The MICHELIN Guide to Dining in Bangkok’s Pathumwan District

Gaggan

“Chef-owner Gaggan Anand takes Indian cuisine to a rarely seen level and one that is pure alchemy. His artful dishes are original and creative, with a wonderful blend of textures, flavors, and delicate spicing. To see the dishes unfold before you, ask for the counter. It's a feast for the senses as dishes are delivered at a rapid pace by the passionate staff. With 30 chefs in the kitchen there's plenty of manpower on hand to deliver a memorable experience.”

Elements

“With impressive city views from its terrace, this restaurant on the 25th floor of the hotel is an ideal spot for a date. Inside, the décor is chic and it's all centered around an open kitchen with oversized industrial light fittings and walls made with charcoal—one of the ‘elements.’ The modern cuisine creatively fuses the best of French and Japanese dishes, and there is a set menu that offers a varied selection.”

Ginza Sushi Ichi

“Centrally located in the Erawan mall, this sushi restaurant belongs to a group that started in Tokyo and now has branches in Jakarta and Singapore. To maintain the quality, produce is delivered straight from markets in Tokyo every 24 hours. There are two dining rooms with counter seating, so every customer gets a bird's-eye view of the chefs in action. Of the four set menus, the Botan and Omakase are the most popular. Service is charming.”

Paste 

“The striking interior is dominated by a spiral sculpture made from hundreds of silk cocoons, floor to ceiling windows and unusual curved booths that offer privacy. The designed-to-share menu draws inspiration from royal Thai cuisine and uses century-old cooking techniques with ingredients often sourced directly from local growers. Signature dishes include roast duck with nutmeg and coriander; fragrant hot and sour soup with crispy pork leg; and yellow curry from the Gulf of Thailand. Service is attentive but not overbearing.”

Saneh Jaan

“Thai dishes crafted from ancient recipes that once impressed the royal family are the draw here but don't discount the lovely setting, complete with vaulted ceilings and contemporary Thai touches. Dishes are a mix of classics and hard-to-find recipes, like hot and spicy soup (kaeng ranjuan), red curry with grilled pork and sweet and sour coconut dip with crabmeat. Don't miss dessert: try khao moa rang—a rare creation made with young green rice grains.”

Savelberg

Sra Bua by Kiin Kiin

“There is a burgeoning love affair between Bangkok foodies and envelope-pushing cuisine, and this beautiful restaurant is one of the original purveyors of modern and innovative Thai cuisine. Order The Journey, a 10-course menu, to see the kitchen’s full repertoire that respects traditional Thai flavors and ingredients but flips the script to produce something creative and original. Copenhagen’s Kiin Kiin was the inspiration for the food and cooking techniques.”