Bangkok, the vibrant capital of Thailand, is a city that truly comes alive through its food. With its bustling street food scene, Michelin-starred restaurants, and hidden gems, Bangkok offers a culinary adventure for every palate. Bangkok’s diverse food scene is a testament to the city’s rich cultural heritage. Below are some of the best restaurants in Bangkok that I visited during my stay there this year.
Apart from all the restaurants, you should definitely try some street food. The city offers plenty of options to try a variety of dishes. Some of the best options are located in Chinatown and the surrounding streets as well as the popular Chatuchak weekend market.
Best Michelin-star restaurant in Bangkok – Potong
Thailand has an abundance of restaurants featured in the Michelin guide and during my time there I visited quite a few. Potong was for me hands down the best meal I had during my stay there. The whole experience begins with the history of the building that belonged to chef Pam’s family for generations and has been transformed into a 5 story building with two restaurant floors and an award-winning bar. Chef Pam was voted the best female chef in Asia for 2024 (rightly so in my opinion).
The carefully designed menu is a hymn to Thai and Chinese cuisines. Dishes like the crab with the brioche bun and the aged duck, were some of the best bites of my whole trip in Southeast Asia. The coconut cake is in my list of the best desserts I had this year, both in terms of flavor and presentation. A big shoutout to all the staff members that made this experience truly memorable. If you are looking for an elegant restaurant for a great meal, Potong is a must-try.
Best fried chicken – Polo Fried Chicken
This is a famous spot for its juicy chicken topped with fried garlic. The recipe developed by the first-generation owner uses no heavy breading, which makes the chicken light and golden brown. The menu offers a variety of other great dishes, like fish cakes, soups and fried fish.
Best burger in Bangkok – Fowlmouth
I loved the fried chicken burger at Fowlmouth. Prepared Nahsville-style, it’s thick and juicy with crispy breading served with creamy coleslaw and pickles in a brioche bun. You can adjust the level of spice in line with your tolerance. Apart from the curly fries, try the ultra crispy onion rings.
Most unique restaurant experience – Gaggan
In 2024, Gaggan was voted 9th in the World’s Best Restaurants list. A unique meal that is more of an immersive experience and show than a simple dinner. The restaurant only has 14 seats around a huge open kitchen. Everyone is served at the same time and the dinner is orchestrated around the narrative from the kitchen staff, lively music vibes, singing and stories around each dish.
With unique presentations and interesting techniques, you will experience a memorable 22-course meal. Hard to describe so you should experience it for yourself.
Best sustainable restaurant – Haoma
Haoma is a Michelin-starred restaurant serving modern Indian cuisine. It is also the first restaurant in Bangkok to receive a green start from the Michelin Guide for its sustainable practices.
Haoma has its own farm in the suburbs of Bangkok and uses various sustainable farming methods to source a lot of the ingredients for its dishes. You can opt for a 10-dish meat and seafood or vegetarian tasting menu. You should also go for the beverage pairing, which features some interesting options from around the world. and enjoy a welcome cocktail in the futuristic-looking bar. Using liquid nitrogen in the preparation, you are in for some impressive-looking cocktails.
Best restaurant view – Ojo Bangkok
Ojo is a Mexican restaurant that is currently the highest restaurant in Bangkok. It is part of The Standard Hotel and is located in the MahaNakhon skyscraper. Choose a table close to the floor-to-ceiling windows or grab a cocktail and some nibbles at the bar to enjoy the view.
