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This eatery takes pride in two things: fried chicken and gin. The kitchen rolls out sets of crispy fried wings (starting at B160 for six pieces) with a choice of eight dipping sauces, from Jack Daniel’s barbecue and cheese to Thai-inspired basil caramel, tom yum mayo and “chili from hell.” Pay an extra B40 for sides like hash brown, onion rings or mashed potato. Other stuff on the menu includes New Orleans wings (B160), bacon grilled cheese (B190) and tom yum kung thin-crust pizza (B300). The bar's focus on gin results in refreshing cocktails like the Master Peach (B200), a blend of gin with peach schnapps, syrup, lime juice and a dash of bitters, served with popcorn. They also serve imported beer like Brewdog Punk IPA (B250) and Brother's cider (B250). 

 

 

A strong contender for the best and most cintroversial burgers in town, Escapade is crammed into a tiny shop-house with an equally petite garden out the back. As well as burgers, mixologist Karn Liangsrisuk and chef Chalermpon “Van” Rohitratana whip up some strong and creative milkshakes and cocktails. Pull up a stool at the tiny bar and ask for the newest ingredients or latest homemade liquors. Try the Quarter Cow (two beef patties, two slices of cheddar cheese with truffle sauce). Be prepared to meet some new friends, as diners practically sit on top of one another. Note that while you can still order classic cocktails and boozy shakes, many of the bottles have now moved to Rarb (see below).

 

 

This latest opening by the same duo behind Escapade has replaced the glass box that used to be Foong. It’s now a fun, compact space with a bit of a construction site feel—stickered and sprayed zinc roof sheets and bare, cracked concrete. Here, the focus is on the well-stocked bar, with a short list of rotating cocktails and customized drinks as highlights. Inspired by the food you can find in traditional larb restaurants, chef Van plays with Thai dishes that draw on his Isaan roots and countrywide research.

 

 

Sisters Nisarat and Panida Traitrongsat brought back restaurant experience from New York to open up this friendly eatery. Named after the first restaurant they worked at in the Big Apple, Peeps serves up comforting Thai and Western food with a few twists. The highlight dish is the spicy and herby pad Thai tom yum kung (B135; B220 with river prawn), a combination of two Thai classics. Other offerings include chicken breast with sweet and sour mango sauce and salad (B180) and barbecue pork chop (B195). Also try the signature mango beer (blended mango puree with local beer, B160). Vegetarian versions of all dishes are available, too. 

 

 

Homey, 20 years old, and run by a family who’ve filled it with their personal collection of old records and toys, there’s a lot to like about Joy Luck Club. The menu, while not strictly vegetarian, has got a wide range of healthy, meat-free dishes. One of the newer items here sees a fusion of Indonesian soybean and syrupy Thai sweet-spicy sauce joined by diced pumpkin, carrots, mushrooms, green peas and onion (B140)—simply some of the best tempeh we’ve tried.

 

 

This restaurant is set in what was once an old boatyard right by Phra Athit Pier, and you can still see remnants of this former life, in the form of the old pulleys, crates and buoys that adorn the dining area. Having debuted as a New American diner, Sheepshank has since taken a more European route with its new menu. Helmed by chef Somkiat "Joke" Pairojmahakij, of Seven Spoons, it’s no surprise you’ll find Mediterranean dishes like razor clams in lemon butter sauce (B340), salmon filets with sweet pea hummus (B490) and Paris ham ravioli with burnt butter and thyme (B380). They also serve a decent selection of wines and craft beer.

 

 

Right across from Phra Sumen Fort, Sun Street Panini is one seriously cute Italian restaurant. Florence-hailing chef Spartak "Luca" Gjoni whips up home-cooked, Tuscany-inspired dishes like lasagne duck sauce (B250) and, our favorite, calamari ripieno, which sees stuffed squid with homemade sausage, boiled egg and parmesan cheese, cooked in tomato sauce (B230). The chef makes his own sausage, porchetta, bread (try it in one of the paninis, B150-190) and tortelli (stuffed pasta, B265-290). Finish your meal with delicious tiramisu (B105) or apple cake (B90).

 

 

Launched with the name Fisherman, this decade-old restaurant has not only gone through a name change but also moved location. Venice Vanich moved from Tha Maharaj to this riverside wooden house on Phra Athit about three years ago. The focus is on Thai food, with some Thai-Chinese and Western dishes adding variety to the menu. Recommendations include deep-fried whole sea bass with fish sauce (B450) and somtam khai kung (shrimp roe papaya salad with coconut palm, B140).

 

 

The special ingredients brought down from Ubon Ratchathani are the selling point of this shop-house. The noodle dishes are cooked one by one along with your choice of different toppings like eggs and mushrooms. Even though portions are not very big, the gooey soup is just amazing, plus the moo yor (sausage) is peppery and fragrant thanks to the quality pork meat. Make sure you get a seat on the footpath if you don’t want to get all sweaty inside the steamy shop-house.

 

 

This cozy restaurant is an ideal spot to enjoy a cocktail by the river. There is an air-con area, but we say stick to the al fresco terrace and revel in the river view and fresh breeze. Service can be a bit laidback, but the spacious layout affords intimacy for a romantic, easy-going dinner—quite a rarity on this road. The menu offers a variety of pocket-friendly Thai and international dishes. Start your night with a signature Aquatini Dream (rum, pineapple juice and triple sec, B220). 

 

 

That large space that’s now Munch and Mugendai on Thonglor Soi 10 used to be Delicatezza, before it moved to the Old Town a couple of years ago. The owner does all the cooking herself  (meaning the restaurant can’t open if she’s away or busy). Be sure to check their Facebook page before visiting.

 

 

Riva Surya’s restaurant and bar is decked out in contemporary French decor. Visit at sunset for the full deal: comfort food, tasty cocktails and views that take in the river and two bridges (Pinklao and Rama 8). Highly recommended come the smoked salmon and avocado salad (B280), best enjoyed with cocktails like Jamaican Fizz (vodka, mango fizz, mango, syrup and lime juice, B290). Quite possibly the best spot for a swanky meal on Phra Athit Road.  

 

 

Opened as a street stall by an Indian immigrant after World War II, this Thai-Muslim establishment later moved to its present location. It's a simple two-story affair renowned for its stuffed roti. That’s not all they have to offer—there’s  a range of soups, biryanis and curries, too. Our favorites have to be the salad khaek (Middle Eastern salad, B60) and the mataba with mixed filling (B39).

 

 

Soay has been a popular guay tiew nuea (beef noodles) spot for decades. The place is now run by the second-generation owner who continues to serve this succulently mild beef soup. Your bowl of noodles (B60) comes with juicy beef and properly cleaned entrails. They now also open at night, serving beef hot pot sets (B295).

083-495-3129, 086-982-9042. Open daily 7am-11pm (except the second and fourth Wednesday of the month)

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