Sukhumvit Soi 31, a.k.a. Soi Sawatdi, is a hub of high-end residences, cozy cafes, fine dining and boozy hideaways. Just far enough from the hubbub of Phrom Phong, this street strikes the perfect balance between calm and chaos.

 

 

 

Wake up with an espresso (B85) made using Thai or Brazilian coffee beans in Sometimes I Feel’s glasshouse, or head to Coffeas for cold drip coffee (B120). The Guca Panini (B400) at Holey Artisan Bakery is pricey but oh-so-worth-it—be sure to grab a loaf of their sourdough (B150) on your way out. Brighten your morning with a colorful acai bowl (B390) at Paco Bangkok or indulge in French toast (260) or crispy bacon corn hash (B290) at Simple Natural Kitchen, where locally-sourced, organic produce fills the shelves and menu. 

 

 

 

 

 

Get a taste of Japan with Isao’s cute caterpillar-like Jackie sushi roll (shrimp, ebika and avocado; B450) or keep it closer to home with moo palo (stewed pork and eggs with Chinese five spice, B120) at Krua Banleng 33 and goong puu ob woonsen (steamed king prawns and crab meat with vermicelli, ginger and onion sauce; B690) at fine-dining Siam Wisdom. Carb fiends can load up on carbonara (B280) at Appia; home-made porcini ravioli with black truffle cream sauce (B720) at the romantic Antonio’s; calzone stuffed with fior di latte, baby spinach, mascarpone and cooked ham (B450) at Peppina; or classic pizza Margherita (B250) at Bella Napoli. Fill up on steamed mussels in white wine (B780) and beef tenderloin (B1,250/200g) at the rustic Harvest, or get down and dirty with gloriously guilty American-Chinese food at Lazy Panda (crisp orange chicken; B240). When it comes to fine dining, you’re spoilt for choice—from Haoma’s contemporary Indian-inspire nine-course dinners (B2,790) to the omakase-style 10-piece sushi selection (B2,200) at Sushi Masato and the outrageously creative, Indian-leaning tasting menus (from B8,000/25 courses) at the eponymous restaurant of famed chef Gaggan Anand. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Crab deals in 1.1kg jumbo crabs (B3,600) and giant prawns (B620 for 200-250g).

 

 

 

 

Despite being only a stone’s throw from Soi 33’s Hair of the Dog craft beer bar and Soi 39’s creative cocktail hub Salon du Japonisant, there’s plenty to keep you on this soi. Groove to live jazz every evening (from 9pm) at The Woodshed or Alonetogether, where classic cocktails get interesting twists (black cardamom-laced Cold Fashioned, B420). Fans of Japanese whiskey and umeshu should navigate the spiral staircase up to the cosy Walden Cafe and Bar, hidden above an antique store.  

 

BTS Phrom Phong is a five-minute walk from the start of the soi.

 

Units at Via 31 run from B18,000/month, while a 55-sq-meter one bedroom at  31 Residence will set you back B48,000/month. Baan Sawasdee offers three-bedroom units from B65,000/month and 100-sq-meter two-bedroom units at Kirthana Residence begin at B80,000.

 

 

 

 

Pamper yourself with a foot massage (B450/one hour) at Ruen Nuad, or beautify your skin with the coconut butter scrub (B1,500) at Oasis Spa. Continue your health flex at The Lab or Ashtanga Yoga Center. Shop sustainably at Sec2nd Life, where new and used big-brand items come at discount prices, before getting your laptop out at Home Work cafe downstairs. Peace Store provides further retail therapy with its Thai handicrafts, while Attic Studios offers an artistic escape with classes and exhibitions.