Anna's Cafe
114 Soi Saladaeng (off Silom).
Tel: 02-632 0620/1.
Open: 11am-10pm.
Credit cards accepted.
Fashionable cafe with inexpensive menu. The freshly baked cakes and good coffee make this a popular spot with the local office workers as well as expats in the know.

Authong
Pahonyothin Soi 5.
Tel: 02-270 1515.
Open: 11am-11pm.
Credit cards accepted.
A restaurant that can cater for large parties. The seafood and specialty dishes are recommended.

Baan Khanitha
36/1 Sukhumvit Soi 23.
Tel: 02-258 4181.
Open: 11am-2pm & 6pm-11pm.
Credit cards accepted.
This is a beautiful old Thai house restaurant that serves faithful renditions of traditional dishes. The menu also offers a few deviations from tradition with some interesting modern adaptations.

Baan Khun Mae
458/7 Siam Square.
Tel: 02-250 1953.
Open: 11am-11pm.
Credit cards accepted.
The decor is centered around a collection of antiques and Thai artifacts. The ambience is completed by the staff costumes, all of which are traditional Thai. Menu cannot be faulted.

Baan Khun Phor
Siam Arawan, Rama I,
Siam Suqure Soi 7.
Tel: 02-250 1252/3
Open: 11.30am-11.30pm.
Credit cards accepted.
Another highly traditional Thai restaurant setup, in the style of Baan Khun Mae. Enjoy a little bit of history.

Baan Krua
29/1 Soi Saladaeng,
Sathorn Nua.
Tel: 02-233 6912.
Open: 5pm-10pm.
Credit cards accepted.
Fairly standard Thai menu enhanced by some special house dishes. A cosy restaurant in the heart of the business district.

Baan Tou Kab Khaew
RCA 23/62 Block F, Royal City Avenue.
Tel: 02-203 0705.
Open 11am-11pm.
Credit cards accepted.
The name translates to: "The House of Thai Movies," and that pretty much sets the scene for this restaurant which is decorated with posters of popular Thai films. Thai cuisine, Thai atmosphere and a Thai experience with a twist.

Ban Chao Phraya
99/2 Ramintra Road
Bangkhan, Bangkok
Tel: 02-552 0567
Open: 4pm-2am.
Credit cards accepted.
One hundred per cent Thai. You'll find all your favourites here.

Ban Chiang
14 Soi Srivieng, Surasak Road (off Silom).
Tel: 02-236 7045.
Open: 11am-2pm & 5.30pm-10.30pm.
Credit cards accepted.
Set in an old-style Thai house with comfortable garden tables, the restaurant offers authentic central Thai cuisine. More adventurous diners might like to try some of the more spicy Isaan dishes.

Benjarong
Dusit Thani Hotel
Rama IV Road, Bangkok
Tel : 02-236 0450/9.
Open: 11:30am-2pm & 6pm-10pm.
Credit cards accepted.
This popular restaurant has an excellent selection of Thai food. A band plays traditional Thai music to add to the ambience while you enjoy your food.

Bua Garden Restaurant
Bangkhen 86/1 Ngamwongwarn Road.
Tel: 02-579 6596.
Open: 10.30am-11pm.
Credit cards accepted.
Authentic Thai dining from a menu offering great variety. The atmosphere is comfortable and well suited for larger groups. Its two sister restaurants (below) offer a similar dining experience.

Bua Garden Restaurant
999, Sanakharin, Bangna
Patanakarn Road.
Tel: 02-393 5876/7.
Open: 10.30am-10pm. Credit cards accepted.

Bua Garden Restaurant
Silom 1 Soi Convent.
Tel: 02-237 6640/1.
Open: 11am-midnight.
Credit cards accepted.

Cabbages and Condoms
10 Sukhumvit Soi 12,
Bangkok 10110.
Tel: 02-229 4610.
Open: 11am-11pm.
Credit cards accepted.
The name is enough to get anybody's attention, but it's not just a gimmick. Despite being a Thai restaurant, the place is owned by a farang who started the AIDS awareness campaign in Thailand. The menu is predominantly Thai but all dishes can be prepared to your taste, so if you want the spice toned down ask for it that way. The restaurant has three areas: a garden, roof garden and air con section. Just be careful in the garden, though; last time I was there I ended up being part of the meal - for a biting insect!

Cafe Siam
4 Soi Sriaksorn (off Soi Sri Bum Phen),
near Rama IV expressway exit.
Tel: 02-671 0030.
Open: 11am-2pm & 6.30pm-10.30pm. Credit cards accepted.
An old colonial building that has been refurbished and is now decorated with Indochinese antiques. The restaurant has a French/Thai menu and if you want to relax either before of after your meal there's a bar and lounge area upstairs.

Charm
49/122 Rattanathibet Road,
Nonthaburi.
Tel: 02-580 5354.
Open: 11am-11pm.
Credit cards accepted.
Not for the faint-hearted, but if you can handle really spicy Thai food this place is for you. Large variety of Thai salads on the menu, as well as other favourites.

Gai-Tong
400/1Sena Nikhom Soi 1,
Pahonyothin Soi 32.
Tel: 02-579 3898.
Open: 8am-10pm.
Credit cards not accepted.
Specialising in Isaan food (north east Thailand), the restaurant boasts the very best from the region. Laab, som tam and grilled meat all feature on a comprehensive menu.

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Hemlock
56 Phra Arthit Road,
(opposite River Express Boat entrance).
Tel: 02-282 7507.
Open: 4pm-midnight.
Credit cards not accepted.
Hemlock has the look of an upmarket restaurant, but prices that will make even a backpacker smile. The menu features mainly ancient Thai recipes plus a variety of teas, good wine selection and plenty of beers.

Hua Lumphong Station Restaurant
Sukhumvit Soi 34.
Tel: 02-661 3538
Open 11am-11pm.
Credit cards accepted.
Great place to sample the various styles of Thai cuisine. The menu offers dishes from all regions of the country and its warm atmosphere provides something a little different from the norm. Thai music from 8pm.

Kalpapreuk On First
27 Pramuan Road, off Silom.
Tel: 02-236 4335.
Open: 8am-10pm (closes at 3pm on Sundays).
Credit cards not accepted.
A bit of a mixed bag this with Thai (Isaan), Vietnamese and Italian dishes on the menu. Also has a reputation for its fresh cakes and pastries.

Kalpapreuk On First
Emporium, 1st floor,
Sukhumvit Road Soi 24.
Tel: 02-664 8410.
Open: 11am-10pm.
Credit cards accepted.
Sister restaurant to above, same menu and style.

Koong Luang
1756 Pinklao Nakornchaisri Road.
bangkok Noi
Tel: 02-424 0478.
Open: 11am-11pm.
Credit cards accepted.
Thai menu with fresh seafood available. Try the steamed clams with chili and salt, or the fried crab with curry powder. Delicious!

La Banane
99/24 Langsuan Balcony,
Soi Langsuan.
Tel: 02-251 9822.
Open: 11am-1am.
Credit cards accepted.
The Balcony boasts several trendy restaurants and this is one of them. Offers a traditional Thai menu and being close to a number of live music venues is ideal for those who like to party after they've eaten.

Lemon Grass
5/1 Soi 24 Sukhumvit Road.
Tel: 02-258 8637.
Open: 11am-2pm & 6pm-11pm.
Credit cards accepted.
An authentic Thai atmosphere, complete with antiques, and first class cuisine. All dishes are prepared to a high standard in this friendly restaurant.

Lot 24
Sukhumvit Soi 24.
Tel: 02-259 5170.
Open: 11am-11pm.
Credit cards accepted.
Smallish but comfortable, as long as you like the all-white look. Good food in a trendy atmosphere.

Mango Tree
37 Soi Anuman Rachthon,
(near Coca Surawongse).
Tel: 02-236 2820.
Open: 11am-midnight.
Credit cards accepted.
Authentic restaurant set in an 80-year-old Siamese house. The menu encompasses dishes from all over Thailand.

Na Phra Lan
18 Na Phra Lan Road,
(near watphra keaw.)
Tel: 02-221 2312.
Open: 10am-10pm (closed Sundays).
Credit cards not accepted.
A perfect ambience and a perfect view. Located opposite the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the décor is thoughtful, with many colourful paintings adorning the walls. Cuisine is traditional Thai.

No. 53 Cafe
55 Sukhumvit Soi 53,
North Klongtoy.
Tel: 02-262 1681 or 02-259 0039.
Open: 10am-2am.
Credit cards accepted.
A pleasant garden restaurant serving good Thai food in a comfortable atmosphere.

Prik Kee Noo
1/3 Sivadon Building, Soi Convent.
Tel: 02-631 2325.
Open: 11.30am-10.30pm.
Credit cards accepted.
Another good choice if you want to experience the various regional cuisines Thailand has to offer. A cheerful place that won't disappoint.

Siam Elephant
50 Soi Nantar, Sathorn 1,
South Sathorn Road.
Tel: 02-287 4022.
Fax: 02-287 4021.
Open: Monday to Friday, 11.30am-2pm & 5.30pm-10.30pm. Saturday and Sunday, 11.30am-10.30pm.
Credit cards accepted.
A small restaurant with just 12 tables inside the air-conditioned area and four more outside in the attractive garden, complete with fountain. Menu features lots of popular Thai dishes, with a slant towards healthy eating, including plenty of vegetarian options. Also has some really interesting desserts, including ice-creams flavoured with lemongrass, mulberry leaves and coconut.
This is not the cheapest place in the world to eat, but it won't break the bank either. The soft-shell crab dishes (very good here), for example, were around Bt120 each. All in all, well worth a visit.

Tamnanthai
2nd floor Ploenchit Centre, Soi 2 Sukhumvit.
Tel: 02-656 9428.
Open: 8am-midnight.
Credit cards accepted.
Authentic Thai food with occasional live Thai music. Friendly staff in a semi-traditional setting. Food is excellent and there's a limited selection of wine plus a good bar.

Thai House Two
87 Sukhumvit Soi 5 (above Foodland).
Tel: 02-254 4725.
Open: 10am-1am.
Credit cards accepted.
Authentic Thai food with live music from 8pm. It's even been known to put on a "Thai Elvis" show! Thai cookery classes are available for the enthusiast.

Yok Yor
762 Klong 2, Lad Ya Road.
Tel: 02-437 1121.
Open: 3pm-1.30am.
Credit cards accepted.
Sitauted on the other side of the river, this restaurant is identical to its Baan Khun sisters. If you find yourself here you won't be disappointed.

Yok Yor Marina Reasturant
885 Somdejchaophraya 17 Road
Klong San, Bangkok
Tel: 02-863 0565/6
Open: 11am-midnight
Credit cards accepted
Located on the banks of reasturant Chaophraya, Yok Yor offers not only dining cruises but also sightseeing along the river.