The capital of the Land of Smiles is a true foodie haven. Unfortunately, most Singaporeans and foreigners never uncover many of Bangkok’s best restaurants and cafes. I managed to find some of these hidden gems in Bangkok using the Hungry Hub app.

Hungry Hub is called Bangkok’s best dining app. At the start, I wasn’t sure – would it really be that different from the others? After trying it for myself, I say that it’s not a mere dining or food delivery app but more like your personal foodie lobang in Bangkok.

It led me to restaurants and cafes that I’d never have found on my own, I got discounts for eating there, and was even shown exclusive menus not available without the app. As with their best buffets collection, these menus feature premium dishes. All these perks come free when you use Hungry Hub.

Bangkok’s best hidden gems

With hundreds of choices ranging from historic tall ships to sky-high vantage points, I have somehow managed to distil the 12 best dining hidden gems in Bangkok on Hungry Hub.

Besides the prices in Thai Baht, I have also converted all prices to SGD at the current exchange rate of S$1 = ฿25.8. Rate fluctuations may affect what you actually spend.

Also keep in mind that many of these top-tier restaurants emphasise fresh ingredients – the exact menu may change seasonally as a result. You can find the latest menus and promotions on the Hungry Hub website and app.  

As an added bonus, use our exclusive promo code SETH100 on the app and get a ฿100 discount on your first restaurant reservation through Hungry Hub.

1. Saffron – Contemporary Thai Cuisine

Is it hard to stay hidden 52 floors up in the sky? Apparently so. Saffron – Contemporary Thai Cuisine at Banyan Tree Bangkok didn’t appear very often in my searches for the best restaurants in Bangkok but the experience of dining there really blew me out of the sky.

There’s no denying that an excellent view of the city skyline (sunset is the time to be here) adds to the culinary experience. However, Saffron Sky delivers so much more. The restaurant’s interesting menu became a series of culinary discoveries but we have distilled it to our recommended list.

Let’s start with the Premium Menu. Topping the list is their Kung Yang Sot Ha Rot, which is grilled river prawn with five flavour sauce. Their counting must be off because there were surely more than 5 magnificent flavours that played on our taste buds. Singaporeans love their seafood and we can’t recommend this premium dish enough.

Venture into the mains with Pla Sam Rod, which translates to ‘fish with 3 flavours’. Saffron Sky’s version uses crisp fried sea bass fillet in three-flavour chilli sauce. It’s an enticing melody of tastes tending toward the fiery.

Another dish to try is Pu Nim Pat Phong Kra Ri, their version of stir-fried crab curry. Wok-tossed crispy soft-shell crab in yellow curry sauce and accompanied by Thai celery, this is crab done right with just the right accompaniments.

If you are a soup person, the Tom Yum Goong, a traditional spicy prawn soup with lemongrass and galangal is the quintessentially Thai option. I also recommend the spicy grilled duck salad with roasted rice powder and chilli-mint called Yum Ped Nahm Tok.

Dessert has to be another Thai classic, mango sticky rice and coconut ice cream. Called Khao Niew Mamuang & I-Tim Kati, it was just the right level of sweetness without becoming too cloying. We had 3 Mocktails – the Apple Spritzer No.4, Passion fruit Mojito and Sunset Mojito. They all tied for first place for me so you’ll have to make that call for yourself.

Packages:

•       Choose 4 Dishes for 2 Persons ฿1,690 (S$65.45)

•       Choose 4 Dishes for 2 Persons [Premium menu] ฿1,990 (S$77.09)

•       Choose 6 Dishes for 3 Persons ฿2,790 (S$108.14)

•       Choose 7 Dishes for 4 Persons ฿2,990 (S$115.50)

•       Romantic Dinner (Book 2 days in advance) ฿2,500 (S$97.30)

•       Romantic Dinner w/ 1 Bottle of Wine (Book 2 days in advance) ฿3,500 (S$135.68)

You can find all the Saffron Sky at Banyan Tree Bangkok packages here.

2. KHAAN Thai Fine Dining Restaurant Bangkok (Michelin Guide)  

KHAAN Thai Fine Dining Restaurant Bangkok was a revelation. Quite apt, then, that it’s on my list of Bangkok’s best dining hidden gems. We discovered this Michelin Guide restaurant in a quiet street lined by residences and office buildings off the bustle of Somkid Street. With seats for just 18 diners and a private room for 10, it’s a stylishly intimate dining space bedecked in white and red.

We tried the 11-Course Tasting Menu (฿4,532, S$175.39). Hungry Hub diners get an exclusive Signature Cold Brew Tea free when they order this.

Designed as a journey of taste through Thailand, it was an incredibly artistic table adventure. From the water, there were Hokkaido scallops in green mussel juice, Belon and Surat Thani oysters, rice paddy crab, and seasonal fish. From the fields came fermented Sang Yod rice, the whimsically named Pumpy-umpy-umpkin and the disarmingly simply named (but gastronomically exciting) Tomato.

Those words hardly do justice to the incredible imagination that went into both the presentation of these dishes and the manner in which they combined traditional preparation with modern avant-garde techniques.

Nothing at Khaan is a mere dish; each one is a culmination of culinary artistry, evoking wondrous flavours from otherwise simple ingredients. A Michelin Guide experience for this price is a no-brainer if you are a foodie.

Packages:

•       11 Course Tasting Menu

You can find all the Khaan Bangkok packages here.

3. Sirimahannop

Well, this was a surprise! Hiding in plain sight, masquerading majestically as a tall ship is the Sirimahannop located at Asiatique. It is an intricately accurate recreation of an iconic Royal Thai Navy ship, now permanently docked on the Chao Phraya River and giving visitors to the Thai capital a unique and thoroughly exciting foodie experience.

Perhaps it was the swish of the waves against the hull in the 100-seat below-deck restaurant (the deck seats another 200) but we loved the seafood aboard the Sirimahannop. Leading the pack was the Sirimahannop Fish Tacos (4 pcs). It comes with soft shell flour tortillas, battered and fried fish sticks, iceberg lettuce, sour cream and avocado. The fish had the perfect bite, singing tales of their freshness.

A close second was the Sirimahannop Fish and Chips. This is deep-fried crispy halibut fillet in beer batter served with papaya fries, remoulade and Bengal curry sauce. The generous portions of tasty fish are a meal unto themselves!

 I’m not the biggest fan of duck but the Duck Confit Gascony was pleasantly memorable – it was the silky soft texture that made the difference. Accompanied by roasted duck fat potatoes, slow braised red cabbage in red wine and apple, this dish threaded the perfect balance between different flavours.

We also ordered the pulled pork croquettes, Bitterballen. It was especially unique for its sambal-mustard dip but the tender meat would have pulled the weight on its own if needed. Rounding up the mains was the Beef Cheek Green Curry. Here, succulent braised beef green curry is served with a griddled roti and steamed rice, making for a hearty plate.

 We ended with the Nordic Honey Panna Cotta and it was just as divine as the name implies. Basil & Lime Collins kept us company through a very enjoyable meal.

Packages:

•       Sharing Set for 2 People ฿2,190 (S$84.75)

•       Premium Sharing Set for 2 People ฿2,590 (S$100.78)

•       Sharing Set for 4 People ฿3,990 (S$154.65)

•       Sharing Set for 3 People ฿2,990 (S$115.50)

•       Sip & Dine ฿2,390 (S$92.65)

 You can find all the Sirimahannop Asiatique packages here.

4. Vertigo TOO

I have visited many sky-high bars but nothing like Vertigo TOO. Some establishments make the mistake of letting the view become virtually the sole reason to visit, overlooking how interior décor can add a magical touch. 60 floors up, that’s certainly not a mistake that Vertigo TOO makes.

The interior décor is sleek and futuristic. Plush sofa beds line the space at semi-circular windows while the curved ceiling twinkles little stars. When the sun sets, it’s like looking out at a starry night. Sensual.

Young professionals throng here, drawn by the modern décor and pulsing vibe. Another reason is the excellent selection of alcohol. Their 6 Drinks & 2 Snack (฿1,990, S$77.09) package is really popular with this crowd as they unwind. We joined in – the Chicken Satay and Potato Croquettes were too good to pass up.

For a leisurely day among the clouds, try the Garden of the Senses Afternoon Tea Set for 2 Persons (฿2,000, S$77.39). It’s an afternoon tea package for 2 featuring some exquisite creations perfect for the ‘gram.

If love is way up in the air, get the Romantic Sharing Set – 5 Dishes with 1 Bottle of Wine (฿2,598, S$100.70). It requires a 2-day advance booking but is well worth the planning. It’s a 5-course meal with 1 mocktail per person.

Packages:

•       6 Drinks & 2 Snack ฿1,990 (S$77.09)

•       Sharing Set 5 Dishes with 1 Mocktail Per Person ฿1,998 (S$77.39)

•       Sharing Set 8 Dishes with 1 Mocktail Per Person ฿2,997 (S$116.14)

•       Sharing Set 5 Dishes with 1 Bottle of Wine ฿2,598 (S$100.70)

•       Garden of the Senses Afternoon Tea Set for 2 Persons ฿2,000 (S$77.52)

You can find all the Vertigo TOO packages here.

5. Mojjo Rooftop Lounge

Bangkok’s towering skyline is home to another one of our hidden gems, the Mojjo Rooftop Lounge & Bar atop Skyview Hotel. This undiscovered gem is heavy with Latin influence, from the tapas-inspired menu to the live DJ’s beats.

They have an excellent bar, with an emphasis on rum and whiskey cocktails. Their signature cocktails and crafted specially for every individual guest. it delivers on drinks, yes, but the food is exceptional, too!

Hungry Hub lets you choose between 2 Party Packs here, the Mojjo 3 Dishes with Free Flow Mocktail ฿999 (S$38.66) and the Mojjo 2 Dishes with 2 Signature Cocktails ฿1,099 (S$42.53). Given the view that you get from a premium location, the fun vibe and what we discovered to be the excellent food, both packages are worth it.

Cold soup and seafood fans will love this menu with its 5 varieties of ceviche – Seabass, Salmon, Tuna Octopus and Mixto. 

Follow them up with the Peruvian-style Seafood Rice and/or grilled Salmon Steak. Not a fan of seafood? Try the Baby Chicken A La Brazza, instead, and savour the lovely yellow chilli polleria sauce.

There is no shortage of quick bites, including Raw Salmon and Raw Tuna Tacos. A trifecta of Churros, Mochi Ice Cream and Chocolate Cake will put a sweet end to a beautiful day in the sky.

 Packages:

•       Mojjo 3 Dishes with Free Flow Mocktail ฿999 (S$38.66)

•       Mojjo 2 Dishes with 2 Signature Cocktails ฿1,099 (S$42.53)

You can find all the Mojjo Rooftop Lounge & Bar packages here.

6. Vikarn Bangkok

Themed ‘ Bangkok Nightlife’, and fine dining that names itself ‘fun dining’, Vikarn Bangkok is definitely one restaurant that shouldn’t remain a hidden gem. The place is electrified by an infectiously fun vibe that emanates from the staff that’s prone to impromptu dancing and the lively music.

Somewhere in the middle of the vibrant chaos, there’s also Thai street food good enough to make it to our list! Make your reservations through Hungry Hub and receive a free glass of red wine or bottle of mineral water.

We enjoyed the Khon Kaen Phumeng Pork. Served with red pork sauce, yellow watermelon and pickled purple cabbage, it was an interesting medley of colours, textures and flavours. The Surat Thani Giant Trevally was another lovely dish, enhanced by squid and shrimp, all in fish soup.

Only available on the 11-course menu, the Tapee Shrimp are served with sea bass and Chiang Mai brown rice. Accentuating the flavours were ginger, coconut milk, galangal and spring onion. Read that again – can you feel them serenading your sense of taste with every mouthful?

Another standout is the Sakon Nakhon Striploin Tajima A4. We were surprised by how well it went with the brioche, satay sauce and cucumber. The latter two gave me satay déjà vu.

Packages:

•       Special Hungry Hub Tasting Menu – 6 courses – ฿2,300 (S$89)

•       Special Hungry Hub Tasting Menu – 11 courses – ฿4,108 (S$158.98)

Hungry Hub diners booking through the app get a free bottle of mineral water or a glass of red wine.

You can find all the Vikarn Bangkok packages here.

7. Spectrum Lounge & Bar

Spanning 3 floors of Hyatt Regency Bangkok, Spectrum Lounge & Bar isn’t just a bar but an experience. Designed to emulate a private penthouse complete with musical instruments as well as art and design pieces, it feels more like you are at an upscale house party than a hotel.

It’s a fun vibe and an interesting way to spend a few hours appreciating the view both inside and from the high vantage point it offers. The food pairs perfectly with the ambience, with the menu comprising small bites and wine.

If you are in the mood to hang out with friends while enjoying the view and honing your mind through the art and handicrafts on display, this is the place. I recommend the Chicken Quesadilla first of all. This tried and tested favourite is very well done.

Another star of the menu is the Mushroom Arancini. They serve it with spicy tomato sauce that creates excellent contrast against the stretchy mozzarella. Also worthy of your attention is the Stir-fried Songkhla softshell crab, a no-brainer for seafood enthusiasts.

For a proper meal, the Everyday Celebration + 2-Hour Free Flow Drinks for 2 (฿2,999, S$116.14) package is worth the cost. The free flow of drinks aside, you also get to choose from Canadian lobster thermidor, Japanese Tajima Wagyu ribeye MS 6/7 (200 gr) and Lamb Chop as your Main.

Packages:

•       3 Bar Bites + 1 Bottle of Wine for up to 4 People ฿1,999 (S$77.34)

•       1 Bar Bite + 2 Hours Free Flow Wine for 1 Person ฿999 (S$38.73)

•       Everyday Celebration + 2-Hour Free Flow Drinks for 2 ฿2,999 (S$116.14)

•       Sharing Set for 2 People + 2 drinks ฿1,899 (S$73.62)

You can find all the Spectrum Lounge & Bar packages here.

8. JHOL Coastal Indian Cuisine (Michelin Guide)

JHOL translates 2 ways, one as ‘mischief’ and the other as ‘thin curry’. That’s a bit of insight into the restaurant but perhaps more telling is the hashtag #WeDon’tServeNaan. Yes, this certainly isn’t your typical Indian restaurant; rather, it is the perfect gateway to coastal Indian cuisine.

The Michelin label tells you about the excellent food but also impressive is JHOL’s inclusion in the Star wine list Bangkok 2022. The latter commended them for their excellent pairings of wine that can “handle the spice and aromatics” as well as their reasonable markups.

Predictable for anyone who knows me, but I have to recommend the Pani Puri. JHOL’s take on the universally popular Indian street delight comes with avocado, jicama and spiced passion fruit water. Follow it up with Tangra Chilli Crab, which is soft shell crab served with Kolkata style hot garlic sauce.

I wish I could go on about their excellent starters but we have to cover Mains as well. Here, the Alleppey Fish Curry with its mango fish curry and tempered tapioca mesmerised us. The NH5 Chicken Bharta of pulled chicken and soft duck egg is also a star in my books.

JHOL’s dessert menu will be an eye-opener for many fans of Indian cuisine who seldom get to see the breadth of Indian sweet treats. Try the Narangi Shrikhand. This is orange yoghurt peppered with caramelised boondi and served with saffron ice cream. Drool…

Packages:

•       Sharing Set Menu for 2 People ฿2,990 (S$115.50)

•       Sharing Set Menu For 3 People ฿4,090 (S$158.68)

•       The Culinary Journey-Tasting Menu (Non-Vegetarian) ฿2,353 (S$91.16)

•       The Culinary Journey-Tasting Menu (Non-Vegetarian) + Non-Alcohol Pairing ฿3,058 (S$118.50)

•       The Culinary Journey-Tasting Menu (Non-Vegetarian) + Wine Pairing 3 Glasses ฿4,117 (S$159)

•       The Culinary Journey-Tasting Menu (Vegetarian) ฿2,353 (S$91.16)

You can find all the JHOL packages here.

9. Asiatique Ancient Tea House

The ‘ancient’ in Asiatique Ancient Tea House may refer to the 1912 building in which it is located but also speaks to the ancient practice of tea appreciation. This dim sum-style restaurant also serves a curated range of world teas as well as cocktails inspired by the ancient beverage.

Perfectly suited to the serene riverside location is the genteel interior, largely subtle but punctuated by bold reds in brief exclamations. The Lunch Set for 2 People (฿1,090, S$42.18) has to be our top recommendation. It’s a 7-dish affair that is excellent value for money.

Perhaps even better is the Sharing Set for 3 People (฿1,950, S$75.46). The Yangzhou Style Fried Rice with Barbequed Pork and Shrimp was wonderful, as was the tastily- and accurately-named Sticky Rice with Crab in A Bamboo Basket.

I think the Pork and Morel Mushroom Wonton Poached and Egg Noodle in Chicken Broth has an interesting name but I’m sure that it tasted even better. For the accompaniments, the Alaskan King Crab and Shrimp with Spinach Dumpling and Baked Honey Glazed Barbecue Pork Puffs are top of my list.

Chilled Mango Pudding and Steamed Chinese Custard Sponge Cake are our picks to end on a sweet note.

Packages:

•       Lunch Set for 2 People ฿1,090 (S$42.18)

•       Lunch Set for 3 People ฿1,490 (S$57.66)

•       Sharing Set for 2 People ฿1,590 (S$61.53)

•       Sharing Set for 3 People ฿1,950 (S$75.46)

You can find all the Asiatique Ancient Tea House packages here.

10. Napha Emsphere

Napha Emsphere is no ordinary restaurant but the culmination of the talent of 7 acclaimed chefs. Under this restaurant’s roof, the knowledge, talent and creativity of this team creates a menu replete with award-winning dishes and concepts. They are aiming for the sky, which incidentally is what ‘Napha’ means.

Leading the charge is Assorted Seafood Pad Thai by 7-time Michelin Star awardee Chef Noom of PINN. The stars of his show are plump river prawns, large blue crabs, New Zealand mussels and crispy squid. They accompany the Pad Thai-style stir-fried Chanthaburi noodles made using Chef’s secret spicy sauce.

Chef Gigg of Lerdpalo is the third-generation owner of Ledertip, which has a 60-year history of traditional Chinese cuisine. He brings to the table, so to speak, his Palo Hot Pot. Beef ribeye and chuck tender prepared following a traditional Chinese Teochew recipe is served in a rich and flavorful Palo hotpot. It’s an evergreen classic that continues to gain more fans.

Stewed Chicken Leg Khaosoi Lanna is the masterpiece that we tried from Chef Kong of Sucol. Lovingly roasted by hand and peppered with herbs and spices native to North Thailand, the dish comes with a coconut milk-infused broth that is stunningly rich, complementing the meat to perfection.

Packages:

•       Easy Set for 2 People (Lunch) ฿1,050 (S$40.70)

•       Sharing Set for 3 People (Lunch) ฿1,590 (S$61.60)

•       Sharing Set for 2 People ฿1,490 (S$57.73)

•       Sharing Set for 3 People ฿2,190 (S$84.83)

•       Premium Set for 4 People ฿3,190 (S$123.72)

•       Sharing Set for 2 People with Alcohol ฿1,590 (S$61.60)

You can find all the Napha Emsphere packages here.

11. Rib Room & Bar Steakhouse

Rib Room & Bar Steakhouse is a stalwart of the Bangkok steakhouse scene. It has made the Michelin Guide for 5 consecutive years, a monumental feat for any eatery. The restaurant is dressed in the classic steakhouse style but is operated more casually. Take in the warm wood and red tones as a prelude to an excellent meal.

While steak is in their blood, it’s not a limitation. The 3 Dishes with 3 Mocktails (฿890, S$34.50) deal from Hungry Hub gives a nice little introduction to their variety. If you take this deal, I suggest the Japanese Sweet Potatoes Okonomiyaki that comes with dried Hokkaido fish, Pork Rillette on sourdough toast and the Duo Handmade Ice Cream.

The value-for-money option is the 4 Dishes per Person w/Drinks (฿1,890, S$73.32) deal. Among the 6 options for your Main are 120 Days Grain-fed Angus Beef Sirloin 250g, Lobster Tagliolini and Kurobuta Pork Tenderloin.

Coupled with a starter or soup, a side dish, a dessert and free flow of soft drinks, it’s really hard to say ‘no’.

Packages:

•       THE BAR: 3 Dishes with 3 Mocktails ฿890 (S$34.50)

•       Sip & Dine – 3 menus w/ 6 Alcohol Drinks ฿1,990 (S$77.09)

•       4 Dishes per Person w/ Drinks ฿1,890 (S$73.32)

•       RIB ROOM Set Menus 8 Menus for 3 People w/Drinks ฿4,050 (S$156.98)

You can find all the Rib Room & Bar Steakhouse packages here.

12. OJI Omakase

Whether you have never had omakase before or have tried it around the world, a little detour to OJI Omakase Sathorn or OJI Omakase Praditmanutham may just help you discover a new favourite. If you’ve heard that omakase is expensive, OJI Omakase and Hungry Hub have teamed up to show you that’s not the case.

The OJI Omakase Essentials 14-Course (฿1,890, S$73.32) is a Hungry Hub exclusive. Your journey brings you creations such as Shiromi Carpaccio, Uni Handroll, Horenzo with Shirasu, Smoked Ika Sushi, Hon Maguro Chu-Toro Sushi and the old reliable Chawanmushi. Renowned Castella Japanese sponge cake brings this to a close.

A step above is the OJI Omakase Prestige Selection 17-Course (฿2,790, S$108.14). It’s not just a difference of 3 courses but the inclusion of superior choices such as Wagyu Don with Truffle Egg Roll, Croquette with Black Truffle Cream and Homemade Annin Tofu that make this the better option.

OJI Omakase has become a perennial draw not just for locals but the Japanese expatriate crowd in Bangkok. Hey, when an establishment gets that stamp of approval, you can’t go wrong.

Packages:

•       OJI Omakase Essentials 14-Course ฿1,890 (S$73.32)

•       OJI Omakase Prestige Selection 17-Course ฿2,790 (S$108.14)

You can find all the OJI Omakase Sathorn packages here and OJI Omakase Praditmanutham packages here.

*This post is brought to you in partnership with Hungry Hub.

The post 12 must-try hidden restaurants in Bangkok appeared first on SETHLUI.com.