The best restaurants and cafes in Ekkamai

Sit back, relax and enjoy your tea at Peace, the oriental teahouse created by Teerachai Limpapaitoon, a tea expert who loves to educate Thais on Japanese and Chinese tea. The minimally decorated space serves Gyokuro, the king of Japanese green tea, in three different ways – cold brew, hot brew and with yuzu sauce. If you’re Chinese tea fan, try the Jinjunmei, a red tea that gives off a distinctive flavor when brewed in different temperatures. There are also cold drinks such as the Green Espresso matcha latte, served in cold bowls instead of with ice (said to ruin the flavor). Koicha Cream, their version of homemade milk ice cream is also a must. If you can’t finish the ice cream, just let it melt and drink it as matcha latte.

What is it?: Chef Francesco Lenzi’s Italian eatery in Soi Phrom Si brings the tastes of Tuscany to Bangkok. Why we love it: The art of charcoal wood-fired grilling is much in evidence here with Chef Stefano Merlo leading the charge. Having honed his skills at three-star Michelin restaurant Le Calendre, Merlo knows how to cook with fire and flair. For a meaty delight, try grilled Tasmanian grass-fed lamb chop (B1,280) – tender, medium-rare lamb paired with a creamy carrot puree. Alternatively, if you’re really hungry, a hearty serving of roast beef (B3,800) will do the trick. Made with top-tier Black Angus beef from Australia, this 500g sirloin is grilled to perfection, robed in a rich red wine sauce, and topped with a Parmesan samayon – a silky sauce made with egg yolks, sugar and wine.  Time Out tip: For dessert, the restaurant keeps it classic with Italian favourites such as bomboloncini ripieni (B230), which is deep-fried doughnuts stuffed with creamy Italian goodness and drizzled with berry sauce.

When talking about dumplings, we bet most of you quickly imagine a hot stack of steaming bamboo baskets filled with dim sum in a Chinese restaurant. But the Chinese don’t have a monopoly on these tasty little bites. Almost all countries, in fact, have their own way of making these scrumptious morsels, using ingredients and cooking methods that encapsulate the essence of their culinary culture. Russia’s pelmeni is one dumpling we don’t encounter too often in Bangkok. Mostly recognized as the heart of Russian cuisine, this dumpling doesn’t differ much from the Cantonese wonton—it’s basically meat stuffed in thin wrapping paper. To boost the flavor of pelmeni, the Russians add condiments such as sour cream. These Russian dumplings are the specialty of new cloud kitchen Dumplings Bangkok. Founded earlier this year, it is run by the folks behind Alexander’s German Eatery in Ekkamai.  Ordering involves two easy steps: pick the filling and then the sauce of your choice. Dumplings Bangkok currently has four main fillings on offer: pork, chicken, potato and cottage cheese.  The fun part is choosing the sauce. The kitchen has come up with almost 10 options, each one named after a country. Russia, to start with, is simply butter topped with dill and some sour cream. Austria is an assorted mushroom gravy, while Italy hits you with a tomato-heavy Napolitana sauce. North Pole tops pan-fried pelmeni with apple purée and raisin, while Switzerland flavors up the dumplings with a sauce made...

Maynard Seekala’s humble eatery in Ekkamai is undoubtedly 2022’s most promising pizza spot. Hype is centered around its 48-hour sourdough bun, which is topped with sauces and seasonal ingredients from all over Thailand. Best of all is the restaurant’s unpretentious no-frills vibes. 

This new noodle parlor specializes in soupy street-style egg noodles with barbequed pork and pork wontons. The eatery is highly popular during lunch among hungry office workers so you may want to consider popping in early to avoid waiting in line.

A champion of egg noodles with barbequed pork and soft-boiled egg, this old-school noodle shop morphed from a simple pushcart and is probably the most famous eatery of its kind in Ekkamai. Waits are notoriously long (its name translates to “Uncle Slow”) but the food is definitely worth it

Whether you're chasing that morning caffeine kick or looking for a cosy late-night hangout, this spot in Ekkamai ticks all the boxes. Created by the stylish minds behind local fashion label RAWIT, this hybrid cafe-wine bar is nestled inside their flagship store so yes, you can sip and shop in style. The ground floor is all about relaxed, clean vibes with a warm, minimalist aesthetic – perfect for leisurely brunches or casual laptop sessions. By day, the cafe brews excellent coffee with a choice of light or dark roast beans, alongside a full brunch menu and a solid line-up of non-coffee options for the caffeine-free crowd. Pair your drink with one of their house-made pastries for the ultimate midday pick-me-up. Come sundown, the space shifts gears into a relaxed wine bar, ideal for winding down over a glass. Don’t forget to head upstairs to browse RAWIT’s latest fashion collections while you’re at it. Address: Park Avenue Ekkamai. 092-624-2352 Open Tue–Sun. Coffee 8am–5pm, Wine 6pm–midnight. Closed Mon.

An artful bakery where each croissant is served fresh from the oven. Try playful creations like the six-eye spectre cookie (B130) or sun-kissed strawberry crust (B359). For a local spin, there’s a Thai tea custard croissant (B129) or pandan custard (B159), offering a familiar flavour profile in flaky form.

Tucked in the bustling Ekkamai stretch is this pad thai parlor which are popular among all-nighters after the clubs in the neighborhoods are closed. The highlight is the river prawn pad thai which comes out on neither too dry nor wet, served wrapped in omelet that’s filled with delicate smoky flavor and two jumbo size prawns with fresh sprout and bean curd served separately on the side (B150). For a budget option, a simple pad thai with dried shrimps is also a good choice for good old classic throwback. 

What is it?: This yakitori spot helmed by a seasoned Japanese chef is straight out of Tokyo. Why we love it: A cosy, dimly lit atmosphere, with individual lights highlighting each table, the restaurant boasts a sleek, minimalist Japanese design with a focus on wooden furniture. The open kitchen at the centre lets diners watch the magic unfold, especially the grilling over charcoal that gives yakitori its perfect aroma and taste. You can choose to sit at the bar, at a table for two or four people, or a private room for larger groups. When it comes to the yakitori, try the Tsukune (B120), which is seasoned minced chicken with a satisfying crunch. It is best eaten with a special Toritama sauce. Also excellent is Emon (B120), which is lightly salted tender chicken breast. Chigimo (B100), expertly grilled chicken liver topped with Toritama sauce, is wonderfully juicy.  Time Out tip: Sip it, savour it, and maybe even order a second glass of Toritama Original Bottle (B280 per glass) with your meal. It’s a specially brewed shochu that’s only available at this restaurant.