Ah, Bangkok. It is one city that’s regularly on our list of top must-go holiday destinations. Yes, even after we have visited it once, twice or more, we can’t seem to get enough of the vibrant city. One of the reasons why we love Bangkok is that there is always somewhere new to go, some new food places to check out. Here are five hip places you can hit up in Bangkok, especially if you call yourself a bonafide foodie.
1. Artbox Night Market
Artbox Night Market is a conceptually new night market with various sections of creative food ideas, confectionaries and eye-catching fashion items. Here, the pop-up booths are housed in real containers. It is in this novelty aspect that made Artbox stand out amongst the plethora of night markets in Bangkok. However, the main draw of this night market is none other than the laid-back experience it offers, as you weave through lanes, which offer almost everything from thirst-quenching drinks to intricate handmade trinkets.
Overhanging fairy lights adorn one of the lanes at Artbox Night Market.
A variety of creative soda concoctions comes in eye-popping colours at Artbox.
A display of homemade sweet treats at Artbox.
Unlike anything you have seen before, the unique food concepts at this exhibition market are bound to enthral you visually and tempt your palate. If the sight of delectable food still isn’t enough to entice you, the prices of the food here will. A generous serving of well-marinated steak cubes can be bought at less than S$7, which is really reasonable, given that beef is usually more expensive. The dirt-cheap prices of Thai beer (about S$4) are also bound to strike a chord with beer lovers who’d like to let loose a little. Check out its website as the location of Artbox changes from time to time.
2. Thong Lor
The COMMONS on Thonglor Soi 17 houses wildly popular cafes such as Roast and The Beer Cap TBC.
Thong Lor may seem like any other residential area but upon further exploration of the area, you will find yourself some hidden gems. An up-and-coming hipster enclave, The COMMONS is the place to be seen in, especially with the young hipster crowds. Many trendy Thai yuppies head here for popular food concepts housed within The COMMONS such as The Beer Cap which provides a curated selection of craft beers and wine, like a moth to a flame.
If you tire of staying in one place easily, fret not. There are many other well-known cafes such as Audrey Cafe and Bistro, Mr. Jones Orphanage and even a Korean Bingsu dessert cafe, which makes for easy cafe-hopping in Thong Lor. J Avenue, a prominent community shopping mall is also around the corner. It is ideal for taking breaks in between shopping at cafes.
The rooftop area houses various cafes and restaurants.
3. Audrey Café and Bistro
If you love desserts, be sure to make a pit-stop at Audrey Café and Bistro. Inspired by actress Audrey Hepburn, it has a few outlets but its most popular one is at Thong Lor.
The entrance of Audrey evokes old-school posh and elegance.
Thai Milk Tea Crepe cake (about S$4.50) at Audrey Cafe and Bistro.
Cha-yen, which refers to Iced Milk Tea in Thai, is one drink you must not miss when you are in Bangkok. And now, much to my delight, it comes in the form of a crepe at Audrey Cafe and Bistro. Totally the opposite of what I expected, the Thai Milk Tea Crepe cake was not in the least bit sweet. In fact, the fragrance of Thai milk tea in the crepe was so aromatic that I cleaned up my plate in no time.
Milo Volcano Crepe cake (about S$5) at Audrey Cafe and Bistro.
You may forget that you are in Bangkok upon seeing their signature Milo Volcano Crepe cake, as I got reminded of our Milo Dinosaur in Singapore. The Thais certainly did justice to the luscious taste of Milo. This cocoa-flavored crepe hit all the right notes, and left me craving for more. This was hands down my favourite in Bangkok though I confess that I am a big Milo fan.
Rosy shake (approximately 5SGD) and watermelon ice blend (approximately 4SGD) that tasted as good as it looks, at Audrey Café and Bistro.
Audrey actually serves pretty decent desserts and food at very reasonable prices. Think the same type of service and atmosphere that you get at Lady M back home but at a fraction of the prices. I’m sold.
Audrey Café and Bistro | 136/3 Thonglor Soi 11 (Main Branch)
4. Roast Cafe
Latte poured over iced espresso cubes (about S$5)
A mouthwatering Johnnys Burger accompanied with thick-cut fries at Roast, which came up to around 18SGD.
Roast Cafe, whose popularity is off the charts for their brunch and coffee, is housed within The COMMONS. After dining there, I could see why it is one of the must-visit cafes in Bangkok. Their menu is designed aesthetically like a lifestyle magazine, in which the same tastefulness is also demonstrated in the decor of the cafe. All these attributes add to an inviting and comfortable atmosphere at the café but what ultimately won us over was the impressive quality of the food.
The open-concept counter table and seats at Roast, which has a touch of minimalism to it.
Roast Café | Unit #T1 (Roast), The COMMONS 335 Thonglor Soi 17, Sukhumvit 55 Klongton Nua, Wattana, Bangkok 10110 | Opening hours: Weekdays 10am to 11pm, Weekends 9am to 11pm
Roast Café | 1st floor, The Helix Quartier, EmQuartier | Opening hours: daily 10am to 10pm
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Rot Fai (or Train) night market
An interesting sight of an open-concept cafe in the midst of all the hustle and bustle at Rot Fai (Train) Night Market.
A bar with a live band playing for the night at Rot Fai.
One of the most happening places in Bangkok, Rot Fai, also known as the new Train night market, boasts of an eclectic mix of shops that cater to a wide myriad of needs. As the night deepens, it gets more alive, with captivating live bands, hipster bars and even a rooftop bar that overlooks the entire place.
Little did we expect a barbershop right smack in the middle of Rot Fai Night Market.
The last thing you would expect at a night market is a barbershop but there you have it, one right smacked in the middle of Rot Fai. These interesting sights at Rot Fai don’t just stop there. There is even an open-concept café and shop providing eyelash extension services amidst the hustle and bustle of the night market. These certainly run contrary to the association of a night market with the likes of conventional street food, handmade trinkets and accessories. Yet this is what makes Rot Fai so unique and appealing at the same time.
A hipster bar at Rot Fai in the early evening, before the crowds start coming in.
New Rot Fai Market Ratchada | Ratcadaphisek Road (close to Esplanade Shopping Mall) | Opens from 5pm to 12am (Thursday-Sunday) | Nearest train station: National Cultural Centre
