The best restaurants and bars in Bangkok’s buzzing Thonglor neighbourhood

Bangkok’s lively Thonglor neighbourhood offers some of the best nightlife, fine dining and community spaces in the city. Thonglor (or Thong Lo) officially covers Soi Sukhumvit 55 and its offshoot lanes, where specialty coffee, gourmet supermarkets and record stores mingle with massage parlours, karaoke bars and cannabis cafes.

Once suburban and occupied by the navy, Thonglor grows by the day with new high-rise condos, shiny mini-malls and contemporary restaurants; attracting creatives, Japanese expats and Hi-So locals (Thailand’s high society) who parade dogs in handbags or drive flamboyant luxury cars.

Yet the area is not without street-level charm, uniquely Bangkok architecture or history, with its name, ‘Thong Lo’, paying homage to Thonglo Khamhiran – a naval officer and 1932 revolutionary whose name now adorns the street that runs from Thonglor BTS Skytrain station to Phetchaburi Road.

Thonglor dining and nightlife

Nights here are electric. Take your pick from speakeasy bars, exclusive clubs, live-music venues or open-aired spaces like The Commons – a trendy go-to for a casual drink and bite. Get your bearings at Octave Rooftop Lounge & Bar, which provides a party vibe with spectacular 360-degree views of Bangkok (for more sky-high drinking, check out our dedicated rooftop bar guide).

Dining is modern and international in scope, including Mexican, Israeli and a plethora of Japanese establishments. Street-food highlights include grilled Thai sausage, a famous crispy oyster omelette and the ever-popular mango sticky rice at Mae Varee. And you can’t beat the happy hour at The Old English pub positioned under Thonglor BTS.

For a local experience, catch the little red bus along Soi Sukhumvit 55 or hop on a public ferry at Thonglor Pier, which cruises the Saen Saep canal to the old town.

Read on to discover the best restaurants and bars in Thonglor.

The best restaurants in Thonglor

55 Pochana

Best for: Late-night dining and people-watching over delicious Thai-Chinese food
Address: 1087-1091​ Sukhumvit Road, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110
Price: Most dishes between 140-250 THB / 3.90-7.00 USD

A diverse and spirited crowd makes for fascinating people-watching at this late-night institution, which is known for its feast-worthy Thai-Chinese food. The no-frills restaurant buzzes until early morning with party-goers, tipsy Japanese businessmen and nocturnal locals. There’s something for everyone on an extensive menu of soups, salads and deep-fried dishes that are best shared. A sizzling, gooey oyster omelette rivals anything you’ll find in Chinatown, while fried cowslip creeper flowers with egg, shrimp, dried squid and vermicelli is a clear favourite with diners. Steamed duck with egg noodles, Sichuan peppercorns, whole garlic and ginger is served in the pan – a dish not to be missed – is hidden at the back of the menu. The adventurous can try crispy pork stomach or steamed cockles. Local beer flows and comes with buckets of ice and tongs. Sit outside to experience the sights and sounds of Sukhumvit Road.

Fuego

Best for: An innovative fire-themed dinner fusing Spanish and Japanese cuisine
Address: 2nd level, The Taste Thonglor, Soi Sukhumvit 55, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110
Price: Set menu per person 4490 THB / 124.50 USD; dishes from 270-1699 THB / 7.50-47.10 USD; cocktails from 320 THB / 8.90 USD

Fire is central to Fuego’s innovative fusion of Spanish and Japanese cuisine that delivers photogenic food with flair and finesse. Meat, seafood and vegetables are grilled on open flames, providing excellent theatre from the elegant marble bar that wraps around the kitchen. The Spanish head chef gained experience in Japanese kitchens and shows immense care when presenting premium produce from Japan, allowing it to shine in its own right. Gently seared tuna tataki drizzled with mojo verde (Spanish green sauce) is plated with a shiso leaf for crumbling on top. Paella is served in the pan and comes with a generous slice of razor-thin duck marinated in mirin and soy sauce. Basque cheesecake breaks tradition, oozing umami from its shiro miso filling. Cocktails are inventive – sangria swaps wine with sake and infuses it with fruits and smoke. Spirits are available by the glass or bottle and are accompanied by a concise Spanish wine list. Both a set menu and a la carte options are available.

Gaa

Best for: A new narrative on Indian food in a renovated traditional Thai house; fine dining
Address: 46/1 Soi Sukhumvit 53, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110
Price: Set menu per person 4700 THB / 130.35 USD

Gaa is considered one of the best restaurants in Bangkok, not just Thonglor. It offers a new take on Indian food, in a renovated traditional Thai house that was transported from the ancient city of Ayutthaya to a backstreet corner of Thonglor. Chef Garima Arora grew up in Mumbai and trained in acclaimed kitchens such as Noma and Gaggan before being named Asia’s Best Female Chef in 2019. Her tasting menu applies traditional Indian cooking techniques to locally sourced ingredients – communicated fluently by a knowledgeable team. Dishes are pretty, playful and interactive. DIY bhel is a mix of tuna, onion, coriander and chilli served with a khakra (cracker) in taco form, while roasted baby corn comes with husks and a corn butter dip. Unforgettable is The Tandoori Story – creamy grilled durian with pickles and condiments that spreads like butter onto roti fresh from the tandoor. The menu changes every few months, save for a few signature mainstays. A superb drinks list features European wine producers and a non-alcoholic pairing option. Head to the Gaa Lounge downstairs for a pre-dinner tipple or sundowners and snacks.

Khua Kling Pak Sod

Best for: Spicy southern Thai food made from old family recipes in a homely setting; BYOB wine
Address: 98/1 Pai Di Ma Di Klang Alley, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110
Price: Stir-fries, soups and curries 240-380 THB / 6.70-10.60 USD; prawn and crab dishes 580-780 THB / 16.20- 21.75 USD

Grandmother’s recipes, seasonal ingredients from the south and friendly service shine at this homely backstreet restaurant, which draws a well-heeled local crowd for its spice-driven menu. A fiery dry-fried minced pork curry is the undeniable signature, eaten wrapped in cabbage with raw yardlong beans, carrot and white turmeric. There’s plenty for seafood fans too: deep-fried crab meat rolls come with a price tag, but are as good as you’ll get. Hot and sour mackerel soup is aromatic and cleansing, while stir-fried sator beans and prawns with kapi shrimp paste embodies the unique flavours of southern Thai cuisine. Sweet pork belly with herbs and soy sauce is braised for six hours and is the softest you may ever eat, while local flowers and greens like climbing wattle or bai liang leaves are prominent throughout. Cool down the palate with Thai iced juices, craft beer or your own wine for a corkage fee (500 THB / 14 USD per bottle). There are additional branches of Khua Kling Pak Sod across Bangkok, but Thonglor is the original.

Rockmen 69men

Best for: Great value, lighter-style ramen in limited serves
Address: 44/11 Soi Akapat, Soi Thonglor 13, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110
Price: Ramen between 300-370 THB / 8.30-10.25 USD

Just seven seats and 69 servings per day are the proposition at Bangkok’s smallest ramen bar – a quality-control measure developed after years of trialling by two obsessive chefs. Add your name to the waitlist an hour before lunch or dinner service or walk in if seats are free. Choose from two signature broths, served in minutes in air-conditioned comfort. Shio ramen is made with scallop and salt and invites you to imagine the sea of Japan, while shoyu ramen uses a blend of soy sauces. Both incorporate chicken stock and are light in style. Noodles are carefully combed by the chef to ensure they don’t stick together and are as pretty as can be – a beautiful process to watch. Sides, additional toppings and Japanese beers are available. One chef has gone on to open No Name Noodle – an exclusive ramen shop in Bangkok’s Khlong Toei district – which is worth seeking out.

Supanniga Eating Room

Best for: Crowd-friendly Thai food with a buzzy cocktail vibe
Address: 160/11 Soi Sukhumvit 55, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110
Price: Most dishes between 180-390 THB / 5.00-10.80 USD; cocktails from 290 THB / 8.00 USD

Supanniga Eating Room draws crowds for its well executed Thai food, upbeat vibe and slick fit-out. It’s inspired by the owner’s grandmother’s cooking, and aims to restore her hometown recipes from the eastern province of Trad to a contemporary context in Bangkok. The restaurant’s name is derived from the yellow supanniga flower, planted in Khun Yai’s backyard in Isaan province. Minced pork stir-fried with garlic and peanuts atop of tangerine discs is one of numerous appetisers well suited to groups. Salads, soups and curries cater for all palates and tender pork stewed with Thai herbs and sour cha muang leaves is a must-order. Meat lovers can embrace Isaan-style charcoal pork or beef, which is sliced and served with grilled sticky rice. Bar staff shake cocktails and sophisticated mocktails with fresh passionfruit, lemongrass or calamansi juice. Check out their riverside branch for one of the best views in the city, overlooking the stunning Buddhist temple of Wat Arun.

The best bars in Thonglor

008

Best for: Prohibition-era cocktails and live jazz in an elegant, secret setting
Address: 11th floor, MUU Bangkok Hotel, 88/333 Soi Sukhumvit 55, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok, 10110
Price: Signature cocktails from 420 THB / 11.65 USD

Hidden on the 11th floor of the boutique MUU hotel is 008, an elegant cocktail lounge inspired by the American prohibition era, accompanied by live jazz. A long timber bar with oversized tan leather seats commands immediate attention, while curved shelves with glowing frames showcase the drink collection in striking fashion – including an impressive array of single malts. Service is personalised and a themed menu changes each year – think a classic Manhattan transformed with bourbon, bacon oil, toasted vermouth, cola reduction cacao, mocha bitters and a side of crispy bacon for eating as you sip. Leather armchairs clustered around low tables are the best position for watching the jazz performances. Windows with partially opened Venetian blinds give a taste of the metropolis below. DJs and bands start from 8pm.

J Boroski

Best for: A true speakeasy bar where drinks are tailored to your desires
Address: Soi Sukhumvit 55, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, 10110 (the rest is up to you)
Price: No menu. Depends on spirits and ingredients chosen

Finding J Boroski might have you querying the accuracy of Google Maps, such is the discreteness of Bangkok’s original speakeasy owned by celebrity bartender and ‘mixsultant’, Joseph Boroski. The bar is hidden down a quiet lane off the electric Sukhumvit 55, where flickering candles behind sliding doors are the only giveaway for the entrance. There’s no menu; instead, you’re invited to talk through preferences and place your trust in the hands of the knowledgeable bartenders, who provide a truly bespoke experience. Block ice is cut on demand using a large saw and homemade ingredients feature throughout – for example, an old fashioned is mixed with orange peel and mango bitters, liquid black salt and Cutty Sark Prohibition whisky. Boroski clearly has a thing for taxidermy insects and arachnids, which adorn the walls throughout. There’s a smoking lounge and private space on the third level, and the playlist is 100 per cent Americana.

Octave Rooftop Lounge & Bar

Best for: Clubbing in the sky with 360-degree views of Bangkok
Address: 45th-49th floor, Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit, 2 Soi Sukhumvit 57, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, 10110
Price: Signature cocktails from 420 THB / 11.65 USD; wines by the glass 480-560 THB / 13.30-15.50 USD; local beer 250 THB / 6.95 USD; local craft beer 320 THB / 8.90 USD

Whether it’s sunset drinks or dancing under the stars to lively DJs, Octave is the place to party with dramatic 360-degree views of Bangkok from the 49th floor of the Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit. Prime position high tables and lounges can be reserved from 5pm to 10pm, after which it becomes a free-for-all. Drinks come at a premium, whether that’s cocktails, local craft beer or wine and seafood, charcuterie and snacks are available. A relaxed undercover bar and a formal restaurant are located on the floors immediately below; both are open-air with sweeping cityscape views. Expect to queue in the hotel lobby at weekends. Dress code is smart casual.

Thaipioka

Best for: Stylish hotspot featuring drinks with Thai ingredients and pumping DJs
Address: Salil Hotel, Soi Sukhumvit 55, Soi Thonglor 1, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, 10110
Price: Signature cocktails from 390 THB / 10.80 USD

Join the glamour and VIPs of Thonglor, who dress to impress at this chic low-lit bar. Weeknights are busy and weekends wild, as a spontaneous dance floor transforms the space into Bangkok’s smallest club. Bar seats are a precious commodity and the place to watch bartenders and DJs mix, while small tables lining the walls under dim red lighting offer a more intimate experience. Cocktails are presented in impressive glassware or ceramics and incorporate interesting ingredients such as coconut butter, pickled guava saccharum and elements of fermentation. Gin and tonics infused with pandan leaf or lemongrass reinforce the local theme. Worth noting is that personal ID is required to enter.

Discover more of the best bars in Bangkok.

Community space

The Commons

Best for: A drink and bite at an architecturally striking community space
Address: Soi Sukhumvit 55, Soi Thonglor 17, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok, 10110
Price: Food and drinks at various prices

The Commons opened in 2015 with the intention of creating a communal backyard for Thonglor. It continues to be the neighbourhood’s beating heart and place for people to eat, drink and work over four architecturally impressive levels. Take your pick from a number of food stalls and bars and sit anywhere – tables or picnic-style rugs on tiered wooden steps are a defining feature. Mornings are chilled; go for specialty Thai coffee, ceremony-grade matcha or brunch at Roast cafe upstairs. A kitsch and colourful food hall is in full swing from lunch until close, serving international cuisine spanning Peruvian ceviche, excellent Telavivian stuffed pitas and northeastern Thai. Nights can be rowdy, as HiSo locals gather over live music, cocktails, craft beer and wine. Other activities include outdoor cinema, toddler playgroups and Pilates. A dog-friendly policy, public bike pumps and charitable programmes for those less fortunate are further evidence of The Commons’ commitment to the community.