Our Top 3 Tables In Bangkok

MODERN: Gaggan

Chef Gaggan Anand’s eponymous restaurant, serving progressive Indian cuisine prepared using modern cooking techniques. Still No. 1 on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, No. 7 on the World’s 50 Best for 2017, and recently awarded two Michelin stars, dinner is a food journey through Gaggan’s memories borne out of what he describes as the “emotion of eating”. Only a tasting menu is available, multiple courses, the number of which is never fixed. The Gaggan Experience is Bt. 5,000++ per person.

68/1 Soi Langsuan, Ploenchit Road, Lumpini, Tel. +66 2 652 1700, Open: Dinner Mon-Sun 6-11pm

TRADITIONAL: Nahm

Chef David Thompson opened a branch of his one-star Michelin (now defunct London-based) Nahm restaurant at the Metropolitan Hotel in Bangkok. My Thai friends say that it is the best Thai restaurant in Bangkok today and I echo that, never missing a meal here whenever I visit. Cuisine is authentic, the cooking of grandma, traditional made luxurious. Service is a tad snobbish but always faultless. Set menus are Bt. 2,500++ per person and food is served family style. If you want to try a wider selection of dishes, go à la carte. Tables are in demand so book ahead. Best to do it online: http://www.comohotels.com/metropolitanbangkok/dining/nahm

Metropolitan Hotel, 27 S Sathorn Road, Thung Maha Mek, Sathon, Tel. + 66 2 625 3333, Open: Mon-Fri 12noon-2pm, 7-11pm; Sat-Sun 7-11pm?

HOLE IN THE WALL: Thip Samai

Extremely popular even with the locals, it is THE place for Pad Thai. It has been around for two generations, earning the rank of culinary institution and crowd favorite. Despite its success, it has kept its hole-in-the-wall reputation but has upgraded its interiors with air-conditioning and a slightly upscale traditional teak wood look. Lines are long and cooking is still done on the sidewalk. Noodles are fried in iron woks over charcoal, imparting an added smoky flavor to the dish if not your hair. There are about four different types of pad Thai but Pad Thai Sen Jan Man Goong or Pad Thai with prawn head juices is my personal favorite. And don’t forget to order the fresh orange juice.

313 Thanon Mahachai, Phra Nakorn, Open: Daily 5pm-2am