10 breweries and beer brands shaping the Bangkok scene and changing your neighbourhood.
WHO’S IN CHARGE?
BK EDITORIAL
Managing Editor Tyler Roney
Senior Lifestyle Writer Sarisa Pokawattana
Art Director Wirankan Saiyasombut
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SOIMILK EDITORIAL
Managing Editor Porpor Leelasestaporn
GROVE: COCONUTS BRAND STUDIO
Associate Thai Editor Pakvipa Rimdusit
Junior Creator Poom Petsophonsakul
Head of Digital Nuttajuk Kittichailuk
Senior Business Development Manager
Piti Rungrojanaluck
Senior Business Development Manager
Chalida Anuwattanawong
Junior Business Development Officer
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Finance & Operations Manager Manita Satra
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Publisher, Printer, and Editor Tara Rattanaphas
Cover photo Lucky’s hungry
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04 by the numbers All of Bangkok’s new Michelin Stars 05 bk in brief New and more holidays coming in 2025
10
10
new & noted The crew behind El Willy open a new space for Mexican cuisine in Bandido
new and noted Sarnies opens a new spot at The Corner House in Talad Noi
12 nightlife Electric Sheep brings crisp Mediterranean flavors, fierce sustainable cooking, and dystopian chic to Talad Noi
14 nightlife New cocktail spot Bar Near Me is slinging drinks inspired by Yaowarat
06 cover story
10 brewers shaping the Bangkok scene
13
new and noted Santiaga’s new menu brings Bangkok’s chilli game to a whole new level
15 on the bar
Feral is the new spot at 72 Courtyard for natty wines and tapas
THAI-CHINESE STOREFRONTS INSPIRE
NEW LOCAL STREETWEAR BRAND SHOPHOUSE STEEL DOOR
Style-wise, there are few things in the city as memorable as shophouse style. Shophouse Steel Door takes their inspiration from metal doors and shophouses to produce a low-key streetwear brand that’s very Bangkok.
Thai-Chinese shophouses are alive and well, and this brand is producing streetwear that brings a vintage look with a modern feel, with hats and shirts for every day.
This shop, founded by two friends from Thailand and Uruguay, creates designs in-house to make sure their fashion is unique—not generated.
“Every design we offer is born from an original idea and crafted with care—not AI—because we believe creativity should remain a human endeavor,” Ploy from Shophouse Steel Door tells BK Magazine.
The shirts themselves are high-quality and imported from Japan, and you’ll find some very Thai designs here—including The Stacker, a simple design featuring the monobloc chair ubiquitous at Bangkok street food shops and their latest creation, Hi-Lo, for a bit of retro design in your wardrobe. They’ll be coming out with new lines in the coming months, so keep an eye out for this one.
It’s a youthful brand, a little bit skater boy, a little bit hip-hop, a little bit Bangkok. At the moment, you can buy their wares from the website, but keep a lookout for pop-ups around the city.
“Our designs blend vintage charm with modern fashion, creating pieces that are truly one-of-a-kind,” Ploy tells BK. ●
Two creators design around the daily grind.
BK Staff
BY THE NUMBERS
One of the biggest foodie events on the calendar, Michelin held their award event for the coming year, and there were some very big surprises for Bangkok.
Bangkok now has a total of 48 Michelin stars across 37 restaurants.
Only 2 restaurants in Thailand outside of the Bangkok area were awarded Michelin stars, Pru in Phuket and new entry Aulis in Phang Nga.
STARSTRUCK
A total of 28 restaurants received one star, including new entries Coda, Aulis, Goat, Akkee, and Avant.
YOU SAID WHAT?
“That is the bougiest thing I’ve seen in a long time....love it.
— Instagram user @lukecd on a BK piece on ice cream innovators Guss Damn Good producing new flavors specifically for dogs.
7 restaurants received two stars, with Côte by Mauro Colagreco upgraded from one star last year.
HOT OR NOT
4 Green Stars, celebrating sustainability, were awarded to Pru, Jampa, Haoma, and Baan Tepa.
Sorn has become the only restaurant in Thailand to receive three Michelin stars.
“Not to mention the sky is filled with delightful PM 2.5 particles from burning sugar fields! And not only December, all winter long and spring, until mid May. Happy breathing!”
Facebook user Michael Stoeckle on Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok hosting Christmas movies.
“Goodness Michelin is such a bunch of BS these days. Cote hardly deserves to be a fine dining establishment.”
— Instagram user @parai8a on BK Magazine’s summation of the Michelin Award event 2024.
Love from Dua Lipa
Dua Lipa’s concert in Bangkok was a roaring success, but the city fell in love with her when she hit the street. After hitting up Haawm and checking out Wat Arun, the star went on the “The Late Show” with Stephen Colbert stating Bangkok was her favorite place in Asia.
Starless
While Sorn made worldwide headlines for getting Thailand’s first three-star Michelin commendation, Others got bumped off the list, including Sushi Masato and Canvas, winner of last year’s Top Tables Best Tasting Menu. No one really knows why, but we’re certainly still fans of Chef Riley.
Guss Damn Good Boy
Guss Damn Good has been at the forefront of good ice cream in Bangkok for years. Now, they’re making something for your furry friends. With flavors like Salmon Cream Cheese and Goat Cheese Beetroot, these are frozen treats for good boys and good girls.
Stranded
Cathay Pacific is in hot water with Bangkok travelers after a canceled flight left more than 200 passengers waiting on a plane for more than five hours. The airline has issued apologies, but it’s a trip to nowhere most won’t soon forget.
New and more holidays coming in 2025
This year, the government announced three new official holiday days for Thailand in an effort to boost tourism, including an extension of the New Year in 2026, giving us a few more long weekends.
That means you should get to know your new holidays and dry days in the New Year. First up is Jun 2-3, Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana’s Birthday, adding to the holiday for a four-day weekend. Then Aug 11-12, Queen Sirikit’s Birthday, also Mother’s Day throughout the country, similarly extended this year for the long weekend. For New Year next year, you can look forward to Dec 31-Jan 2, 2026.
Visakha Bucha Day, Asalha Bucha, Buddhist Lent, Awk Phansa, and others are expected to be dry days where no alcohol will be sold.
In addition to some public holidays, no alcohol sale days in Thailand in 2025 coincide with key Buddhist holidays. While expected, announcements for the dry days may not occur until closer to the date. The municipal authorities may announce drinking restrictions for local reasons.
The announcement of new holidays in Thailand is ostensibly to boost tourism for major festivals and the high tourism season, but we’re happy to have them anyway.
Final headliner for the biggest hiphop show in Asia doesn’t make it
The last day of the biggest hip-hop festival in Asia, Rolling Loud, got off to a rocky start when the organizer announced just hours before festival gates opened that the final headliner and huge draw for hip-hop fans, Playboi Carti, would not be playing. At 11:30am, less than four hours before the final day of the festival would begin, the organizers announced on social media that the star would not be playing.
”Unfortunately, Playboi Carti is unable to perform tonight due to travel issues. We made some calls and Yeat will now be joining the lineup for his first ever Rolling Loud performance.”
For fans who bought tickets just to see the headliner, it was a blow. Some have been openly calling for a refund, others are claiming baselessly that the addition of Playboi Carti was a scam. It comes as little surprise to fans who know Playboi Carti has delayed his own Antagonist tour three times.
“Extremely pissed. We came all the way from India to see Carti. We don’t think Yeat is worth it. He’s not a replacement for Carti. But that’s Carti being Carti,” a 24 year old festival goer from India told BK. Another, John Paul, said, “In regard to the Playboi Carti incident, I’m very depressed at this time. I think I need to recoup my energy. Playboi Carti, I think you’ve let a lot of people down.”
Thailand receives first ever 3-star Michelin restaurant at awards ceremony in Bangkok
At an event at Siam Kempinski earlier today, Michelin announced their freshest list for Bangkok’s finest eats, and as a shock, the country got its first ever three Michelin star restaurant. In a tearful acceptance speech, Supaksorn ‘Ice’ Jongsiri brought home Thailand’s very first three star restaurant in Sorn.
This year, Michelin continued with their Green star, marking out sustainable gastronomy in Bangkok, with one new addition, Baan Tepa, which also took home the best service award, as well as retained their two stars. It was a big night for new restaurant Ore, which took home the New Opening Award. Akkee picked up both their first stars and the New Chef Award, with Sittakorn Chantop.
With the tire creature Bibendum taking pictures with guests and chefs, the event kicked off at 10:45pm, and featured old stars, new stars, two stars, green stars, and that coveted Michelin jacket.
The Michelin Guide Ceremony 2025 has been in Thailand for eight years, a landmark event for the city’s culinary scene. Michelin has been adding areas since, including Isaan, Nakhon Ratchasima, Phuket, and more, and Chonburi was the most recent addition to the guide this year. ●
Rolling Loud Sorn
Bangko is for Brewe
k10 breweries and beer brands shaping the Bangkok scene and changing your neighbourhood.
Clif Wigington
Bangkok’s brewing scene has been a long, ugly fight—and it’s far from over. Section 152 of the Alcohol Control Laws makes brewing difficult for small producers. Section 32 makes advertising or writing about any type of booze—including in this article—tricky. Earlier this year, a years-long campaign by the now defunct Move Forward Party, spearheaded by MP and brewer Taopiphop Limjittrakorn, to liberalize the brewing laws in Thailand was struck down in the House.
But Bangkok abides. This city loves its beer. There are ways around the current brewing laws, and everyone from ex-soldiers to get-richquick entrepreneurs have found ways to make Bangkok’s brewing scene eclectic, inventive, and profitable. Today, Bangkok’s craft beer barons are bringing good food and better brews to nearly every district in the city.
Whether they’re coloring inside the lines by brewing here in Thailand or making their lagers in Vietnam and paying to import, Bangkok’s brewers are on a roll. BK Magazine, in collaboration with Bangkok Beer Guide, is here to give you the inside on how 10 brewers are shaping the scene and your neighborhood.
Samata Brewing
The founding brewer behind Samata Brewing is Supachote “Chote” Chantanasuksilpa, a proud dad you’ll see at beer events around Bangkok. Previously Samata was making his brews in Vietnam, but has since been able to move operations back home to Bangkok this past summer when he opened his own facilities in the Saimai area. The brewery’s specialty is a penchant for fruity and flavorful beers. In particular, this brand is known for their session strength fruit sours, a beer that’s not very strong and relies on the fruit flavors over the sour notes. We weren’t joking about the fruitiness; Samata beers are often turned into ‘slushies’ and served from a slushy machine—much to the chagrin of beer purists.
Samata beer is pretty easy to find in cans or on tap, and often the best place to look is for bars that have a well-stocked beer fridge, like 39 Craft and the two locations of Hair of the Dog. Across the river check out the new Isara Pub & Brewery, or Talat Phlu craft beer bar. SUAD bar near Nana BTS station is a good choice to look out for Samata, and they have hosted events with their slushy machine. A small bar with a big selection, they have something for almost anyone that wants to try something local: beer, sato, mead, and spirits.
Anything by Samta is recommended, but look out for the brightly colored cans of their fruit smoothie-style beers like Strawberry Lemon Sorbet. Some Samata beers on tap, like the Strawberry Shortcake, are filtered to make pouring in from a keg simple and to make the life of the barman easier. An unfiltered beer from the tap, like Galaxy Milk, is a great introduction to the brand; they look like a smoothie, with a thicker mouthfeel to match. The flavor is a bit sweet, with the passion fruit and coconut flavors coming through over the base of blue lemonade.
Baan Bangkok
Baan Bangkok is known for brewing local hazy beers with big flavors. In pre-COVID times, Baan had their own taproom, but when that ceased to be viable, they collabed with Haze in Chinatown as a sort of home location. The brewers behind Baan are Jaqc and Joyce. They brew their beers in Bangkok and live life at their own speed and without much social media cache. But they’re not lazy. They recently did a collaboration with Behemoth brewery out of New Zealand and another with Sriracha Brewing here in Thailand, so they just do things their own way.
Baan Bangkok beers are not always easily found, but Haze in Chinatown is the best place to get some Baan Bangkok beer. The bar is a top destination for local craft beer drinkers, but also fans of watching English Premier League football (Arsenal fans, go figure). With a big screen for sports and live music on the weekends, we recommend heading a couple doors down for the world class stir-fried chicken noodles by Ann Gwai after pounding some craft beer. Another good place to check is Com’On bar, located near Chinatown and the Bangkok Rail Station. Baan makes big-flavor beers, so you may want to start the night with a lighter one if you are going to be trying multiple styles. Beer nerd note: a heavy hoppy beer can “burn” the palate and make it harder to taste non-hoppy beers. Baan’s collaboration with Behemoth is Monopoly Pale Ale—so good it’s what other brewers order at Haze. Their hazy IPA Thai-Stick references the cannabis strain popular in the 70’s; while the beer doesn’t contain any THC, the big hoppy flavor has similar notes.
Sandport Brewing
Sandport Brewing was founded by Supapong “Toon” Pruenglampoo in 2014. As the laws of beer production changed, Sandport Brewing was part of the multi-breweries project that opened United People’s Brewery by banding together with other brewers. Thai law states only certain production amounts are big enough to be a certified legal brewery.
The best place to get Sandport beer is where it is brewed: United People’s Brewery, not far from Chatuchak Market. You can get snacks or full meals here and the venue features outdoor seating where the brewing equipment is located for you to snoop around. Inside, the air-conned venue offers live music and sporting events and is a hotspot for Premier League Football, especially Newcastle games. If you’re not up for the hike out to Chatuchak, Changwon Chicken and Beer, the Korean fried chicken and craft beer spot in Silom (their 2nd location in Bangkok), carries Sandport.
One beer worth looking for is the Sa-Mak-Kee Lager: easy-to-drink and goes well with spice. The Tha-Sai IPA was also listed as a “Top 10 Beers of the Year” by Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine—a citrus forward beer with a snappy bitterness.
BEER BRAIN
Brewpub
An establishment selling beer brewed on the premises and often includes the services of a restaurant.
Session Strength
A beer that is usually below five percent ABV. You can enjoy a couple of them without feeling too tipsy.
Taproom
A bar that is owned, or related to, a brewery and usually sells the brewery’s beer and other beers.
Big flavor
Strong flavors that can often overpower regular beers.
THE FOUR PRIMARY INGREDIENTS OF BEER ARE
WATER YEAST HOPS MALT
Most beer flavors can be seen as the result of the balance, or strong imbalance, between malt and hops.
Hops
Gives beer its bitterness and aroma.
Malt
Gives beer its darker color and sugar that the yeast eats to make alcohol.
Pale Ale
The predecessor to India Pale Ale, this usually has a low-level of bitterness from using more hops, but not as bitter as an IPA.
IPA
India Pale Ale, a beer usually gold in color, but not cloudy; known for having an increased bitterness due to increased use of hops.
Chitbeer
You can’t talk about brewing in Bangkok without talking about Colonel Wichit ‘Chit’ Saiklao. The Thailand craft brew pioneer has been at the forefront of the brewing scene for more than a decade. After spending a number of years in the USA, he returned to Thailand to brew and started teaching others by 2014. His students, such as Devanom, have gone on to change the scene in their own way. Chit’s first shop on Koh Kret has been a pilgrimage for all craft beer lovers to Bangkok, but you no longer have to travel up north for a taste of the good “chit”. He has recently expanded to satellite spots around Bangkok, as well as spaces in Phuket and Chiang Mai.
Chitbeer, the home brewery on Koh Kret, is only open on the weekends, but the five other Chit Holes in Bangkok are usually open Wednesdays to Sundays at Asiatique, Royal River Hotel, Silom, Sukhumvit 71, and Ban Mueang. Chit Hole Royal River is the result of Chitbeer partnering with the Royal River Hotel to open a craft beer bar on their large patio on the riverfront. It is open air, has a wide variety of beers on offer, and often has food and music. Chit Hole Silom might be the closest to a BTS station at Sala Daeng station. Despite the bar having candles, cloth napkins, and silverware on the tables, the Chit Hole bar section still has local beers priced for the money conscious.
The Hazy Pale Ale collaboration with The Brewing Project is unfortunately already sold out in most places. It was a nice hazy beer with a bit of hops. Hopefully we will see it again. Another to try would be the Porn’s Imperial milk stout. No, there is no milk in the beer, instead it refers to the milk sugars that are used in the brewing process. For a straightforward beer, the Chitbeer pilsner is a good “sit down and enjoy a beer” beer. It’s easy to drink with a little hoppy bite at the end.
The Brewing Project
The Brewing Project by Ben Chalach wins awards for both its beers and its can design—which, let’s face it, is how a lot of people choose their craft beers. Brewed southeast of Bangkok at TSI (Thai Spirit Industry) contract brewery near the banks of the Bang Pakong river, head brewer Ben’s beers are probably the easiest to find. They brew a range of beers in modern and traditional styles, and they make sure they’re always in stock. The brand is known for working and collaborating with other brewers both in and outside of Thailand. Their collab with Chitbeer launched at the beginning of November (and is already sold out).
The brand’s five core beers are on offer at the Duke of Beerington, a top bottle shop in Thonglor. Brewave, which has multiple taproom locations in the city, also sells their brews. A top spot to chill and try some Brewing Project beer is Pijiu Bar in Chinatown, featuring a traditional Chinese wooden decor (pijiu meaning beer in Chinese). But, hey, it’s the Brewing Project, so you don’t have to go anywhere. This is one you can find in the supermarket.
They’ve got quite a wide selection, so it’s the dealer’s choice. Want a solid easy drinking lager when eating a spicy Thai dish? Crispy Boy Helles has got you covered. Fan of wheat beers? There’s Wila Wiezen. Just want a regular IPA? Check out the Raven. Love a modern style haze? Try the Anan, a hazy DDH double-dry-hopped IPA. Beyond their five core beers, the Brewing Project collaborates locally and internationally with the likes of Thai breweries like Thong Pradit in Chiang Mai, Hawkers of Australia, and even local cannabis restaurants like Highland Cafe.
Taopiphop Ale Project
The brewer-cum-politician Taopiphop “Tao” Limjittrakorn is Bangkok’s brewing legislative attack dog. He stands tall in the beer community—and literally at over 2 meters tall. He’s done time for his brewing, and he takes it seriously. Since his scuffle with the law for illegal brewing, Tao has since become a legal brewer, a member of parliament, and has tried his hand at a number of his own bars. His canned beers are brewed at TSI.
The Taopiphop Bar Project is located on the west side of the river, and doubles as Tao’s political office, featuring large posters
of the politician and neon lights on red brick walls as you arrive. It is a relaxing local space serving food on paper plates. You’ll find about six taps and a large beer fridge filled with bottles and cans of local and imported craft beers. The staff is knowledgeable so hit them up for educated recommendations, and the man himself is sometimes behind the bar. You can also find cans of Taopiphop beer at Finger Heart Bottle Shop between Sala Daeng and Chong Nonsi BTS stations.
Even if not always available, Tao’s Black IPA needs a mention. Most IPAs are golden or amber instead of black, and it’s not easy to brew a good IPA as dark as a stout. If that’s not in, a more familiar brew is the Klongsan Pale Ale—slightly fruity with a bitter, dry finish.
Devanom
Founded in 2014 by brothers Nattachai “Ob” and Teerapat “Art” Ungsriwong, over the past 10 years the brand has expanded. Devanom also produces local mead honey wine and sato, a uniquely brewed Thai ricewine that tastes like a floral Thai version of sake. Devanom has its own farm to grow hops, and recently the head brewer of Devanom took an active part at a chef’s table demonstration at EmSphere for the week-long Merai local Thai alcohol event.
Found at the MITR brewpub where Devanom is made, this one is not far from Chitbeer on Koh Kret (Devanom beers are also found at the Chit Holes around Bangkok). If you want a crack at their mead, MASH on Convent Road in Silom stocks it, an upscale burger and beer bar a short walk from Sala Daeng BTS featuring 16 taps and a modern decor with exposed pipes and comfortable lighting.
For a modern beer, Devanom has a Juicy Nelson NE IPA (New England IPA)
at Chit Holes around Bangkok. It is juicy and hazy and a little stronger than more common lagers. Of course, if you want to give beer a miss, hit up their sato; keep an eye out for this one because it’s one of the best satos you can have in Thailand.
Mahanakhon
This brand is another class of 2014 alum and was started by friends Avi Yashaya and Tony Tumwattana. Of all the beers on this list, this might be the easiest to find. While it’s labeled as “Thai Craft Beer,” it’s important to note that this one, like many due to Thailand’s brewing laws, is brewed in Vietnam. Beyond the brand you know, there’s a sub-brand of lager, Sivilai Lager, designed for Thais that want to try a good craft beer, but not at the usual craft beer prices.
This one’s easy to find, but if you want to have it on draft, The Fat Cow is a good spot, a restaurant and local beer spot with a full menu of burgers, sandwiches, and Thai dishes and snacks. The original near Lat Phrao BTS station is the most famous, and owner Manuel Lucien says they always have a steady supply of Mahanakhon on tap and that they have been with them since the beginning around 2016.
The Sivilai lager is a beer worth ordering when you find it: light in color and body and crisp on the palate—so a great one to try with food. Mahanakhon’s OG beer that started it all is the White Ale, a witbier or blanche. Don’t let the term “ale” scare you off; a wheat beer is a lighter beer and easy to drink.
Mardi Craft
A sub brand of TSI, the contract brewery that many Bangkok brewers use to legally produce and sell beer, features beers known for being easy to drink and without overly strong flavors. The Mardi Craft brand has multiple beer series, including the Thai Myth series with traditional artwork on the cans; this line offers a rice lager, a pale ale, and a wheat beer. Their Music series goes with a Bohemian pilsner, a New England IPA, and a fruit witbier.
Mardi Craft beers are easy to find, including at the chain of restaurants HOBS at one of Bangkok’s biggest malls, Icon Siam, complete with a view overlooking the river for your beer lover Insta. Mardi Craft beers are also one of the brands making their way into the grocery stores and convenience stores around the city.
Mardi Craft beers are made to be approachable—nothing too strong, too weird, or too experimental. The Killjoy is a traditional bohemian pilsner reminiscent of the Pilsner Urquell for which the style of beer is named. For something a bit more modern, Vibes, a New England IPA, is a little bitter but balances with a juicy feel.
12°Plato Brewing
No list of beers in Bangkok would be complete without mentioning a Bang Na brewpub.T the bar and restaurant opened in late 2022, but big plans were underway for 12°Plato Brewing. In October 2023, the brewing equipment was installed so that this spot could finally brew its own beer. The owners would go on to open Eight Days a Week Homebar in the Ari area of Bangkok.
12°Plato has a lot of space to play with—that’s Bang Na life—with an indoor area, a bar, outside dining, and a large patio. The vibe comes across as bright, colorful, and family friendly. There also happens to be 21 taps of beer. With enough space for live music and watching sports, the brewpub’s brewing gear is on display and there are brewing classes and workshops available for the budding home-brewer who wants to be Thailand’s next Chit.
While there will be a chance to try multiple other beers from Thailand and abroad, the first beer to try would be the home-produced pilsner—a standard first beer for many drinkers before the bigger flavors to wash the palate. For other beers at the bar, be aware that the staff often like to use colorful language to describe the beer instead of giving it proper names. ●
New England IPA (a.k.a Hazy IPA)
An IPA that has a hazy or cloudy appearance and marked with a note of fruit or juice. Leans heavily on the use of hops.
Lager
Generally a crisp, clean, easy-todrink yellow beer. A balance of hops and malt. It’s the type of beer most drink, created by companies both big and small.
Pilsner
A type of lager with a golden color and a crisp, refreshing taste, usually made with a touch of hops to give a slight bitter taste at the end.
Bock
A darker lager, usually a bit stronger, with a touch of sweetness (in beer terms) because it uses more malt.
Stout
Generally a very dark beer that has been made with a lot of malt, and little hops, so not bitter. Stouts have a wide variety, and can vary from easy drinking to thick and tasting like coffee or chocolate.
Porter
A beer that is often dark like a stout, but not as strong and a bit easier on the palate.
Sour Ale
Sour beers have an acidic or tart flavor; they can range from a little tingling on the tongue to full sour candy. Sour flavors can come from the type of yeast used.
Witbier
Wit is Belgian for wheat, so it’s a wheat beer. Wheat replaces some of the malt in the brewing and is a lighter style of beer.
Amber
A beer that uses a little more malt to give the beer an amber color
DDH double-dry-hopped
A method in which the brewer adds even more dry hops when brewing to give it double the hop flavor, but not strength.
Alliance Française opens familyfriendly French cuisine spot with Bonjour Bonsoir
Thailand’s Franco-Thai cultural center, Alliance Française, knows all things French, and now they’ve got a spot at their building to put their spin on the cuisine, built to model a low-key French grocery. The space opened to the public and is found at the Alliance Française location off Witthayu. Previously home to Café Mademoiselle, Bonjour Bonsoir is a modern, family friendly location serving up classic, no nonsense French cuisine. But, of course, it’s not just about the food. The Alliance Française is known for their cultural programs and events—from animation festivals to Bastille Day celebrations—so this will be a spot to watch for future Francophiles.
The crew behind El Willy open a new space for Mexican cuisine in Bandido
Thonglor has a whole new place for Mexican food from the Spanish kitchen marvels at El Willy. Here, they’re veering into creative Mexican favorites with a bit of a nightlife vibe. With a kitchen headed by Mexican chef Pepe Vargas Huizar out of Jalisco, this new space is featuring both set menus and a la carte just off Sukhumvit Soi 51, and you can stay late and grab some cocktails too. To kick off, you can start with some California-style tostada with crab (B490) or some classic Aguachile with scallop and white prawn (B640). You’ll find everything from Diabla-style spicy prawn (B195) and pork stomach carnitas (B165) to beef cecina in an adobo sauce (B195).
Sarnies opens a new spot at The Corner House in Talad Noi
Sarnies needs little introduction. They’re the city’s coffee masters, brunch aficionados, and they’ve even dipped their toes into nightlife with Funkytown. Now Sarnies Group have opened a new space in the up-and-coming Corner House in Talat Noi. A little different from the Sarnies spots you might already know, Sarnies and Friends will add a little local spirit by being a space for curated retail, community events, and, of course, Sarnies bites. But, this new space is special in that it’s going to allow Sarnies to stretch its cultural and retail legs with partnerships spanning local brands in fashion, lifestyle, and self-care. Recently, Sarnies and Friends cooperated with A Thing That Is Pieces, a studio creating objects from plastic waste.
Sarnies
Bonjour Bonsoir
Bandido
Ms.Jigger is putting southern Italian food on the map in Bangkok
Ms.Jigger’s chef Davide Calo knows a thing or two about southern Italian food—famous for rich pastas, many of the country’s fresh herbs and spices, and as the birthplace of pizza. His hometown of San Cesario di Lecce sits right on the heel of the country’s “boot”, so it comes as no surprise that southern Italy is the star of the restaurant’s new menu offering. Take the Paccheri al Ragù di Agnello, for example. The dish includes generous piles of large paccheri pasta doused in a slow-simmered lamb ragu inspired by Calo’s grandmother’s recipe. Try it yourself, or one of the seven other southern Italian dishes on the menu, at Ms.Jigger from now onwards.
L/F, Kimpton Maa-Lai, 78 Soi Tonson, Lang Suan Rd., 02-056-9999. Open Mon-Fri 11:30am-2:30pm; Sat-Sun 11:30am-midnight.
Brought to you by
nahm retains its Michelin star for the 8th year in a row
Long before the Michelin guide came to Thailand, Nnahm was known as one of Bangkok’s pioneering Thai fine-dining restaurants. Now under the leadership of Chef Pim Techamuanvivit, who has steered the kitchen brigade to its eighth straight one-Michelin-star rating this past November. The venue remains one of Bangkok’s most sophisticated Thai venues—kind of like when your “in the know” friend hosts a dinner party. It doesn’t play to regions, instead covering all the culinary bounty the country offers, from savory to sweet, meat to seafood, mild to spicy. Pull up to the outdoor pool for a breezy dining experience or slip inside to the cool interiors.
COMO Metropolitan Bangkok, 27 Sathorn Rd., 02-6253388. Open Wed-Sun noon-2pm, 6-10pm.
Brought to you by
TALK
APPIA TRATTORIA
20/4, Sukhumvit Soi 31, 02-261-2056. Open Mon-Fri, 11:30am-2pm, 5-10pm; Sat-Sun, 11:30am-10pm
Educated Bangkok diners know Appia as the city’s first, and still best, Roman-style trattoria in Bangkok. Chef-owner Paolo Vitaletti draws inspiration from his upbringing as a butcher’s son in Italy, offering homemade pasta, roasted meats like porchetta, and Mediterranean seafood. The venue balances rustic charm with refined touches, featuring a mezzanine wine room showcasing over 120 labels. The menu emphasizes simplicity and respect for ingredients, with dishes such as roasted organic red beet salad, fettuccine in a butcher shop ragu, and lamb ribs served with rosemary gremolata. They also offer a curated selection of Italian cold cuts, cheeses, aperitivo cocktails, and wines by the glass, so unsurprisingly the venue has a cult following of fans in the city.
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1 Oct ’24 – 30 Sep ’25
Ms.Jigger
nahm
ELECTRIC SHEEP BRINGS CRISP FLAVORS, FIERCE SUSTAINABLE COOKING, AND DYSTOPIAN CHIC TO TALAD NOI
Chefs Amerigo Tito Sesti and Yoan Martin are doing something you can’t find anywhere else in Bangkok right now—and we’re here for it.
Dietrich Neu
The buzz: The Michelin-star duo that formerly helmed J’aime Bangkok, chefs Amerigo Tito Sesti and Yoan Martin, launch their highly anticipated breakaway venture saturated in sustainable cooking practices, Mediterranean influence, and dystopian retro-futurism. The venue sits on the top floor of The Warehouse, a 900-square-meter community space in Talad Noi that transforms a historic bare bones building into a sprawling brutalist home for pop-ups, art exhibitions, and the underground music haunt Clutch BKK.
The vibe: Not a white tablecloth in sight, and that’s very much by design. An old birdcage elevator rumbles guests to the top floor and deposits them in front of an open kitchen, sealed composting machine, and almost-toolifelike mannequins draped in neo-noir garb reminiscent of “Blade Runner” or “The Fifth Element.” Paper menus are swapped for QR codes beamed through 60s-era slide viewers. Graffiti adorns concrete walls behind metal bookshelves filled with old sci-fi novels and cooking tomes.
The food: The duo were among the first batch of chefs to be awarded Michelin’s “Green Star” accolade for sustainability during their time at J’aime. They’ve kicked it up a notch here. Solar panels on the roof cover daytime electricity, and the kitchen team shuns gas power for a woodfired grill nestled in a food cart parked on the outside terrace. The best way to describe the food here would be staunchly anti-waste with Mediterranean influence and no-compromise
local sourcing. Earthling supplies the meaty lion’s mane used in the mushroom skewers (B240/2 skewers) charred on the grill and paired with fermented lime and a drizzle of shallot dressing. The crispy duck carbonara (B330) swaps pecorino and parmesan for a creamy alternative made in Mae Lao and fresh cracked black pepper grown in Trang. The flavors on the plate are unmistakably Mediterranean—bright, tangy, and savory—but with twists and turns down local pathways, like the burrata and charred eggplant salad (B280) bathed in pak chi-farang pesto.
The drinks: Fiercely local, as expected. Khao Yai’s GranMonte dominates the wine list with popular vintages like its 2022 Asoke Cab Sauv (B3,500/bottle) and 2021 Midnight Harvest Chenin Blanc (B2,400/bottle). Sake and umeshu high balls (B350) come by way of Chiang Rai’s Sei-i Beverage with tonics and sodas supplied by Nonthaburi’s Nammon. The small six-item cocktail list (from B320) still manages to chart the gradient between boozy, sweet, fruity, sour, and bitter options well and relies on the same local suppliers as the kitchen team.
Why we’d come back: Electric Sheep nails the quality without bending the knee to imported ingredients, easy cooking equipment, or ready-made social media appeal. The chefs are relentless in their concept, the vibe is fun, and it works.
4/F, Electric Sheep, The Warehouse, Charoenkrung Rd., 065-515-0650. Open Tue-Sat 6pm-midnight (last orders 10:30pm). ●
SANTIAGA’S NEW MENU BRINGS BANGKOK’S CHILLI GAME TO A WHOLE NEW LEVEL
The Mexican cuisine innovators bring whole new flavors.
Santiaga Mexican Cuisine changed this city’s entire Mexican food scene when it opened. With an omakase bar-style space and a more chill a la carte option, this Mahatun Plaza venue takes an almost obsessive approach to Mexican flavors. Now, their new menu, Mexican Chilli Voyage, is bringing chillies that Bangkok hasn’t seen before.
First off, let’s start with the fact that few— if any—Bangkok restaurants have these ingredients, chillies bought on Mexican streets and imported into Bangkok for this singular menu from Chef Mauricio: morita, pasilla, ancho, pasilla daxaqueno, guajillo, mulato, and more. A few of the dishes will be moved onto the a la carte menu, but some of these chillies will only last so long.
Kicking things off, the Requeson features a jalapeno and epagate queso you slather on the house made tortillas with a dash of salsa marita. It’s a rich dish to kick off the menu, and one that sets the tone: classic flavors, creative flair.
The Chileatole Tlaxcala is an ode to corn, with smoked scallops sliced thick in a mix of epagate, chyote, and a bit of bamboo that gives the dish an elegant texture. This one comes with heat, so be warned.
Next might be the biggest star of the menu for many. The Chile Relleno is simply a can’tmiss. It’s not just a creative Oaxacan ancho chilli, and one you’re not going to see again
once supplies run out; the peppery chilli comes on a bed of queso crema and shrimp butter alongside a thin and juicy kuruma prawn.
Up next is Mole de Olla, with a short rib in an ancho and mulato chilli and beef broth— hearty, familiar, and delectable—followed by the showstopper: the Pulpo al Chintexle. Here, you’ll get octopus bursting with that wood-fired flavor from the black chilli.
The last dish before dessert is a rare get, a pink mole, often an occasion at weddings. The Mole Rosa is a delightfully creative twist, featuring confit goose and Swiss chard. Pro tip: ask for a tortilla either to put your bite on or to mop up the mole.
The meal comes to an end with a Kakigori De Melon which, as you might have guessed, is a not-too-sweet take on the shaved ice kakigori with a coconut horchata reduction and pecans that give it a balanced texture.
Luckily, there’s an alcohol pairing that goes with this celebration of Mexican fare and pretty impressive to boot. These are not easy flavors to pair, but a real stand out was a 2021 Hungarian wine, an ultra sweet tipple to mix with the heavy flavors of the mole. Similarly, the michelada is a proper, tart treat made with simple Corona beer.
Overall, this is a great showing from Santiaga Mexican Cuisine, which recently ranked at 25 at Top Tables 2024, and it’s a journey into chillies that Bangkok needed. ●
TALK
TERROIR
1/F Acmen Complex, Ekkamai Rd., 061-326-5150. Open Tues-Sun 5:30pm1am.
Terroir blends French and Japanese culinary techniques while spotlighting Thai ingredients in its progressive kaiseki-inspired menu. Approximately 90-percent of the produce is sourced from Northern Thailand, emphasizing small-scale farmers and local flavors. The menu focuses predominantly on vegetables, transforming simple ingredients into dishes that showcase balance and depth, often featuring smoky broths and umami-rich flavors. The restaurant’s name, meaning “soil” in French, reflects its commitment to the land, climate, and farmers that influence the quality of the ingredients. Located in an intimate setting, Terroir pairs its structured courses with a curated wine selection, creating a dining experience that highlights both local produce and international culinary influences.
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/card /table /sales
15 Aug ’24 – 15 Feb ’25
Tyler Roney
New cocktail space Bar Near Me is slinging drinks inspired by Yaowarat
Opening last month, the ground floor space Bar Near Me in Yaowarat puts the inspiration from the neighborhood into the art on its walls and the drinks in its glasses.
Found just off Maitri Chit Road about 350 meters from the Hua Lamphong MRT station, the dark, quaint spot sits with the busy street traffic in full view by the fully stocked bar, and, if you’re walking by, you’ll see the door painted with a very true fact: “Nearest Bar Ever.”
At the moment, Bar Near Me is going with their Exhibition 0, with art and cocktails mirroring Bangkok’s most famous neighborhood.
For their signature cocktails, Bar Near Me features nine in-house concoctions. For example, there’s the Chinatown Twist (B390) which combines house vodka with sauvignon blanc plum cordial and guava and lime juice with a splash of soda. Whiskey drinkers can opt for the Kopi (B420), a Thai coffee infused mix with dry vermouth and honey coffee cordial topped with cinnamon cream.
Rum fans will find a mix of absinthe and grapefruit flavors with the Herbal Jade (B390) and the Bamboo Breeze (B420) goes for a bamboo infused rum and a heavier taste with Tio Pepe and a mix of almond and Benedictine DOM liqueur.
But, if you’re not into cocktails, Bar Near Me sports Singha’s starting at B150 and bottles of wine—Wolf Blass Eaglehawk Cuvee Brut— starting at B1,290. Bar Near Me is the latest in a trend for Bangkok cocktail bars to market themselves as a low-maintenance neighborhood bar slinging upscale cocktails, mirrored in more downtown openings like Allso Bar earlier this year.
Beam is back at 72 Courtyard and they’re already throwing big parties
Everyone knows Beam—one of the biggest names on the Bangkok nightlife scene. Now, the experts in sound are back at 72 Courtyard, complete with imported sound gear and a passion for audio.
First off, keep an eye on 72 Courtyard, because they’re going to be bringing some big nightlife energy in 2025, already host to Beer Belly and Feral. Now, it’s got a new party spot.
Beam Bar opened a little bit earlier than some of the venues at 72 Courtyard, and it still needs some finishing touches. But that hasn’t stopped Beam from throwing some ragers, including a not-quite-open-bash at the end of November.
Still, they’ve been putting on DJ nights through December, with 12 big acts lined up and even more planned for the new year.
Cul de Sac comes with a big menu and 1980s
style
Coming to you from the 10th floor of The Quartier Hotel in Phrom Phong on Sukhumvit 49, Cul de Sac is aiming for the vibe you get from American block parties and 80s nostalgia.
Party goers will find both indoor and outdoor spaces as well as a pool—so keep an eye out for themed pool parties in the future, and considering the size of the space, they’re hinting at movie nights soon. If you’re more looking for a spot to chill, they provide a cigar area.
As for the 80s vibes, the decor features an American atmosphere with graffiti, Polaroid cameras, skateboards, and even Discmans (Discmen?) hanging about.
You’ll find a green community aesthetic to highlight the neighborhood party feel, and in the kitchen the American kitsch continues with classics like burgers, pizza, and, of course, mac and cheese.
The cocktails take the cues from the 80s as well, with beer, red and white wine, champagne, and vodka all on offer. Pets are also welcome at this venue, so bring your furry friends to party in Bangkok’s latest time machine.
The Green Insight: A Cannabis Tour for Everyone
Whether you smoke or not—in fact, this might be even more relevant if you don’t— Canabangka is offering a unique opportunity to learn how the cannabis industry works firsthand. Canabangka is one of the few GACP-certified cannabis growing facilities in Thailand, offering guided tours that bring visitors up close to the plants and the process. The tours take place every day in the evening at 7pm, 8pm, and 9pm, creating a cool nighttime vibe while keeping the temperature comfortable. During the tour, you’ll see how high-quality cannabis is cultivated, discover how the facilities are managed, and learn about the plant’s uses and cultural significance across the world.
51 Ramkhamhaeng 26/2, 061-419-1798. Open daily noon-midnight. ●
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FERAL IS THE NEW SPOT AT 72 COURTYARD FOR INTERESTING NATTY WINES AND TAPAS
Tyler Roney
The buzz: Bangkok has been waiting a long time for the revamped 72 Courtyard, the gold standard in Thonglor nightlife. While the finishing touches are being put on Beam Bar, Feral is open now, a chill, stylish wine bar to start off the evening and grab quality bites. Just a few steps from the slick, nonnonsense live music club, Feral brings an artsy atmosphere and unique fare.
The vibe: Found on the second floor next to the new Beam Bar, this space has a big wow factor when it comes to its sort of enchanted grotto energy. Imported dried plants and grass adorn the outside with a vaguely haunted fairy feel—gentle tones and dark blacks. Inside, the theme continues with design facilitating maximum sound quality incorporating the mystical artwork that keeps with the earthy aesthetic. Visitors will find front facing vinyl and dehydrated wood hanging from the ceiling.
Drinks: If you’re wondering where the name Feral comes from, it’s because this spot— along with some classic cocktails—is aiming to bring the nightlife heat with some natty wines. At the moment, they’re featuring the likes of a El Bandito’s I Wish I Was a Ninja out of Switzerland and an Austrian blend Pitt Nat Blanc under their list of Pet Nat (Pétillant-
naturel) menu, and you’ll find some orange options like the Aussie Geyer Wine and Chilean Maturana. Even though it’s a pretty chic venue (and this is Thonglor after all), price tags are pretty reasonable, with bottles of red and white starting at B1,800.
Food: For the late night crowd, this food will be a real tonic: borderless tapas bites that get creative. On the menu you’ll find all-day brunch options like the buttermilk waffle sandwich (B220), a hearty sandwich you can slather in maple syrup. The yogurt parfait is for those wanting to try something a little more brave, featuring a zucchini jam and granola with matcha. But you’ll also find some recognizable dishes turned on their side; hit up the au poivre burger, a fat patty slathered in au poivre sauce (B380). One that’s sure to be a favorite is the Chips and Mussels in which you put your mussels escabeche on simple Lay’s potato chips.
Why we’d come back: 72 Courtyard is just getting started. When this space starts dishing out food and nightlife in earnest, we’re going to need a space to give our Thonglor revels a little class. This venue will work as a communal meetup and date spot for the club kids. ●
Mussels on Lay’s potato chips and cool design make this the go-to charge up station before Beam Bar.
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