1. Baan
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If you're looking for good, traditional Thai cooking, look no further than Baan. More upscale than most eateries in town, the Witthayu Road eatery run by chef Thitid “Ton” Tassanakajohn serves up the best of the everyday Bangkok food he grew up with, including aged-beef pad ga pao and grilled lamb chops. Despite being a little fancier than other Michelin star restaurants in the city, a meal at Baan definitely won't leave you broke, with meals starting from $10 (322.30 Thai baht).
2. Paste
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Before it was awarded its Michelin Star, Paste, which resides in the sleep Gaysorn Village mall was overlooked by travellers, except the locals in the know. Fast forward to today and that one little star completely changed everything for husband and wife chefs Bee Satongun and Jason Bailey. Using ancient recipes and fresh local produce, Paste adds a modern twist to your favourite Thai dishes, create new and inventive flavours, most notably with its Lobster salad served with fermented fish and edible pink coral flowers. Meals at Paste start from $15 (379 Thai baht).
3. The Local
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If you like your Thai food as authentic as possible, keep things simple with a dinner at The Local. With a menu that boasts all your Thai favorites including Southern Style Fish Curry, the Local is where you are guaranteed to find flavor-packed foods in an intimate setting just outside the infamous red-light alleyway of Soi Cowboy. All meals are carefully cooked with love by real Thai chefs or as they are referred to in Thai, mothers of the kitchen, with meals prepped using a secret family recipe handed down over generations. Meals start from $10 (322 Thai baht).
4. Err
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Err is where contemporary tapas and Bangkok street food harmoniously blend to create a vibrant dining experience. Upon entry, guests are greeted with unfinished walls, graffiti art, temple motifs and the meats of the day hanging up, so you know you're in for a culinary adventure. The progressive Err restaurant pride itself on its pick of preserved meats, pickled dishes, charcoal grill and clay pot stews, particularly with "Naem", a grilled north style garlic and sticky rice cured pork. The atmosphere is welcoming and the price even more so with dishes costing around $7.50 (241 Thai baht).
5. Guay Jab Mr Joe
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When a restaurant claims to have the 'crispiest pork belly in all of Thailand' you know they're not playing games. Cue Guay Jab Mr. Joe, a casual shophouse restaurant in Bangkok that specializes in rice rolls and a particularly epic noodle soup known as moo krob. The soup that has people traveling far and wide consists of a crispy piece of pork belly sitting in a peppery broth with soft noodles and shallots sprinkled on top. And the best part? Bowls of their world-famous soup start from as little as $2.42 (55 Thai baht).
6. Jay Oh
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When you think of Thai food, you’ll almost immediately think of Tom Yum! You’ll find one of the best Tom Yum noodle bowls in Bangkok at Jay Oh. It’s so good, it was featured in the 2019 Michelin Guide. This humble diner is best known for its Mama Tom Yam Noodle Soup, with an iconic thick and savory broth.
7. Soi Polo Fried Chicken
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The fried chicken at Soi Polo is everything you’re looking for in a perfectly fried chicken. Well-seasoned, crunchy, tender meat and topped with crispy golden brown garlic, this is why they’ve been Michelin recognized. Be sure to dip your chicken pieces into the spicy sauce for an added kick of flavour!
8. Ann Guay Tiew Kua Gai
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Ann Guay Tiew Kua Gai is located near Chinatown in Bangkok and it’s the only place you can get this unique dish! When you think of fried noodles in Thai cooking, your first thought will probably be Pad Thai. This fried noodle fish comes served with chicken and cuttlefish and most importantly, a running egg. Seasoned with soy sauce, eggs, pork fat and infused with plenty of wok hei the noodles are crispy on the outside and smooth and soft on the inside. These fried noodles cost only THB50-60 a bowl!
9. Chakki
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This Cantonese style eatery Chakki serves up some of the best-fried Wantons and Thai style Hor Fun. Rad Nha is a dish of stir-fried noodles with meat covered in a thick brown gravy. You can choose between big flat rice noodles (hor fun) or crispy rice noodles or egg noodles. Each plate is priced from THB 120 to 160. Pair yours with a side of their crispy fried pork Wantons (THB 60) and don’t forget to dip yours into their sweet honey sauce.
10. Somsak Bu Op
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If you’re a fan of crab, you’ll definitely want to try one of the best Crab Vermicelli in Bangkok. Head over to Somsak Boo Op, a humble establishment with only 1 thing on their menu, vermicelli with seafood. The smoky flavor of the seafood and the perfectly seasoned noodles are reason enough to join in the queues! The Steamed Crab with glass noodles is priced at THB 310.