We all know there’s no shortage of bars and eateries in Bangkok, but especially if it’s your first time in the city, the amount of options can be overwhelming. Throw in long days of sightseeing, and sometimes all you want to do is get directed to the closest place that has a seat, good food, and sweet, sweet air conditioning. Luckily for you, we’ve scouted 10 of the city’s main BTS stations for nearby eateries that can be reached in five minutes or less.

Siam

You really couldn’t be more spoiled for choice when it comes to eateries around Siam. After all, the station is literally connected to two major shopping centers on either side—Siam Paragon and Siam Square—that both have several dining options. Between the two, though, Siam Paragon definitely has more restaurants, as well as a wider range, from your typical fast food (McDonald’s, Starbucks, etc.) to cute bakeries to sit-down restaurants (if you love seafood, make sure to check out the iconic Singaporean transplant JUMBO Seafood). The Gourmet Market inside also has several counters serving up sushi and vegan dishes (to name a few) that you can purchase from and eat in-store. Alternatively, stroll along the covered skywalk over to CentralWorld where you’ll find even more restaurants, including hotpot pillar Haidilao.

Asok

For some delicious Italian fare in an upscale environment, head on over to Rossini’s, where you can dine on classic Italian dishes within a Tuscan villa-esque environment. And obviously, if this is your first time in the city and you’re adamant on checking out the (in)famous Soi Cowboy, there are plenty of bars lining the street. For the widest selection of restaurants under one (air-conditioned) roof, though, the best route is the top floor of the Terminal 21 shopping center. Enjoy Japanese food at Fuji, See Fah for Chinese-Thai fusion dishes, or go the more classic route and fill yourself up on traditional Thai dishes at Baanying. Thai Thai Boat Noodles also deserves a shoutout if you want to try some traditional Thai boat noodles, and if you’re brave enough to wait out the queue, MK Restaurant is a solid hotpot spot. If you’re in a rush, the mall’s Pier 21 food court has plenty of stalls where you can grab a quick bite.

Phloen Chit

Photo: Kinlenn Eatery & Play

Phloen Chit BTS is directly connected to Central Embassy, which is arguably the city’s fanciest shopping center. Located right inside as you make your way through the walkway is a branch of the patisserie Paul, whose glass display out front is always stocked with decadent breads and pastries. Upstairs, you’ll find a wide assortment of eateries (although be warned, you won’t find any McDonald’s here!) ranging from more casual cafes like Dean & Deluca and Another Hound, to places suited for proper sit-down meals, such as Ăn Cơm Ăn Cá for Vietnamese, and Ippudo for ramen cravings. Outside of Central Embassy, two restaurants in the area are particularly worth noting: Kinlenn Eatery & Play, which serves up delicious Thai food (you have to try their homemade coconut ice cream), and La Monita Taqueria, one of our favorite Mexican haunts in the city.

Phrom Phong

Photo: Pang Cha

Another BTS station that’s handily connected straight to two big malls, Emporium on one side and EmQuartier on the other, to be precise. Meander along the EmQuartier’s helix quarter’s spiral walkway where you’ll find basically every cuisine you could want; try Four Seasons for Chinese, Kub Kao Kub Pla for Thai, or cool down with one of Pang Cha’s famous shaved ice dishes. On the ground floor, there are three different branches of the Cocotte brand that you can pick depending on what type of cuisine (and vibes) you’re in the mood for: Leon, Victoria, and Mozza. The food court, while generally one of the more expensive ones in the city, is also worth a mention, especially Walee Vegetarian which serves up an array of delicious vegan dishes that are bang for your buck.

Mo Chit

If you’re getting over at Mo Chit, chances are you’re headed for Chatuchak Market (note: the food stalls are only open on the weekend), where it goes without saying that you’ll be spoilt for choice amongst the overwhelming food vendor options. According to their website, the market hosts over 15,000 food stalls, so if this is your first time in Thailand, there’s really no better place to try authentic versions of classics like pad Thai, kao ka moo, or, of course, mango sticky rice.

Nana

If you’re a Bangkok first-timer, visiting Nana in the evening is akin to, say, checking out Amsterdam’s Red Light District—it won’t appeal to everyone, but you kinda want to say that you did it. For the full Nana experience, grab a seat at The Game, an “American” sports bar, The Sportsman (which is, yes, another sports bar), or, really, any of the packed bars lining the nearby sois. That being said, there are some, erm, non-booze-centric eateries. Dosa King has a vegetarian Indian menu, Krua Khun Puk usually has a queue but their Thai dishes are worth the wait if you’ve got the time, Hong Teh (on the second floor of the Ambassador Hotel) is a more upscale place that has some great quality Chinese food, and Vesuvio does amazing pizzas. Vegans should check out the Nana branch of Veganerie, one of the city’s most popular vegan restaurant brands.

Ekkamai

Photo: Pexels / Diego Pontes

Stroll on over to Gateway Ekkamai, which, while it can’t compare to the city’s bigger shopping centers in terms of size, still has a decent assortment of dining options. Due to its reputation as the city’s Little Japan, it’s no surprise that the majority of eateries here serve Japanese cuisine. There’s Kourakuen that specializes in ramen, Senju which does different sushi buffet options that vary by price, and the izakaya Nagiya. That being said, there are also a couple of non-Japanese venues inside the shopping center, including good ol’ KFC, CW currywurst that serves currywurst alongside a few other German dishes, and So Vegan, which is actually one of our favorite vegan restaurants in the city. Outside of Gateway, TEPPEN also does solid Japanese food, Bourbon Street has an array of European and American dishes on their menu, while Bookmagol is the place to go if you’re craving Korean food.

Sala Daeng

Photo: MASH Craft Brews & Bites

There are quite a few joints near Sala Daeng that provide an array of cuisines and vibes, depending on what you’re in the mood for. Eat Me is a more upscale restaurant that does international fusion food that leans more towards European cuisines; it’s worth noting that they have a separate vegan menu, which isn’t typically something you find in fine dining restaurants here. Alternatively, a more casual option is MASH, which serves quirky craft brews and burgers. And lastly, we know this is cheating because it’s more than five minutes’ walk, but we’d be remiss if we didn’t shout out Aesop’s, a lively Greek restaurant whose flavorful dishes are as enjoyable as their vibrant atmosphere.

Victory Monument

Known best for its proximity to the big tourist sites, we’ll be honest, this area isn’t exactly one of Bangkok’s culinary hot spots. That being said, there is a small shopping center connected to the station, and despite its name, Century Movie Plaza isn’t a cinema. The dining options are mainly chains, but then again, sometimes a reliable Bon Chon or something from MK Restaurant is all you’re in the mood for. While it’s not one of the biggest food courts compared to some of the other ones in the bigger shopping centers, the in-house Century Food Court is also another option if you’re looking to skip the chains and want some homemade-style dishes at affordable prices.

Ari

Photo: Semolina

Located in the north, Ari has become a trendier neighborhood in recent years, and although it’s not on most tourists’ list of must-sees, it’s great for those who want to explore a quieter part of the city. Just a minute’s walk from the BTS station is Semolina, an Italian restaurant that’s best known for their homemade pastas, or check out Tonklarfacai, a cute vegan restaurant whose menu will appeal to even your meat-loving friends. Cast Iron is a bit pricey in comparison to other burger joints, but their smash burgers are worth checking out. There are a lot of izakayas in town, but the three-storeyed Kenshin Izakaya is popular amongst customers, who rave about the lively ambience and wide selection of food and drinks. In terms of convenience, the La Villa mall is small but will do the job if all you’re looking for is a seat in an air-conditioned restaurant chain like Greyhound Cafe or Kub Kao' Kub Pla.