The best restaurants and cafes in 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.

After almost five years of operation, Kaizen Coffee has moved from its original branch at Tai Ping Tower to the end of Ekkamai Road, just a few hundred meters away. While the first branch has been turned into its headquarters and bakery, the relocated coffee shop now serves full-on meals in a twostory glasshouse-style building decorated with warm tones and raw materials. Kaizen has always focused on the character of coffee beans, wanting its customers to experience the real taste of coffee. So there are no fancy cream-topped, matchamixed drinks here; just classic cups like espresso, or the usual filtered, freshly brewed black or white coffee, served hot or cold (starts from B120). Non-coffee options such as fresh, sugar-free pressed juices are also available. At this new venue, the food menu has been extended to include simple yet creative dishes that bring out the best of locally sourced seasonal produce. Options include breakfast plates, pastas, sandwiches, salads and acai bowls. Our favorites include the homemade ramen-spaghetti with anchovies (B320), the pickled mackerel (B240), and the acai berries bowl (B270), which is topped with banana, berries and Medjool dates. Wrap up your meal with one of their house-made cakes (prices start from B75) or cookies (B85).

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. 

Probably one of Bangkok’s coolest teahouses, this tea café-slash-record shop in Ekkamai  attracts hip urbanites who want to unwind with a cup of tea while enjoying cutesy City Pop music in the background or a live DJ set on some afternoons.  workteapeople turns into a bar come nightfall, so expect some tipples infused with tea.

Even though Thai-Chinese cuisine has been around locally for a while now, chef Parkorn Kosiyapong adds to its evolution by using European cooking techniques. His menu items (B3,490 for a course) are named for the provinces from whence his ingredients originate, hence a seafood offering called Andaman, which comprises rock fish in blue crab broth; a dish called Chiang Rai that features phurae pineapple, basil and magic powder; and Saraburi, which is smoked cream corn, corn husk and infused quail egg.  12, Ekkamai Soi 10 Yaek 2, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana. 065-095-6132. Open Wed-Sun 6pm-midnight. Closed Mon-Tue

Recently ranked No.10 from Top 50 Pizza Asia, this pizzeria offers the experience of pizza prepared at the bar then delivered to your table. With 48 hours of fermentation, you can taste the chewy hot sausage, peppers & onions (B590) or no.3 (smoked tomato, Parma ham, fresh herbs and truffle oil, (B590). Match it with signature ultimate caesar salad (B430) specially if you love the crunchiness of lettuce with the munchiness of pizza.  Park Lane, Ekkamai Rd, Sukhumvit Soi 63, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana. 02-060-8822. Open Daily Tue-Fri 5.30pm-10pm, Sat-Sun midday-2.30pm & 5.30pm-10pm

Tucked away in Ekkamai Soi 23, this unassuming spot serves a crab meat omelette that’s anything but ordinary, alongside other seafood classics. Though calling it a “hidden gem” might sound predictable, it truly earns the title. The real draw is its local favourites, like the substantial crab omelette (B700) and a tom yum seafood (B260) that delivers on that essential spicy-sour kick. If you’re passing through from Khlong Tan station, this low-key eatery could be just the spot to pause, refuel, and savour some authentic flavours. 51 Ekkamai Soi 23, Khlong Tan Nuea. 086-044-9478. Open Mon-Sat 8.30am-3.30pm. Closed Sun

After spending almost two decades managing footwear companies throughout Asia, New York-born Jonathan Spearman is stepping into a completely different role behind the kitchen counter. At his new shop Pizzeria Mazzie, the pizza place that’s got everyone talking, Jonathan tosses the flavors of New York and more into amazingly delicious pies. Tucked inside shopping and dining complex Park Lane, Pizzeria Mazzie evokes the cozy and boisterous vibe of pizza shops scattered throughout NYC’s neighborhoods. There’s a touch of elegance from the heavy use of marble, while the dominant use of black and white gives the whole space a masculine chic feel. Take a seat at the white marbled bar and witness thin-crust rounds being cooked in a gigantic woodfired oven. Just like the perfect New York-style pizza, the slices churned out at Pizzeria Mazzie have a crispy crust that still retains a chewy texture. Toppings are varied and, at times, unexpected. For an authentic NYC pizza experience, go for the Pizzeria Mazzie Brooklyn Classic Cheese (B350), a simple choice that packs in the flavors of house-cooked tomato sauce, fior di latte mozzarella, parmesan and oregano. No.3 (B450) features an adventurous approach to pizza that traditionalists may shun—a combination of cooked coppa di parma and aromatic truffle oil. The Hot Hipster (B510) is another unusual yet delicious creation, mixing spice-infused wildflower honey with spicy Calabria salami. Also worth mentioning are the pizzeria’s excellent...

Joe Napol is back in the fine-dining scene with Nawa, a warmly-lit dining room in Ekkamai that aims to transform classic Thai recipes from the central region into progressive cuisine.