Dine with no cares in the open air.
By Aiden Jewelle Gonzales
Restaurants are open again, the monsoon season’s over, and Bangkok’s annual spell of cool weather will hopefully continue throughout the month – what better time to check out the city’s wealth of al fresco dining spaces? Whether you’re looking for an outdoor brunch spot or an elegant evening under the stars, we’ve put together a list of open air spaces to check out, especially if you’re still feeling uncomfortable dining indoors.
IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A MORE RELAXED VIBE…
EL MERCADO
The vibe may be casual but the food’s a step above – if you’re looking for fresh seafood, premium cheeses and cold cuts, and good wines, then the El Mercado restaurant at Phai Singto is the place to go. Always buzzing, the restaurant boasts a wealth of outdoor seating and is a renowned Bangkok favourite.
Facebook: @elmercadobangkok
CABBAGES AND CONDOMS
A tourist hotspot because of its innovative décor that promotes family planning, Cabbages and Condoms in Sukhumvit Soi 12 is a social enterprise that offers affordable Thai classic dishes, while all the proceeds go towards their parent NGO, PDA. With their chequered tablecloths, fairy lights, and traditional rattan lighting, their outdoor courtyard is especially charming at night. Facebook: @CabbagesandCondoms.BKK
HEMINGWAY
Located in the middle of Sukhumvit Soi 11, a once-integral part of Bangkok’s slowly- recovering night-life, Hemingway’s ‘Garden Bar and Restaurant’ promises good times with their range of beers and comfort food, while its courtyard is cloistered by its glut of plants and trees, providing diners with a little privacy from the bustling street beside it. Facebook: @hemingwaybkk
MAMA DOLORES
Serving the full range of Mediterranean delights, from Italian, to Lebanese, Turkish, Greek, and Moroccan cuisine, Mama Delores is a must-visit eatery in Sathorn. Their outdoor seating area is a charmingly lit-up grove; perfect for a relaxed yet elegant dinner date. Facebook: @MamaDolores
IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A GOOD BRUNCH SPOT…
CRAFT
Tucked away in the urbane Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok, known as the ‘oasis of Langsuan,’ CRAFT is best known for being one of the few pet-friendly cafés in the city. Specialising in local, single-origin coffee brews and light bites (don’t miss out on their outsized, gourmet hotdogs), CRAFT’s outdoor space looks out on to a lush garden seldom seen in the city. Facebook: @kimptonmaalaibangkok
BANGKOK TRADING POST BISTRO & BAR
Located in Sukhumvit Soi 39, Bangkok Trading Post Bistro & Bar is known for its modern fittings, convivial vibe, and menu of international Western favourites using fresh, seasonal ingredients. Their outdoor area overlooks a water feature and offers a range of seating, replete with a gazebo for the perfect afternoon tea scene. Facebook: @bangkoktradingpost
H DINING
A hidden gem in Sukhumvit Soi 38, H Dining is an all-day dining café with hearty food portions, fresh-baked pastries, and a selection of Thai and Western dishes. Channelling a relaxed, no-frills concept, they have a large, sun-dappled courtyard with bench-type seating surrounded by verdure, and are also pet friendly. Facebook: @hdiningbkk
IF YOU WANT OPEN-AIR LUXURY…
SIRIMAHANNOP
If you’ve ever wanted to dine aboard a pirate ship from the days of yore, Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park’s inimitable dining concept, Sirimahannop, is permanently docked at Asiatique The Riverfront. A sprawling three-mast vessel, this venue offers local seafood dishes, sharing plates, and unique cocktails for an unforgettable meal under the stars. Facebook: @Sirimahannop
PHRA NAKHON
The flagship Thai restaurant of Capella Bangkok, one of the city’s premier luxury riverside properties, Phra Nakhon offers authentic Thai dishes focused on heritage recipes and ingredients. Nestled on the banks of the Chao Phraya river, the restaurant’s outdoor deck has a full view of the stunning riverside cityscape.
Facebook: @phranakhon.bangkok
RIVA DEL FIUME
Located within the preeminent Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River, Riva Del Fiume serves seasonally- inspired dishes from all of Italy. Named after the river bank on which it is perched, its design pays homage to Lake Como in Lombardy, with panoramic vistas and cascading terraces.
Facebook: @RivaDelFiume
