The best restaurants and cafes in Ekkamai

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. 

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.

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. 

What started as a low-key spot above a noodle shop has now become a certified seafood institution – and a six-time Michelin Bib Gourmand winner to prove it. At Here Hai, the crab fried rice is cooked over intense heat with traditional Chinese techniques, the rice comes out deeply aromatic, every grain seared with wok hei and packed with flavour. The crab is generous, fresh and straight from Surat Thani. Go for the ‘koad kan chiang’ (insane lump crab meat fried rice) if you're serious. 112/1 Ekkamai Rd, Khwaeng Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana. 063-219-9100. Open daily 10am-3pm, 4pm-5.30pm. Closed Monday

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.

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.

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.

Groans were heard all around when everyone’s favorite Roots Coffee Bar at Ekkamai closed down at the end of last year. Jubilation ensued when fans realized that the coffee purveyor was relocating to The Commons, the newest feel-like-home community mall located on Thonglor Soi 17. Hoping to be that backyard hang-out where everyone comes to chill on their free time, Roots serves coffee at its very best. Their cold brew attracts coffees lovers across the neighborhood, even more now that Roots offers it fresh from the tap. Another gimmick that attracts brewed-bean fanatics is the Barista’s Choice, which includes winning drinks from a barista competition in the menu for a limited amount of time. They now have Cherry Cola and Summer Peach cold brews on the grind – both are perfect for beating the heat. The owners also own popular eatery Roast, located on the top floor of The Commons. If you have a chance to stop by, don't forget to try their famous strawberry waffles! Roast also opened two new outlets within the city: one at EmQuartier, and a grab-and-go kiosk called Daily Roast at Bhiraj Tower (the office building behind EmQuartier).

Nestled within a quiet corner of Ekkamai 21, Cuckoo & Friends might just be your new favourite cafeteria. It feels less like a coffee shop and more like stepping into a friend’s retro-styled living room – complete with warm orange lighting, nostalgic decor and a comforting sense of familiarity. The space is designed to feel like home – one corner is filled with mismatched vintage furniture, analogue knick-knacks and a playlist that leans into mellow moods. It’s a cosy spot to sip on a cup of coffee, tuck into a home-cooked dish or simply linger over slow conversations. Address: Ekkamai 21 Alley. 062-832-8249. Open Fri–Wed 8.30am–5pm. Closed Thu.

100 Mahaseth, the restaurant near Charoenkrung that has elevated nose-to-tail eating and given a gourmet twist to less appreciated meat cuts, has branched out to Ekkamai. The new dining room boasts a more casual bar vibe, and serves creative tipples to go with soulful dishes that celebrate locally sourced ingredients from the northern and Isaan region. Wooden details permeate the establishment’s two floors, giving the feel of one of those suan arhaarn eateries outside Bangkok. Chef/owner Chalee Kader wants this second branch to feel less formal, designing it as a casual dining spot before party-goers hit the watering holes and clubs in the area. There are plans to include more tapas-style bites in the menu but, for now, you can enjoy 100 Mahaseth’s popular fusion dishes such as American-style beef pho and sai oeur hotdog. The restaurant also gives Isaan food a creative twist. The som tum ponlamai (spicy fruit salad) mixes pineapple with plara (fermented fish sauce),cockles and sliced green taro. For heavier fare, order the grilled bavette (locally sourced) served with a sauce of bai ya nang (bamboo grass) and grilled onion flower stem, or the Western-style blood sausage with spicy larb. Pair these boldly flavored dishes with drinks that pile on Thai spirits. Chamchan is a heady concoction that combines Isaan rum and New Moon (a spirit made from fermented jasmine rice) with lemon juice, purple lemonade and a shot of M150. Equally fun is Nam Dang Lumyong, which brings back...