Taste the World in One City: Bangkok

Bangkok is one of the most-visited cities on earth. In 2023 alone, the Thai capital is expected to welcome more than 20 million tourists. Most come for the ancient history, ornate temples, and storied riverside hotels, but one of Bangkok’s biggest appeals is its food scene.

The capital comes alive each day as street food vendors open shop, pulling noodles from steaming pots, cracking fresh eggs into blistering woks, and layering on flavor in the form of bright chilies and green basil. It’s not all Thai food here, however. Once you’ve tasted your way down Yaowarat Road in Chinatown or savored a deeply fragrant bowl of noodles from the stalls by Victory Monument, spend some time exploring the city’s impressive array of global restaurants.

From Michelin-starred newcomers to an Australian outfit that’s been serving comfort food since the late 1990s, there’s a world of dining to be enjoyed in Bangkok. Below, our favorite spots for Japanese, French, Polynesian, and more.

Opened in 1998 by Australian-born siblings Darren and Cherie Hausler, Eat Me has earned a devoted local following over the past three decades. The two-story space has a clubhouse vibe, with romantic lighting, cozy chairs, and living greenery that make you feel as if you’re dining in your friend’s beautiful home.

Here, head chef Tim Butler (whose resume includes Aquavit in New York City and Providence in Los Angeles) serves a seasonal menu that changes regularly—Australian rack of lamb might appear in spring, and oysters are flown in weekly from colder waters. Hope that rustic dishes like duck confit and the monstrous Tomahawk steak with bone marrow are available when you visit—and be sure to make a reservation to guarantee you get a taste of what's on.

Off the city’s lively Charoenkrung Road and down a quiet alleyway lies Jua, a modern take on the Japanese izakaya. Located in a former gambling den (jua means to “show a card” in Thai), the space features fairy lights in the windows and a dining room with bright-white walls, minimalist bar stools, and a terracotta counter.

Start your meal here with traditional yakitori (Japanese-style skewers) like chicken gizzards dusted with sea salt and meatballs in sweet soy. Then move onto inventive small plates such as yellowtail collar decorated with daikon, ponzu, and olive oil, and beef cheek topped with veal teriyaki sauce and yuzu grapes. To drink, pick something from the extensive highball list (we like the black tea shochu with soda and lemon) or try the Twisted Negroni, made with shochu, Martini Rosso, Campari, and an orange peel.

If Bangkok’s sweltering temperatures have you dreaming of the islands, find respite at Tropic City, which was number 24 on the World’s 50 Best Bars list in 2022. The colorful bar just a few blocks from Jua boasts palm-leaf wallpaper and ancient mariner maps painted on the ceiling—and as the sun sets each night, the room gets bathed in pink and purple light. Regional and international DJs are a frequent fixture. Grab a neat pour of Smith & Cross Jamaican rum or a signature cocktail like the Night Rider, made with rum, vermouth, ginger beer, mint, and bitters.

Located on the 11th floor of the VIE Hotel, Signature offers jaw-dropping views of the city, but the focus here is on the Michelin-starred food coming out of the open kitchen. Dubbed “floral cuisine,” it’s the creation of acclaimed chef Thierry Drapeau, who is originally from the Loire Valley and uses delicate flowers, fragrant herbs, and rare ingredients to build flavor and visual appeal. The experience is tasting menu only and open to a mere 30 diners per night.

Opened in 2022, The Story House occupies the inner courtyard at The Siam, one of Bangkok’s most luxurious hotels. Set under a solarium-style roof, the dining room is bright and airy, with black and white accents, antique furnishings, and lots of tropical plants courtesy of world-renowned designer Bill Bensley.

Credit for lunch and dinner goes to New Zealand-born chef Blair Mathieson, who serves upscale New Zealand fare like lobster rolls in buttery buns, and free-range pork chops with radicchio and cauliflower purée.