October 5, 2024, 6:10 am | Read time: 6 minutes
Bangkok is buzzing – by day and by night. If you want to discover the coolest locations off the beaten track in the Thai metropolis, you not only need strong nerves (traffic!) but, above all, good tips from insiders. From star chef Tim Raue to travel blogger Denise Nestler, they have all revealed their insider tips for Bangkok to TRAVELBOOK.
Who hasn’t felt this way? It’s your first time in a big city, and the choices are overwhelming. There are hundreds of stores, restaurants, and hotels, but only the locals know what’s really good and trendy. The same goes for the bustling Asian metropolis of Bangkok: naturally, a stroll along the backpacker-frequented Khao San Road is a must. And a visit to the night market in Patpong’s infamous red light district somehow feels like a rite of passage. But these experiences, while interesting, aren’t exactly off the beaten path. 7 tips for Bangkok.
Keep reading if you’re eager to discover the Thai metropolis beyond the well-trodden tourist paths. Culinary experts, hotel connoisseurs, art aficionados, and fashion insiders have shared their exclusive tips with TRAVELBOOK.
Tips for Bangkok from Berlin star chef Tim Raue*: Where to eat?
Water Library Chamchuri. “As is the case with many fine dining spots, the restaurant finds its home within a shopping mall. Mirco Keller cooks here – he was at my side for more than nine years and has been cooking successfully in Bangkok for several years – European cuisine with a hint of Asian flavors. My recommendation: Black cod with corn and beet – a dish with rich aromas, nutty tones, and bright acidity. Please note: you can’t go there without a reservation!”
Issaya Siamese Club. “Ian Kittichai is Thailand’s most international chef, running restaurants all over the world and a handful in Bangkok. He is Thailand’s No. 1 TV chef. His cuisine is traditionally Thai, with some outstanding dishes such as the massaman curry with lamb. The flavors are milder than usual in Thailand. The Issaya Siamese Club restaurant is a picturesque old colonial house set in a small tropical garden.”
Yamazato in the Okura Prestige Hotel. “Here, you can enjoy traditional Japanese cuisine of the highest standards. The grilled pork with mustard is sublime – no need to jet off to Tokyo! The furnishings are simple and luxurious. The service is more Japanese than in Japan.”
“Perched atop the upper floors of a skyscraper, the hotel boasts an outdoor pool with stunning vistas of Bangkok, exquisite rooms, and a tranquil Zen ambiance – an ideal sanctuary from the city’s relentless energy.”
“Go to the ‘Sam Yan’ market. It’s exceptionally clean and offers an array of items from curry pastes and mushrooms to fresh vegetables and fruit – all top-notch in quality.”
“The finest street food stalls are tucked away in the side streets of Chinatown. I’ve never eaten better fried rice, duck soup, and som tam anywhere.”
* Tim Raue is a star chef from Berlin. He loves Asian cuisine and has already cooked in Bangkok himself. What fascinates him most about Thai cuisine is the aroma. “The interplay of ripe fruit’s sweetness, the heat of chili, the umami of myriad fish sauces, and the crunch of roasted nuts transforms many dishes into an unforgettable sensory journey!” enthuses Raue in an interview with TRAVELBOOK.
Tips for Bangkok from costume designer Jula Reindell*: Where to SHOP?
Terminal 21: The name says it all: “The mall’s design mimics an airport terminal. Each floor is assigned to different countries or cities and designed accordingly. In addition to traditional, international brands, you will also find small stores in the mall that offer fashion from young designers – unusual and individual, often at a reasonable price.”
Asiatique: This relatively new night market welcomes visitors from 4 p.m. to midnight. “There are lots and lots of small stores here – from accessories, bags, and decorative items to clothes. Many of them are handmade from traditional fabrics. Young designers are also represented here. It’s well worth a visit; there’s lots to discover, and the atmosphere is great.”
Siam: “It’s essentially the city’s shopping epicenter! There are lots of malls, my favorite is the Siam Center. There are very creative fashion labels here. I can recommend the label ‘Flynow’ – they make colorful, creative fashion from unusual fabrics with great patterns.”
Platinum Fashion Mall: “Young designers have the opportunity to rent small stores there. This presents a unique opportunity for emerging designers to showcase their creations, particularly for those starting with limited funds.”
* Julia Reindell lives and works as a freelance costume and stage designer in Mainz. Since 2010, she has been teaching once a year for seven weeks as a lecturer at the CIDI Fashion University in Bangkok. There, she teaches students the basics of illustration, pattern making, and draping. Reindell believes in Bangkok’s potential to hold its own as a fashion city in the long term, even if some designs are a little “kitschy and very feminine” for European tastes, in her words.
Tips for Bangkok from art curator Francisco Polo*: Where to see and buy art?
“Bangkok is teeming with art galleries – perhaps even too many,” says Francisco Polo. “Unfortunately, they don’t meet international standards; no big exhibitions, no big names. But I can recommend two galleries: the Serindia Gallery and the RMA Institute. Here, you will only find Thai artists.”
* Spanish-born Francisco Polo is an interior designer, art curator, and founder of the We*Do Gallery in Bangkok. Here, he exhibits high-end interior architecture, architecture, and design works. In his opinion, the art scene in Thailand is nowhere near comparable to that in Europe or America.
Tips for Bangkok from travel blogger Neni*: Where to party?
Vertigo Grill and Moon Bar. “Located on the 53rd floor of the Banyan Tree Hotel, you have a beautiful view of the whole city, especially when it’s so brightly lit up at night. The cocktails there are really delicious!”
Titanium Bar. “If you want to experience something different, this is the place to be. The club has a vodka room that is specially chilled. The bar is made of ice, and the bartenders all wear smart uniforms. There’s also a lot going on musically here: a girl band plays pop music during the week – they get support from local rock bands.”
Route 66: this is the hotspot where locals come to celebrate! The club is open every day and is always full. From hip-hop to electro, the music depends on the day of the week, so everyone gets what they want.
“Locals often enjoy free entry to clubs, whereas tourists can expect to start with entry fees of around five euros. Always ask about the price of drinks beforehand. If you don’t negotiate it, you’ll get ripped off and often end up paying three times as much.”
*Denise Nestler, or simply Neni, blogs on neniandstyle.de about “the finer things in life” – for her, these are mainly travel, make-up, and movies.
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Where to sleep?
Bangkok offers an extensive range of accommodations, from budget-friendly hostels at seven euros a night to opulent designer hotels that can command prices up to 500 euros. Generally, prices vary greatly depending on the season and the hotel. If you are flexible, you should compare prices on the well-known portals – and strike a bargain.
Also interesting: These are the 7 best hostels in the world
The original version of this article was published in 2014.