Blackhills Bkk

Coffee at the cabin-like Blackhills Bkk is a painstaking affair, avoiding electricity at all costs. That means hand ground beans, gas stove steamed milk and a vast array of slow bar equipment ranging from the familiar AeroPress and moka pots to science-like siphon machines. Take note: this is no Instagram bait—in fact, they’ll complain if you whip out your camera. 

302 Lad Phrao Soi 1., 085-666-3788

Blue by Alain Ducasse

Blue by Alain Ducasse, the first restaurant opened in Thailand by the legendary French chef, sees a sprawling corner room on the second floor of IconSiam transformed into an azure dreamscape. Led by Wilfrid Hocquet, a French native who has a long roster of cooking in Michelin-starred restaurants, the kitchen churns out seasonal dishes that marry local flavor preferences and ingredients with French technique.

Room Unit L101, 1/F, IconLuxe, IconSiam, 299 Charoen Nakhon Rd., 02-005-9412

Clara

Four-month pop-up, Waiting for Clara, acted as a prolonged drumroll for this hotly anticipated opening from powerhouse couple chef Christian Martena and Clara del Corso, formerly of Opus and Sensi. Those familiar with chef Martena’s work already understand the passion he pours into his native Italian cuisine, which he injects with modern yet approachable touches. Expect to hear this name often in 2020.

69 Soi Prasat Suk, 095-879-6257

Cuppachai

Located on Sukhumvit 31, a soi packed with highly rated restaurants, Cuppachai brings something new to the party. The café is filled with colorful decor, like pink, blue and yellow hanging lamp shades, as well as a yellow piano that pops against the venue’s white tiles. The menu, meanwhile, features breakfast and brunch dishes influenced by South Asian cuisines. 

305, 18 Sukhumvit Soi 31 (Soi Sawatdi), 02-662-1179

Ebisu Shoten

This spot is a hit with Phrom Phong’s Japanese expat crowd, its mix of wooden tables and sunken horigotatsu seating packed full even on weeknights. One taste of the sinful kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers) and it’s easy to see why. Highlights include the fatty pork (B28), oozing mozzarella (B38) and crunchy lotus root (B28)—the perfect accompaniments to a mug of icy Asahi (B68). 

12/16 Sukhumvit Soi 26, 02-006-9439

Keller

Following eight years as chef de cuisine at Water Library Chamchuri, Mirco Keller has just launched his own restaurant. Available a la carte or as a four-course set menu (B2,400), the contemporary European line-up features must-tries like the Duck Duck Duck (B590) and the Charred Galician Octopus (B790), served with celeriac puree, polenta and a red wine butter. 

31 Suanphlu Soi 2, 02-092-7196

Kenn’s

From one of the owners of BKK Bagel Bakery, Kenn’s takes on the tried and tested formula of simplicity. Tucked down a Sathorn backstreet, the petite cafe has your mornings covered with its straightforward menu of plain (B70), chocolate (B70), almond (B80) and bacon cheese flaky croissants (B105), along with espressos (B60), cappuccinos (B70) and iced Thai coffee (B80).

163/2 Sathorn Soi 7, 066-149-5451

Kintsugi by Jeff Ramsey

Combining his American-Japanese heritage with experience spanning becoming a Master Sushi Chef, opening Tokyo’s Michelin-starred Molecular Bar and launching his fun-loving KL restaurant, Babe, chef Ramsey makes kaiseki dining approachable, challenging the boundaries of what can be considered Japanese while adapting to the seasons and the local palate.

3/F, The Athenee Hotel, 61 Wireless Rd., 02-650-8800

Krok

Fresh off gaining a Michelin star at 80/20, chefs Napol “Joe” Jantraget and Saki Hoshino are dialing it back to basics under the premise that everyone should have access to good food. The nam prik-dedicated shop will serve set menus (B100-160) with a choice of protein, rice and vegetables. In the future, diners can also expect homemade ice cream by chef Saki, as well as various chef’s tables and pop-ups.

78 Yotha Rd.

Lobster Lab (Sala Daeng)

Seafood importer Thammachart Seafood (also behind The Dock and Seafood Mahanakorn) has opened a second branch of its lobster-filled kiosk at the new Commons Saladaeng. Straying from their namesake, they’ve taken the opportunity to diversify their menu with a host of new items, ranging from oyster platters (B790/six pcs) to pocket-friendly lunch sets perfect for Silom’s office crowds.

30 Sala Daeng Soi 1

Man and the Figs

You may recognize this plant-based advocate from its stint in Phrom Phong’s Crane Cafe, but it now has its own shop-house in Sathorn. Head here for crisp flatbread pizzas topped with organic figs, mushroom and truffle nut cheese (B220), warm soba salads (B160) and brekkie wraps (scrambled eggs, feta, mushroom and spinach with spicy espresso barbecue sauce; B150).

144, 31/3 Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra, 098-663-595

Mayrai Padthai

Le Du's chef Ton and his sommelier brother have joined forces for this new wine bar and restaurant located a five-minutes walk from MRT Sanam Chai. A far cry from Thai fine dining, Mayrai focuses solely on wines and homemade pad Thai inspired by their grandmother’s recipes.

22 Maharaj Rd.

Pongchuros

Located inside Silom’s quaint Kessara hotel, Isaan-style restaurant Pongchuros might resemble a low-key cafe with all its white furniture, light wood décor and potted plants. But rest assured: the food here is anything but your average cafe fare. There are over 20 kinds of somtam on offer, plus a handful of yum (tangy, spicy salads), curries and stir-fried dishes. And while this homey restaurant might be named after the Thai word for MSG, don’t expect any of it in your dishes.

Kessara Hotel, 38 Silom Soi 3, 082-504-1198

The Coffee Academics

Hong Kong’s renowned specialty coffee expert sources only the top five percent of specialty arabica coffee beans from a variety of sustainable farms and institutions around the world—all have recorded cupping scores of 85 or higher by the Specialty Coffee Association. Just one sip of the coffees here is enough to tell you that they rate much higher than your average espresso. 

Velaa Sindhorn Village, Langsuan Soi 87, 02-164-2500