types of cold brew tea—genmaicha, jasmine, sencha, oolong, Earl Grey and barley. You can opt for a Cold Brew Pure (B65/16oz and B85/22+oz) or a flavored Cold Brew Blends (B85/oz and B85/22+oz). Fruit lovers can try the Cold Brew Fruits (B105/16oz and B125/22+oz), a drink that deserves

Noted Korean chef Baik Jong Won opens the Bangkok’s outpost of Bornga, famed Korean eatery, that aims to bring the taste of his home to Thailand. The popular items includes seafood soup with tofu, stir-fried pork with chili sauce and soy sauce-marinated pork belly.  

This bar in Phrom Phong is all about music and everything in between. Drumsticks adorn the walls, instruments are set here and there, and you can enjoy live DJ and percussion performances every night.  Come here for cool vibes and music-inspired drinks by head barman Pisit "Jeng" Yooyencharoen.

Sugar Ray was a mainstay in Ekkamai’s nightlife scene for a reason—its creative cocktails and rustic-meets-minimalist speakeasy vibe drew both eclectic hipsters and cocktail connoisseurs to the second floor of Baan Ekkamai. The bar, however, has just gone through a complete makeover, and it includes a new address on Sukhumvit Soi 24. Tucked within new restaurant complex Octo Seafood Bar (we won’t spoil the fun by telling you where the entrance is, but we will say that you have to hunt down a chap that looks as if he’s dressed for Comic Con in the medieval times), the new Sugar Ray is now a sleeker and more dapper version of its former self. Dressed in fine black marble and leather, the dimly lit space now features ample bar seating, which was conspicuously absent in its former digs. In true Sugar Ray fashion, the guys behind the bar are still up for conversation, mostly on cocktails or the bar’s selection of fine whiskey. Head mixologist Vipop Jinaphan and his team have come up with a short list of signature drinks that cater to all kinds of flavor-profile preferences. Un Poco Loco (B420) is a fruity and sour drink that packs a punch with a mix of tequila that's sous-vide with saffron, Amaro, mango, yogurt, lime, salt and bitter. East Coast Boulevard (B420) is a twist on the good old Boulevardier, infusing Bengalese spiced tea into Campari and the smooth blending of rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, Punt e Mes, and chocolate and grapefruit bitters. Local flavor shines in Born and

A collaborative project among seven friends, Mutual Bar is a casual and cozy space where you can wind down while surrounded by comfy seating, good cocktails and lively music. The drinks list focuses on seven signature cocktails, each one inspired by the characters of the owners, plus one DIY cocktail created with the help of the folks from Asia Today bar in Charoenkrung. The refreshing Allen’s Apple (B340), inspired by one of the owner’s life in New York and his love for Woody Allen, mixes bourbon, orgeat syrup, red wine reduction, apple and lime juice. The coffee-infused Vivid Midnight (B340), “a breakfast in a glass” created from one of the partner’s love of all thing black, beer, and breakfast, sees a mixture of brandy, Thai-style espresso coffee, stout beer, orgeat syrup, and lemon juice; while the spirits-forward Hendrix’s Garden (B340), a drink by a musician owner, reflects his admiration for the legendary Jimmy Hendrix, and is a mix of whisky, tequila, amaro, pandansyrup, and burnt rosemary. The bar also introduces a special drink each month. If you go now, you can try the Freddie Mercu Tea (B340), an Earl Grey- and gininfused drink with butterscotch syrup and egg white, and served in a cute tea set. Classic cocktails and wine are also available. The bar doesn’t serve food but they do provide complementary unlimited snacks with your drinks. In the future, Mutual Bar plans to host events and talks. Keep your eyes peeled for updates.

Vistro has filled in a gap that seemed to be missing in the city’s herbivore scene, offering the most creative takes on typical vegan fare. The vegan dishes here are so flavorful that a carnivore may even consider going full vegan after a meal. The two-story establishment is airy, plant-filled and sizeable. The first floor is perfect for grabbing small healthy bites and drinks to go, while the second floor is where all the creative dishes are served. Don’t miss the Vistro Dumplings, a moreish snack served with Taiwanese-style chili oil and gyoza sauce, and the Habibi Wrap, which stuffs marinated “chicken,” iceberg lettuce, red cabbage, and bell pepper in a soft wheat tortilla. End your meal with a gooey brownie topped with a scoop of vegan ice cream. Their house-made kombucha and wellness lattes are also a must.

Named after the mellow hue the sky took on when its owner first arrived at the location, Vanilla Sky is nestled on the 35th floor of Compass SkyView (aka that tower sitting right behind the Emporium mall), offering stunning views of Sukhumvit from every angle. The music is pretty chill, and perfectly complement the bar’s selection of refreshing cocktails. For a more exciting experience, ask for the flammable cocktail named Lamborghini (Sambuca, Kahlúa, Blue Curaçao, Bailey’s, B850) or head downstairs to Vanilla Club.

Bangkok’s pastry game is becoming more and more competitive, with a horde of  emerging dough wizards putting their own twist on familiar—and not so familiar—treats. Nine Pastry is one of the newer shops to test our bread obsession and, oh boy, do we approve! Located on Soi Sukhumvit 24, the shop is led by Middle Eastern chef Nir Netzer, who is going hard on the simple concept of sourdough bread, as well as purveying a wide array of Mediterranean-inspired goodies. Chef Nir claims he spent two years painstakingly  experimenting with recipes to come up with the best baked offerings. One of these experiments led to his take on the Jerusalem bagel (B80). The prolific pastry maker explains that this Israeli version of the beloved bread doesn’t go through a boiling process, which is how bagels are traditionally made, but goes straight into the oven for baking. The result is a tasty treat that’s crisp on the outside and soft and chewy, and subtly sweet, on the inside. The bread is liberally coated with sesame seeds, which adds more texture.  Nine Pastry also makes challah, aka Jewish brioche (B70, small; B100, big). Unlike brioche, however, this braided bread isn’t enriched with milk. Regardless, the texture remains soft and pillowy. (It’s a good alternative for those who are lactose-intolerant.) Also worth checking out are the vegan tahini cookies (B350/10pcs), the cinnamon and chocolate babka cake (B350) and Chef Nir’s sourdough bread (starts from B200). You can also get other lusc

If you’re tired of overpriced mall food, this food cart parked near the entrance of luxury mall Emporium offers the perfect solution. There is only one thing on the menu: Hainanese-style chicken rice that got all the components right. The fragrant rice is packed with garlicky flavors, while the boiled chicken is juicy and tender. A fried option is also on the offer and the chicken is served crispy and not too greasy. For parties of two or more, a slightly peppery-sweet soup with whole chicken bone is served. Here’s the tricky part—trying to nab a seat is like a game of musical chairs. The minute you spot an empty chair, seize it as fast as you can. Otherwise, the remaining alternative is to take your place in the notoriously long queue for take-away orders—or eat while standing.

Odtomato, at first glance, seems like just another eatery churning out casual East-meets-West fusion fare in a clean, minimalist setting. But this sleek Sukhumvit restaurant takes it up a notch by offering hearty modern Australian dishes made with top-quality ingredients.  Owed by Gavin Vongkusolkit (who’s also behind Kuppadeli café and Glowfish co-working space), Odtomato is dominated by masculine elements such as dark wood and teal-colored furniture. A cocktail bar at the front welcomes guests to the restaurant and serves tipples created by Australian bar master Nick Braun. The menu reveals creative Mod-Oz creations such as a refreshing green gazpacho made with cucumber, green grapes and avocado (B350), and a baked cauliflower and broccoli salad served with a drizzling of Dijon mustard (B275). Heavier plates include Beef Wellington (B1,550) made with premium beef from a farm in Hokkaido. Don’t miss the indulgent sticky date pudding (B225), created following a secret recipe from Gavin’s family. Keeping up with its name (pretty much a combination of “Od”, Gavin’s nickname and “tomato”), the eatery serves plump and fresh tomatoes as a complimentary overture prior to the meal. Odtomato has a great selection of wine, but you can also opt for for one of the cocktails such as the frothy and floral Blossom (vodka, raspberry and elderflower, B355), or the headier Cobbler (B385), which mixes three kinds of sherry (Fino, Palo Cortado and Ximénes) with rum and house-made pineapple juic

Tibetan food is heavily influenced by Chinese and Indian cultures, resulting in dishes like momo (dumplings stuffed with meat, veggies and Indian cheese paneer). Some of Bangkok’s tastiest momos can be had at Tibet Kitchen, where they’re served steamed, pan-fried or deep-fried. The menu also includes fried rice, stir-fried noodles, and thukpa (Tibetan noodle soup), all of which are not too far from Chinese food, making them less of a risk for captious eaters.

R.E. 234 will take you back to the time of King Rama V when Western culture first arrived in Thailand, hence a menu chock full of fusion recipes. Indulge in tiger prawns with pomodoro sauce, stuffed pork chop with pesto cheese or the massaman kai. Don’t forget to try the organic floral tea before you leave. For jazz fans, live jazz music plays on Fridays and Saturdays.