Tell them 'mai phet' (not spicy) upfront. 'Phet nit noi' means a little. 'Phet mak' = very spicy. Servers will give you tourist-level spice if you say nothing.
🍜Shared dishes, Thai-style
Thai meals are family-style. Order 2–3 dishes for 2 people with rice. Don't order individual dishes expecting a full plate.
💳Cash vs card
Street food and local spots: cash only. Malls and hotels: card OK. 1,000 baht bills not always broken at street stalls — carry 20–100 baht notes.
🕐Peak hours
Bangkok lunch rush is 12–1:30pm, dinner 6:30–8pm. Arrive 15 min before for top spots. Most good street food closes by 9pm.
🪑No reservations (mostly)
Most local places don't take reservations. High-end spots do — book through their website or Line app. Walk-in wait at popular spots is 15–30 min.
🐾Street dogs at stalls
Normal to see dogs near street stalls. They're generally harmless and fed by vendors. Don't worry — the food prep area stays clean.
🍽️ Bangkok fusion dining — where Thai meets the world
🌟
80/20 Bangkok
Modern Thai-Western fusion · Charoen Krung Soi 26 (heritage building)
฿2,500–3,500/person (tasting menu)
Michelin 1-star. Chef Itt Pochanakarn uses hyperlocal Thai ingredients in contemporary European-technique dishes. One of Bangkok's most intellectually interesting dining experiences.
⭐ Tasting menu — order the whole thing. A la carte also available. Strong natural wine list.
⭐
Sühring
German-Thai fusion · Michelin 2-star · Yen Akat area (Sathorn)
฿4,000–5,500/person (tasting menu)
Twin brothers Thomas and Mathias Sühring cook German cuisine using Thai ingredients and Thai refinement. Unique, impossible to replicate elsewhere.
⭐ Full tasting menu. The pretzel course is legendary. Book 4–8 weeks ahead.
🥘
Paste Bangkok
Royal Thai cuisine refined · Gaysorn Tower (Chit Lom BTS)
฿1,200–2,500/person
Michelin 1-star. Ancient royal Thai recipes modernized with exceptional technique. More subtle flavor profiles than typical Thai street food.
Cafe-fusion, local chef creative · Charoenkrung Soi 32–42 corridor
฿200–600/person
Bangkok's creative dining neighborhood. Independent chefs, fusion cafes, natural wine bars, small-batch craft everything. The area to discover the new Bangkok food scene.
⭐ Walk the area — explore. No single spot but many excellent discoveries.