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Look at Bangkok through the lens of Instagram, a travel article, or a listings website, and these days the city’s restaurant scene can appear to be all about Michelin stars. Yet look at Bangkok from ground level, and you’ll see a very different picture. The curry shacks, noodle stalls, legacy restaurants, and street vendors that have shaped the city’s dining scene for decades continue to put out some of the best value, casual, unselfconscious, full-flavored, delicious food on earth, all while blissfully unaware of a French tire manufacturer’s rating system. Michelin may have grabbed peoples’ attention, but this has added to, rather than taken away from, Bangkok’s food scene.
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Bangkok Tour Leader
Annie was born and grew up in a small village near the border between Thailand and Cambodia and has lived in Bangkok for over 30 years. She studied Anthropology and Sociology at university, with her first job being a purchasing and import officer for a multinational company. A tour guide since 2000, Annie also loves to garden and cook.
Bangkok Correspondent
Austin is an American writer and photographer. He was based in Bangkok, Thailand, for more than 20 years, from where he contributed to just about every major food and travel publication, as well as to more than 30 guidebooks for Lonely Planet. In 2018, he wrote and photographed the James Beard Award finalist, The Food of Northern Thailand. His next book, The Food of Southern Thailand, came out in 2023.
Bangkok Correspondent
Chawadee is a Thai-American food writer who currently resides in Bangkok with her husband and two children. Formerly a financial journalist, Chawadee has since published three street food guides and a cookbook, and appeared in a number of food television shows. You can find her books, “Real Thai Cooking” and “Thailand’s Top Street Food” in stores.
Bangkok Tour Leader
Lek was born and raised in the north of Thailand but moved to Bangkok to study and work. He started his career as a tour guide in 1998 and has been working in the tourism industry since then. His passion is to share the history and cultures of his country and its people with all visitors and, of course, to let them experience the true taste of Thai food.
Bangkok Correspondent
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Megan is a former chef turned food writer, residing in Bangkok for nearly 13 years. She studied Thai cuisine at culinary school and has worked in various kitchens throughout Bangkok. Now a freelance food and culture writer, her work has appeared in publications like BK Magazine, Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia, Robb Report and Lonely Planet.
Bangkok Photographer
Thomas is an Italian-born editorial and commercial photographer and director. After spending his university years in Australia, he moved permanently to Southeast Asia, a place he fell in love with and decided to call home. He has now been living and photographing in the region for over two decades. His work has been published worldwide in newspapers, magazines and the online media and spans different fields of photography: interior and architectural, lifestyle and portraiture, food and product photography.
CB’s work was started in 2009 by Ansel Mullins and Yigal Schleifer as a humble food blog called Istanbul Eats. The following year we published a book of our reviews, now in its tenth edition. That year we also launched our first culinary walk in Istanbul, a route we are still using today. In 2012, we realized that what we built in Istanbul was needed in other cities we knew and loved. We started CB that year with Athens, Barcelona, Mexico City and Shanghai as pioneering members of our network. Since then, we’ve been regularly adding worthy destinations – culinary capitals where the food tells an even bigger story – to our network. Today, we work in over 20 different locations on four continents.
Where is Bangkok?
Thailand’s capital, Bangkok (called “Krung Thep” by locals), sits in the central region of the country. Once a small trading village, Bangkok has evolved into a cosmopolitan metropolis, with a location on the Chao Phraya River close to the Gulf of Thailand influencing its economic development and cultural diversity. Bangkok’s greater metro area is now home to around 17.5 million people, almost 25% of the country.
What are the best things to do in Bangkok?
Alive with history, spirituality, grand architecture, and urban appeal – not to mention the incredible street food – there is an endless number of things to do in Bangkok. Roam through ornate shrines and historic temples like the famous Wat Pho and Wat Arun, take in the street life at a local market and sample food from all over East and Southeast Asia. Indulge in a traditional Thai massage or snag a seat at a Muay Thai boxing match. And then don’t forget about the vibrant nightlife – rooftop bars with glittery views, night markets teeming with food and drink. The city’s dining scene has much to offer, and we’ll be chronicling it here. Bangkok also makes a great launch pad for trips across Southeast Asia, including the lush mountains of the north and the beautiful beaches of the south.
When is the best time of year to visit Bangkok?
The best time to visit Bangkok is during its “cool season” from November to February. That’s when there is less rain and humidity and the weather is (relatively) cooler, making it more comfortable for outdoor activities and sightseeing. It also overlaps with the festive season, including the Loy Krathong (lantern) festival in November, New Year’s Eve, and the Lunar New Year.
What is the weather like in Bangkok?
Generally, the climate in Bangkok is hot and humid. During the ideal travel months from November to February, the weather is warm and pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 70 F to 90 F. Bangkok’s rainy reason runs from approximately July to October; daily downpours can cause flooding. If there’s any time of year to plan carefully around, it’s Bangkok’s hot season, which spans from March to May, during which high temperatures and humidity can make it difficult to get around.
Is Bangkok expensive?
When compared to many major cities in the world, especially in Europe or the US, Bangkok is fairly cheap. The average price of a 3-star hotel in Bangkok can be anywhere from $50-100. A cup of coffee costs $1-3, a pint of beer about $2, and a sit-down dinner can run about $10-20 or more. Street food meals are much lower, from $3-8. Taxis, tuk-tuks, and public transportation are also relatively inexpensive.
Is Bangkok safe?
Compared to other cities of its size, Bangkok is a safe city for tourists. Violent crime is rare, and locals are known for their hospitality. However, it’s always wise to be cautious and research typical scams in tourist areas, especially those involving tailor or jewelry shops.
What is the best food in Bangkok?
From street after street of food stalls and markets to beautifully designed contemporary restaurants, Bangkok offers dining experiences to suit all tastes and budgets. Many visitors to Bangkok come looking for Pad Thai (phat Thai) and other popular dishes like tom yum goong (spicy shrimp soup), som tum (papaya salad), Thai curries, and mango sticky rice. But we’ve got the lowdown on the best dishes in the city, from Hakka Chinese-influenced yen ta fo (rice noodle and fish ball soup) to Thai-Muslim rice biryani.
Where is the best place to stay in Bangkok?
While Khao San Road is notorious for backpackers and party-goers, the Riverside is known for its glamorous hotels and river views. For a more modern and cosmopolitan experience, book a spot in Sukhumvit or Silom, which are both well-connected to public transport. Then there’s Chinatown, one of the oldest areas in Bangkok.
What is the COVID-19 situation in Bangkok?
Currently, there are no mask mandates or specific COVID-19 mandates in place in Bangkok.
Can Americans travel to Bangkok?
American citizens can travel to Thailand for up to 30 days without a visa.
Can I fly directly to Bangkok?
You can fly directly to Bangkok from many locations worldwide, either into the newer Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) or Don Mueang International Airport (DMK). To get to downtown Bangkok, it is best to fly into BKK and take the Airport Rail Link to connect to the city’s BTS Skytrain or MRT Subway.
What is the best restaurant in Bangkok?
Bangkok’s dining scene is too diverse to name a best restaurant, with our favorite meals ranging from street food to high-end spots. Read through our piece on our favorite local dishes and food stalls for Bangkok food tips. But for a truly unique experience, Ban Wannakovit offers old-school dishes you won’t find anywhere else inside a restored 20th-century Ratanakosin-style home.
Are there beaches in Bangkok?
The closest beaches to Bangkok are Pattaya and Hua Hin. You can get to Pattaya in about 2 hours by car or 2.5 hours by bus, and Hua Hin in about 3-4 hours by car or bus, and 4 hours on the train (our preferred method). For more dramatic beach scapes and tropical vibes, take a plane south to any of Thailand’s famously beautiful islands. If you’re looking for an island getaway without venturing too far, check out Ko Samet, Bangkok’s closest island.
Is Bangkok suitable for children?
Bangkok is a city full of life and flavor, though it can be challenging to navigate with young children due to its busy streets and lack of sidewalks in some areas. The crowds and heat can also be overwhelming for little ones. If you’re traveling with kids, consider arriving in the cool season and staying in areas like Sukhumvit, which has parks and more stroller-friendly sidewalks. It’s best to avoid nightlife areas like Khao San Road and Soi Cowboy, as they can get noisy and crowded late into the night.
