International restaurants in Thailand
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Chopper's Bar & Grill
So popular that it's become a local landmark, Chopper's is a two-storey hang-out where divers and travellers can widen their beer belly. There's live music, sports on the big-screen TVs, billiards and a cinema room. Friday nights are particularly popular; the drinks are 'two for one', and dishes are half-priced as well. Cheers for scored goals are interspersed with exaggerated chatter about creatures seen on the day's dive.
reviewed
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A
May & Mark
One of the first places in town to start serving Western food way back when, May & Mark still does it best thanks to recipes collected from helpful faràng (foreigners of European descent) over the years. Specialities range from excellent fresh bread to bangers and mash and cordon bleu meals.
reviewed
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B
Face
This handsome dining complex is essentially three very good restaurants in one: Lan Na Thai does solid upscale Thai, Misaki focuses on the Japanese end of things, while Hazara dabbles in exotic-sounding 'North Indian frontier cuisine'.
reviewed
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C
Eat Me Restaurant
A little bit of Sydney has blossomed here off Th Silom, helping to give Bangkok more cosmo cred. Chic, minimalist decor is accessorised by rotating art exhibits supplied by H Gallery, the city’s leading contemporary gallery. And lest we forget, the food is creative and modern, spanning the globe from pumpkin risotto to tuna tartare.
reviewed
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Papa's Tapas
Another member of Ko Tao's new designer diner army, this swish set-up takes a stab at nouveau cuisine with sample-sized platters. Those with a big wallet (and a little foresight) can order the Chef's Special - a menu of unique dishes that requires 24 hours to procure and prepare. Reservation recommended.
reviewed
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Fame Restaurant
A farang (foreigner) depot, Fame does a little bit of everything; cooks up Western breakfasts and Thai stir-fries, books ferry tickets and rents out day-use showers. It's open from before the crack of dawn until late at night.
reviewed
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D
Bruno's
The walk-in wine cellar makes Bruno's the go-to place for those seeking vino with their victuals. Lunchtime is a bargain - the team of gourmet chefs prepares scrumptious steaks and seafood courses for a good price.
reviewed
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Baywatch Bar
Sorry fellas, Pam Anderson is nowhere to be found, although the delicious cocktails and international dishes are a decent consolation prize.
reviewed
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Big's Little Cafe
Big does largely English-influenced Western dishes, from bacon butties to burgers, not to mention breakfasts and a tasty homemade sausage.
reviewed
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E
Tatonka
This is the home of 'globetrotter cuisine', which owner-chef Harold Schwarz developed by taking fresh local products and combining them with Europe, Colorado and Hawaii cooking techniques. The eclectic, tapas-style selection includes creative vegetarian and seafood dishes and such delights as Peking duck pizza (220B). There's also a tasting menu (750B per person, minimum two people), which lets you try a little of everything. Call ahead during the high season.
reviewed
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F
Kuppa
For Bangkok’s ladies who lunch, Kuppa is something of a second home. Resembling an expansive living room, this place fancies itself as a ‘tea and coffee trader’ and the coffee is truly among the best in town. Thankfully the eats are just as good, in particular the spot-on Western-style pastries and sweets. Kuppa is located a long walk down Soi 16; to find it, simply look for the Mercedes-laden car park peopled with loitering chauffeurs.
reviewed
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G
Ninth Floor
Come on up to the 9th floor of the Sky Inn Condotel building where you can watch the sea of lights spread through sliding floor-to-ceiling glass doors. This is the highest open-air restaurant on the island, but the perfectly prepared steaks and chops are what made it a Patong institution.
reviewed
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Whitening
Although it looks like a pile of forgotten driftwood during the day, this beachy spot falls somewhere between being a restaurant and being a chic seaside bar – foodies will appreciate the tasty twists on indigenous and international dishes while beertotalers will love the beachy, bleached-white atmosphere that hums with gentle lounge music. Dine amid dangling white Christmas lights while keeping your bare feet tucked into the sand. This is the top spot on the island for a celebratory dinner. And the best part? It's comparatively easy on the wallet.
reviewed
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H
Greyhound Café
Conspicuous consumption is part of many Bangkok menus, but Greyhound still sets the pace. You could crawl into the techno soundtrack of the sleek dining room, but everyone knows that the best seats are along the main pedestrian hallway – the better to be seen. Despite the emphasis on style, the menu is diverse, the food decent, and it’s good value to boot.
reviewed
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Restaurant Didine
Didine's French chef-owner whips up swanky fa·ràng food, such as red snapper with saffron, that you wouldn't expect to find in Khon Kaen. His Italian dishes disappoint.
reviewed
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J
Kokomiko
Don’t let the ringside location beside the Ring Rd scare you off. Kokomiko is a lot like dinner at a friend’s house, if the friend is a professional cook. This is better-than home cooking with homey hospitality. Try the pepper steak, which is toothy Thai beef bathed in a signature coconut milk and peppercorn sauce. Come before 7pm to get a seat.
reviewed
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K
Mantra
Industrial cool, Mantra is fun even if you can only afford a classy cocktail. The bar is swathed in raw silk and the expansive dining room is cloaked in dark wood. The menu combines Japanese, Thai and Indian flavours, and everyone comes here for Sunday brunch.
reviewed
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New Heaven Restaurant
The best part about New Heaven Restaurant is the awe-inducing view of Shark Bay (Ao Thian Ok) under the lazy afternoon moon. The turquoise waters below are so translucent that the curving reef is easily visible from your seat. The menu is largely international, and there are nap-worthy cushions tucked under each low-rise table.
reviewed
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L
La Villa
This new mini-mall features a handsome selection of eateries, including a branch of Greyhound Café, several Japanese restaurants, and delicious domestic ice cream at the local chain, iberry. Homesick foreigners will also appreciate the large branch of Villa, which carries an impressive variety of imported foodstuffs.
reviewed
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M
Art Cafe
Popular meeting spot just outside Tha Pae Gate, serving Thai, Italian, Mexican and American dishes.
reviewed
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Spring
The expansive lawn of this smartly reconverted ’70s-era house is probably the only chance you’ll ever have to witness Bangkok’s fair and beautiful willingly exposing themselves to the elements. The pan-Asian cuisine can be hit and miss, but the desserts, with names like Better Than Sex, are as almost good as they sound.
reviewed
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Rock 99
The choice fa·ràng hang-out in Nakhon, Rock 99 has a good selection of international fare – from taco salads to pizzas (avoid the Thai fare though). There's live music on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights, but expect to bump into friendly expats almost all the time.
reviewed
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Bamboo Mexican House
Run by the manager of a now-defunct guest house, the chef of this tiny restaurant/bakery learned to make Mexican dishes from her American and Mexican guests. To be honest, though, we never got past the delicious homemade breads and cakes. Opens early, and boxed lunches can be assembled for the boat ride to Luang Prabang.
reviewed
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O
Rabieng Rim Nam
This riverside restaurant serves up terrific food and a lot of tourist information in English – a rarity in this town – and organises tours. Sadly the affiliated guest house is just too decrepit to recommend.
reviewed
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007 Restaurant & Bar
Owned by a talkative Scot named James, 007 features ultramodern chrome tables, red cushion booths and, of course, all the Bond paraphernalia you could want. There’s a big selection of beer (including British favourites) on tap, and food from the motherland is cooked in a sparkling kitchen.
reviewed
