Vanilla Garden

53 Ekkamai Soi 12, 02-381-6120. Open daily 11am-midnight
Set in a Japanese-style garden with a dome-shaped fountain as a centerpiece, Vanilla Garden spans three buildings: Sauce, the bookstore/library focusing on cookbooks; Vanilla Café, a charming low-rise house replete with vintage toys, Japanese comics and elegant wooden furniture; and Royal Vanilla for those who enjoy classic dim sum and succulent dumplings. Vanilla’s cuisine is a mix of modern Japanese and Italian, so you can have gigantic tempura crispy rolls alongside fried cheese and tomato salsa. But we also recommend the salmon ramen tonyu in miso soup (B290), and miso sushi gratin seafood (B280).

Al Matum

7 Ekkamai Soi 12, Pridi Soi 37, 02-381-2842. Open Mon-Sat 5pm-midnight
From the creators of Al Majlis, comes this no-nonsense Isaan eatery. It’s riding the wave of new secret garden-style spots that put as much attention on the food as the booze. The menu consists of the usual pork knuckles, naem sausage, sun-dried beef and more—but the highlight is the do-it-yourself somtam kits, like tam thai sai poo (papaya salad with crab, B45). There’s also an impressive drink list including mojitos and kamikazes in carafes, affordable wines by the bottle, and various Thai whiskeys and beers.

E At 72

72 Soi Ekkamai, between Sois 4 and 6, 02-714-7327. www.72ekamai.com. Open Mon-Sat 3pm-midnight
Situated in the shady grounds of boutique hotel 72 Ekkamai, we love this restaurant’s quirky décor—from the plastic dog on the diving board to the life-size superhero at the entrance. Relax at one of the poolside couches or the small and minimal dining space inside. The extensive menu is your familiar mix of pizzas (B247-347), Thai-style pastas (B172-347), Thai food and grilled meats (B227-472).

The Garret

Rooftop, Mini Showroom, 99/99 Ekkamai Soi 7, 02-711-6999. www.fuzio.co.th. Open daily 11:30-2:30, 6pm-midnight
With its retro 20s décor, this may be Bangkok’s first “new American” restaurant, combining creative cooking and classic American elements. The ambience here feels like Hyde and Seek’s Prohibition-era, free-wheeling, renegade brother, with gorgeous floral sofas and armchairs. Try their pork, beef, and wagyu burgers with cheddar cheese (B290, 320, 550) and pork ribs with a cherry BBQ glaze, coleslaw and potato salad (B390), or a B750 steak. Wine by glass, B260-280 each, or under B2,000 for a bottle. They have Belgian beers on tap and some unusual beers by the bottle like Waterloo Dark and Premium Peche (both B240) as well as some signature cocktails (B230-B250).

Hidden Stuff 72

Ekkamai Soi 22, 02-713-2162. Open Wed-Sun 4:30-11:30pm, Mon 4:30-11:30
Apart from being a stylish clothing and furniture store, Hidden Stuff has the added appeal of being a cute and trendy restaurant. Their funky seating is comprised of beanbag chairs and low tables spread out across the lawn. The menu, where every price ends in two, is an invitation to mix and match with creative dishes like pita namprik ong (B102), penne shoo-shee seafood (B202), and spare-rib tom-klong (B142).

Felice

2/F, Baan Ekkamai, Ekkamai Soi 21, 081-855-5777. Open daily 11am-2pm, 5-11pm
Despite a décor more reminiscent of New York or London, the kitchen here focuses on homemade Italian and French. Chef Oan recommends the pasta spinach sauce with half-boiled egg and shitake mushroom (B220) and pork chop with Felice’s special raspberry sauce and grilled vegetables (B480). We also love the strawberry millefeuille (B140) and the cocktail menus highlight each shop’s personality in Baan Ekkamai (B140-180). The place gets packed after 7pm with groups of young artsy types so make sure you arrive before the tables are all taken.

6th Fratello

40/25 Ekkamai Soi 12, 02-391-9946. Open Tue-Sun 11am-2:30pm, 5:30-10pm
Fresh ingredients, imaginative recipes, knowledgeable staff who are quick to offer intelligent recommendations—the “sixth brother” is a few notches above the average Italian in Bangkok. Appetizers include grilled mushroom salad (B300). The risotto prawns with mushrooms are light and zesty (B340), and the duck breast is spot-on (B600).

Al Majlis

83/8 Ekkamai Soi 12, 02-392-2345. Open Mon-Fri 4:30pm-1am, Sat-Sun 2pm-1am
Al Majlis means “royal ballroom” in Arabic and there’s more than a touch of palatial elegance to this tea room. Guests are transported to Morocco as staff in kaftan shirts serve them under the cover of white draperies hanging from the ceiling. Al Majlis’ airy courtyard is perfect for romantic evenings: sink into one of the comfy beanbags, enjoy the tranquil ambiance, and forget you’re in Bangkok. Reservations are required for the coveted outdoor tables. Selections of imported teas (B92), desserts, cocktails and wines are available and a short Middle Eastern inspired menu.

Salute Bistro & Wine Bar

2/F, Park Lane, 02-382-1127. Open Mon-Thu 5pm-midnight, Fri 5pm-1am, Sat noon-1am, Sun noon-midnight
Salute is a sexy wine bar and bistro with a terrace for some alfresco dining. Inside, colossal mirror shelves are stacked with wine from floor to ceiling—in case you need to be reminded why you’re here. With its Italian focus, you might like to try their signature dishes like the squid ink spaghetti with crab cream sauce (B425), or Salute pizza (B440). Also try the wine buffet promotion (B750 for red and white, or B790 for sparkling) and make sure you’re there on Tue-Sat evenings for their live jazz music.

Fuzio

6/F, MINI Showroom, 99/99 Ekkamai Soi 7, 02-711-6999. Open daily 11:30am-2:30pm, 6pm-midnight
After a long break for renovation last year this rooftop Italian restaurant on top of the MINI showroom reopened with an updated menu and an all-new décor that aims for a more laid-back experience and features a new island in the middle of the dining room for cooking demos. The food remains high-end Italian, like pan-seared turbot fish fillet (B990) or 200g Kobe steak (B2,400) and lunch set is B550 net from Mon-Fri.

Pedalicious

Ekkamai Soi 12, 02-713-3377. Open Tue-Fri 5pm-midnight, Sat-Sun 11am-midnight
Pedalicious has a workshop-like décor: long wooden tables, elegant bikes hanging off the walls (which are also for sale) and a carb-heavy menu. Cozy and informal, you get biking tips from the owners as you sample their “secret” pan-fried eggs (B100) or the simple penne with meat sauce (B150).

Ekkamai  Essentials (Shopping)

Ekkamai Essentials (RELAXING)

Ekkamai  Essentials (Cafes)

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