You’re spoiled for choice. Thai -Venezuelan artisanal roasters Ceresia (G/F, Tisco Tower, 48/2 Sathorn Rd., 098-251-4327) have long set a high benchmark with their freshly roasted, single-origin beans and delicious carrot cake. Recently it’s been joined by Roastology (21 Sala Daeng Soi 1, 062-381-833), a roaster-turned-cafe that whips out coffee (from B100), eye-catching, non-caffeinated treats like its purple sweet potato latte (B130) and yummy Montreal-style bagels (from B50). For some fizz, check out Eureka (14/6 Sala Daeng Soi 1, 092-449-9895), whose specialty is soft and velvety nitro coffee poured straight from the tap—try the salted egg latte (B120).

 

 

Much of the recent action centers on the Woof Pack building, a three-floor office-slash-mini-mall that’s home to The Meatchop Butcher & Spirits (1/4 Sala Daeng Soi 1, 02-033-2709), whose combination of retro cool, premium steaks (grab a wagyu striploin at B900/300g) and potent cocktails has locals voting with their wallets. Upstairs sits Happy Endings (1/5 Sala Daeng Soi 1, 080-961-4524), an on-trend mix of neon lights and raw concrete that serves Vietnamese faves like beef pho (B200) and banh cuon (B150) to go with Asian-inspired cocktails. For something more Thai, head to next door’s bright-blue Hung-Sen (1/6 Sala Daeng Soi 1, 02-233-7455), whose classic noodle selection includes northern-style chicken khao soi (B120). Down the road, new Greek restaurant Aesop’s (120 Sala Daeng Soi 1, 062-567-7751) is the next-gen rebirth of their 25-year-old restaurant in Sydney and promises an ouzo-soaked party atmosphere to go with souvlaki and mezze platters. The Japanese equivalent is Touka (Bandara Suites Silom, 75/1 Sala Daeng Soi 1), an izakaya hidden in a bamboo garden that’s all about grilled skewers and sake. Seiryu Sushi (25/2 Sala Daeng Soi 1, 02-636-3342), meanwhile, serves affordable maki and sushi amid a chill industrial space. Dessert’s a no-brainer: the homemade ice cream of Guss Damn Good (Sala Daeng Soi 1, 081-915-8111) is beloved throughout Bangkok (from B85/scoop).

Sala Daeng is home to that rarest of things: an independent cinema. Bangkok Screening Room (2/F, Woof Pack, 1/3-7 Sala Daeng Soi 1, 090-906-3888) specializes in art-house flicks from across the world. Film tickets are B300. At the cinema’s entrance is a white-dominated art space that frequently hosts exhibitions, too.

With its tree-shaded sidewalks, Sala Daeng Soi 1 almost feels more like Ari than Silom. Make no mistake, you’re still in the center of it all. From Monday to Friday, office workers from the U Chu Liang building crowd out the many affordable food stalls. At night, the street comes alive with the young and moneyed, drinking and eating out. You’ll find all the essentials here (pharmacy, salon, dentist), with the mall comforts of Silom Complex, Bangkok Christian Hospital (Silom Road) and BNH (Convent Road), and Lumphini Park all close at hand.

Located at the intersection with Saladaeng Road is Kanikar Court (128 Sala Daeng Soi 1, 02-632-2721), whose time-worn facade harkens back to a different era of Bangkok condo. Here, 70-sq-meter rooms go for B20,000-22,000/month and 120-sq-meter rooms for B32,000/month, which gets you access to a swimming pool, sauna, fitness room and garden. Nearby Saladaeng Residences (29/1 Sathorn Nuea Rd., 02-163-2112, www.saladaeng-residences.com), built in 2011 by PACE development, is a step up in the luxury stakes. A 65-sq-meter furnished room goes for B40,000-50,000—or it’s B15,000,000 to buy. Vick Chalermlapvoraboon & Caria Bua-on.

“While  the neighborhood houses big offices, it is still very residential. There’s such a great diversity of people that come to our bar.”

 

“It’s a genuine mixed-use area: in the central business district, next to Lumphini Park and surrounded by cafes and restaurants for everyone.”

 

“This unique neighborhood is evolving rapidly: independent new restaurants, galleries, coffee shops and bars serve the many creative companies dotted around this area.”