RESTAURANTS

Restaurants

Pra Chan Pier

$$$$$ | Thai

Next to Thammasat University this claustrophobic riverside market has some of the best food in town. On the western edge of the old walkway traditional Thai food is served buffet style on wooden planked decks over the water. On the other side is a surprisingly quiet and cool Thai pasta house and bakery popular with students.

Address: Pra Chan Pier, next to Thammasat University

Phranakorn Bar & Gallery

$$$$$ | Thai

Across the Ratchadamnoen Klang road from Banglamphu district is a popular but low key hangout for the local trend setters. Most come for the ambiance rather than the food as the first floor usually hosts a live band, the second an art gallery, the third a pool hall, and the fourth an open air terrace with beautiful views, all filled with cheerful diners and drinkers.

Address: 58/2 Soi Damnoenklang Tai; Telephone: +66 2 622 0282

Le Banyan

$$$$$ | French

This upscale restaurant epitomises elegance with white clapboard walls adorned with Thai carvings, old photos, and prints of early Bangkok. The flagship dish is pressed duck with goose liver, shallots, wine and Armagnac to make the sauce. Other fine choices include a rack of lamb a la Provençal and salmon with lemongrass. Open Monday to Saturday for dinner. Reservations advisable.

Address: 59 Sukhumvit Soi 8; Telephone: (0)2 253 5556

May Kaidee

$$$$$ | Vegetarian

A firm favourite in Bangkok's dining scene, May Kaidee is really informal, but serves some of the most mouth-watering food the city has to offer. Known for serving the best massaman curry in Thailand and an array of dishes, from sweet green curry to good stir-fries and black sticky-rice with mango for dessert, this eatery is a must! Open daily from 7am to 11pm. Cash only.

Address: At the eastern terminus of Banglamphu & Khao San Road; Telephone: (0)2 629 4839

The Mango Tree

$$$$$ | Thai

This 80-year-old Siamese restaurant house features its very own tropical garden and offers a quiet retreat from Bangkok's chaotic Patpong area. The food may not be authentic, but it's delicious and the diverse menu with choices such as mild, green chicken curry and crispy spring rolls won't leave guests disappointed. Live traditional music and classic Thai decorative touches create a wonderfully charming atmosphere. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Reservations advisable.

Address: 37 Soi Tantawan; Telephone: (0)2 236 2820

Somboon Seafood

$$$$$ | Seafood

This restaurant may not have the best, or indeed any, atmosphere for that matter, but the food is simply delicious and well worth it for those who are willing to make the sacrifice. A popular eatery, Somboon Seafood is regularly packed with friendly staff and with such a vast menu, guests will find themselves coming back time and again. The restaurant also features a large aquarium full of live seafood such as prawn, fish, lobster and crab. The house specialty, chilli crab curry, comes highly recommended. Open daily from 4pm to 11pm. Credit cards not accepted.

Address: 169/7-11 Surawongse Rd; Telephone: (0)2 233 3104

Cabbages and Condoms

$$$$$ | Thai

This aptly named restaurant helps fund population control, AIDS awareness and a host of rural development programs. Set in a large compound, the two-story restaurant offers guests both indoor and outdoor dining, the latter being decorated with fairy lights creating a wonderfully romantic atmosphere. The kai hor bai teoy (fried boneless chicken wrapped in pandan leaves with a dark sweet soy sauce for dipping) is an exciting dish for the more adventurous palates. Open daily for lunch and dinner, reservations advisable.

Address: 10 Sukhumvit Soi 12; Telephone: (0)2 229 4610

Dosa King

$$$$$ | Indian

The very popular South Indian aromatic cuisine known as Dosa is a Punjabi dish traditionally eaten with the hands, consisting of a rice and lentil pancake, crepe or tortilla traditionally folded with a potato curry or other savoury filling, and served with a vegetable and lentil broth called sambar. Dosa King is ideal for a quick and healthy meal for those exploring Sukhumvit. Open daily for lunch and dinner.

Address: 153/7, Sukhumvit Rd, Soi -11/1; Telephone: (0)2 651 1700

Ricky's

$$$$$

Just around the corner from the bustling backpacker district the quiet coffee shop is a great stop for breakfast or early lunch. The dark wooden interior transports diners to old Siam although omelettes and baguettes are often welcome tastes of the west.

Address: 22 Th Phra Athit, Banglamphu; Telephone: 2846 3011

Lemongrass

$$$$$ | Local

Popular with Westerners and just a short walk from the skytrain, Lemongrass serves some of Bangkok's finest Nouvelle Thai cuisine. Favourites on the menu include pomelo salad and chicken satay. The tom yang kung (a spicy sweet-and-sour prawn soup with ginger shoots) is delicious and comes highly recommended. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Bookings are advisable.

Address: 5/1 Sukhumvit Soi 24; Telephone: (0)2 258 8637