Thailand is known for its delicious food. The country’s capital Bangkok is one of the best to get food- both local and international. This cosmopolitan city has some of the best food from around the world and you can get everything you want here. Whenever I go overseas, I always miss the variety of food I can get here. Within walking distance from me is great local food, great Mexican, good Italian, and one of my all time favorite sushi places. You can eat like a king in this city. The down side though is that some of this great world class food also comes with world class prices.
Now I recommend that anyone who visits Thailand eat lots of Thai food when you visit the country but sometimes you want to mix it up. Variety is the spice of life after all. If you find yourself in Bangkok, looking for some international and local food but at a reasonable price, there are plenty of places to do it.
Thai food may be all over the place but if you are looking for great areas of Bangkok to eat in, you’ll find great local markets at:
Soi Rambuttri in Banglamphu- At the far corner of this street is a night market that offers great food at local prices. The guy in front of the 7-11 has delicious food but watch out- it’s spicy!
Sukhimvit Soi 31- Right across the street from me, I get to choose between every Thai food imaginable. I walk away stuffed for less than a dollar.
Sukhimvit 38- This corner has some amazing local food. You’ll find everything you want here. It’s a very popular area to go to for dinner. Just exit the BTS and you’ll see it.
The Night Market- Located down by Silom, this night market has a wide range of food avaialble. It’s very reasonably priced. It gets very crowded after work.
After gorging on Thai food, you might want to get something else. Well, the downside is that all the really good international food is pretty expensive. Compared to the food back home it’s not too expensive but by local standards it’s pricey. I love good food as much as the next person but I hate paying lots of money for it. So after a few years year Ive managed to find the good deals at the good restaurants. Here’s some ways to eat like a king at some of the good restaurants in Bangkok without blowing your budget:
Tapas- There is a good Tapas restaurant called Tapas on Sukhimvit soi 11. Go there before 7 for 2 for 1 Sangria and 3 for 2 tapas.
Japanese- The Japanese area of town has great sushi that is ridiculously overpriced. For sushi that is just as good but half the price, head to Zen Cuisina in Central World. Some of the best sushi I have ever had!
Italian- The best value Italian food is Bella Napoli on Sukhimvit Soi 31. Pizzas are only a few hundred baht and the pasta is just as good. Best of all? It’s delicious.
Arab food- Head down to Nana and Sukhimvit Soi 5 for amazingly delicious and cheap Arab food. Get some great shwarma for only 40 baht.
Mexican- Head to Coyote’s in Silom or Sukhimvit 31 for free margaritas on Wednesday (for girls- 1/2 price for men) and 200 baht lunch courses.
English- If you are really in the mood for English food, head to the Londoner Pub for lunch. They offer specials and 2 for 1 drinks. It’s on Sukhimvit Soi 31.
Chinese- Head to Chinatown and you’ll find everything your heart desire for less than 100 baht.
Israeli- Shoshana’s is the best place for Israeli. Located in the street next to the police station on Khao San Rd, this place offer mouth watering falafel and other Israeli food. A meal here will cost you less than 200 baht.
Vegetarian- The best vegetarian food in Bangkok is Mai Kaidee’s. This place is behind the Burger King near Khao San Rd. Everything is made fresh and it’s all about 80 baht. They even offer cooking classes.
Indian- There is a lot of Indian food in Bangkok. A lot. Overall, it’s all fairly cheap. The problem comes in finding good Indian food. Moghul Room on Sukhimvit Soi 11 is the best value for your money and very tasty. I bring all the people who visit me there.
Bangkok has one of the best collection of foods in the world. From great local food to amazing international food, Bangkok has it. It’s one of the reasons why I like living here so much. I eat very well.
Mhmm. Indian food. Have you tried Dillii Haat or Hazara? I’ve heard the former’s food tastes fantastic, and the atmosphere of the latter is supposed to be pretty cool. Nice post.
havent heard of either of them but will check them out
This makes me want to go out for thai food. Maybe I’ll suggest to my work that we all go for thai for my goodbye lunch. But that food will probably be no where as good as what you are eating out there!
Yummy! I like all types of food, but I find food prepared on the streets is too close to the ground and not very sanitary. Restaurant please!
This is a good list to keep. Just reading this had made my stomach growl.
Sigh! Makes me long for Bangkok. It’s one of the places in the world where I never hesitate to ea street food!
Ah.. Made me homesick. There is no place like home especially Thai food. And don’t forget that we don’t just have Pad Thai. Thai food is more diverse than most people is aware of. Enjoy eating!
I’m well aware. I eat tons of food here.
I only spent a few days in Bangkok so I didn’t get a chance to try most of these great places. Someday I will return and travel Bangkok and the rest of Thailand right proper. During the short time I was there, however, I got a chance to visit the night market. Easily one of my favorite places with plenty of food options, cold beer, and live entertainment.
Thanks Matt!
I just got to Cambodia a few days ago and I LOVE it!! I’m definitely using your site as a guide to SE Asia, especially anything to do with food!!
Wow. That is one big review of the eating places in Bangkok! I am impressed. Sadly, I won’t be going anytime soon, but this would be very useful to someone who is!
Glad to see the amount of work put into this food review. I’ll bookmark this in my Thailand Travel folder, I can honestly say the main reason I’m heading there is to eat. I’m thinking of a good solid 4 day fast before I land followed by some binge eating. lol Thankfully my health has a good 6 months before I attempt to ruin it. Mmmm…Soi Rambuttri in Banglamphu. I’ll have to map that.
i seem to remember the chatuchak market (only open on weekends) having really yummy fresh fruit drinks and things. this was 4 years ago now… so maybe it’s just the yummy SHOPPING i remember. but i had to have eaten something; i spent an entire 8 hour day there!!
great post!
Whenever I travel to Bangkok, Mai Kaidee’s will be on my list of restaurants to visit!
Hey Matt! This post was really helpful. In just six weeks we’ll be living in the same Bangkok neighbourhood where several of there restaurants are located. Yipppeeee! (We’ll be working… not just eating!)
Totally bookmarked this one for later this year!
this is a very great info, I’ll be there soon !!!
see you there ^^
Good list! I’d add one of my favourite places to it: the Huay Kwang night market for it’s dazzling mix of seafood stalls and restaurants. Some of the freshest and most unusual seafood dishes can be snapped up here inexpensively. Will definitely check a couple of the places on your list I’m yet to try….
If you are looking for Indian cuisine in Bangkok you have to try Bawarchi Indian Restaurant in Bangkok …authentic Indian food and the curry there is amazing.