Bangkok: Local Cuisine Restaurants

Opened in 1966 near the Giant Swing, Thip Samai is widely regarded as Bangkok’s original Pad Thai restaurant. The small eatery cooks its signature noodles over charcoal, wrapping them in a thin omelette and serving with tangy tamarind sauce. Long queues attest to its popularity among locals and tourists alike.

Supanniga Eating Room brings recipes from eastern provinces like Trat and Chantaburi to Bangkok. The menu showcases dishes such as crabmeat yellow curry and stewed pork belly based on the owner’s grandmother’s cooking. The cosy shophouse setting has helped the restaurant expand to multiple branches and a dinner cruise.

This casual restaurant specialises in som tam (papaya salad) and fried chicken. Popular among shoppers in Siam Square, it serves regional variations of the salad alongside sticky rice and hot soups. The fast-moving service makes it a favourite lunchtime spot for office workers and tourists.

Charcoal-fired woks and a goggle-wearing chef are the hallmarks of this Michelin-starred street stall. Jay Fai cooks dishes such as crab omelette, drunken noodles and tom yum soup over a roaring fire. The restaurant gained international fame after appearing on Netflix and has maintained its simple shopfront despite long lines.

A favourite of Bangkok’s late monarch, Krua Apsorn serves homestyle recipes that emphasise simplicity over presentation. Dishes include crab curry with betel leaves, stir-fried crabmeat and stuffed omelettes. The restaurant’s multiple branches remain busy thanks to consistent flavours and reasonable prices.

This chain of casual restaurants focuses on som tum in many variations. From traditional papaya salad to versions with salted egg, pickled crab or fermented fish sauce, the menu offers dozens of options. Side dishes include grilled chicken and sticky rice, making it a reliable spot for group meals.

Recommended by our local expert Tom. He says, "with several smart and air conditioned branches across town, Baan Somtum serves delicious north eastern Thai food and is a hugely popular lunch spot for locals."

Housed in a colonial mansion, Blue Elephant is part restaurant, part cooking school. It prepares royal Thai recipes using traditional methods and offers set menus alongside à la carte dishes. The interior features vintage décor and a small shop selling curry pastes and sauces.

Accessible only by boat, Praya Dining sits within a heritage hotel on the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya River. The menu emphasises historic Thai recipes with influences from Chinese, Portuguese and Mon communities. Dining on the riverbank provides a serene contrast to Bangkok’s bustle.