The buzz: Run by the same team behind Lang Suan’s (now closed) All Six to Twelve Cafe & Social Bar, Sathorn's (now closed) Amontre Playroom & Brasserie and Ari’s pastel-perfect Baby Bar, this newly opened bar-cafe brings down-to-earth vibes to Soi Pan.

The vibe: The modern industrial decor of dark walls punctuated by vibrant graffiti art and red metal accents may seem a bit fancy, but Wander keeps a youthful and low-key feel with its cool neon sign, warm lighting and ample space—plenty of seats can be found indoors and outdoors thanks to the spacious terrace. This is largely a place for casual conversations, get-togethers for family and friends, and social events, although live music every Tuesday to Saturday night draws a more boisterous crowd of after-workers. 

The food: Expect elevated, flavorful Thai dishes and bar food. Whet your appetite with fresh oysters served alongside Thai chili sauce and shallot red wine vinaigrette (B320) or try the duck n’ rolls (B110)—smoked duck kuay teow lord served with almonds, kaffir lime leaves and tamarind sauce. Fusion tastes can be found in yum and pasta dishes like salmon pla-ra zaab (B180) and rigatoni carbo nam (B180), a Thai twist on your classic carbonara served with sour pork (naem) and bacon. For more authentic flavors, opt for the Australian beef striploin kaprao with garlic, chili and holy basil sauce (B320) or kanom jeen gang poo bai cha plu (B210), which consists of crab meat, coconut milk, betel leaves, rice noodles and vegetables on the side. 

The drinks: During the day, you can get your caffeine fix with a Rosette Latte (B125) or a caramel macchiato (B110 hot; B120 iced), but in the evening, we suggest trying their fruity and floral cocktails, like the lychee- and elderflower-fueled Wanderer (B320), or the gin, white wine and pear liqueur-laced Wander White Sangria (B320). As for beers, you’ll find easy-drinking brews like Sapporo (B220) and Heineken (B150) plus craft selections including Suntree (B180) and Belgo (B240).

Why we’d come back: Live or work in Silom or Sathorn? The casual, lively vibe and solid food and drink menu makes Wander a cool place to unwind after a day at the office.