Thailand Travel Tip: Bangkok Restaurants

Answer : No real secrets here but...

If you fancy going a bit up market a nice spot is the terrace of Kan Ab Nam Restaurant next to Krung Ton Bridge. Its not the cheapest place in town but by no means is it the most expensive. Artistically presented food, excellent service, a river view, and with any luck a little breeze make for very good dining. For entertainment the considerable river traffic (you never get away from traffic in Bangkok) provides interesting viewing. While you eat, brightly colored long tails, with their raised prows and extended propellers speed up and down the river in stark contrast to the squat, rusty barges which are hauling goods to and from Bangkok's seaport. Adding to this confusion of river traffic are the small wooden cross-river ferries and the many large river taxis that regularly ply the Chao Phraya's length.

Another good place to dine is along Phra Athit road in Banglampoo with its selection of trendy eateries lining the road. I've eaten in several of these restaurants-come-bars and found the food excellent and ambience good. Prices too are very reasonable.

A bit more down to earth is the excellent north Eastern cuisine to be had on Soi Rang Nam, near Victory monument, where there are many Issan food stalls and restaurants. You're eating right on the street and the emphasis is definitely not on presentation, but the food is excellent. You can also find on this street the food of another country that plays a big role in the nation's cuisine, Bar Mee or Chinese egg noodles are a popular alternative to Koy Teow, the national rice noodles, and although they cost barely 60 cents a bowl, it is not unknown for aficionados to drive upwards of an hour through Bangkok's notoriously bad traffic to reach their favorite stall.

Yet another place that serves up some really good food at rock bottom prices is the bar right next to (and I do mean right next to) Thewet river pier. This bar is called Cow Ta and attracts a mix of University students and office workers looking for good food and drink in a lively atmosphere.