Just around the corner from Khaosan, Phra Athit Road has always been a happening hood. Thanks to a perfect mix of cafes, restaurants, live music, fresh bars, historic sites and picturesque riverside views, this charming strip has us coming back again and again.

 

 

 

Made popular by regular appearances at local flea markets, Jaywalk Cafe (90 Phra Athit Rd., 092-564-2068) does modern American dishes. Try the fluffy blueberry cream cheese pancakes (B150). Go all out with a grand breakfast set—eggs, ham, bacon and toast (B200)—at Chillax Heritage Hotel (10 Phra Athit Rd., 02-281-8899). For light bites, there are ham and cheese sandwiches (B55) and hot lattes (B65) at Latte Bua (138 Phra Athit Rd., 082-599-0959), or thick fudge brownies (B55) and caramel frappes (B140) at Like Italy (96 Phra Athit Rd., 089-776-6264). Veggies can get poached eggs and avocado on toast (B160) or mushroom cheese omelettes (B150) at H Cafe (12/142 Phra Athit Rd., 092-564-2068).
 

 

 

 

For modern Mediterranean, like seafood paella with Spanish saffron (B360), head to industrial-chic riverside restaurant Sheepshank (47 Phra Athit Rd., 02-629-5165). Some of the neighborhood’s best slices are the Napolitana (from B290) and Four Cheeses (from B360) at Pizza Pazza Phra Athit (24 Phra Athit Rd., 084-654-3223). For vegetarians, check out the stir-fried morning glory with rice (B65) at The 112 Phra Athit (112 Phra Athit Rd., 096-964-4979) or the homemade Indonesian soybean tempeh with Thai sweet and spicy veggies (B140) at Joy Luck Club (18 Phra Sumen Rd., 02-629-3112). Go for Vietnamese rice noodles topped with eggs and mushrooms (B40) at Khun Dang Guay Jub Yuan (32 Phra Athit Rd., 085-246-0111); stewed pork noodles (B45) at Nai Chart Moo Tun Phra Nakhon (64 Phra Athit Rd., 087-667-3346) or beef roti mataba (B44) and chicken biryani with green Thai curry (B79) at Karim Roti-Mataba (136 Phra Athit Rd., 02-282-2119).
 

 

 

 

A night out isn’t complete without mojitos (B200) and margaritas (B180) over live snare drums at Jazz Happens! (62 Phra Athit Rd., 084-450-0505). Hit up the street’s busiest bar, Comme (100/4-5 Phra Athit Rd., 081-860-9187) for spicy gab glaem (drinking snacks) and affordable drinks (beers from B110). If you’re tired of Chang, you'll find Hitachino (B230) and Hoegaarden (B190) among others, at Good Story (72-74 Phra Athit Rd., 093-051-7254). Chill by the river at craft beer specialist Dock No. 13 (49 Phra Athit Rd., 02-629-5165); Riva Surya’s babble & rum (23 Phra Athit Rd., 02-633-5000); and Navalai River Resort’s laidback Aquatini (45 Phra Athit Rd., 02-280-9955).

 

A ferry from Sathorn Pier (BTS Saphan Taksin) takes you straight to Phra Athit Pier in less than 25 minutes. 

 

Just a 10-minute walk away, Juan Manee Apartment (276 Samsen Rd., 02-628-5800) has studios for B5,500 a month. Juldis River Mansion (Samsen Soi 3, 02-281-0776) offers 74-sq-meter two-bedrooms for B25,000/month. Across from Phra Athit Pier, Rattanakosin View Mansion (Soi Charoen Phanit, 02-434-0892) features units from B50,000-75,000/month.

 

 

 

Revel in views from the Koh Rattanakosin landmark, Phra Sumen Fort at Santi Chai Prakarn Public Park. Hidden in an alley connecting Phra Athit and Ram Butri roads is a treasure trove of hip vintage pieces, at The Trapeze Swingers (15 Soi Chana Songkhram, 086-332-1045). Venture further for The National Gallery (4 Chao Fa Rd., 02-281-2224) and the royal temple Wat Chana Songkhram (Chakrabongse Rd., 02-281-9396).

 

Anchalee Phirunthong, owner of Jaywalk Cafe
“Even though it’s a short walk from Khaosan, Phra Athit feels less touristy, and more vibrant. It’s “Old Town” but the atmosphere is lively thanks to a nice balance of cafes, jazz bars and restaurants.”