What’s happening in the eating and drinking scene in Bangkok

Before we get into the rankings, here’s a little history on the list. 12 years ago, Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants launched as an offshoot of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, which started life in London in 2002 as the brainchild of someone at Restaurant magazine. The first Asia list was announced in Singapore, with just four Bangkok restaurants finding their way on to the list that year.

Nahm led the way back then in third place, Gaggan was at 10, Eat Me at 19 and bringing up the rear at 36 for Thailand was Bo.lan. No-one really knew how the ratings were achieved and hardly any attention was paid to a mystical list of foodies who apparently travelled around the region eating at well-known and very expensive restaurants. But the PR team back in London did a fabulous job and media outlets across Asia started to publish the results as if it was the definitive list, and a serious assessment of the best places to eat in Asia.

Not long after that, the Asia’s 50 Best awards moved to Bangkok for a while, where a savvy cabal of established Thai restaurants found a way to influence the results, having become fixtures on the annual list. This year we offer our congratulations to nine Bangkok restaurants that made the Asia’s 50 Best list and in alphabetical order they are: Baan Tepa, Gaggan, Gaggan at Louis Vuitton, Le Du, Nusara, Potong, Samrub Samrub Thai, Sorn and Suhring. Many familiar names from earlier lists in there, albeit with some shuffling of the positions to keep a sense of impartiality.

In all fairness to Asia’s 50 Best, it cannot be easy to produce a list that will be taken seriously every year, with so many great restaurants across the region, and especially in Thailand, continuing to be overlooked. So exactly how are the rankings calculated each year? As comedian Nate Bargatze playing George Washinton on Saturday Night Live says, nobody knows. Deloitte, the official adjudicators, however offer re-assurance that they do employ a normalisation process in the event of a significant variance, to ensure the list fairly represents the votes of its panel of food experts. (Time Out Bangkok advice to aspiring restaurant owners: if you wish to get on the list in 2026 perhaps take a re-look at your old accounting textbooks).

Asia’s 50 Best genuinely has a fantastic public relations and marketing team driving its success, as do the group of friends, restaurant owners and chefs in Bangkok that appear annually. While many may scratch their heads in wonder every time the list is announced, those that make the list can be sure to catch a few headlines. 

Finally more Bangkok cred and congrats to Chef Tam, of Baan Tepa, for being awarded Asia’s Best Female Chef 2025, although the award does sound a little behind the times, and Dej Kewkacha for snagging Asia’s Best Pastry Chef 2025. An award that has got everyone talking in Bangkok.

Here is the complete list:

1. Gaggan (Bangkok)

2. The Chairman (Hong Kong)

3. Wing (Hong Kong)

4. Sezanne (Tokyo)

5. Mingles (Seoul)

6. Nusara (Bangkok)

7. Odette (Singapore)

8. La Cime (Osaka)

9. Chef Tam’s Seasons (Macao)

10. Onjium (Seoul)

11. Sühring (Bangkok)

12. Narisawa (Tokyo)

13. Potong (Bangkok)

14. Meet the Bund (Shanghai)

15. Fu He Hui (Shanghai)

16. Sorn (Bangkok)

17. Florilège (Tokyo)

18. Caprice (Hong Kong)

19. Masque (Mumbai)

20. Le Du (Bangkok)

21. Neighborhood (Hong Kong)

22. Den (Tokyo)

23. 7th Door (Seoul)

24. Mono (Hong Kong)

25. Eatanic Garden (Seoul)

26. Logy (Taipei)

27. Ling Long (Shanghai)

28. Les Amis (Singapore)

29. 102 House (Shanghai)

30. Crony (Tokyo)

31. Gaggan at Louis Vuitton (Bangkok)

32. Estro (Hong Kong)

33. Sushi Saito (Tokyo)

34. Sazenka (Tokyo)

35. JL Studio (Taichung, Taiwan)

36. Goh (Fukuoka, Japan)

37. Labyrinth (Singapore)

38. Burnt Ends (Singapore)

39. Meta (Singapore)

40. Seroja (Singapore)

41. Ando (Hong Kong)

42. Toyo Eatery (Manila)

43. Maz (Tokyo)

44. Baan Tepa (Bangkok)

45. Myoujyaku (Tokyo)

46. Indian Accent (New Delhi)

47. Samrub Samrub Thai (Bangkok)

48. Euphoria (Singapore)

49. August (Jakarta)

50. Lamdre (Beijing)

Here is Time Out Bangkok’s list of 50 Best restaurants 2025:

1. 100 Mahaseth

2. Potong

3. Sühring

4. Sorn

5. Côte by Mauro Colagreco

6. Sushi Masato

7. Clara

8. Inddee

9. Blue by Alain Ducasse

10. China House

11. Gaggan Anand

12. Baan Tepa

13. Villa Frantzen

14. Bisou

15. Maison Dunand

16. Haoma

17. Samrub Samrub Thai

18. Mia

19. Riva del Fiume

20. Cagette

21. Zao

22. Methavalai Sorndaeng

23. Elements, Inspired by Ciel Bleu

24. Sushi Misaki

25. Gaa

26. Nahm

27. Jhol

28. Smokin' Pug

29. El Mercado

30. Tori Tama

31. Santiaga

32. Casa Lenzi

33. Ms.Maria & Mr.Singh

34. Charmgang

35. Khua Kling + Pak Sod

36. Cento

37. Nan Bei

38. Savelberg Thailand

39. Zuma

40. El Willy Spanish Kitchen

41. No Name Noodle

42. Ore

43. Wah Lok

44. Taberna Jamon Jamon

45. Guay Tiew Kua Gai Suanmali

46. Saawaan

47. Enoteca

48. Eat Me

49. Appia

50. Punjab Grill

Given the surge of fine dining establishments in Bangkok, it's surprising how few spotlight one of the city's most prominent ethnic communities. Despite Bangkok's significant Indian population, only a handful of the city’s Indian fine dining restaurants have achieved international acclaim.

This scarcity makes Haōma’s presence all the more notable, offering a unique culinary experience that bridges Indian heritage with Bangkok's colourful dining scene.​

Freeform expressions of neo-Indian cuisine

While Indian food is deeply embedded in the capital’s cultural fabric, Haōma stands nearly alone at the fine-dining level – and it’s not just serving modern Indian cuisine, it’s redefining it.

Tucked down an elegant alley off Sukhumvit soi 31, this isn’t your typical fine dining affair. Step through the entryway and you’ll be greeted by Director of Food and Beverage, Vishvas Sidana, who’ll entertain you through a curated selection of ‘imperfection’ cocktails that help set the scene, and settle your stomach. 

Led by chef Deepanker ‘DK’ Khosla, the restaurant’s ethos is rooted in regenerative sustainability, which in this case is far more than just menu-speak. From cocktail to table, you’ll pass through the restaurant’s garden – showcasing how the restaurant operates on a closed-loop system.

At both the restaurant and farms in northern Thailand, sustainability takes center stage. The team raise their own chickens, grow fresh vegetables and breed fish on-site. The fish fertilize the water that nourishes the herbs, while food scraps are composted and creatively repurposed into cocktails and coasters.

But green values don’t overshadow the food. Instead, they deepen it. The current 10-course tasting menu is a freeform expression of neo-Indian cuisine, with nearly every ingredient (and even some techniques) sourced from within Thailand. Some flavours speak of Deepanker's childhood in Allahabad. Others reflect techniques picked up on the road. In many ways, it’s a personal journey following DK: one that’s poetic, story-driven and quietly bold.

The DK experience

Whether you opt for the signature or epicure meat and fish menu, or go traditional with their exceptional vegetarian 10-course option, the experience always opens with snacks and some humorously eye-opening spiel from Vishvas.

‘There’s not a wine in any of the shops here that can be called wine,’ he claims. ‘76 chemicals which are involved in making grape juice feel like a wine – and most of these probably use 70 of them.’

At Haōma, the so-called ‘wine’ pairing throws tradition out the window – in the best way possible. The journey kicks off with IPAs, sake, and a surprisingly punchy sparkling ‘grape juice’ (in Vishvas’ own words), easing diners into a liquid lineup that’s anything but predictable. 

Eventually, the pairing settles into wines that are both hard to find and cleverly matched to the bold, layered flavours of Indian cuisine. Oh, and every other glass arrives dramatically frosted with liquid nitrogen and shattered tableside – because why not a little theatre?

‘In Asia – India and Thailand – they’re not making wine, they’re making pesticide juice,’ Vishvas adds, pouring another glass of rare Roc Solare. ‘It’s like truffle oil, there’s no truffle.’ No surprise then that the wine list, which favours low-intervention and biodynamic producers, has been recognised as one of the best wine menus in the world.

And when it comes to the food, prepare yourself – this isn’t your average tasting menu. The current 10-course meal starts with a smoky mackerel bati, a crisp-onion twist on the Bombay sandwich, and a scallop croustade that’s almost too pretty to eat but too delicious not to. 

From there, the tomato chaat arrives – a playful tribute to DK’s childhood – where a shard of frozen shorba melts into a spicy jammy tomato, simultaneously hitting sweet, tart and savoury notes as soon as it hits the tongue. 

As Vishvas says, ‘if it’s not spicy, it’s French food.’ 

The courses continue, floating from foamy servings of sea-urchin sourced from Sattahip paired with a video of DK diving for the urchins himself, to Haoma’s own chicken served on a makhani curry and wild caught fish with a peanut Thecha. 

Even dessert resists the heavy hand. A honey rasmalai is surprisingly light – lifted by floral notes and saffron milk, tied together with a gentle nod to nostalgia.

As postcards flip to reveal details of each dish, the two-hour experience simply sings refusal to separate ethics from enjoyment. A story, memory or meaning behind every bite, delightfully shared by the waiters, Vishvas and even DK when the time fits. Every dish has a story, though the staff won't recite them unless asked. 

Although it has a Michelin Star and Green Star to its name, Haōma doesn’t feel like a restaurant chasing stars. It’s a place where a rather unique chef is trying to break the critical ceiling of fine dining through daring interpretations on a cuisine as old as time.

Since landing at Central World in 2023, Shake Shack has been winning over Bangkokians at lightning speed! With its sleek vibe and premium menu, this iconic American burger chain has already expanded to three more locations across the city. While it’s on the pricier side, Shake Shack feels less like a burger pit stop and more like a cosy escape from Bangkok’s bustling streets. While the signature ShackBurger is a solid option, it doesn’t quite steal the spotlight from the competition.

But Shake Shack seems determined to up its game. The brand has joined forces with Pichaya ‘Pam’ Soontornyanakij – recently crowned the World’s Best Female Chef 2025 and the talent behind Michelin-starred Potong – to create a limited-edition menu infused with bold Thai flavours. Naturally, we couldn’t resist giving it a try.

Available at all Shake Shack locations across Bangkok through July 6, the collaboration features two special burgers, a snack, and a dessert that showcase Chef Pam’s culinary creativity. First on the list is the Jaew BBQ Pork Burger (B235), created as a thoughtful alternative for locals who don’t eat beef. This burger debuts Shake Shack’s all-natural applewood-smoked pork patty, which is topped with Chef Pam’s tangy jaew BBQ sauce, melted cheese, fresh shallots, culantro and crispy pork crackling – all sandwiched in a toasted potato bun.

The standout element of this burger is undoubtedly the pork crackling (kaeb moo), a popular Thai snack made from deep-fried pork skin, often found at noodle shops. While not something you’d expect in a burger, it pairs surprisingly well with the jaew BBQ sauce, which is sweet, slightly spicy, and packed with flavours of fish sauce, chili and tamarind. It’s like a bite of Thai street food in burger form. That said, if you’re sensitive to spice, tread carefully – this one brings a bit of heat.

The real star of the menu, however, is the Black Pepper Burger (B265 for a single, B375 for a double). Featuring a juicy 100% Angus beef patty smothered in Chef Pam’s rich black pepper sauce, double cheese, fresh onions and crispy shallots. Shake Shack describes it as a tribute to classic Thai-Chinese black pepper dishes found in old-school Bangkok shophouses, and I couldn’t agree more. Though I haven’t yet had the pleasure of dining at Potong, the combination of freshly cracked black pepper, scallions, soy sauce and oyster sauce delivers a wok-fried, caramelised depth that’s both nostalgic and utterly satisfying.

For a snack, the limited menu offers seafood mayo fries (B130). These crinkle-cut fries are topped with Chef Pam’s tangy seafood mayo, crispy pork crackling and fresh cilantro. The sauce, inspired by Thai street food dipping sauces, is a clever nod to local flavours, as Thais often pair fried foods with zesty dips. However, this dish didn’t quite hit the mark for me – the sauce made the fries soggy quickly and the mix of flavours left a lingering sweet-and-sour aftertaste that felt somewhat unbalanced.

To end the meal, there’s the mango sticky rice shake (B210), a blend of vanilla frozen custard, fresh mango, glutinous sticky rice and salted coconut cream, topped with whipped cream, crispy mung beans and mango powder. Mango sticky rice is obviously a crowd favourite and this shake pulls it off well. The sticky rice texture really comes through and the coconut cream adds that rich, familiar taste. That said, it was a bit too sweet for me to finish on my own. I’d definitely suggest sharing it with a friend.

Overall, I’d say the Shake Shack x Chef Pam collaboration is worth a try especially if you’re curious about Chef Pam’s cooking but don’t want to wait for a table at Potong. It’s a fun and accessible way to experience her flavour-packed style and honestly, it’s worth the splurge.

Her humble roadside eatery in Phra Nakhon, famous for its sizzling crab omelettes and fiery seafood dishes, has become a national treasure, earning a Michelin star in 2018, a title it has proudly held ever since. Jay Fai’s one-star status not only showcased her exceptional talent but also elevated Bangkok’s street food to global fame, making her a culinary ambassador for Thailand.

Nearing 80, who could blame her for wanting a break? But if this Bangkok institution does indeed close its shutters, we’ve cooked up several plan-B options featuring equally stellar street food.

Just for a moment, picture stepping into a world where the sounds of the city fade away and you find yourself transported to the heart of a lush jungle. At COBA, Bangkok's exciting new culinary sensation, that's the experience you can expect. Surrounded by towering greenery, cascading plants and the soul of nature, diners are treated to a multi-sensory experience. The blend of jungle aesthetics with fine-dining creates an atmosphere so captivating, you'll feel like you've stepped into a tropical rainforest.

The mastermind behind this jungle oasis is the acclaimed Michelin-starred chef and visionary culinary curator Olivier Limousin, with his years of expertise honed in globally renowned Michelin-starred kitchens, he has created a menu that's as imaginative as it is delicious in collaboration with COBA and executive chef Sebastien Lallane. This team has crafted a culinary journey that marries the bold, rich flavours of Latin America with the refined techniques of French cuisine.

From the moment you sit down, you'll be taken on a pulsating sensory journey through bold, creative flavours. A Tapas Tower is the star of the meal and features perfectly seared tuna tataki with a citrusy dressing, delicate confit scallops paired with tangy umeboshi and rich, buttery wagyu tartare that highlights the beef's deep umami. The unexpected fusion of flavours continues with humita gyoza filled with creamy sweetness, complemented by the salty, savoury kick of Joselito Iberico ham – a surprising and mouth-watering combination that balances comfort and adventure. Each dish celebrates the richness of local ingredients, expertly crafted in inventive ways that surprise and delight. 

Dining at COBA is an exquisite journey for the senses. From the rich flavours of each dish to the playful textures and complex detail, every element is crafted to delight the senses. The concept of 'fusion' is taken to a level where Latin American zest meets the finesse of French culinary tradition. The food shines bright, no question. But the atmosphere is equally enthralling. Every corner of the restaurant is designed to immerse you in the beauty and mystery of the jungle, while you savour a meal to remember.

K-streat is a newly-opened Korean street food hub that has taken Samyan Mitrtown by storm. Opening its doors on October 3 as the newest spot for Korean cuisine lovers, the hub gathers 11 new eateries originating from South Korea. Covering many things from bibimbap and rice rolls to fruit tea, there’s no better time to relive your favourite K-drama scenes and enjoy authentic food with your friends. 

Korean street food has rocketed its popularity in Thailand for more than a decade. This food hall on the fourth floor of Samyan’s shopping mall offers a variety of menus. You can try chewy Korean instant noodles from Nongshim Shin Ramyun, where you can get service from a noodle-making machine. Blended into Thai flavour, their ramyun also have tom yum flavour from Jay Fai, a Michelin-starred street food. Craving for Korean classics, Bbja serves bibimbap with toppings of your choice (Korean rice bowl, B169). Moogyodoong Yoojung Nakji might please spicy food lovers with their spicy stir-fried minor octopus (B260) and you can choose the level of spiciness too. 

Not limited to traditional dishes, many fusion foods from Platter 7 also present Thai and other ingredients on their fried rice menus. Grab your finger food at 77Kentucky as they give you many options for their fried chicken from original to spicy flavour. 

An egg bread set (B169) from Eggseoul might be a dessert in which you can savour sweetness and creaminess in one bite. Don’t forget to refresh yourself with beverages from Tenpercent as iced peach tea (B90) and caffe latte (B95) are a drink to match your Korean meal.

K-Streat, 4/F Samyan Mitrtown. Rama IV Rd. 02-001-1051. Open Daily 10am-10pm 

Mixing whisky with art might seem like a drunken idea, but it’s a concept that’s gaining momentum in the luxury world. From Perrier’s partnership with Andy Warhol to Supreme’s collaboration with Damien Hirst, and even Dom Perignon’s work with Jeff Koons, brands are increasingly turning to artists to elevate their products. Art is no longer limited to galleries and museums – it’s finding its way into everyday life, making luxury products more accessible and visually exciting.

A fresh example of this crossover is the creative collaboration between Glenfiddich and Swedish-French graffiti artist Andre Saraiva. The iconic Scotch whisky brand launched its latest limited-edition release, the Glenfiddich Grand Chateau, which forms part of the exclusive Grand Series. This 31-year-old whisky stands out not only for its impressive age but also for being the first Glenfiddich expression matured in Bordeaux wine casks, blending the rich heritage of Scotch whisky with the elegance of French wine.

But it’s not just the whisky that’s turning heads – the packaging is a work of art. Saraiva, known for his vibrant graffiti style, brings a fresh, playful energy to the product’s design. He reinterprets the classic Toile de Jouy pattern – typically featuring pastoral scenes – by incorporating motifs from both Scotland’s Speyside whisky region and Bordeaux, creating something visually striking yet rooted in heritage.

Mr. A, the cheeky, grinning character who has appeared on walls from Paris to New York, also finds a new home on the Grand Chateau box. His presence adds an element of lightness and fun to the otherwise elegant design, showing that even in luxury, there’s room for a sense of humour.

The artistic flair continues inside the box, where Saraiva’s vibrant watercolour prints turn the packaging into a mini-gallery. It’s a fitting reflection of the whisky itself – blend of history and innovation, art and craft. The result is an unusual but compelling fusion of two distinct worlds.

The whisky’s unveiling took place at ATT 19, a contemporary gallery on Charoenkrung Road, on October 3. The venue's artistic vibe complemented the collaboration, highlighting how traditional whisky can embrace modern creativity.