Bangkok's dining circuit shows no sign of slowing down, with a fresh wave of openings spanning heritage shophouses, smoked meat kiosks and a first-of-its-kind hotel brunch. Here's what's new and where to point your appetite.
Mitr Street by Ruay Mitr is the big one for Thai-Chinese food fans. From Tatchai Nakapan's Supanniga Group, it takes the energy of the original Ruay Mitr Khao Tom Kui — famous for pairing khao tom with live DJs — and scales it up in a six-storey heritage shophouse in the Tha Tien neighbourhood, redesigned by Saran Yen Panya. The top floor hides ThaiKi Rooftop Bar, with views over Wat Pho and the Chao Phraya River bend, plus Tiki-meets-Thai-Chinese cocktails and DJs on weekends. The kitchen leans hard on charcoal and wok hei: Péngyou flame-kissed beef fillet, prawn sashimi from the Urak Lawoi community on Koh Lanta, crab fried rice, squid-ink glass noodles, and the signature Ruay Mitr Mama hot pot. Desserts like black grass jelly granita round it out.
Craving something from the other side of the Pacific? Diehard Thailand at Terminal 21 Asoke claims Bangkok's first American deli-style pastrami sandwich. Chef Thanachot "Bam" Thammapeera (ex-RareBKK, of Blendies gelato) brines Australian Wagyu — cheek, brisket or navel — for six days, smokes it for a day, then rests it before slicing to order at an eight-seat counter. Pick sourdough or rye, add Dijon, coleslaw, barbecue sauce or sauerkraut, and upgrade to a combo with tater tots.
Upmarket Sunday plans come courtesy of Aman Nai Lert Bangkok, which has launched Aman Brunch at Arva — the first of its kind across all Aman properties. Served the first Sunday of each month (next on Oct 4), it ditches the buffet for à la minute dishes brought to the table: a seafood platter to start, then free ordering across Italian at Arva, teppanyaki kaiseki at Hiori, handcrafted sushi at Sesui, and pastries from Florian Couteau, including a chocolate blend made from Thai cacao grown in three provinces. One caveat from the review: service could be sharper.
Also new: Shake Shack's first seafood collaboration in Thailand, running until Nov 19 with actor-chef JamyJamess of Talayjai — think shrimp-topped burgers, tom yum fries and a coconut custard shake, at all five locations and via Grab. Andaz One Bangkok has unveiled the Poolhouse, a 137m² suite with direct pool access, Lumphini Park views and a Byredo-stocked marble bathroom. And Hong Kong hospitality names Christopher Mark and Vidur Yadav have opened Kizaru, a Tokyo-style izakaya with chef Shun Sato, currently soft-opening at Montien Mall.
Why it matters: whether you're in town for a weekend or a fortnight, this list covers every budget — from a kiosk sandwich to a suite with pool access — and gives you a reason to explore Tha Tien, Asoke and Lumphini in a single trip. Book the rooftop before sunset; that river view is the real headliner.
