Gleaming high-rise condos, offices and mighty shopping malls flank the jam-packed intersections of Ratchadaphisek, Asoke-Din Daeng, Petchaburi and Rama 9, but don’t turn and run just yet. It may seem daunting at first but this neighborhood has a lot to offer.

 

 

 

Get your five-a-day with Kyoto-hailing Drip & Drop Coffee Supply’s (B/F, G Tower Grand Rama 9, 33/4 Rama 9 Rd., 02-169-8218) refreshing Fruits Iced Coffee (cold drip with iced fruit, mint, and marmalade syrup, B160). The minimalist Pressed Cafe (61/120 Rama 9 Soi 7, 096-834-8461) serves single origin Aeropress coffee (from B100) and Insta-worthy DIY pressed chocolate (B90). Cure hunger pangs with hip warehouse-style Noxx Cafe’s (129 Rama 9 Rd., 02-643-0804) tuna cheese melt (B99) and hot peppermint mocha (B120). For a Zen-like experience, head to Peace Oriental Teahouse (G/F, G Tower Grand Rama 9, 33/4 Rama 9 Rd., 097-267-2626)—don’t miss the amazing Matcha Extremist (B240) charcoal ice cream. 

 

 

G Tower Grand Rama 9 (33/4 Rama 9 Rd.) houses Sushi Seki (B/F, ‭02-118-2332‬) for foie gras sushi (B99), Savory Story (B/F, 090-005-6955) for Chinese street food like crepe-style jianbing guozi (B80), Dal Dal Korean Restaurant (G/F, 02-169-8213) for fried kimchi pork (B229), and Maderla by Phuthai Kaiyang 1971 (B/F, 02-118-2642) for leng sab (hot and spicy pork rib soup, B199). For mean southern Thai dishes, check out Ruen Mae Lui (B/F, Fortune Town, Ratchadaphisek Rd., 02-642-0343), or for authentic Thai deep-fried snapper (B450), try long-established Savoey (G/F, The Shoppes@Belle Grand Rama 9, 02-168-1347). Anotai (976/17 Rama 9 Rd., 02-641-5366) serves vegan food that won’t disappoint, like their sesame-seasoned tempeh tempura (B185). 

 

Revelers may be tempted to cab it over to RCA’s clubbing strip, but there are some decent bars within around 10 minutes’ walk, like the grungy Fatty’s Bar & Diner (598/66 Asoke Din Daeng Rd., 02-245-2965), offering over 30 craft beers (B160-350), juicy burgers and live music, and OMG Bar & Restaurant (322/308-310, Ratchadaphisek Soi 3, 02-070-5295), where comforting Mexican food meets an affordable beer selection (Asahi, B120/pint). 

MRT Rama 9 is at the heart of it all. 

 

Three-minutes’ walk from the MRT, Ideo Mobi Rama 9 (90 Rama 9 Rd., 02-316-2222) has 705 units from B12,000-60,000/month. Close by, Condolette Midst Rama 9 (75 Rama 9 Rd.) offers 433 units from B13,000-45,000/month, while Aspire Rama 9 (Rama 9 Soi 2, 085-844-3141) has 663 units from B13,000-45,000/month. Ten minutes’ walk away, Belle Grand Rama 9 (33 Soi Rama 9 Square, 02-246-2323) boasts eight buildings and 2,024 units from B20,000-180,000/month.