When it comes to eating in Pratunam, there's an exciting number of restaurants and vendors catering to travellers from every corner of the globe. You will find speciality cuisine from across the Indian sub-continent as well as Chinese, Thai and many International restaurants, usually located inside many of the hotels found in the area.
The Pratunam area of Bangkok divides opinion – to some, it's hot, cheap and overcrowded, while others claim its one of the most charismatic and fun districts in the city. In fact, both opinions are justified and it really depends on personal preferences. Either way, there's no doubt that Pratunam is one of the ‘go-to’ areas in central Bangkok for wholesale shopping and makes a great, budget base for exploring this exciting metropolis. A common problem for first-time visitors is how difficult it can be to find just what you’re looking for among all that commotion, so here we've compiled the 10 best restaurants in Pratunam.
- 1
WALK Rooftop
- Food
- Nightlife
WALK Rooftop at Centara Watergate is arguably one of the best bars in Pratunam. This 21st-floor rooftop bar lets you get a taste of the city’s upscale trendy nightlife, in a part of the city with not so many options for unwinding after a day of shopping in the markets and wholesale malls for which Pratunam is famous. This venue’s panoramic views and Thai-flavored cocktails are highly recommended.
This is among the cheapest rooftop dinners you can find in Bangkok! Dine alfresco and enjoy watching a sunset over Bangkok or the bright lights of the city at night with 360-degree panoramic views.
Location: 567 Ratchaprarop Rd, Makkasan, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Open: Daily from 5pm to midnight
Phone: +66 (0)2 625 1234
Map - 2
Novotel Platinum Bangkok Buffet Lunch
- Food
This buffet lunch is hosted in The Square Restaurant at Novotel Bangkok Platinum, which is actually connected to Platinum Shopping Mall so you never actually have to leave the mall. The restaurant offers great views over bustling Bangkok and the sleek, modern dining area is complemented by interesting lights and wall designs.
The international buffet offers a range of Thai, Japanese and European dishes all for the bargain price of around 500 baht excluding drinks. Furthermore, on Sunday they have a special brunch with additional meat options and free flow fruit juice for around 700 baht.
Location: 220 Petchaburi Rd, Ratchathewi, 10400 Bangkok, Thailand
Open: Daily from midday to 2.30pm
Phone: +66 (0)2 209 1700
Map - 3
Tae Chew Chinese Restaurant
- Food
Tae Chew Restaurant on the 8th floor of the Grand Diamond Suites Hotel is well known to Bangkokians who want a great value dim sum buffet lunch. Located in between Platinum and Pantip Plaza shopping malls, the restaurant is convenient for shoppers and offers many Cantonese specialities prepared by their chef from Hong Kong.
A range of dim sum treats is complemented by perennial favourites such as roast duck, braised spare ribs and hot and sour soup. The restaurant serves their all-you-can-eat buffet from 11am to 2.30pm and stays open until 11pm with an extensive a la carte menu.
Location: 8th Floor, Grand Diamond Suites Hotel, 888 Petchburi Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Open: Daily from 11.30am to 2.30pm and 6pm to 10.30pm
Phone: +66 (0)2 656 6555
Map - 4
Uno Mas Restaurant
- Food
Uno Mas is an upmarket Spanish restaurant that has stunning views from the 54th floor of Centara Grand at CentralWorld, high above CentralWorld shopping mall in Siam. The menu is a collection of intricate tapas plates, premium seafood, including a selection of lobsters, oysters, shrimp and clams. The cured meats on display at Uno Mas must be the most diverse and well-stocked in Bangkok. Although expensive, we would take a portion of Joselito Iberico ham (790 baht), sliced straight from the leg, over any other cold cut – from Spain or anywhere else.
Uno Mas was designed to bring you the best Mediterranean flavours coupled with stunning views from the (almost) rooftop where you will get to look over the iconic Bangkok skyline as you dine. The famous Red Sky rooftop bar is just one floor above the restaurant.
Location: 54th FL 999/99 Rama I Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Open: Daily from 4pm to 1am
Phone: +66 (0)2 100 6255
Map - 5
Kuang Heng Kaiton Pratunam
- Budget
- Food
Ask any local what to eat in Pratunam and their first answer would probably be steamed chicken at Kaiton Pratunam. Originally a Chinese dish, khao man gai is a firm favourite in Bangkok for locals and tourists.
This legendary shophouse serving fresh and succulent chicken is opposite Palladium World Shopping Mall on the corner of Petchburi Soi 30. It’s an open-fronted shop so there’s no air conditioning, and there’s a lot of commotion going on out front with all the chopping and ordering, but don’t let that deter you. The chicken served here is laid out in strips on oily rice with a hint of garlic, and garnished with some crunchy cucumber. Alongside your chicken and rice, you will receive a chilli dipping sauce that delivers a lovely tingle and a soup made from the chicken stock that's a lovely and light accompaniment... and all for less than 50 baht.
Location: 930 Phetchaburi Rd, Makkasan, Phaya Thai, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Open: 24/7
Phone: +66 (0)2 251 8768
Map - 6
Once Upon a Time
- Food
Occupying the ground floor and garden of a pink wooden house, Once Upon a Time is an attractive and quirky setting in which to enjoy many of the dishes that made Thai cuisine famous around the world. With a clientele of mainly foreigners and tourists, it’s understandable that the flavours of dishes have been modified for the Western palate.
Dishes like pad Thai and green curry are made according to authentic recipes, perhaps on the sweeter and creamier end of the scale, but the tom yum goong seems to lack the requisite chilli and lime kick. Once Upon a Time also serves some western dishes making it a good option for a group who want to enjoy the best of east and west.
Location: 32 Petchburi Soi 17, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Open: Daily from 11am to 11pm
Phone: +66 (0)2 252 8629
Map - 7
SabX2
- Food
To really experience Bangkok you should eat as the locals eat, and that's exactly the experience you get at SabX2, a famous noodle shop on Petchaburi Soi 19. This no-frills shophouse has been serving tasty egg noodles and wontons – with a choice of either pork, crab or shrimp – for many years and has gained popularity as one of the go-to places for a quick lunch.
The restaurant is easy to find, directly across the main road from Platinum Shopping Mall and just a few meters down Soi 19. Look out for a shiny display cabinet and a packed restaurant with both Thais and foreigners taking a break from their shopping missions.
Location: 2 Phetchaburi Rd, Thanon Phaya Thai, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400
Open: Daily from 9am to 3pm
Map - 8
Baiyoke Sky Hotel International Buffet
- Food
All-you-can-eat rooftop dining! Bangkok Sky Restaurant is located on the 76th and 78th floors of Baiyoke Sky Hotel, one of Bangkok’s tallest skyscrapers.
The restaurant has recently added a seafood buffet to its offerings. You can enjoy river prawns, rock lobsters, scallops, grilled salmon, fried crab in curry paste, as well as a selection of popular dishes from around the world. The buffet is inclusive of admission fees to the observation deck on 77th and Revolving Viewpoint on the 84th floor, which is both spectacular and romantic.
Location: 222 Ratchaprarop Rd, Thanon Phaya Thai, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Open: Daily from 11am to 2.30pm and 5.30pm to 10.30pm
Phone: +66 (0)2 656 3939
Map
Start planning your trip
Where to stay in Pratunam
lebua at State Tower
Mandarin Hotel Managed by Centre Point
Shangri-La Bangkok
Eastin Grand Hotel Phayathai
Banyan Tree Bangkok
Bandara Silom Suites
The Peninsula Bangkok
Prince Palace Hotel Bangkok
The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon
