The Yum List recently spent a delicious five days in the City of Angels. Hereโs a summary of our favourite finds in Bangkok.
(click on the links for full details)
Where to Stay in Bangkok
Shangri-La Bangkok resides on a prime riverside plot, next to the BTS skytrain, river taxi and within walking distance to numerous conveniences. Rooms are charmingly decorated with local influence of warm hues of gold and ambers, and contain all the amenities youโd expect of a 5-star property to make a comfortable stay.
Shangri-La Bangkok |
Sofitel So Bangkok is one of the most chic stays in the city. Overlooking Lumpini Park, greenery is a foreground to the city skyline. Choose your room design: water; water; metal; or earth and get ready to soak up contemporary Bangkok in style.
Sofitel So Bangkok |
Chef Peter, of The Yum List team, recommends his pick as the W Bangkok, for its hip design, sense of fun and fabulous cocktails.
W Bangkok |
Where to Eat and Drink in Bangkok
We were excited to see just how many spots Bangkok has snagged in the 50 Best Restaurants in Asia list. On this short visit we managed to get to two of them, and can highly recommend both. Nahm, housed in the Metropolitan Hotel showcases superb ingredients put together with meticulous technique. Issaya Siamese Club narrates Thai cuisine with voguish flare, and the setting in an old bungalow attentively accoutred in vintage dรฉcor is well worth the quest to find.
Nahm |
Issaya Siamese Club |
Hemingwayโs Bangkok, a relatively new kid on the block is packed most evenings with expats seeking good value high quality food and beverage. This beautiful, near century old bungalow, oozes character in its diversity of rooms and verandahs, and in its short two year lifespan has become one of the most popular restaurants and bars on the Sukhumvit strip.
Hemingway’s Bangkok |
It doesnโt matter that Iron Fairies is known amongst some as having the best burger in Bangkok. The ambience is so unique that it would be of no consequence if the menu was solely broccoli and beans, the crowds would still throng. Decked from floor to ceiling with tiny bottles of โfairy dust,โ donned with secret doorways and hidden passageways, and adorned with countless metal sculptures of surreal creatures, visitors could spend hours taking in the space.
Hidden Door in Iron Fairies |
Bangkok seems to have aced the rooftop restaurant/ bar scene having close to 20 sites for view-lovers to choose from. Park Society is a newer space overlooking the park and offering a great a la carte menu, while Vertigo Grill and Moon Bar is a classic keeping up its standard and magical ship-sailing-in-the-sky-like ambience.
Park Society |
Vertigo Grill and Moon Bar |
For those not so fond of heights, an elegant dinner floating along the waters of theย ย Chao Phraya River, might be more your cup of tea. Cruising past many historical buildings and monuments on the Horizon Cruise, such as the Grand Palace and Temple of Dawn, guests enjoy an overview of some of the sites that make up this alluring city.
Horizon Cruise |
I do love my scones and cuppa in the afternoon and as such have partaken in an extravagant amount of afternoon teas. Shangri-Laโs Golden Birdcage Afternoon Tea however is one of the best of which Iโve indulged. From staff uniformed stylishly in sleek outfits complete with fascinator, to unique presentation in a giant golden birdcage, to exquisite bites, the experience is unrivalled.
Golden Birdcage Afternoon Tea |
If youโre hitting Bangkok with the kiddos, Beth Queeney Dressler, Yum List friend and Bangkok expat, recommends her Top Five Child Friendly Cafรฉs here. Marcus, another Yum List friend, shares his list of Best Restaurants in the Thong Lor, Bangkok here.
Bangkok is another city where it seems for every item we tick off our list of visits, we add another three. This too is a city to which we will return, so please leave your comments with your hot picks for our next trip below.
I love Bangkok, love Thai food to bits. Been years since I went.
Mmm… Thai food is one of my favourite cuisines. I think Mango Sticky Rice is my all time fav dessert and I do like a good green mango salad too.
Gorgeous and regal, and the presentations are very artistic! Lovely views, too!
Linda, there's much to see and eat in Bangkok. There's always something happening in this city.
Great review of the Shangri-la.
I stayed there just after it had opened and still have
my monogramed yellow sports shirt and still in pristine
condition – and it certainly has had plenty of outings.
I got it from the clothes shop right next to the lobby area.
Certainly even way back then it was centrally located just being
that short ferry ride to the big Riverside shopping complex- with stops
at the Oriental and the Royal Orchid, Sheraton.
Anyone could purchase shirts, blouses, caps etc at the Shangri-la shop,
but at the Oriental only guests were permitted to buy the same from
their shop. The purchases were delivered to your room!!!!
So to have a shirt or cap etc. you HAD to be a guest. Of course
you could buy more of these as gifts for friends with your "room delivered"
purchases.
The same system was at the Nusa Dua Beach Resort and Spa at Bali.
When this establishment had "Guest chefs or promotions" shirts were available
for purchase – I have a T-Shirt for the German Oktoberfest beer and food week.
What a week that was !!!!
Still bloody cold here in OZ – this cold snap refuses to disappear, so just enjoy
your REAL tropical warmth.
Cheers
Colin (who is trying to develop South Pole penguin like symptons – ha ha)
You're right, the Shangri-La is in an excellent location. I don't have any clothing items from them, but I bet they're of top quality.
Oohh Ockterfest – I bet that was fun in Bali.
Winds from the Arctic – what's going on in Queensland? Not the all round warm weather I expect. Brrr!
Yes it was great fun at the Bali " Oktoberfest".
I think Lufthansa was behind the promotion and the
beer flowed profusely – all German brews – heaps of free
happy hours – ha ha. – but only for guests.
Not the Arctic – the bloody Antarctic – but still with the
same freezing effects. If this is what July is now like, I am
dreading August when the winds do come from the south.
Might have penguins in the Brisbane river ????? ha ha
Colin
Wow…the view from the Vertigo Grill & Moon Bar is spectacular! Would certainly like to try a dinner cruise and take in the sights ๐
great window-side panorama from Park Society ๐
Lovely restaurants. Good views too…
Hello from Darwin…
Stop boasting Margaret – we know that you are warm up there – ha ha.
Lucky bugger.
Eskimo Col
Oh wow, stunning views & yummy food! Would love to indulge too! xoxo
Super useful travel resource for Bangkok, thanks!
Rooftop dining is amazing!