Faye Bradley and Sasha Huang

Jan 27

The Best Fine Dining Restaurants in Bangkok

BANGKOK

Bustling Bangkok may be known for its gritty guilty pleasure street foods, but Thailand's capital also plays host to many fine dining outlets that are worth the splurge. In fact, this year Bangkok landed nine restaurants on Asia's 50 Best, an astonishing number for the city – while Hong Kong comparatively had six venues nabbing a spot each. But where does one begin? We've narrowed it down for you with our top picks this year – from Michelin-starred venues to innovative menus that'll leave you mesmerised with presentation and taste. Without further ado ...

This article is also available in Chinese (HK).

All images courtesy of CSP Times.

This article was last updated on January 27, 2024.

North

Cuisine: Innovative Northern Thai | Chef(s): Panupong “Nu” Songsang | Best For: Fine Dining

North offers a unique culinary experience that merges traditional Lanna recipes with contemporary cooking techniques. Lanna, meaning "Land of a Million Rice Fields", is the area of Upper Northern Thailand that once belonged to a separate kingdom dating back to 700 years. Rich in heritage and gastronomy, its distinctive cuisine takes influences from neighbouring Shan, Burmese, Laotian and Yunnanese cultures. The restaurant is set in a beautifully restored colonial villa where the expert team strives to introduce Lanna's culinary wisdom to a global audience.

MIA

Cuisine: Modern European | Chef(s): Pongcharn "Top" Russel & Michelle Goh | Best For: Fancy Dinner

Mia, Bangkok's fine dining destination led by chefs Pongcharn “Top” Russell and Michelle Goh, showcases a seasonal tasting menu that artfully merges European culinary techniques with Asian essence. With their rich background experiences in both the West and the East, the pair deftly melds Thailand's premium produce with their fervour for cooking in the recently awarded One-Michelin-starred restaurant.

Haoma

Cuisine: Neo-Indian | Chef(s): Deepanker Khosla | Best For: Immersive, Interactive Dining

Haoma, nestled in Bangkok, is Thailand's pioneering urban farm and zero-waste restaurant, revolutionizing dining with its "Grow to Give Back" philosophy. Founded by a young Indian chef, Deepanker Khosla, this neo-Indian, One Michelin-Starred and Michelin-Green-Starred fine dining establishment is an eco-conscious haven amidst the city's bustle. Offering both meat and exceptional vegetarian tasting menus, Haoma is a testament to sustainable practices, combining eclectic flavours with a modern twist on Indian cuisine. The experience is an immersive journey, from a tour of its urban farm and fish tanks to innovative dishes like Silk & Chicken and Tandoori Watermelon.

Sühring

Cuisine: German | Chef(s): Thomas and Mathias Sühring | Best For: Celebrations

Ranked No 7 on Asia's 50 Best Restaurants and with two Michelin stars under its belt, Sühring is one of Bangkok's most impressive fine dining restaurants – if its accolades aren't enough to convince you so. Helmed by two German twin chefs, Thomas and Mathias Sühring, the modern menu is inspired by their childhood memories and family recipes. Every dish is presented beautifully in bite-sized portions using haute cuisine level of traditional German dishes with contemporary Central European influences. In terms of setting, Sühring is located within a leafy 1970s villa, with the interiors resembling a house – and homey the vibe is indeed. Expect world-class service and don't forget to request wine pairing for the full experience.

CLARA

Cuisine: Italian | Chef(s): Christian Martena | Best For: Date Night

Chef Christian Martena and wife Maitre D’ Clara Del Corso-Martena put their hearts and souls into CLARA, an Italian fine dining joint that takes you on a culinary journey from the moment you step into its lush Bauhaus-style villa landscape. It's set within an old art gallery in Yenakart. Wine and dine your way through Chef Martena's native cuisine which uses premium ingredients from truffles to foie gras, while the attentive Clara will host your evening for a personalised and memorable meal. Of course, wine is a must especially on a date night here. Request to try the CLARA chocolate liqueur – a limited house drink that the team makes exclusively in small batches.

Address: 69 Soi Prasat Suk, Chong Nonsi, Yan Nawa, Bangkok 10120 | Website: clarabangkok.com | Phone: +66 95 879 62 57 | Instagram: @clarabangkok

IGNIV

Cuisine: Modern European | Chef(s): David Hartwig | Best For: Business Meetings/Catch Ups

Earning its first Michelin star in 2022, IGNIV Bangkok brings you on a unique and memorable fine dining experience. Chef Andreas Caminada's artful cooking signature style shines in St Regis Bangkok's cosy ambiance interior. On the menu, gourmands can expect modern European fare with a touch of South American influence, but save room for dessert after dessert – we're talking about the "candy shop" which lets you bring sweets home after the meal.

Le Normandie by Alain Roux

Cuisine: French | Chef(s): Alain Roux and Phil Hickman | Best For: Fancy Nights Out

Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok's Le Normandie has consistently kept its two Michelin stars over the years, and sits on the hotel's top floor. The French fine dining restaurant offers contemporary haute cuisine from acclaimed Chef Alain Roux in the dazzling metropolitan capital of Bangkok. Expect top-notch service, incredible dishes and a glamorous setting that'll make you feel like a million bucks.

Address: 48 Oriental Avenue, Bangkok 10500, Thailand | Phone: +66 (0) 2 659 9000 | Website: mandarinoriental.com/bangkok/chao-phraya-river/fine-dining/restaurants/french-cuisine/le-normandie | Instagram: @mo_bangkok | Facebook: @MandarinOrientalBangkok | Twitter: @MO_BANGKOK

Saawaan

Cuisine: Thai | Chef(s): Saritwat “Earth” Wanvichitkun and Arisara ‘Paper’ Chongphanitkul | Best For: Celebrations

Saawaan, which means "heaven" in Thai, is an intimate contemporary restaurant which focuses on traditional cooking methods including grilling, steaming, stir-frying, charcoaling and fermentation. Holding a Michelin star from 2019-2022, this fine diner serves comprehensive set menus curated by Chef Saritwat Wanvichitkun. Dishes are served to impeccable presentations with highlights including the Utah beach oyster with Hokkaido scallop and Toyama Bay yellowtail, boiled French Charolais beef araignee and the Ratchaburi pork jowl made with aromatic homemade masala. Add on wine pairing for the full experience.

Aksorn

Cuisine: Thai | Chef(s): David Thompson | Best For: Date Night

Aksorn is veteran Chef David Thompson's ode to traditional Thai cuisine in the heart of Bangkok. The Michelin-starred restaurant is housed within Central Legacy, an old bookstore from the 1950s. Upon curating the menu, the chef drew inspiration from old traditional Thai family recipe books aged between the 1940s and 1970s for a truly authentic dining experience. The cosy dining room includes a balcony and open kitchen so you can watch the magic happen live.

Savelberg

Cuisine: French | Chef(s): Henk Savelberg | Best For: Fancy Dinners

Taking Bangkok by a storm, Chef Henk Savelberg's eponymous restaurant in Chong Nonsi elevates French fine dining with its signature six-course menu. Opening in 2014, the restaurant has since moved from its landmark location to a new, contemporary house with a manicured garden for diners to gaze over through the windows from their seats. The Michelin-starred venture demonstrates chef's masterful culinary skills using international ingredients with traditional French fare, despite coming from Dutch roots. Bookings are essential, and don't forget to add on the wine pairing to further elevate the experience.

Canvas

Cuisine: Modern | Chef(s): Riley Sanders | Best For: Artistic Fine Dining

From Texas to Bangkok, Chef Riley Sanders has quickly proved himself as one of the city's budding new talents to keep an eye on. Opening in 2020, the fine dining joint commits itself to sourcing local ingredients from across the diverse nation and reinventing recipes in an artful manner. In its current 22-course menu, art literally meets food. Guests are invited to browse through Chef Sanders' artwork which is represented in the dishes he makes too – for example, a colourful vegetable medley bursting with dozens of flavours is designed to replicate a painting he created that's equally visually striking. Counter seating allows you to watch the chefs at work, or if you're in a group there's also table seating. Canvas also boasts a Michelin star.

POTONG

Cuisine: Modern Thai | Chef(s): Pam Pichaya Utharntharm | Best For: A Multisensory Journey

Restaurant POTONG showcases Chef Pam's progressive take on Thai-Chinese cuisine. In the heart of Yaowaraj, Bangkok, the 'potong' (meaning 'simple' in Chinese) building creates a contrast with the traditional architectures of its surroundings, inspired by old-school Chinatowns. Her culinary career began in the USA and was shaped by training at the three Michelin-starred, Jean-Georges Restaurant in New York.

Phra Nakhon

Cuisine: Thai | Chef(s): Kannika Jitsangworn | Best For: Riverside Dining

Situated in a lush garden in Capella Hotel, Bangkok, Phra Nakhon presents authentic Thai cuisines under the golden sun. The fine dining restaurant creates a profusion of native ingredients as a celebration of the traditional dishes accompanied by the astonishing view of Chao Phraya River.

Address: 300/2 Charoenkrung Road, Yannawa, Sathorn, Bangkok 10120, Thailand | Website: capellahotels.com/en/capella-bangkok/dining/phra-nakhon | Phone: +66 (0) 2098 3888 | Email: phranakhon.bangkok@capellahotels.com | Instagram: @phranakhon.bangkok | Facebook: @phranakhon.bangkok