Bangkok--13 Jun--Verve
Grab your map and mark these locations for an ultimate culinary experience right in Ratchaprasong District, the Bangkok Downtown loved by visitors from around the globe. It is home to several restaurants recognized in the Michelin Guide Bangkok 2018, the bible for foodies looking for the best of Bangkok's food offerings. You can conveniently walk around the district using the Ratchaprasong Walk to access various Michelin-starred Restaurants, Michelin Plates Restaurants, and famous Street Food eateries where you can enjoy affordable, casual fares. Here is a list of 13 must-try restaurants in Ratchaprasong Bangkok Downtown, offering fresh ingredients and fantastic flavors.
Achieving a Michelin Guide recognition
The Michelin Guide judges restaurants based on flavors, ingredients, the chef's creativity and cooking techniques. Whether French, Italian or Japanese cuisine, there is one single standard for all. Being recognized as a Michelin Star, Michelin Plate or Street Food Restaurant rated in the Michelin Guide Bangkok is no easy quest - each restaurant must be judged by Michelin inspectors who are food experts from various backgrounds and countries. They work anonymously and the visits must be done incognito - taking no notes, dining as regular customers and paying the full bill.
The Michelin Guide conveys its restaurant reviews through short two to three-line summaries and an extensive system of symbols, the most revered of which are its globally renowned stars. Restaurants may receive zero to 3 stars for the quality of their food based on Michelin
Inspectors' 5 criteria: quality of the ingredients used, mastery of flavour and cooking techniques, the personality of the chef in their cuisine, value for money and consistency between visits. There are three levels: 1 star means "a very good restaurant in its category", 2 stars means "excellent cooking, worth a detour", and 3 stars means "exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey to try once in a lifetime". For the Michelin Plate, the Inspectors select restaurants with "fresh ingredients, capably prepared". For the Street Food category, Michelin pick the city's best-loved street food vendors offering delicious dishes at affordable prices. Thais and visitors can check out these famous eateries in Ratchaprasong District, home to some of the best food in a great variety, another reason why Ratchaprasong Bangkok Downtown is worth a visit.
Michelin-starred restaurants: Restaurants that is worth a special journey to try once in a lifetime.
1: GINZA SUSHI ICHI
One of the best sushi restaurants in Japan awarded one Michelin Star, Ginza Sushi Ichi started in Tokyo and now has branches in Jakarta and Singapore. To maintain the quality, produce is delivered straight from markets in Tokyo every 24 hours. Of the four set menus, the Botan and Omakase are the most popular. Service is charming. The service and atmosphere also make Ginza Sushi Ichi a favorite for sushi lovers. Experience the one Michelin Star experience for 1,500 – 10,000 THB at Ginza Sushi Ichi, L level, Erawan Bangkok. It is open from Tuesday-Sunday at 12.00-2.00pm for lunch and 6.00-9.30pm for dinner. For more information and reservations, call 02-250-0014.
2: PASTE
The pride of authentic Thai cuisine achieved the one Michelin Star status recently. PASTE breaks away from the ordinary and takes royal Thai cuisine to another level. The designed-to-share menu draws inspiration from royal Thai cuisine and uses century-old family cooking techniques, dating back to the reign of King Rama IV, with ingredients often sourced directly from local growers. Chef Bongkoch 'Bee' Satongun whips up delicious dishes using 16 years of professional cooking. Signature dishes, straight from an Ancient Siamese Recipe book from 1890, include wing bean salad with nutmeg smoked guinea fowl, made with fragrant chicken stock and nutmeg, served with char-grilled young corn and our own freshly made chilli paste. Indulge in royal Thai cuisine for 800 – 1,600 THB at PASTE, 3F, Gaysorn Village. It is open at
12.00-2.00pm for lunch and 6.30-11.00pm for dinner. For more information and reservations, call 02-656-1003.
Michelin Plate: Restaurants where the inspectors have discovered quality food made with fresh ingredients.
3: Biscotti
Indulge in a perfect evening with Italian food paired with an impressive Italian wine list before moving on to plates of antipasti. From a seat at one of the three chefs' tables, you'll have a bird's-eye view of the large open kitchen, so watch as chefs carefully prepare classic Italian dishes that are elegant and authentic. Recommended dishes are focaccia with mascarpone, truffle oil and risotto with green peas served with pancetta, foie gras and parmesan cheese. For desserts, the highlight is Biscotti Signature Tiramisu, made fresh and served right at your table. The lunchtime buffet is good value and draws a crowd, but dinner is a more sophisticated and romantic experience. Prices are between 800 – 1,600 THB. Biscotti is located on 1F, Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel. Opening hours are 11.30am-2.30pm for lunch and 6.00pm-10.30pm for dinner. For more information and reservations, call 02-126-8866.
4: Erawan Tea Room
Settle in for a posh high tea in the centre of the city at Erawan Tea Room, where you can order appealing Thai treats by Chef Achara
To-ussami and the famed Thai Afternoon Tea, which is tower of authentic Thai savory selections, like Erawan fried rice with crabmeat, pineapple fried rice, pomelo salad, shrimp curry, tom kha with ocean trout, grilled prawn with tamarind sauce, and crab meat with wild betel leaves and curry. Thai desserts include mango with sticky rice, Kanom Krok, and more. The ambiance is warm and relaxing,
decorated with tea-related products, like loose-leaf teas and serving containers, offering an authentic Thai feeling. Prices are between 170 – 1,400 THB. Erawan Tea Room is located on 2F, Erawan Bangkok. It is open daily at 10.00am-10.00pm. For more information and reservations, call 02-254-6250.
5: Fireplace Grill and Bar
With 50 years of history to its name, Fireplace Grill and Bar is long-running home to grilled meats and seafood, using premium ingredients. Signatures include lobster salad, steaks large enough to share, and Crepes Suzette. High-quality ingredients and wines from top growers and producers can quickly run up the bill, but service is attentive, unobtrusive and smooth. A meal at Fireplace Grill and Bar costs between 800 and 1,600 THB. It is located on GF, InterContinental Hotel Bangkok. Opening hours are 12.00-2.30pm (lunch) and 6.30-10.30pm (dinner). For more information and reservations, call 02-656-0444.
6: Nara (Erawan)
The classic Thai restaurant has been in business for years. Committed to quality ingredients, handmade curry pastes, and homemade sauces from family recipes, Nara's signature dishes include Tom Yum with shrimp, beef Massaman curry, crab curries, and Pad Thai. Experience professional cooking at its best for 200 – 800 baht at Nara (Erawan) on LG, Erawan Bangkok. It is open at 10.30am-9.30pm. For more information and reservations, call 02-250-7707-8.
7: Tables Grill
A European restaurant with a tableside cooking concept, Tables Grill serves fresh globally sourced ingredients and sustainable seafood. Hans Zahner, its Michelin-starred Chef, presents a six-course degustation menu for 2,900++ THB, using seasonal ingredients. Experience international flavors at dinner and try Saturday and Sunday Brunch, an indulgent affair with free-flow champagne for 3,999++ THB. Tables Grill is located on M floor, Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok Hotel. It is open daily at 6.00-10.00pm for dinner and at 11.00am-3.00pm on weekends for Saturday and Sunday Brunch. For more information and reservations, call 02-254-6250.
8: Theo Mio
The Italian restaurant offers fresh signature dishes prepared by British celebrity chef Theo Randall. This relaxed all-day dining operation has a light-filled glass atrium and boasts a semi-open kitchen. The menus have wide appeal – from sharing plates to pasta, pizza and Italian classics like Dentice Rosso Arrosto, Red snapper, clams, saffron and roast fennel, and Agnello a Scottadito, lamb chops and slow cooked rib, grilled vegetables, olive and red wine. The authentic Italian flavors make use of seasonal ingredients from Italy. Experience a full feast on weekends with Italian Weekend Brunch which comes with free-flow Prosecco. Prices are 125 – 1,200 THB. Theo Mio is located on GF, InterContinental Hotel Bangkok, and is open at 11.30am-11.30pm. For more information and reservations, call 02-656-0444.
9: Uno Mas
Spanish restaurant Uno Mas brings fresh flavors straight from Barcelona, Spain, using fresh imported ingredients, including treats like Joselito cured ham, known to be among the best in the world. Must-try dishes include Half-Roasted Suckling Pig or 'Cochinillo Asado' and seafood paella which has authentic, intense flavor. Uno Mas offers a wide array of Spanish food with a city view to boot. Prices are between 1,600 – 2,400 THB. Uno Mas is located on 54th floor, Centara Grand at CentralWorld Bangkok Hotel. It is open daily at 4.00pm-1.00am. For more information and reservations, call 02-100-6255.
10: ZUMA
The izakaya-style contemporary Japanese restaurant from the UK has branches in New York, London, Dubai and Rome. Boasting a large, open kitchen and chic wood and stone minimalist decor, the restaurant offers delicious modern Japanese menu which includes signature dishes like soft shell crab and black cod with miso. There is an impressive selection of sushi, or you can watch the chefs in action at the large Robata Grill. Experience fresh flavors and sophisticated vibe for 980 – 3,200 THB at ZUMA, GF, The St. Regis Bangkok Hotel. It is open at 12.00-2.45pm for lunch and 6.00-10.45pm for dinner. For more information and reservations, call 02-252-4707.
Street Food restaurants: The city's best-loved street food vendors offering delicious dishes at affordable prices.
11: Nai Ouan Yentafo Bateng Sao Chingcha (Michelin Plate)
This 50-year-old street food stand has served Yentafo (pink noodle soup) with fish balls to much fanfare. Enjoy them steamed or fried, and there is the option of adding salty pork to the dish. The flavors are intense and spicy, but not too spicy - just perfect for those who are not a big fan to spiciness or foreigners in the Ratchaprasong area. Enjoy the delicious Yentafo at Nai Ouan Yentafo Bateng Sao Chingcha on Nawa Alley, Tanao Road, Phra Nakhon, or at The Cook on 4th floor of Amarin Plaza, open daily at 10.00am-8.00pm. For more information, call 02-650-4704.
12: Go-Ang Kaomunkai Pratunam (Micheline Bib Gourmand)
Street food lovers can enjoy sumptuous chicken rice here. This humble chicken and rice stall has drawn a devoted fan base of locals and in-the-know visitors for more than 50 years. The aromatic Jasmine rice is cooked with chicken oil and perfectly matches the flavor of the chicken, and the double-boiled soup is delicious. Check out the original Go-Ang Kaomunkai Pratunam on Phetchaburi Road, Ratchatewi, or at The Cook on 4th floor of Amarin Plaza, open daily at 10.00am-8.00pm. For more information, call 02-650-4704.
13: Ann Guay Tiew Kua Gai (Micheline Bib Gourmand)
Fried noodles are a ubiquitous street dish, but they're taken to another level here. Whether ordered crispy or soft, they retain a soft texture on the inside and a crispy exterior that isn't oily. You can also have your fried egg exactly how you like it, from soft to runny. The authentic coal-fired stove adds a touch of uniqueness. Visit Ann Guay Tiew Kua Gai on Luang Road, Pom Prap Sattru Phai,
or at The Cook on 4th floor of Amarin Plaza, open daily at
10.00am-8.00pm. For more information, call 02-650-4704.
Bring this map and check out these delicious eateries recommended by the Michelin Guide to enjoy fresh flavours at Ratchaprasong Bangkok Downtown. For more information on campaigns and promotions, visit www.bkkdowntown.com and www.facebook.com/HeartOfBangkok