Bucket list experience:
Bangkok, Central Thailand, Thailand
As the epicentre of one of the world’s most beloved cuisines, Bangkok is an excellent grazing ground for Thai food from every corner of the country. There’s creamy massaman curry and tom kha kai (chicken coconut soup), of course, which you can find everywhere from dingy street food carts to Michelin-rated restaurants.
But Bangkok is also an excellent place to hunt down hyper-local dishes you won’t find on the menu of your hometown Thai joint.
Seek out southern Thai cuisine for its ferociously fiery curries and ample use of fresh seafood. Opt for eastern fare, where shrimp paste and regional herbs create umami-rich and earthy flavours. Or follow your nose to kitchens dishing up northern Thai classics such as khao soi curry soup and nam prik chilli dips.
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Destination Guide >From street eats to white tablecloth affairs, Bangkok offers memorable dining experiences for every budget. Mall foodcourts and air-conditioned canteens around the business districts are excellent spots for a quick and affordable lunch, while restaurant hubs such as Thonglor and Silom deliver high-end Thai and international cuisines in every flavour.
The days of street-food carts lining every sidewalk are sadly over, but many still pop up at street-food hubs around Victory Monument, Sam Yan and Talad Phlu during breakfast, lunch and dinner. And while sampling street eats on your own is easy, a knowledgeable guide will point you to tucked-away kitchens and obscure snack stops you would’ve likely missed by yourself.
Bangkok, Central Thailand, Thailand
The best way to see Bangkok from above, ranging from cosy riverside rooftops strung with fairly lights to ritzy hotel bars towering high above the Central Business District.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
Bangkok, Central Thailand, Thailand
At his living room-turned-home-restaurant in the On Nut suburb, self-taught Thai-American chef Dylan Eitharong simultaneously plays host, chef and waiter. Expect excellent Thai classics such as massaman curry and grilled duck salad and a convivial bring-your-own-booze policy.
Best for ages: 18+ | £20
Bangkok, Thailand
The lawyer duo behind artisanal chocolate brand Kad Kokoa is on a delicious mission to revive Thailand’s cacao industry. At their cafe-slash-workshop in Sathorn, you can taste their award-winning chocolate from Chiang Mai to Chumphon in indulgent desserts, drinks or bars to take home.
Best for ages: 4+ | £5
Bangkok, Central Thailand, Thailand
Tucked away in an unassuming street snaking off Ratanakosin, the little-visited Nang Loeng Market feels frozen in time. It’s a street food hotspot, especially in the early mornings – don’t miss the crispy roasted pork at Jib Ki and the traditional Thai desserts at Nanta.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free
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Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first
Bangkok, Central Thailand, Thailand
A hyper-smart design hotel on the fringe of Chinatown, within walking distance of legendary street eats and kaleidoscopic temples, but out of earshot from roaring tuk-tuks and rowdy market vendors.
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Bangkok, Central Thailand, Thailand
A garden-clad oasis in the heart of Bangkok with a lovely rooftop pool, fitness centre and easy access to the Phloen Chit BTS skytrain station.
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Bangkok, Central Thailand, Thailand
Beautiful, intimate boutique hotel in a 1940s villa surrounded by tranquil, lush gardens with a relaxing spa. Excellent location for sightseeing nd shopping.
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Bangkok, Central Thailand, Thailand
A lovely riverside retreat, away from the hubbub, to immerse in local life along the river. Most of Bangkok’s postcard sights are a 15-minute boat ride away.
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Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
Central Thailand, Thailand
From dazzling temples to dizzying nightlife, Thailand’s capital is a dish of delicious contradictions, and one of the world’s most dizzying, fast-paced cities.
