Restaurants & Entertaining

Visit

Excerpts from the Guide are provided for your information. You need to refer to the Bangkok Guide 17th Edition for complete details.

This chapter in the Bangkok Guide contains detailed information on these topics:

Café/casual dining	Home Delivery
Restaurants by area	Catering, parties etc
Vegetarian Restaurants	Music & bands
Dinner Cruises	Children’s parties
Theater restaurants	Reviews & what’s new
Bangkok nightlife

Bangkok is bursting at the seams with culinary delights. It is possible to eat anywhere and at any time of the day, from street stalls serving up mouthwatering treats to the Michelin star chefs working their magic in what are fast becoming some of the best restaurants in Asia. The city’s geographical location as a regional hub means the city's chefs have access to not only the freshest home grown produce, such as seafood, meat, vegetables and herbs, but many are also importing the finest ingredients from Australia, Europe and the USA.

The variety of restaurants here is enough to tantalise anyone's taste buds, with cuisine on offer from all points of the globe. The surroundings in which you can enjoy your meal range from the traditional to the modern and will perfectly compliment your dining experience, whether it's a business meeting, a romantic dinner for two or alfresco dining with friends and family.

In the past, most of the fine dining in Bangkok was confined to five star hotels, but the restaurant scene is evolving and many top-notch independent establishments are now thriving in this restaurant-crazy city. An increasing number also boast impressive wine cellars, with an extensive range of French, Italian and New World wines. For more information on buying wine in Bangkok see the Shopping chapter.

If you are eating at home, there is an extensive selection of home delivery, through centralised delivery companies, individual restaurants and fast food outlets. For entertaining, there is a wide choice of catering options as well as music and entertainment. There is also a good range of children's party ideas.

Bangkok has a thriving nightlife, whether you are looking for a smart bar, chilled pub, hip club or cabaret you will easily find a venue to suit everyone’s taste.

Eating out

Some general tips:

Corkage	Many restaurants serve alcohol but will allow you to bring your own wine and spirits. When making a reservation ask about the corkage charge, as this can often be quite high.
Delivery	Many restaurants also have delivery or take away services, aside from those mentioned in the catering section.
Dress	Smart casual is usually the standard of dress for restaurants and hotels. However, it is worthwhile checking if you are going somewhere more exclusive.
Getting there	Addresses and locations will not always be straightforward! So phone to clarify if you are not sure.
Opening hours	Most restaurants, particularly the Thai, Chinese and hotel restaurants, are open for lunch and dinner until 2200, seven days a week. Many hotel coffee shops are open 24 hours. A few European restaurants close one day a week (usually Sunday or Monday). Pubs and bars are generally open until 0100.
‘Plus plus'	In the majority of the restaurants listed a 10% service charge and 7% Value Added Tax (VAT) are added to the total bill.
Reservations	It is a good idea to make a reservation and essential to do so for groups.
Tipping Optional	When a service charge has not been added, it is acceptable to leave 10% of the bill as a tip.

Updates & Feedback

Have an update? Please tell us. If you find a service, activity or location you feel should be included in the next Guide or, which can be listed as an update here, please contact us at:
guide@anzwg-bangkok.org

Bangkok Guide 17th edition.