8 reasons why Sala Daeng is currently Bangkok's coolest place to dine
Upper Silom's just welcomed some of the city's most exciting cafes and eateries, and they're all within walking distance of BTS Sala Daeng.
9 years ago
Ceresia Coffee Roasters
The new two-story coffee shop by Ceresia, the guys behind some of our favorite coffee beans, is all about freshly roasted, single-origin beans (starting at B480/250g) sourced from all over the world, as well as their special in-house blend. Filter coffee starts from B95 while espresso is B70. There are also baked items from Austro Pro, cakes from Sticky Piggy, sandwiches from Le Lapin and Marou chocolate bars available, but no tea or cocoa drinks. As there is more space at this venue, the roasters plan to do some caffeine workshops on their second floor, too.
Tisco Tower, 48/2 Sathorn Rd., corner of Soi Sala Daeng. Open Mon-Fri 8am-6pm
Pala Pizza Romana
The much-loved grab-and-go pizza place tucked beneath BTS Asok has opened its second branch at CP Tower, serving up its trademark pizza made with dough left to rise for 72 hours to create a base that’s crispy and perfectly aerated. On top of the classic, pizza al taglio (starting at B45/slice), you can expect a full menu including appetizers, salads, pastas and desserts. Italian beer and wine are also available, as well as cold cuts and cheese.
1/F, CP Tower, 313 Silom Rd. Open Mon-Sat 10am-10pm
Pizza Massilia
Currently anchoring at Sala Daeng’s MK Gold parking lot, this new food truck stems from a collaboration between two French and Italian powers, namely French restaurateur Frederic Meyer (Issaya Siamese Club and Namsaah Bottling Trust) and Italian chef Luca Apino (La Bottega di Luca). And the pizza is pretty amazing. In addition to the classic margherita (B250/400), other options include spicy andouja and garlic (B380), the French-inspired la ratatouille (B400) and baby squid provencal (B300). Drinks range from limonata and orangeade to wine and Italian draft beer.
MK Gold Parking Lot, Soi Sala Daeng, Silom Rd., 02-259-9294. Open Tue-Sun 5:30-10pm
Bitterman
Tucked down Sala Daeng Soi 1, a two-story glass house designed by its owners, a group of Chula architecture students is now widely featured on instagram. Bitterman serves Thai and Western comfort dishes. Interior-wise, it offers the same mix of bare brick, skinny metal window frames and ferns we're accustomed to, while the menu features things like somtam with sticky rice and grilled chicken (B180) as well as plenty of pasta dishes. Try the Arrabbiata sauce and grilled shrimp Mr. Rapee (B320).
Sala Daeng Soi 1, Silom Rd., 091-740-6486. Open daily 11am-11pm
Touka
Not far from Bitterman is another semi-glasshouse. The newest izakaya in town, Touka, serves bar bites in a pared-back, modern Japanese interior. Promising lots of chef-customer interaction, the restaurant's signature dishes include six kinds of kushiyaki (grilled chicken and pork skewers, B600), sashimi kushi (B500) and hiyashi zenzai (cold dessert with red beans, B120). Naturally, you should wash it down with sake, either in cocktail form (B180) or as part of a set (B450), which lets you select three different types. They've just rolled out lunch sets, too.
Bandara Suites Silom, 75/1 Sala Daeng Soi 1, 02-236-8230. Open daily 11am-2pm; 5-11:30pm
Heritage Bistro French Bakery
A spinoff of Ekkamai Soi 4's Heritage Bakery Cafe and Bistro, this new version is larger than its predecessor, and serves a range of French dishes, all-day breakfast and European deli staples. The croissants (starting at B40) and breads (starting at B60) come from the same oven as the Ekkamai branch, while other highlights include the lobster soup (B260) and Nicoise salad (B250).
14/2-3 Soi Convent, Silom Rd., 02-001-2299 Mon-Sat 7:30am-11pm; Sun 7:30am-6pm
Salapao Ko Uan
The much-hyped Salapao Ko Uan, from Hat Yai, has opened its second branch in Bangkok, in a cool, blue container on Silom’s crowded Soi Lalaisap. Tucked behind Bangkok Bank's headquarters, the takeaway venue serves the same goodies as the Asoke branch. Do try the super-fluffy steamed buns (B20-22) with fillings like shrimp and salted egg, as well as the crunchy, fried variety (B25) in flavors including barbecue pork with salted egg.
In front of Villa Market, Trinity Complex, Silom Rd.,02-636-6608. Open Mon-Sat 7am-4pm.
Smokin' Pug
A short walk past a connecting soi from Silom to Surawong, you’ll see a hip place standing out from other shophouses beside the Tawanna hotel. It’s the new brainchild of the barbecue aficionados behind the 10-year-old Lazy Pug in Chengdu, China. They specialize in the low-and-slow grilling technique which results in tender and aromatic meats. The brief menu offers a variety of smoked goodies including smoked buffalo wings (B240) and pulled pork sandwich (B350). There are also colorful Tex-Mex dishes like smoked brisket quesadilla (B395) and citrus shrimp tacos (B450). The Pug also doubles as a live blues bar.
88 Surawong Rd., 083-029-7598. Open daily 5pm-midnight
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