The best restaurants, bars and cafes in Phrom Phong

Swanky retail arena Emquartier has brought a slice of summer to its alfresco space, revealing the embodiment of a breezy beach club in a restaurant/bar that offers everything from tropical-inspired libations to casual eats. Escape is another addition to the beach club-inspired hangouts that have been cropping up in the city (the Ploenchit neighborhood has its own version on the fifth floor of Central Embassy). Wallpaper depicting pretty fronds dominate the foyer and greets guests as soon as they step out of the elevator. The main al fresco space has thatched-roof umbrellas, sofa beds and wood-heavy furniture, transporting urbanites to a posh “beachside” paradise. An oval-shaped, whitewashed cocktail bar acts as a focal point, connecting a small beer corner with a little paella kiosk. As in April 2018, the main menu is still a work in progress, but already shows a propensity for casual, fuss-free Western fare injected with a few Thai tweaks. Start off with the sweet and spicy fried chicken wings sprinkled with feta cheese and dried chili (B250) or the Nicoise salad with smoked salmon, baby potatoes and quail eggs (B390) before moving on to heavier fare like spaghetti aglio e olio with spicy Isaan sausage (B390), or succulent Angus beef sliders (B450). Expect more hearty proteins and a wider selection of Mediterranean-style tapas to make their way into the menu soon. Drinks-wise, the cocktail menu is as beach-friendly as it gets, listing down refreshing classics like mojito (B3

It’s been a couple years since Man Fu Yuan, a respected Cantonese restaurant at the InterContinental Singapore, expanded to Thailand, opening a restaurant at the posh Rajapruek Golf Club in northern Bangkok. Business was so good that it’s opened a sister eatery at Emquartier’s Helix Quartier. Set to be a more casual, all-day-dining venue, Man Fu Yuan is simply dressed in classy ivory hues with elegant yet comfortable sofas and a smattering of Chinese pottery. Expect to savor signature dishes such as smoked duck (B600 for a half-serving), crispy roasted pork (B265) and king-sized river prawns with ee fu noodles (B490) at more affordable prices. The kitchen also turns out mouth-watering dim sum selections such as prawn dumplings (B135), chee chong fun with scallops (B145) , chili crab buns (B135) and salted egg-yolk custard buns (B100). Complement your meal with a choice of Chinese tea blends, which include Man Fu Yuan 5 Elements, Royal Red Robe, aged pu’er and Imperial Double Blossom Chinese tea.   

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. 

Just like other hotel rooftop bars, Aire Bar at Hyatt Place offers expansive views over Bangkok. The difference is, the drinks here don’t empty out your pocket. Offering the perfect lookout to Benjasiri Park against a backdrop of skyscrapers, the bar caters to punters on a budget—sparkling wine starts from B199 while cocktails created by mixologist Nick Braun sets you back around B260.

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. 

Premium ingredients guarantee authentic Italian flavors at this well-loved pizza purveyor. Peppina imports tomatoes and oregano from Sicily, and uses buffalo mozzarella (basically, cheese made from water buffalo’s milk). Freshness is always guaranteed! Delivery: GrabFood or call Peppina outlets direct at 0 2100 9922 (CentralWorld), 0 2160 5677 (Central Embassy) and 0 2361 1095 (Central Bang Na)

Sukhumvit drinking den Dim Dim has collaborated with Singapore-born coffee shop A Stimulant by Sarnies to open a coffee shop within its premises during the day. Owned by Australian entrepreneur, Ben Lee, and Malaysian barista, Eric Chan, A Stimulant by Sarnies started off as a shop churning out hearty burgers in Singapore’s Telok Ayer neighborhood. Its owners saw a business opportunity in Bangkok and later on opened a small roaster-slash-coffee house in the back alley of Sukhumvit Soi 39, offering brews from carefully selected beans and providing a number of cafés around Bangkok with in-house roasts. As in the first Bangkok outlet, A Stimulant by Sarnies’ pop-up at Dim Dim offers single origin brews as well as original Sarnies’ blends such as Picks & Shovels, which mixes beans from Laos, Brazil and the Ban Mai Pattana Farm in Chiang Rai. Giving off a well-rounded flavor with slight chocolatey hints in the end, the blend mixes well with most espresso variations—it’s what they use for their orange mocha (B140), a refreshing pick-me-up that may (or may not) be a playful reference to the drink preferred by the ill-fated models in the first Zoolander movie. The Dim Dim branch, however, carries its own signatures—they serve a cold brew (B100) that’s infused with goji berry and a hint of cinnamon to add complexity to the naturally sweet drink. While you’re there, don’t miss out on the freshly baked brownies (B140), which follows a recipe put together by Ben’s great-grandmother. It’s

If you ever run out of ideas on what to cook for your next meal, pop into Jones the Grocer and go crazy over an extensive range of Australian products including cheese, truffles, bread and pastries. There’s also a high chance you’d end up wanting to eat at their restaurant instead. Order signature dishes like the Salt & Pepper Calamari or the Jones Black Angus striploin – 200g of Australian meaty goodness. 

A trading post is where people gather and meet to exchange goods as well as ideas—and that’s the concept behind this new café on the ground floor of 137 Pillars Suites. Step inside and you’ll find yourself in a welcoming high-ceilinged chamber set off by natural light and light-colored furniture. An adjoining terrace and white garden pavilion expose you to surrounding greenery and offer great spots to unwind.  International comfort food, from healthy salads to quesadillas to brunch dishes, makes up the menu. Dishes we like include the Blackened Tuna Tataki (B340), a raw tuna mixed with black and white sesame salad dish with grains and fresh herbs; the soufflé-like Farmer’s Omelette (B290) made with organic eggs, homemade Boerewors sausage, goat cheese, tomatoes and sliced potatoes.  The desserts are equally appetizing. Try their signature Sweet Potato Cake (B105), a soft, layered treat that’s not too sweet or the Triple Chocolate Texture (B255), which pairs a decadent hot fudge brownie with white chocolate cream and Belgian chocolate ice cream. To satisfy your thirst, the café has a wide selection of coffee, tea, smoothies and milkshakes, as well as wines and local beers such as Chalawan Pale Ale and Chatri IPA. 

Hanakurata serves great food, amazing cocktails and killer sake. The strawberry mogu mogu, mixed with Yakult and fresh strawberry, preps up the palate for a variety of Japanese dishes, from tofu salad with zesty dressing to saba rolls.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Get a taste of Nagoya at Chita Yukata Tei, a secret ramen hub on Soi Sukhumvit 24. Homemade ramen noodles are produced every day and served with rich soups made with tamari (Japanese soy sauce) and miso.

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.

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

Just like other hotel rooftop bars, Aire Bar at Hyatt Place offers expansive views over Bangkok. The difference is, the drinks here don’t empty out your pocket. Offering the perfect lookout to Benjasiri Park against a backdrop of skyscrapers, the bar caters to punters on a budget—sparkling wine starts from B199 while cocktails created by mixologist Nick Braun sets you back around B260.