Ban Nam Kieng Din

Why you need to go: Can’t get a table at Chocolate Ville? Never mind, Ban Nam Kieng Din is a lot more affordable and accessible and has been doing the whole faux European farmhouse décor thing for over 10 years. It also boasts a delightful location on the beautiful Aksa Road. We recommend you book in advance for the spot by the duck pond and enjoy watching the rabbits scamper around the garden.
Eat this: Most of the dishes are made for a Thai palate and offer up hearty portions and honest cooking. Try a Caesar salad (B170), follow up with pork knuckle with sauerkraut (B295) and wash it down with their beers like Weizen, Munchen and Franziskaner (B160 for a pint).
60/1 Uttayan Rd., Taweewattana, 02-441-3837, 02-441-4657. Open Mon-Thu 5-11pm, Fri-Sun 4-11pm

Galley Café

Why you need to go: This small café is big on their food and their service. Located in a cute white house with a terrace and a garden, the place is popular at lunch with the office workers in the area. Homemade cakes and alfresco seating? Sign us up!
Eat this: Salad, steak and pasta classics. But what we always order here is the khao pad gang kiew waan moo (B65) and khao pad kee mao (B65).
14/42 Bangkhunnon, Talingchan, 02-881-3623. Open Thu-Tue 10am-10pm

Crème Brulee

Why you need to go: Located in the owner’s home, this sweet little café ticks all the trendy boxes: girly, Victorian, bucolic. Take an Emily Bronte novel and sit in the garden, which has no shortage of cutesy decorations.
Eat this: Try the seafood soup (B150), duck confit served with gratin dauphinois (B350) and Caribbean salmon (B350).
34/2 in front of Soi Baromrajchonnee 67, Talingchan, 085-998-8819. Open daily 7am-7pm (kitchen 11am-10pm)

MisterPas

Why you need to go: The lovely MisterPas has moved across the river from Phra Athit to this new location on Kanchanpisek Road. Yes, it’s a bit of a hike but it’s worth it if, like us, you miss the taste of their honest but interesting home-cooking and the place’s cozy dining-room-sized ambience. The new home offers a larger space but the simple yet innovative food and décor remain untouched—as does their warm welcome.
Eat this: The pistachio crusted snapper fillet on nero spaghetti (B395) remains a stand- out. Also try the spaghetti with crispy bacon (B250) and the oven-roasted pork fillet with garlic and sage wrapped in bacon with a cranberry sauce (B425).
88/12 Kritsana Village, Kanchanapisek Rd., Bang Kruay, 081-921-1920. Open Tue-Sun noon-11pm

Anya’s Place

Why you need to go: Clean air, and a touch of class—take that Thong Lor! With bean bags, a garden and a raw cement finish, Anya’s Place is probably one of the few restaurants in Thonburi that can actually boast hipster appeal. The big pond full of lotus flowers means it’s also a pretty romantic spot to take a date.
Eat this: Anya’s Place offers some Thai and Western favorites like moo klua gling prik tum (stir-fried pork with chili), namprik makaam (tamarind chili paste) and spaghetti keemao khana moo krob (spaghetti with chili, Chinese kale and crispy pork).
Pinklao-Nakhonchaisri Rd., 02-800-3533-4. www.anyaplace.com. Open Thurs- Tues 11am-10pm.

Silver Kitchen

Why you need to go: You’ll often spot people making the great migration across the Chao Praya for Silver Kitchen’s tasty Chinese food at reasonable prices. As a result, both lunch and dinner are always packed. But we recommend you fight the crowds and go for lunch to experience their dim sum. Also, the next door Ruen Yok (run by the same owners) is another great spot for suki boran, thanks to the sauce made from bean curd.
Eat this: Try pla krapong nueng manao (steamed sea bass in spicy lime sauce)—the fish is fresh and very zesty. Bamee kaa haan (egg noodle with goose legs) is also a must try if you like goose legs and their noodles are cooked perfectly. Wrap things up with some sweet galojee— pleasantly chewy with a nice aroma of sesame in the sugar.
331/36 Ratburana Rd., 02-871-3991-2. Open Mon-Fri 11am-2pm, 5-10pm; Sat-Sun 11am-10pm

Bangkok Sea View

Why you need to go: And now, for something completely different. Bangkok Sea View asks you to get on a long-tail boat (just B50 for adults and B20 for kids) from a pier on Rama 2 and go dine in the middle of the Gulf of Thailand, basically on a big platform on stilts. During the 20-min journey to get there, you’ll pass through a mangrove forest and see the lifestyle of people living by (and with) the river. This is bordering on a day-trip but it’s definitely worth it. Reservations recommended.
Eat this: Mostly seafood, obviously. Try the poo talay pad pong karee (sea crab in yellow curry, B550), choo chee gung (stir-fried prawns in red curry sauce, B250) and yam cha kram (seablite spicy salad, B150).
74/3 Thakam, Bangkhuntien, 083-160-6714, 089-613-1340. www.bangkokseaview.com. Open Tue-Sun 11am-9pm (last trip to the restaurant is 7pm)