From French toast (B190) at homey-industrial Casa Lapin (Noble Reform, Phahonyothin Soi 5, 02-116-3308) to breakfast omelets (B250) at Bar Storia del Caffe (B250; 13 Ari Soi 4 Nua, 02-057-9448), mornings in Ari are made for hip cafes. Grab an iced caramel macchiato (B118) and spinach-cheese bake (B138) at rustic Porcupine Cafe (Ari Soi 4 Nua, 02-126-7811), or seek out top quality beans from local roasters like Ceresia and Brave, served alongside scrambled eggs and smoked salmon on toast (B140) at Common Room x Ari (Phahonyothin Soi 5, 062-416-7746). Drip-coffee specialist Some Time Blue (Phahonyothin Soi 2, 082-414-0099) whips up award-winning coffee (B150) amid classic Victorian furnishings. Hit up Landhaus Bakery (Ari Soi 1, 02-165-0322) for freshly baked braided poppy bread (B25), jamon serrano ham and pepper open sandwiches (B190) and frothy cappuccinos (B70).

 

 

 

 

Besides a slew of delicious street eats, classics like Salt (Ari Soi 4, 02-619-6886) and Pladib (Ari Samphan Soi 7, 02-279-8185) serve East-meets-West fusion food to the young and hip in raw, modernist settings. Burger lovers are spoiled for choice, from Cast Iron Burgerhaus’s (Noble Reform, Phahonyothin Soi 5, 062-920-0300) smoky barbecue burger (B280), to Paper Butter’s (The Yard Hostel, Phahonyothin Soi 5, 081-649-1227) signature Chiang Mai spicy burger (pork B160/beef B190). For some diversity, order Korean street food at Joha (111/1 Phahonyothin Soi 7, 083-177-5533) or head to Japanese izakaya Hanazen (42 Ari Soi 5, 02-619-7044). For killer Thai food, get the gaeng om (B110) at Phed Phed Cafe (Phahonyothin Soi 8, 098-263-5715); the kai pa loh ka moo (braised pork leg and eggs with rice; B280) at Kua Kling Pak Sod (24/1 Phahonyothin Soi 5, 02-617-2553); the stir-fried khao soi with sai oua at Ong Tong Khaosoi (21 Phahonyothin Soi 7, 02-003-5254); and solid Isaan bites at Shambala Somtam (Phahonyothin Soi 7).

Dramatic speakeasy The Key Room No. 72 (G/F, Josh Hotel, 19/2 Ari Soi 4 Nua, 02-102-4999) shakes up spirit-forward concoctions (B420 for Sazerac) and  joins Frank Mansion (9/2 Ari Soi 1, 02-048-3225) as one of the neighborhood’s few proper cocktail bars. Continue bar-hopping in Ari Soi 4 at neon-drenched Feeling Bar (082-425-1515), or Hawaiian-themed Pakalolo (02-075-0939). Craft beer lovers can head to O’Glee (Ari Soi 1, 02-619-5354), Mikkeller Ari (Ari Samphan Soi 1, 02-101-4962), or Taproom Ari (Phahonyothin Soi 7, 087-460-2626).

 

 

 

Soak up some art at Numthong Gallery (72/3 Ari Soi 5 Nua, 02-617-2794). Next, shop at multi-label stores Gloc (1/8 Ari Soi 2, 084-754-4747) and Hide.Selected (42 Ari Soi 5, 064-669-6935), or get inked at the neighborhood’s newest spot Madgrey Tattoo Studio (3/F, Ari Story Hostel, Ari Soi 1, 090-992-8089). Stay tuned for Gump’s Ari Community Space—expected to open by the end of the year on Ari Soi 4 Nua. 

 

 

Noble Reform (2/21 Phahonyothin Soi 7, 02-117-2571) is conveniently located adjacent the BTS, and offers 47-sq-meter one bedroom units from B25,000/month. The 30-floor Centric Ari Station (27 Ari Soi 1, 02-270-5544) offers 516 units from B17,000/month

 

Patrick Stall, co-founder of Paper Butter
“Its peaceful community vibe—everybody here is so friendly. It also has the right balance of houses, shops and offices.”

 

 

Patsaralak Siripaweennakorn, founder of Madgrey Tattoo Studio
“Ari has it all—from coffee shops and multi-label stores to co-working spaces, restaurants and bars. You can basically spend a whole day here.”

 

 

Sam Sherwood-Hale, editor of Rail Professional Asia Pacific, Ari resident
“Beneath its veneer of traditional Bangkok, Ari hides an inner world of modern art, tech startups, artisanal restaurants and lazy, winding streets. It’s everything Bangkok should aspire to be.”