Eat, Drink & Relax in Bangkok
In between visiting amazing sites in Bangkok, you’ll need to nourish your body and rest your aching feet. Thai food is definitely one of the best cuisines in the world. There’s a delicate balance of sweet, sour, savory and spicy to tantalize your tastebuds. Fortunately, Bangkok is home to a huge range of restaurants, bars and street food carts to suit every travel budget. Likewise, Thai massage is world famous for working out the kinks and stretching out your tired muscles. Below are some of my favorite spots so check them out if you visit Bangkok!
Eat & Drink
32-32/1 Sukhumvit 23, Klong Toey Nue, Wattana
Nearest Station: Sukhumvit MRT station or Asoke BTS station, a 10-15 minute walk to the restaurant.
Tips: Book a table via the online reservation form.
Bangkok has some pretty fancy Michelin star restaurants but there are also mid-range restaurants that have gorgeous ambiance as well as fantastic food. When you walk down Sukumvit Soi 23, it’s about two blocks to The Local. On the way, you will pass several dodgy looking massage places with girls in skimpy outfits sitting outside. As you walk down the street, you will start to question if you’re at the right place, but there it is, this beautiful tranquil house that is The Local. The ambiance is traditional and relaxing, and the food was incredible! The restaurant features food from different regions of Thailand so you can get a taste of the entire country in just one meal.
Highly recommended: Ruam Kam Aroy (mixed appetizer), Southern style fish curry (tart, spicy and coconutty) and stewed spareribs.
Bonus (?): The Local is walking distance to Soi Cowboy, the infamous red-light district street with go-go bars with flashing neon nights and even MORE girls in skimpy clothing.
It’s actually not that seedy but the girls look really young so it feels kind of sad to walk by them.
Vertigo and Moon Bar at Banyan Tree
21/100 South Sathorn Road
Nearest Station: Lumpini MRT
Tips: Go at sunset and stay until the city lights up.
Ever had a drink on top of the world? This rooftop bar is on the 61st floor of the Banyan Tree hotel and for someone with a fear of heights, it’s quite an intense and exciting experience! It’s pretty dark at the bar so the lights from nearby buildings seem even brighter. Menus are tablets that light up so you can actually see what you’re ordering. Drinks are pretty expensive here, about US$20 and above, but it’s worth it for the breathtaking views!
Sukhumvit Soi 38 Night Market
Nearest Station: Thong Lor BTS
Tips: Bring cash! Smaller notes are preferable.
Soi 38 isn’t a large street but it’s lined with street carts and tables and chairs. The carts sell a variety of meals but most of them feature wonton noodles, roast pork and barbeque pork. Each dish is around 40 to 50 baht (US$1-$2!). There are also hole-in-the-wall restaurants that sell pad thai and BBQ seafood as well.
You can enjoy a bottle of cold Thai beer or fresh coconut water with your meal. Soak in the atmosphere with the locals!
Relax
Check the website for various locations throughout Bangkok.
Tips: Massages get booked up really fast! If you don’t have a local phone to call for reservations, ask your hotel concierge to help you make one.
There are lots of really dodgy spas especially in the Sukhimvit area. I went for a massage at a run-down looking spa there and although it was really cheap at 150 baht (US$4), the masseur wasn’t properly trained and I ended up with a sore back. Thankfully a friend recommended Healthland Spa to us. It’s housed in a huge white mansion and has an impressive array of menu items that range from foot massages to fancy aromatherapy sessions. But what you really want is their 300 baht two hour Thai massage. Two hours! All their therapists are properly trained and have high standards. The massage was so incredible that I went back for another one! If you’ve never had a Thai massage, it’s like getting a massage while doing yoga. The therapist will stretch you and knead out your knots at the same time. She will use her elbows, arms and even feet to help you work out the knots in your body. After a long flight and/or hours of walking around Bangkok, this is indeed the best reward you can give yourself!
You can download my article on GPSmyCity, a travel app that gives you offline access to saved articles and walking directions on your smartphone.