Chesa

5 Sukhumvit Soi 20, 02-261-6650. www.chesa-swiss.com. Brunch every Sun 11am-3pm

The deal: B1,350 for the all-you-can-eat a la carte menu and B1,980 with free-flow wines (and Bloody Marys). All dishes are brought to your table, which is convenient, but a bit intimidating when you order oysters for the sixth time. The dishes are tapas-sized, so you can sample a lot more things without getting full.
The selection: You have nearly 30 dishes to choose from, many of which rotate (check their website for the current menu). It goes from Swiss dishes you won’t find elsewhere, like the capuns dumpling, to brunch favorites like Sydney rock oysters, depending on the season and the chef’s whim. Our fave though is the raclette, if you can handle copious amounts of molten cheese on top of potatoes.
The vibe: Located in a standalone house at the end of a quiet, leafy alley, Chesa isn’t particularly fancy but it is homey, rustic and warm, with the chef and manager making regular appearances.
Who is it for: Apart from the obvious draw for raclette lovers (an addiction that only all-you-can-eat can satisfy), Chesa is cheaper and more intimate than the behemoth hotel buffets.

China House

Mandarin Oriental, 48 Oriental Ave., 02-659-9000. www.mandarinoriental.com/bangkok Brunch every Sun 11:30am-2:30pm
The deal: B1,154 or B1,625 with free-flow wine. The selection includes a small buffet and an all-you-can-eat a la carte menu.
The selection: The food here is, you guessed it, Chinese, making for a welcome break for the usual global-orientated buffets. And thanks to the a la carte menu, many dishes are prepared a la minute and served at your table. Choose from some 40 elaborate recipes ranging from steamed scallop and minced shrimp dumplings wrapped in spinach wheat dough to Teochew-style steamed crystal dumplings with peanuts. Mains are equally ambitious, with dishes like soy glazed snowfish fillet served with salad and minced duck in shacha paste wrapped in salted egg and dough. Our faves: suckling pig, hot and sour soup with fresh lobster in Szechuan style, moo dang (honey glazed pork slices) and tung po steamed pork belly—totally scrumptious.
The vibe: Intimate, sexy and luxurious, this affordable brunch comes pretty close to a fine dining experience thanks to the tiny aquamarine bar, the deep red and black lacquers and shelves of Mariage Frères teas. Expect expats and more mature couples.
Who is it for: Those who are ready to trade in the variety and casual vibe of a big buffet brunch for some Shanghai chic.

Napa on 26

2/F, Nihonmachi, 115 Sukhumvit Soi 26. 02-258-2622. www.napaon26.com. Brunch every Sun 11:30am-2pm
The deal: B950 or B1,500 with free-flow wines or B2,500 with a premium wine selection. After an all-you-can-eat buffet of appetizers, you can then have the soup of the day, followed by as many a la carte dishes as you’d like. You then return to the buffet for cheese and dessert.
The selection: The buffet is quite small. You’ve got cold cuts on one end of the bar, seafood (very fresh rock lobster, shrimp and scallops) at the other end, and salad in the middle. A soup and a selection of eight mains are then served at your table—that’s where Napa shines. These range from a light pan-seared sea bass on capsicum and coriander sauce to the comforting braised lamb shank with mushrooms and mashed potatoes. Portions are a tad smaller than usual but we were full after two orders, although we’re sure some could manage more. More importantly, this is very well-executed a-la-minute cooking, not stuff sitting in trays under heating lamps. Then it’s back to the buffet for cheese (a stellar selection of pungent French ones on our last visit), and desserts, such as the excellent creme brulee.
The vibe: The space is really gorgeous, you’re served at your table, the stemware and cutlery are top-notch—a very refined atmosphere.
Who is it for: Napa tends to attract either groups planning on maxing out on the free-flow, or savvy couples who realize that this is a sit-down brunch experience that’s pretty close to a fine-dining one—although it’s also the cheapest one in our roundup.

The Seafood Bar

41/2 Somerset Lake Point, Sukhumvit Soi 16, 02-663-8863. www.theseafoodbar.info. Brunch every Sun noon-2:30pm
The deal: B1,500 for all you-can-eat a la carte and one free glass of prosecco. All dishes are brought to your table.
The selection: They’ll start you off with a seafood platter with oysters, clams, wild tiger prawns and Alaskan sea scallops depending on what’s fresh. Appetizers include an incredibly fragrant lobster bisque and the light, crispy mixed salad with bay shrimp. As for the mains, the Thai-influenced paella is to die for, while you can expect perfectly cooked fish in every single dish. If you’re planning on just stuffing yourself with oysters, you can order extra trays. Note that the restaurant belongs to a major seafood importer, so products here tend to be a notch above what you’d find at buffet spreads across town.
The vibe: With its grey and blue color tones, the décor feels pretty neutral. But the staff, and particularly the owner, are a warm and jovial bunch. Guests include affluent Thais and the occasional expat.
Who is it for: For those of you who usually just head to the seafood buffet at a brunch, this is a more civilized option—and one which offers better produce, too. Note, you must make a reservation or you’ll only be allowed to order a la carte.

Tables

2/F, Grand Hyatt Erawan, 494 Ploenchit Rd., 02-254-1234. BTS Chit Lom. www.bangkok.grand.hyatt.com. Brunch every Sun noon-2:30pm
The deal: B1,600 with free-flow soft drinks or B1,980 with free-flow wines.
The selection: Even though it’s a hotel Sunday brunch, the concept here is all about chefs sauntering over to your table to put some final touches to your beef Bourguignon, risotto with black truffles or stir-fried scallops with garlic. Key ingredients stay on but recipes rotate, so that means lobster thermidor one week and a lobster salad the next. There is a buffet, with a serious seafood station (with Fine de Claire oysters and Norwegian salmon), cold cuts and small portion dishes of duck liver terrine with fig and seared tuna with potato salad. Desserts have their own room, so that there’s a slight Charlie and the Chocolate Factory effect when you step into this fantasy world of towering macarons and chocolate. Don’t miss the cherry jubilee with kirsch and vanilla ice cream.
The vibe: Tables has this darker, Southern European meets gentlemen’s club vibe that doesn’t exactly feel like a fresh Sunday morning—but it’s definitely elegant. Stained mirrors, lots of mahogany-colored wood, oversized furniture and plenty of space make for an atmosphere that’s miles from the boisterous canteen-style brunches at most affordable hotel buffets.
Who is it for: Hi-sos, of course.

Bargain Buffets

Want a classic spread? Here are four hotel options under B1,500

Atelier (Grand Millennium)

Grand Millennium, 30 Sukhumvit 21 (Asoke) Road, 02-204-4161. Brunch Sun noon-3pm
The deal: B1,400 for the buffet and free-flow booze including sparkling wine. Come as a group of four and only pay for two.
The selection: The buffet is pretty standard with the usual mix of seafood, Thai, Chinese, Italian and Indian dishes. However, they have good live stations and the Spanish options from Tapas Y Vino restaurant are a nice touch.
The vibe: There’s an imposing bridge as you enter and plenty of light from all the windows. The prices and a sizeable kids corner mean it’s obvioulsy popular with families and big groups of expats looking to make the most of the affordable free flow.
Who is it for: Families who want the brunch experience for less and something to occupy their kids while they get tipsy.

Latest Recipe (Meriden Surwaong)

Le Meridien, 40/5 Surawong Rd., 02-232-8888. www.lemeridienbangkoksurawong.com. Brunch Sun noon-2:30pm
The deal: B1,200 for a buffet.
The selection: The buffet is pretty safe and simple. However, the seafood is very fresh and there’s a focus on live cooking stations. In the buffet line, there are dishes like tuna tartar, beef carpaccio, Chinese food and pizza. The best part? Their teppan ice cream where you can add your own toppings.
The vibe: It’s a very handsome space, thanks to a generous use of marble and soaring mezzanine. Plus, this buffet seems to be flying under the radar, offering a quieter atmosphere than most.
Who is it for: It’s the cheapest option, so it could be one for bargain hunters.

Vie Wine & Grill

11/F, VIE Hotel, 117/39-40 Phaya Thai Rd., 02-309-3939. BTS Ratchatewi. www.viehotelbangkok.com. Brunch Sun 11:30am-3pm
The deal: B900 or B1,300 with free flow.
The selection: Another standard hotel buffet spread with sashimi, seafood (including Alaskan king crab, oyster and shrimp eggs) and barbeque stations. The cooking station is quite popular for its pan-fried sirloin, John Dory fillet and foie gras. For dessert, there’s crepe suzette, cakes and chocolate fondue.
The vibe: Couches decorated with silk cushions and lights crafted from hundreds of silkworm cocoons add to the restaurant’s fashionable ambience.
Who is it for: Vie attracts fewer families than Centara, with young couples and group of friends, instead.

The World and Ginger (Centara Grand)

24/F, Centara Grand, 999/99 Rama Rd., 02-100-1234. www.centarahotelsresorts.com/bangkok.asp. Brunch Sun 11:30am-3pm
The deal: B1,401 or B1,701 with free-flow.
The selection: Roam through two restaurants—The World and Ginger—for the price of one. Ginger is more focused on Asian cuisine, from Chinese to teppanyaki and sashimi. At The World, explore classic Thai, Indian and Euro dishes: foie gras, roast meat and seafood.
The vibe: Both restaurants have sushi counters and cooking stations, making the place pretty lively. It’s not intimate, but the views almost make up for the lack of romance. Packed with families and younger kids, you may also come elbow to elbow with queue-cutting aunties. Our tip: avoid the brawling families at The World and book at Ginger instead; it’s more peaceful and closer to the yum suckling pig.