The Best Local Restaurants in Bangkok

Raan Jay Fai is a renowned street food restaurant known for its authentic Thai-Chinese cuisine. The restaurant has gained global fame and is recognized by Michelin and listed in The World's 50 Best for its distinctive dishes. The must-try dishes include the famous crab omelette, the stir-fried noodles, and the big crisp seafood fritter, all prepared by the legendary chef and owner, Supinya Junsuta.

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Cornelia Milde

viennagourmet – Vienna, Austria

We were very lucky to get a slot at Jay Fai! We recommend taking out a number for the afternoon / evening in the morning. And be patient, you still wait a long time for the table. I could have watched her for hours anyway - simply impressive and an experience. Authentic Thai Street Food awarded by Michelin and listed by The worlds 50 best! Absolutely recommended!!

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Le Du, known for its modern Thai dishes crafted by Chef Ton, emphasizes the use of top-quality produce. The restaurant offers a journey through Thai cuisine, blending authentic and modern flavors, and is noted for its commitment to sourcing local, fresh ingredients. With a choice of 4-course or 6-course tasting menus, Le Du provides an experience where diners can enjoy seasonal, Thai-inspired dishes in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere.

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Rasmus Palsgård

Food and wine writer – Copenhagen , Denmark

Thai flavour extravaganza Forget everything about stiffness and formal ambience when visiting Le Du which is all about having a great time while enjoying the amazing dishes coming from the open kitchen of Chef Tonn. As one of few places in Bangkok, Le Du works closely with farmers from all over Thailand.

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Baan Restaurant “Thai Family Recipes” is known for its family-style Thai cuisine, masterfully crafted by Chef Tonn, who is also behind Le Du. The restaurant emphasizes the importance of sharing good food and enjoying time together. The menu features authentic home-style Thai recipes, with a focus on ethically sourced ingredients, and while you can adjust the spiciness to your preference, it is recommended to experience the dishes as intended by the chef.

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Rasmus Palsgård

Food and wine writer – Copenhagen , Denmark

Family-style Thai restaurant This family-style Thai place by chef Tonn, the mastermind behind Le Du is serving the best Thai food one can imagine. This is all about sharing great food and having a good time.

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Samlor is a casual and playful Thai neo-bistro that specializes in flavorful dishes designed for sharing. Their menu features a variety of dishes, including a savory soufflé-like omelette that pairs well with chili sauce, fried baos with braised mushrooms or pork, and a Thai style shrimp ceviche. They also offer spicy mala noodles and a range of interesting desserts, making it a recommended spot for Thai food lovers who enjoy comfort food made with high-quality ingredients.

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Malgosia Minta

Food journalist – Warsaw, Poland

Casual and exciting. If to put a label on Samlor, a "Thai neo-bistro" would possibly be the best one. Playful, with flavourful dishes, often meant to share among the diners and enjoy with craft beers or natty wines. A must is the Samlor omelette, resembling more a savoury soufflé with a crispy top and oh so good with chili sauce, fried baos with braised mushrooms or pork and Thai style shrimp ceviche and spicy mala noodles.

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This unique dining spot provides a culinary journey into mid-20th century Thai cuisine, with a menu curated by Chef David Thompson from his collection of funeral cookbooks. These books, traditionally handed out at funerals of prominent individuals, contain their favorite recipes, offering a glimpse into their culinary preferences. Aksorn, while presenting as a Thai restaurant, is also a celebration of Thai culture and heritage, consistently updating its menu based on historical archives and cookbook authors.

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Chawadee Nualkhair

Food writer – Bangkok, Thailand

Mid-20th century Thai recipes culled from the funeral cookbooks of former society mavens by David Thompson Great food, made with care. Chef David takes his favorite recipes from his own vast collection of funeral cookbooks (books handed out at prominent people’s funerals, containing their favorite recipes).

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Baan E-sarn Muangyos is a casual dining spot, popular for its Som Tam salad. Frequented by restaurant professionals after hours, it's a local favorite. With a relaxed atmosphere and a focus on traditional dishes, it's a place where you can enjoy regular meals.

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Gaggan Anand

Chef – Bangkok , Thailand

This is another casual place where I like eating things like som tam salad. It’s right next to my restaurant on the same street and we go to eat here often with the kitchen team at night after service. I love this place. I go and eat here a lot.

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The Baan Ice Restaurant at ICONSIAM offers a unique exploration of Thai food beyond the usual pad Thai and som tam. Their dishes represent the southern reaches of Thailand, offering a mix of hot and prickly flavors, vibrant and acidic elements, with a playful level of spice. The chef, Ice Supaksorn, is known for his sour-sweet recipes and his use of mouth-puckering ingredients.

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David J Constable

Writer & Underwear Model – London, UK

Bowl after bowl of technicolour and fire The study and exploration of Thai food have been gaining purchase for some time. I don’t mean the clichéd staples of pad Thai and som tam, packaged and presented in a swanky setting, but a widening appreciation of its versatility and regional brilliance. At the wildly popular Baan Ice (there are multiple outkets), recipes represent and bounce around the southern reaches of the country, chef Ice Supaksorn serving up hot and prickly flavours, bowl after bowl of technicolour and acidic smashes, a jumble of sour-sweet recipes, playful levels of spice and mingling mouth-puckering ingredients.

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Specializing in authentic northern Thai flavors, บ้านคนเมือง is a hidden gem for those in search of a true taste of Chiang Mai. The menu is exclusively in Thai, adding to the authenticity and offering dishes that are not easily found, even in the northern part of Thailand. It's recommended to do some research before visiting or bring along a friend who speaks Thai to fully enjoy the unique culinary experience.

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Nicole Jacobsen

Co-Founder TheFoodOffice – Stockholm, Sweden

A hidden gem for those who seek authentic northern Thai flavors - an homage to Chiang Mai food! Well, what a feast for the palate. The menu is all in Thai, so do your research before or bring a local friend who speaks Thai, like we did. This restaurant serves authentic dishes you wouldn’t easily find (even in the northern part of Thailand). We tried about twelve dishes, one of the best meals we had in Bangkok!

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Specializing in hearty broths filled with various cuts of beef and fluffy organs, Big Su Beef Noodle has been a culinary staple for nearly 70 years. They take pride in their six-hour braised beef, served in a boiling herby broth, including options like sirloin, tongue, kidneys, brisket, and intestine. Known for its deeply-rich flavors, it has gained recognition as one of the top outlets for beef noodle soup.

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David J Constable

Writer & Underwear Model – London, UK

Deeply-rich, hearty broths with all the good cow cuts and fluffy organs Big Su Beef Noodles on Bangkok’s Thanon Nakhon Chaisi Road, is near 70 years strong, serving up deeply-rich, hearty broths with all the good cow cuts and fluffy organs - sirloin, tongue, kidneys, brisket, intestine… The beef is braised for six hours in a boiling herby broth before serving. One of the best beef noodle soup outlets in the city.

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Known for its hand-brewed coffee and well-priced beans, Brew Lab Coffee is a must-visit for coffee enthusiasts. The decor is a charming wooden house, adding to the overall cozy atmosphere. One of their specialities is the Aeropress, a popular choice among their visitors.

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Gaggan Anand

Chef – Bangkok , Thailand

Aeropress champion, slow coffee Love the coffee here, hand brewed and the beans are also very well priced. Must try the Aeropress as it's the house of champions of Aeropress. The decor is a wooden house.

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Specializing in pork wonton in tom yum soup, เฮียบิ๊กห้าหม้อ offers a unique culinary experience. Their menu is characterized by the addition of minced pork and pork offal to the soup, creating a rich and savory flavor profile. The restaurant is also known for its "leng", a meaty pork bone in a spicy tom yum-style soup, which is a must-try for those who don't mind picking meat off the bones.

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Ink Tanaka

Gluttonous Londoner – London, UK

One of the best pork wonton (kiew moo) in tom yum soup in Bangkok. Also serves a mean Leng (เล้ง). One of my favourite local spots for pork wontons in tom yum soup. The mince pork they add to it, plus pork offal are all delicious too. Some of the best deep fried and boiled wontons in town. My favourite item on the menu however is the “leng” which is a meaty pork bone in a super spicy tom yum-style soup. If you don’t mind picking meat off the bones it’s an absolute must.

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Located between the Shangri-La and Mandarin Oriental hotels, Jack's Bar is an unassuming dive bar known for its flavor-packed Thai food. The place is popular for its ice-cold beers and wok dishes, offering a bustling atmosphere from opening till late. Whether you're a local or a visitor, Jack's Bar promises a memorable experience with its vibrant ambiance and tasty fare.

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John Chantarasak

Chef – London, Great Britain

Flavour packed Thai food in unassuming dive bar If you’ve ever lived in Bangkok you will know about Jack’s Bar. The unassuming dive bar located on Chao Phraya River between 5 star hotels; Shangri-La and Mandarin Oriental. The bar is packed from opening with a mixed clientele looking for ice cold beers, flavour packed wok dishes and good times. It’s guaranteed you will have a good time at Jack’s Bar. Open late.

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This modest, narrow stall on Charoen Krung Rd is known for its specialty: rice porridge. Guests have the choice of adding century or extremely soft-boiled egg, chunky pork meatballs or offal to their congee, which is always served with spring onions and fresh ginger. For the best experience, follow the locals' lead by generously sprinkling white pepper and adding some soy sauce.

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Matylda Grzelak

PR•Strategist•Writer – Bangkok, Thailand

By far one of the best congee’s you’ll get is in this not-looking-like-anything-much narrow stall on Charoen Krung Rd. This rice porridge is specialty of the house and all you get to choose, is whether you want it with century or extremely soft-boiled egg, with big and chunky pork meatballs or offal. All congees come with spring onions and fresh ginger. At Jokprince the take-away queue is longer, so better sit in. TIP: look at the locals and season like a pro sprinkling generously with white pepper and adding some soy sauce.

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Experience the Thai version of congee, known as Jok, at Joke Bangkok (Huaikwang branch). This restaurant is renowned for its silky smooth Jok, made the old school way by three dedicated sisters. The process of creating this dish, from wheeling huge drums of boiling water and rice around to moving the rice into different temperature pots at precise times, is a sight to behold.

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Chriss Prowler

Wandering glutton – London, UK

One of the silkiest joks you'll ever eat, the old school way. Jok is the Thai version of congee, you can find it in many places but if you want to see a proper fully handmade version with all the processes, these 3 sisters are the place to go. Watching them wheel huge drums of boiling water and rice around, the movement of rice into different temperature pots at precise times and creating one of the silkiest joks you'll ever eat, the old school way, is a joy to behold!

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With a rich history spanning decades, the Kaolao Nang Loeng Pork Brain Shop is known for its unique and hearty dishes. The pork brain soup, brimming with offal, is a standout recommendation. The pepper soup, featuring an array of organ meats, is also a popular choice among visitors.

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Chriss Prowler

Wandering glutton – London, UK

Pork brain soup with all the offal! Incredible pepper soup with every organ you could wish for, an old shophouse that’s been around for decades, a must eat in Bangkok!

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This vibrant street food spot is nestled in the heart of Chinatown and is renowned for its famous oyster omelette. Despite its small size, Krua Porn La Mai has managed to expand to two locations, showcasing its popularity. However, please note that the restaurant's website is currently inaccessible due to security issues.

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Tove Henckel

Food Writer – Stockholm, Sweden

Vibrant street food place in Chinatown, serving the famous oyster omelette. A popular and vibrant street food place in Bangkok's Chinatown. This small restaurant has two locations and is famous for its oyster omelette.

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Specializing in oyster omelets, Nai Mong Hoi Thod offers a unique culinary experience. The restaurant provides both crispy and soft oyster omelets, with customers often recommended to try both. Despite its simple street kitchen setup, it is known as one of the most notable oyster omelet eateries around.

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Kenneth Nars

Creative Director – Helsinki, Finland

Delicious crisp and soft oyster omelet in Yaowarat. A simple street kitchen with seating in the street and indoors. The place is one of the most famous oyster omelet restaurants in town. Both omelets are great, so have a small size of each of them.

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Prachak (Roasted Duck) is known for its famed roasted duck that attracts both locals and tourists alike. Operating since 1909, it has been consistently delivering good food, with the crispy pork belly and the Wonton soup being other house favorites. However, it's worth noting that the duck may run out after 5:30pm, so it's recommended to arrive early.

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Matylda Grzelak

PR•Strategist•Writer – Bangkok, Thailand

Charoen Krung Rd. in Bangkok’s old town is blessed with good food spots, one of which is Prachak. Much written about, it attracts tourists with its famed roasted duck, but locals equally swarm around the take-away counter. All for a reason - consistently delivering good food since 1909. Be early! Duck may disappear after 5:30! To not only praise the duck, do try the crispy pork belly and another house staple: the Wonton soup.

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Experience the vivid, thrilling flavors at Ruen Urai, where every dish is high on taste and creativity. The Ghai Haw Bai Dtoey, fried marinated chicken wrapped in pandanus leaves, offers a perfect balance of crispiness and natural sweetness. For a refreshing kick, try the Yum Sai Bua, a salad with water lily stems, pork, prawns, and a generous drizzle of coconut milk dressing.

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David J Constable

Writer & Underwear Model – London, UK

This is vivid, thrilling stuff. Cooking that stays with you. A couple of dishes will set you up very nicely, and if you have space for dessert, then you won’t be disappointed either. Everything that arrives is modestly delivered, yet high on flavour and creativity. Ghai Haw Bai Dtoey (B280)—fried marinated chicken wrapped in pandanus leaves—is hot and fresh, just the right side of crispy with a natural sweetness from the leaves. Meanwhile, Hors d’oeuvres Lanna (B300)—Northern Thai-style hors d’oeuvres—include chili relish with minced pork, tomatoes, and spicy pork sausages. A salad of Yum Sai Bua (B280) with water lily stems, pork, prawns and glugs of coconut milk dressing is like a breath of cool air after hours in the sun. It is bright and fresh but still, of course, has a chili kick.

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