Coffee & Breakfast

If you're looking for a quick grab-and-go, then head to Bike Cha (3083 Sukhumvit Soi 101/1, 081-345-7773) for cappuccino milk tea (B45) and matcha lattes (B60), or the all-white Gert Cafe (86 Wachiratham Sathit Soi 8, 02-399-5131) for cold drip coffee and frothy milk tea (both B70). Serious coffee maker Tinpresso’s (341/1 Wachiratham Sathit Soi 21, 081-636-9531) long list of drinks runs from an affogato Thai tea (B100) to a piccolo latte (B110)—perfect with a French butter croissant (B75). To satisfy your sweet tooth, try Caffeine Lab Cafe’s (S&S Sukhumvit Condo, Sukhumvit Soi 101/1) coconut cake rolls (B40-B95) with a hot toffee nut macchiato (B80), or Le Patissier Bakery & Coffee Studio’s (11 Sukhumvit Soi 101, 082- 459-6336) creme brulee (B65).

Lunch & Dinner

Don’t miss neighborhood haunt Casa Pasta’s (169 Sukhumvit Soi 101/1, 02-398-7178) homemade fettuccine alfredo (B230), or Sam Bai Thao Vietnamese Restaurant’s (Sukhumvit Soi 101, 02-311-6961) nam nueng (marinated grilled pork dumplings, from B90). Head to Krua Nai Fan (Punnawithi Soi 34, 02-331-4577) for flavorful southern Thai cuisine, or Seafood Land (Punnawithi Soi 28, 094-528-2662) for all-you-can-eat BBQ seafood (B389/person) in a garden setting. Hua Seng Hong (3039 Sukhumvit Rd., 02-730-5141) dishes out goong ob woonsen (steamed river prawns with glass noodles B220), while American-style diner Big Burger Pizza & Wings (368 Sukhumvit Soi 101/1, 02-746-1203) serves classic American grub (from B119). 

Drinks

Though the area isn’t saturated with bars, you can still find hidden gems like Craft Intersect (29, 1 Sukhumvit Soi 101/1, 095-248- 2838) with its rotating selection of beers (B240 for Stone IPA, or B220 for Triple Pearl Weisse Pearl) and Zinc 101 Bar & Grill (309 Sukhumvit Soi 101/1, 02-041- 6446) for no-fuss local beers (B75 for a Singha) and chunky burgers (from B170). For a fine selection of German draught beers, Jim’s Burger & Beers (3095 Sukhumvit Soi 101/1, 085-660-8880) offers Weihenstephan Hefeweissbier (from B150) and many more.

Transport

With BTS Punnawithi between 10 and 20 minutes’ walk away from much of the action, win motorsai is often the quickest option.

Accommodation

Right by the BTS, Hue Sukhumvit (Sukhumvit Soi 62/3) offers 141 units from B10,000-25,000/ month. Close by, The Room Sukhumvit 62 (2288 Sukhumvit Rd., 02-332-9213) features 487 units from B18,000-60,000/ month, while The Tree Sukhumvit 64 (59 Sukhumvit Soi 64) houses 149 units from B13,000-39,000/ month. Over at S&S Sukhumvit (188 Sukhumvit Soi 101/1, 02-173-0001) the 810 units are priced from B8,500-35,000/month.

Visit

Art enthusiasts can check out Aromdee Art & Studio (232/35 Punnawithi Soi 8, 080-519-9566) for jewelry design, basic drawing and ceramic workshops. Battlefield Bangkok (71 Sukhumvit Soi 101/1, 02-747-9719) stocks a huge range of games, as well as hosting regular competitions. For fresh organic vegetables, don’t miss The Met Farm (Wachiratham Sathit Soi 18, 063-146-9264) grocery store, or for a moment of serenity, Wat Dhammamongkol (132 Punnawithi Soi 20) is also nearby.

BK ASKS

What do you like about life on Punnawithi?

Tanya Luechapatanaporn, owner of Gert Cafe

“This old community seamlessly blends modern city life with Thai country living.There are plenty of traditional food stalls, international restaurants and hip cafes in walking distance of one another.”

Mayuree Pandee, owner of Aromdee Art & Studio
“As soon as you come down from the BTS, you’ll find Chinese steamed buns, bakeries, chic cafes and great street food. Plus, you can easily escape the chaos of city life by visiting Wat Dhammamongkol.”

Anna Shaw, owner of Caffeine Lab Cafe
“Punnawithi still maintains its quiet, peaceful charm, even though it’s not that far from Bangkok’s city center. It provides you the convenience of a modern lifestyle with restaurants, cafes and markets.”

See also: Here are all of BK’s neighborhood guides