Budget
Ka-nom
Everyone who has been to Macau knows how delicious they are: Portuguese-style egg tarts. They don't come very cheap, but are hand-baked right in front of you. They also have cakes, pies, breads and croissants.
Hongkong Noodle
Serves up cheap and tasty wonton noodles, a selection of dim sum and more Cantonese favourites in modern, if utilitarian, surroundings complete with air-conditioning and table service.
Midrange
Uta-Andon
Same ownership as Kabuki, this Japanese restaurant chain has a branch in Isetan. Ambience and decoration are plain and straightforward.
Kabuki
This Japanese restaurant chain, inspired by Japanese Kabuki theatre themes, was the first of its kind in Bangkok. It is more upmarket than its sister Uta-Andon, but still very affordable if compared with luxury Japanese restaurants.
No. 43 Italian Bistro
A lovely Italian bistro that serves an a la carte breakfast, lunch and dinner. With quiet white wood floors, black and gold walls, and an illuminated open bar, the items are pleasantly affordable considering the restaurant's elegant ambiance. Quiet, reserved and gentle on the senses, this restaurant also offers great Thai food on request.
Wanara Eatery
In Thai, 'wana' means forest, the source of the distinctive ingredients that make up traditional Thai cooking. Combined with western flavors, Wanara brings together the fusion cuisine.
Greyhound Café
An minimalistic restaurant of concrete and brushed steel. On the menu is fusion, with food ranging from authentic Thai to Italian pasta to Elvis burgers. Mains are usually around 300 baht, although the lunch sets are cheaper than that. There's also a branch at Siam Center.
La Monita Taqueria
This is one of the best Mexican restaurants in Bangkok, especially since Tacos and Salsa closed down. There salsas are delicious, as are the chips. Just one big advice: be very sure to make a reservation beforehand as the place is very small and the tables are often booked. Also the tables and seats are small, so expect it to feel cramped; though it does help the cozy atmosphere.
Som Tam Nua
If Thai food isn't spicy enough or you have yet to sample som tam raw papaya salad, check out this trendy yet very friendly and very Thai restaurant specializing in northeastern Isaan food. For the full-on Isaan experience, order raw mango salad à¸à¸³à¸¡à¸°à¸¡à¹à¸§à¸ tam ma-muang, spicy pork salad ลาà¸à¸«à¸¡à¸¹ laap muu, grilled chicken à¹à¸à¹à¸¢à¹à¸²à¸ kai yang and sticky rice à¸à¹à¸²à¸§à¹à¸«à¸à¸µà¸¢à¸§ khao niaw - which will cost less than 200 baht/head. English menu, two floors of seating. Warning: This is real Isaan food and thus very spicy!
Sunrise Tacos
A Mexican grill restaurant with traditional favourites like nachos, tacos, burritos, enchiladas, fajitas and salads. The meals are fresh and there is 24 hour delivery available.
Food courts
Central Food Hall
It offers Thai fare and English menus at much cheaper prices than FoodLoft.
If you want cheap food and air-conditioning, head into the upper-floor food court of any mall or department store. Food courts come in many varieties, from basic snack places to eclectic cuisine. Most food courts use some variation of a coupon system; unused coupons are always refunded. Some of the better ones include:
Big C Food Court
New, bright, airy and very cheap with mostly Thai dishes as low as 20 baht. Payment with a stored-value card. Note: Big C is closed for the time being due to heavy protest fires in May 2010.
| 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 |
For Thai food with a twist, the hip district of Siam Square is the best place to go hunting. The shopping malls generally have a wide choice of chain stores where you can eat for mid-range prices. If you're on a budget, every mall that takes itself seriously at least has one food court. Soi Ton Son, a sidestreet of Phloen Chit Road, is known as Bangkok's Little Italy with plenty of nice Italian restaurants. The best are both very good and reasonably priced at least by Western standards.
Gianni
One of Bangkok's best and most authentic Italian places. Formal but romantic atmosphere with shared couches and such, you'll want to dress up a little. Try the lunch sets at 270/320 baht, as dinners are considerably more expensive.