The best restaurants and cafes in Ekkamai

There's a brass pot at the entrance here that has been bubbling for more than 40 years. The kitchen never fully extinguishes it, so each morning's broth begins as a continuation of the day before, drawing from decades of accumulated flavour and collagen until the liquid turns dark, rich and almost mahogany.  That's the foundation for the kuay teow neua, one of Bangkok's great  beef noodle institutions: gelatinous, herbal, deeply savoury and perfumed with Chinese medicinal herbs, star anise and cinnamon. It comes topped with brisket, melt-soft stewed beef, springy meatballs and tendon. Choose your noodle – fine, wide or glass – then settle in at one of the ground-floor steel tables, non-air-conditioned, worn-in and exactly as it should be. The goat stew is the move if you want to go deeper. Dishes to order: Kuay teow neua (beef noodles), slow-simmered goat stew. Price range: B80-200 336-338 Ekkamai Rd., Watthana. Open daily 9am-7pm

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. 

Ekkamai gets a lively new player with Somsak, a modern Isan spot from the team behind Fatboy Izakaya and Kim Jeong Grill. The restaurant is named after Somsak, a taxi driver who won the lottery in London before returning to Bangkok to open this personality-packed eatery. The space is full of personality, with music, colour and a slightly chaotic energy that sets the tone from the start. The menu runs wide, covering som tam, laab, grilled meats and sharing plates, all dialled up with punchy seasoning. Start with fried squid tossed in laab spices, or for seafood fans, garlic tomalley river prawns and pla dib with wasabi nam jim seafood. There are also grilled cuts and playful twists across the menu. Whether you’re settling in for a proper meal or just swinging by for a lively night with friends, this place gets the energy to match. Open now. Somsak, Ekkamai Corner, Sukhumvit Rd. Sunday-Wednesday 11am-10.30pm, Thursday-Saturday 11am-11.30pm

Yes, it’s stylised as ‘Cüm’ – pronounced ‘coohm’. Inside The Office coworking space in Thonglor, this coffee kiosk serves respectable specialty brews, from dark-roast Brazil Santos to lighter seasonal blends. Then comes the limited-run ‘Cum Drops’ menu, with flavours such as Yuzu Cum and Butter Cum. The tagline, ‘Thanks for cüming’, isn't exactly subtle either.  125/1 Soi Sukhumvit 63, Thong Lo, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110. Daily, 8.30am-8pm

What is it: A compact, independent deli in Ekamai operating with the energy of a neighbourhood institution: small, opinionated about what goes on a sandwich and loyal to its regulars. OG Tuna Melt is the house classic. Why we love it: In a city where tuna melts are increasingly elaborate constructions, the OG at Pinki's holds its ground by just being really good. Tuna with shiso pesto, wholegrain mustard, cheddar, mozzarella, red onion and a hit of lemon – every element accounted for, nothing superfluous. The Ekamai setting suits it: the neighbourhood has a slower pace than Thonglor or Phrom Phong and this is that kind of sandwich. Time Out tip: Beyond its Earth Ekamai home base, Pinki also makes pop-up appearances. Right now it is at Central Embassy until April 30. Pinki's Deli. OG Tuna Melt B250. Earth Ekamai, Ekamai, Watthana. Daily 7.15am-4pm (last order 3.30pm).

Japanese restaurant Yananiga, set in a hilly, tree-dense countryside near the city of Gifu, is known among well-traveled gastronomes for serving locally sourced game meats, such as wild boar, venison and bear, that are charcoal-grilled to perfection. UK publication The Guardian posited that it may be “the best restaurant in the planet” while the users of Tabelog, Japan’s most popular restaurant rating site, have given the restaurant the highest scores. Japanese tastemakers, including Hello Kitty designer Yuko Yamaguchi, have claimed the establishment as one of their favorite places to dine.  Considering all these, it’s no surprise to learn that securing a seat at the restaurant is not easy. Yanagiya is one of island country’s many ishigen-san okotowari restaurants, meaning you have to be introduced by former diners or get “people in the know” to secure a reservation for you.  “The difficulty of eating at Yanagiya, from its location and its strict reservation rule, has inspired Masashi Yamada [Yanagiya’s manager] to open other outlets, to make the Yanagiya experience more democratic and accessible,” says Ben Na Nakorn, restaurateur and co-owner of Shun. Opening on the third floor of Donki Mall Thonglor, Shun brings a slice of Yanagiya to Thai diners, offering locally sourced and imported fresh produce that are prepared with a meticulous attention to detail.  While the original outpost in the rural Japanese town emanates a traditional and simplistic charm—diners gather...

Pooltime café features a quirky combination of marble-topped tables, white walls and neon-colored chairs. However, the Instagram-worthy décor isn’t the only reason people come to Pooltime—the raccoons may have something to do with it too. The café is home to Bob, Apo and Yee-pun, which are kept seperately from the café area. Cuddling and snapping photos with these adorable creatures may take first priority, but the food and drinks come a close second. Try their Pooltime Blue Burger (pork, B329; beef, B359) and pancakes topped with strawberry cream (B220). For drinks, the chocolate salted caramel frappe (B140) is a good choice.  

Originally a viral hit in Singapore, Pralet has landed in Ekkamai and wasted no time making itself at home. The format here is unusual – square sourdough doughnuts, made using a natural starter that's been kept alive for over 14 years and bubbles up through a 72-hour fermentation process that yields dough that's genuinely light and notably not greasy. The burnt butter honey glaze is the shop’s signature: glossy, fragrant, sweet against a faintly bitter note. For the more adventurous, the catfish nam prik doughnut – crispy fish, prawn floss, kaffir lime and dried kombu – is worth the leap. If that’s a step too far, pistachio raspberry crunch rounds things out for the more gourmet-leaning crowd. Pralet BKK. Ekkamai Corner. 9am-8pm

Institutional German eatery Bei Otto has been churning out some of the most impressive Bavarian flavors in Bangkok for nearly 30 years. When we heard that one of the driving forces behind this long-standing restaurant was opening his own establishment, we were overwhelmed with excitement, but we also had high expectations. We were not disappointed. Alexander’s German Eatery is a revelation, serving a splendid procession of home-style German fare. Tucked on Soi Ekkamai 12 (an alley that has seen a recent mushrooming of modern Instagrammable joints), Alexander’s German Eatery is one part beer bar, one part restaurant. The bar setting starts out in the patio, which has been filled with communal tables that can accommodate many an Oktoberfest celebration, and continues inside with a counter made from chest-sized beer barrels. The main dining room is upstairs, a homey space reminiscent of a chalet in the European countryside, complete with fake chimney, taxidermized deer head, and pictures of Bavarian landmarks. Owner Alexander von Wnuk-Lipinski is probably the city’s best ambassador for authentic German fare. His schweinshaxe (pork knuckles, B520) moves away from the fried versions—an abomination to Germans—that are usually served at other Bavarian-style joints. At Alexander’s, the pork knuckles are roasted to reveal crispy skin but tender and juicy meat — it’s one of the best we’ve had in Bangkok, served alongside white cabbage salad. The pork tenderloin is another must, and...

Mikkeller Bangkok was the Danish brewery’s first taproom in Asia, occupying a detached 1950s house on Soi Ekkamai 10, Yaek 2. A large green lawn and garden make outdoor drinking particularly inviting once the heat drops. Inside, 30 taps lean towards Northern European styles while pulling in strong beers from elsewhere around the world, backed by a bottle fridge and dedicated tasting room. Nordic-international dishes and snacks are designed around the beer, and the lawn regularly hosts BBQs. If you take your beer seriously, there’s plenty here to work through. 26 Ekkamai 10 Alley, Lane 2, Phra Khanong Nuea, Watthana. Open Monday-Friday, 5pm-midnight, Saturday-Sunday, 11am-midnight. Call 02-381-9891.