Budget
Wake Up Cafe
This is a surprising little oasis of greenery outside and clean white lines inside. Mains around 50 baht, a fancy cup of coffee around the same amount.
Jud Leeo
Exceptional Thai curries and other dishes with a friendly, English speaking staff. Shady trees and a fairly subdued side soi make evening outside dining pleasant.
Pad Thai Aree
This small, unassuming shophouse, was until recently located on Soi 7 but has now moved to the other side of Phahonyothin due to construction of another new condominium in the area. It is actually owned by a friend of the Royal family note the picture of the Princess on the wall and serves up some delectable pad thai and many variations at slightly more than street stall prices.
Pathe
Pathe is the Thai equivalent of a 1950s-era American-style. The atmosphere is great with a classic record player providing the music. There are pictures on the wall of music stars and performers of the 1950-70s. Serves up some tasty food as well.
Banana Family Park/Coffee Garden
The Banana Family Park! Woohoo! It sounds like a theme park for kids, but don't let the name misguide you. It is actually a complex with a cheap food court, gym, yoga classes, language schools, beauty salon and evening seminars on Buddhism. This is one of the best vegetarian-only dining options in Bangkok, and it's unbelievably cheap too. Some of the food is pre-cooked and in bain-maries, some is cooked while you wait. At the previous location at Baan Suan Pai, there was Thai fruit ice cream, made from passionfruit, lemon grass and lotus root; not sure if this is still with Banana Family Park. You can also relax with a hot cup of caffeine at the Coffee Garden that's part of the complex. Best to go at lunch time because dinner is just what's leftover from lunch.
Khrob Khreung
Famous for its kuay tiow yam bok rice noodles with fresh vegetables, topped with pork or shrimp 30 baht. Also serves up Thai-Chinese dim sum, muu stek pork satay with peanut sauce, and a wide range of other side dishes. No English sign or menu, but pointing should do the trick.
There are a variety of street food vendors at Phahonyothin Soi 7 Soi Ari. Just off the BTS and around the corner on Soi Ari are a multitude of street stalls selling some of Bangkok's best street food, from Chinese-style wonton noodles, Isaan specialities such as som tam, larb, gai yaang, as well as pad thai, Thai deserts and stands that can whip up basically the entire repetoire of Thai cuisine, all for around 20-30 baht per dish.
Midrange
Basilico
Until recently known as Arancini, this is the third branch of this Italian food franchise. It has especially enticing pizzas and a good selection of decently priced wines glass and bottle to help you get rid of that leftover Chang taste from the afternoon. Try the Rianata.
Baan Puengchom
In a big garden with some rabbits, it is possible to eat inside with air-conditioning or outside. It is often full, so if you don't make a reservation, you'll probably be eating outdoors. The surroundings couldn't be better, the food is fine and prices are decent.
Suan Kularb
An Ari neighbourhood institution, hugely popular with both neighbourhood locals and downtown dwellers in the know. Features a surprisingly vast menu of Thai and Chinese dishes, priced at approximately 80-150 baht per dish though seafood is remarkably more expensive. The staff is not always efficient, and speaks little English, but the menu is translated and has pictures.
Baan Mae Yui
Tucked away in a quiet, narrow residential soi, this tiny gem has become a neighbourhood favourite. You may have to wait for a seat on weekends! It features a small menu of home-style Thai favourites, including some more old-fashioned dishes that are harder to find these days, and there's a daily specials menu. Dinner menu and Sunday lunch also features some quite good Western dishes, such as steaks, pastas and roasts. The bakery products and home-made ice creams are worth bringing home.
T-House
This is a nice Vietnamese restaurant. It shares an inside courtyard with Dragon Palace, the Chinese mid-range restaurant next-door. There are parking facilities, it is clean and has a good service. Try the Saigon crab soup.
Bale
Just inside the soi, this restaurant is a huge refurbished house and quite popular with young mobile Thai professionals. It features a full band with 8 violinists, wine glass chandelier and several international beers.
Pla Dip
Surprisingly chic setting and menu, drawing in a constant crowd of Bangkok hipsters and "Indie" music fanatics, this restaurant cum bar features live bands on weekends. It is a happening bar with a creative menu focusing on fresh fish prepared in some creative fusion styles. A bit more of a splurge for this neighbourhood, with dishes running far into the triple digits.
Lao Lao
Chinese-style seafood restaurant that is always bustling well into the wee hours of night. Not much on atmosphere or service, but the crowds can attest that the food is terrific and the price is right. English menus are available, but as it is a very local restaurant, it may be helpful to go with a Thai friend.
| This guide uses the following price ranges for a typical meal for one, including soft drink: | |
| Budget | Under 100 baht |
| Mid-range | 100-500 baht |
| Splurge | Over 500 baht |
Northern Bangkok's hippest place to eat is the area around Phahonyothin Soi 7, better known as Soi Ari or Aree. More restaurants can be found in the nearby Rama VI Soi 30, which is also known as Soi Ari Samphan. Many musicians and artists migrated into this neighbourhood and the bars and restaurants cater to this audience. Just off Ari BTS station, these busy streets are divided into their own sois, with Ari Soi 1 featuring a bustling market packed with food stalls and the trendier/more expensive joints around Soi 2 and 3.