GruffyddQuick Overview
Bangkok is one of the world’s greatest food cities, a place where Michelin-starred crab omelettes share the street with 40 THB pad thai.
This guide breaks down what to eat and exactly where to find it, grouped by neighbourhood so you can plan your meals around your itinerary.
👉 Pair this with your Bangkok Itinerary: 3, 5 & 7 Days for route planning.
Essential Bangkok Dishes
| Dish | What it is | Where to try it |
| Pad Krapao Moo Kai Dao | Spicy basil stir-fried pork with rice & fried egg | Phed Mark (Ekkamai BTS) fiery but balanced |
| Pad Thai | Stir-fried rice noodles with tamarind & shrimp | Thipsamai (Old Town) open late, classic recipe |
| Boat Noodles | Rich, peppery broth in tiny bowls | Victory Monument Boat Noodles Alley |
| Som Tam | Green-papaya salad with lime, chilli & peanuts | Som Tam Jay Soe (Ari) local favourite |
| Khao Man Gai | Thai-style chicken rice | Go-Ang Pratunam Chicken Rice (Michelin Bib) |
| Khao Soi | Northern curry noodles | Khao Soi Mae Sai (Ari) |
| Mango Sticky Rice | Sweet coconut rice dessert | Kor Panich (Old Town; since 1932) |
💡 For full street-food crawl routes, jump to Chinatown / Yaowarat Night Crawl.
Chinatown / Yaowarat Night Crawl
If you eat one meal in Bangkok, make it this.
Start at MRT Wat Mangkon around sunset and walk Yaowarat Road, the neon-lit core of Bangkok street food.
Route highlights (in order):
- T&K Seafood – grilled prawns & garlic clams
- Khao Gaeng Jake Puey – rice & curry stall (open 7 pm sharp)
- Nai Ek Roll Noodles – crispy pork in peppery broth
- Sweet Time – black-sesame dumplings & Thai desserts
Timing: 6 pm – 9 pm (go early for queues).
Cost: 40–250 THB per dish.
Vibe: organised chaos, smoky grills, zero pretence.
👉 Base yourself nearby using our Where to Stay in Bangkok guide (Chinatown section).
Markets & Food Courts
If you want variety without the street-side heat, these spots are gold.
- Chatuchak Weekend Market: food zone near Section 23 (coconut ice cream & grilled pork).
- Or Tor Kor Market: next to Chatuchak; clean, authentic Thai dishes.
- Terminal 21 – Pier 21 Food Court: BTS Asok; best value in town (most plates < 50 THB).
- ICONSIAM “Floating Market” Food Zone: scenic riverside indoor market.
💡 Combine Chatuchak & Or Tor Kor on Day 2 of your Bangkok Itinerary.
Café & Brunch Spots
Bangkok’s café scene rivals any global city, perfect for remote work or lazy mornings.
| Area | Must-try cafés | Vibe |
| Ari | Nana Coffee Roasters, Porcupine Café | leafy, local, creative |
| Thonglor / Ekkamai | Roots Coffee, Kaizen, After You | hip, modern |
| Old Town | On Luk Yuan, Simple Natural Kitchen | quiet, heritage |
| Silom | Rocket Coffeebar, Printa Café | laptop-friendly |
👉 These pair perfectly with Day 5 in the Bangkok Itinerary.
Rooftop Dining & Drinks
For views and a dose of skyline glamour:
- Vertigo & Moon Bar (Banyan Tree) – classic, open-air luxury
- Octave Rooftop Bar (Marriott Sukhumvit) – three-level 360° view
- Tichuca Rooftop Bar – lively crowd, neon tree-canopy décor
- Above Riva (Riverside) – sunset over Wat Arun
💡 Dress codes apply; shorts/sliders often refused.
Vegetarian, Vegan & Halal Options
- Broccoli Revolution (Sukhumvit 49): plant-based Thai-fusion staples
- May Veggie Home (Asok): vegan pad thai & curries
- Soi Arab (Nana): Middle-Eastern restaurants & shisha lounges
- Yana Restaurant (MBK Center): halal Thai classics inside a mall
How to Order & Eat Like a Local
- Queue = quality. Don’t skip a line, it’s how locals vet food.
- Use small bills; many stalls don’t give change for 1,000 THB notes.
- “Pet noi” (“a little spicy”) if you can’t handle heat.
- Return trays & bowls; it’s polite.
💡 Carry tissues and hand sanitiser, napkins aren’t standard.
Planning Your Meals by Area
| Area | Must-eat | Combine with |
| Old Town | Pad Thai @ Thipsamai / Kor Panich mango rice | Grand Palace + Wat Pho day |
| Chinatown | Yaowarat night crawl | Evening of Day 1 |
| Sukhumvit | Modern Thai / international | Rooftop drinks + nightlife |
| Ari | Café culture & Khao Soi | Chill Day 5 add-on |
| Markets zone | Chatuchak & Or Tor Kor | Saturday / Sunday plan |
Where This Fits in Your Trip
Food shapes your Bangkok experience, plan your sightseeing around meals, not the other way round.
Each of these spots connects neatly with your 3/5/7-day itinerary and the BTS/MRT lines.
See how it fits in our Thailand 10/14/21-Day Itineraries.
What to Read Next
- Where to Stay in Bangkok – pick an area near your favourite eats
- Best Things to Do in Bangkok – pair temples + markets with meal stops
- Bangkok Itinerary 3/5/7 Days – daily plans including food breaks
- Best Day Trips from Bangkok – where to eat in Ayutthaya & Kanchanaburi
- Best Time to Visit Bangkok – how weather affects street-food hours
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