Batt Tempura

Batt Tempura has bid farewell to its tiny Ekkamai Soi 21 hovel and resurfaced near the river. The flashing neon signs remain, but Batt mk. 2 is an altogether bigger venture, in terms of both space and menu. Here, chef Chatphon Thavornvanit calls upon high-profile neighbor Napol “Joe” Jantraget, of 80/20, to help take the restaurant in a more local and sustainable direction. Order the tendon set and you’ll get juicy shrimp tempura and various types of local fish, joined by miso soup and salad showing off crisp veggies from organic farmers. The ultimate plan is for the restaurant to rotate its menu based on the latest catches from sustainable suppliers—you’ll want to try the Fish Set, with its crispy snapper and sandfish. 

Yotha Rd., Charoenkrung. See full details here.

Cali-Mex Bar & Grill

This Hong Kong-born food franchise offers a Californian take on traditional Mexican dishes, with generous portions that are sure to hit the spot. Amid a diner-slash-sports-bar vibe, chow down on cheesy quesadillas stuffed with juicy pulled pork or beef tacos also topped with a crazy amount of cheese. The real indulgence, though, is the El Mexicano, a big beef burger piled high with guacamole, spicy jalapenos and melted American cheese. Bonus: each table comes with its own custom-made beer tap.This Hong Kong-born food franchise offers a Californian take on traditional Mexican dishes, with generous portions that are sure to hit the spot. Amid a diner-slash-sports-bar vibe, chow down on cheesy quesadillas stuffed with juicy pulled pork or beef tacos also topped with a crazy amount of cheese. The real indulgence, though, is the El Mexicano, a big beef burger piled high with guacamole, spicy jalapenos and melted American cheese. Bonus: each table comes with its own custom-made beer tap.

Sukhumvit Rd. See full details here.

Carbar

Let the smell of freshly baked dough guide you to 72 Courtyard’s latest Italian offering. Inside, moody industrial light fixtures hang above rustic wooden tables, framed on one side by a long and well-stocked wine bar. Wood-fired pizzas topped with Italian sausage and salami picante parade from the open kitchen, alongside comfort-food dishes like hanger steak and meat sauce penne. Enjoy a glass of fruity Italian Carpineto Dogajolo Cabernet Sauvignon in the al fresco seating area, accompanied by a platter of cold-cuts and cheeses.

72 Courtyard, Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Thonglor). See full details here.

El Faro

Okinawa-hailing fusion restaurant El Faro has made its way to Ekkamai with Japanese twists on Italian and Spanish dishes. Decked out in dark-toned furniture, dimmed lighting and sleek polished cement flooring, the narrow space takes on a modern yet unpretentious feel. Try the spaghetti all'Amatriciana, with its lusciously deep bacon, onion and tomato sauce, or the El Faro butcher’s combo, a flavor-packed platter of grilled meats, including tenderloin and sirloin, served with fries and vegetables. The drinks menu is extensive, too—try the homemade sangria or the mojito-like Lemon Sour for a refreshing accompaniment.

Ekkamai Soi 2. See full details here.

Ginza Tenharu

This is not Bangkok’s first tempura omakase—a chef’s selection of premium deep-fried produce served around a sushi-style counter—but it is its most pedigreed. Tenharu is here thanks to the one-Michelin-star Ginza Sushi Ichi team, and like that restaurant, this one also hails from a seriously fancy mother branch in Tokyo. Enormous Hokkaido scallops, decadently rich Kobe beef, pockets of nori stuffed with creamy sea urchin and other such highly prized produce—all jet-propelled from Japanese markets more recently than you last went to bed—gets delicately fried in sunflower oil and presented to customers one piece after another.

Gaysorn Village. See full details here.

Hummus Boutique

The people behind Mama Dolores Pizza on leafy Yen Akat have opened Hummus Boutique, an all-Mediterranean, all-vegetarian venture decked out in warm woods and patterned tiles. The signature chickpea dip is elevated with tons of toppings and styles. Try the Lucid Dreams, which features avocado, rocket, egg, kalamata olives, almonds and balsamic over a bowl of creamy hummus. The more traditional Falafel Party combines crispy falafel with hummus and a chopped pickle salad. Scoop up all that deliciousness with an order of house-made pita. For brekkie, try the shakshuka, slow-cooked sweet tomatoes topped with an egg and served with pita.

Sukhumvit Rd. See full details here.

Pizzeria Mazzie

Pizzeria Mazzie  doles out those large hand-tossed, thin-crust pies you find in New York. The owners, genuine New Yorkers, have gone for a laidback bar vibe to match the pizzas they whip out of a custom-made “low-dome” Acunto oven from Naples. The dough, handmade with only four ingredients, gives you a crisp yet pliable base for options like the Hot Hipster, topped with molten fior di latte mozzarella, spicy Calabrian salami, hot honey, chili, pecorino and basil. For something tamer, try the Coppa di Parma and truffle oil-topped No. 3. Ease your conscience with the fully loaded roasted beetroot salad. To drink, there are craft beers and biodynamic wines.

Sukhumvit Soi 63 (Ekkamai). See full details here.