It’s “winter time” in Bangkok right now, and although we often roll our eyes at using that term in 30-degree weather, it’s undeniable that these cooler months are a blessing. This time of year is breezier, less humid, and the perfect time to be outside for some alfresco dining or a few, dare we say, mid-day cocktails—bonus points if the venue is pet friendly with lots of room to roam. 

Hidden behind a line of dense trees and bushes surrounding 137 Pillars Suites, Bangkok Trading Post has for a long time felt like a hidden secret this time of year—for folks that know. The all-day dining hotspot, which also punches above its weight as a cafe, captures the boutique resort-style charm of his host hotel perfectly: colonial-style tiles mixed with marble flooring and comfy leather chairs, old-school explorers’ equipment lining the shelves (hence the name) above the dining room floor, and gigantic glass windows that soak the space in natural light. It’s a place that makes you forget the raging concrete jungle is outside. 

In recent years, Bangkok Trading Post has also become a go-to venue for pet owners, who can unleash their furry companions on the vast green space that surrounds the venue. During the cooler months, the outdoor area is also a prime spot for alfresco dining or to grab a coffee while the doggos run around. The seating is clustered around a glistening koi fish pond that wraps around stone walkways to reveal a limited selection of cozy tables tucked under awnings and large trees. 

In other words, the breezy, casual daytime vibes are strong at this venue. 

A Revamped Menu and Approach

And that’s great, because the food and drinks match the vibe. The restaurant revamped its menu this year, strengthening some of its classics and adding a new line up of dishes that solidify its no longer about brunch and cafe eats here, this is an all-day dining experience. 

They’ve also taken a refreshed look at ingredient sourcing, placing an increased focus on local suppliers like Line Thai Food & Grocery for their organic greens, Sanguan Farm for organic eggs, and farmers in Nakhon Ratchasima for beef tenderloin—where they raise cattle similarly to wagyu farms. 

This new sourcing philosophy even makes its way into their longtime classic dishes, like the Beefy English Breakfast, which includes all the staples of the world’s most famous breakfast (eggs, sausage, baked beans, mushrooms, tomatoes, and hash browns) but takes things up a level with a thick, juicy cut of beef tenderloin cooked med rare or to your liking. Another hearty brunch and breakfast favorite, Baked Eggs and Potatoes, sees two crisp potatoes hallowed out and packed with locally sourced eggs, onions, and cheese with a smooth hollandaise sauce lathered on top. 

That’s the heavy stuff, but the venue’s new offering also includes lots of light breakfast fare, like the Tuna Tataki (a sesame-crusted piece of seared tuna on a bed of fresh locally sourced rocket) and the Avocado and Fig Crostini (sliced avocado, figs and cherry tomatoes on a bed of mashed avocado and sourdough).

The menu is vast, however, and includes a huge range of other savory favorites that are perfect for all-day dining or just something without eggs if you fancy. There are some pretty creative options here, like the Lanna Pizza, which sees spicy Northern Thai sausage (sai oua) and nam prik ong (pork and tomato chilli paste) get the Neapolitan treatment. The pastas also try to lean to local palates with the likes of squid ink angle hair pasta topped with shrimp and ikura or a beef and crab bolognese with fettuccine (also topped with ikura). 

For our money, though, the Rib Eye Steak is a must if you are in a group or looking for something a bit bigger. Served on a thick wooden board with pepper sauce and baked spinach on each flank, a pile of perfectly med-rare rib eye sits towering in the middle among a bed of sauteed potatoes. The steak comes pre-cut after resting, making it easy to grab and dip in the accompanying sauce with a fork. 

Vegans! You are not forgotten here, either. The restaurant boasts a six-strong vegan and plant-based menu, including Spinach Tagliatelle (plant-based sausage and black olives in tomato sauce) and a Plant-Based Kafta topped with tomato, avocado, and vegan cheese. There’s also pizza, risotto, a burger, and a mezze platter. 

Cap the meal with one of their desserts—our favorite is the Mango Tiramisu with mascarpone cream, chocolate flakes and mangoes—and you have a good recipe for a food coma. 

Smoky Barbecue Special 

If you are all about grilled seafood and beef, the ongoing “Smoky & Seared” promotion is exactly what the doctor ordered. Every Saturday from 5-9:30pm, the menu is a mix-and-match affair, with four types of beef (picanha, chilled australian, wagyu striploin, thai wagyu ribeye, and the mighty tomahawk) and six types of seafood (green mussel, squid, seabass fish, fresh salmon, blue crab, banana prawn, river prawn, and tiger prawn) all available to get the grill treatment. You then select your accompanying sides and sauces and away you go. 

Our take: this might be a good time to splurge on a tomahawk—the B3,000 price tag is among the best you’ll find for the cut in town. 

Available every Saturday from 5-9:30pm.

Festive Eats this December

This Dec 5-31, Bangkok Trading Post is going all in on explorer-meet-Christmas vibes as it decks out the entire interior in festival decor and has a special new menu just for the occasion. 

This is where the restaurant’s brunch roots are really going to shine, with a full brunch spread and bottomless Aperol Spritz for two hours (bookings can be made from noon-1:30pm each day).

The spread includes a huge range of starters, salads, mains, and desserts. Some of the highlights include grilled beef tenderloin topped with a sunny-side-up fried egg, Pan-Fried Salmon Fillet served with a Citrus Beurre Blanc Sauce, Shucked Oysters, Prosciutto Rocket Salad, Yuzu Cheese Mousse with White Crumble, and a bunch more. 

Book a seat for the festive brunch special this December at B2,200/person or B1,100/child. Adults get free flow Aperol Spritz and kids get free-flow non-alcoholic beverages (obviously).
 

Check out the full menu and booking options here. 

Bangkok Trading Post, G/F, 137 Pillars Suites, 59/1 Sukhumvit Soi 39, 02-079-7000. Open daily 6am-10pm (happy hour from 5-7pm). 

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Web: Official Website  

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IG: @bangkoktradingpost