The best restaurants and cafes in Ekkamai

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

CRENN’s pastrami sandwich puts pickled purple cabbage and spicy Thousand Island sauce alongside rich beef on sourdough. The cabbage brings acidity; the sauce adds heat and creaminess. There’s plenty of contrast around the meat. The bakery says its brisket takes more than seven days to prepare, from brining through to baking. The smoked meat, sourdough, pickles and sauce are all made in-house, so there’s a long lead-up to that final stack. The sandwich was introduced as part of CRENN’s monthly sourdough selection. Check the current line-up rather than assuming it’s a permanent fixture, especially if you’re choosing between the Bangkok and Rayong branches. Ekkamai Soi 6. Also listed at CRENN’s Map Ta Phut branch in Rayong; confirm the current sandwich selection at each branch

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).

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

Tuba is part bar, part Italian-Thai restaurant, part vintage furniture showroom, with almost everything on the walls technically for sale. It feels unmistakably Bangkok, and it has survived because a loyal crowd keeps coming back. The karaoke room fits the same spirit: less a dedicated singalong zone than the natural extension of a long dinner that refuses to end. The song selection leans Thai and English, and is updated regularly enough to keep things current without overthinking it. Come for the laab moo tod, stay for the strong cocktails, and you will probably end up singing longer than planned. 34 Ekkamai Soi 21, 02-711-5500. Open daily 11am-2am. BTS Ekkamai.

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.

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

Get ready to test just how wide you can open your mouth at Pinki's Deli, a newly opened sandwich spot at the Earth Ekkamai project. Giant, fully loaded sandwiches packed to the brim with fillings in every single bite. Bestseller ‘OG Melt’ brings together tuna, shiso pesto, mustard and gooey melted cheese inside your choice of sourdough – plain or spiked with jalapenos and cheese. One bite and you'll experience an explosion of juicy flavours: the bright tang of lemon, the creaminess of cheese and a gentle herbal aroma all blending together. It's a true sourdough lover's delight, an indulgent sandwich experience you'll want to try at least once. That aside, the coffee is also top notch, served fresh and hot just as you like it. Pinki’s Deli. Earth Ekkamai, Watthana. 7.15am-4pm

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.