Thai Food: 3 Days of Indulgence in Bangkok’s Best

While I love some good sightseeing as much as anyone, I also love the chance to try out new and interesting foods. Traveling isn’t just about taking pretty pictures, but learning about and immersing oneself in a different culture. Sampling the local cuisine is one way to do that, and since I happen to find Thai food absolutely delicious, I researched the best spots in Bangkok to gorge on some delicious local foods.

That being said, I present to you this culture-filled, 3-day gourmet tour in Bangkok, Thailand.

Note: Very excited to have been accepted as an affiliate with TripAdvisor. As such, you’ll find a couple of links on this post through which I might get a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

Day 1 – Thai Food at Chatuchak Weekend Market

The very first stop on this gourmet tour takes place right after touching down at Bangkok’s international airport. Once you’re done with that, stop at ChaTruMue (located inside the airport) for some soft serve or milk tea as a little pick-me-up. It’s cheap with surprisingly high quality for an airport café. Some reviewers complained of a long wait and rather inattentive staff, but if you have the time and love milk tea, it’s definitely worth a try.

Next, head over to your hotel for an early check-in. If you’re looking to stay on a budget, I’d recommend The Quarter Silom for its convenient location and high standards of cleanliness. If you want to splurge, on the other hand, take a look at Shangri-La Bangkok. They’ve got stunning views, top-tier staff, and sublime room service.

For lunch, dive right into the local cuisine by making your way to Or Tor Kor, a local food market. Here, you can check out the raw ingredients used in Thai dishes. If you want to sample the dishes made from these ingredients, then that starts at the next stop, the Chatuchak Weekend Market. Before that, though, you can try a wide range of local street foods – from red Thai curry to skewered pork and papaya salads.

Street Foods and Street Murals

A bit further on, in Chatuchak Park, you can try out a type of sticky sweet rice flavored with coconut milk. It’s served alongside a variety of fresh fruits like mango, pineapple, watermelon, and more.

Head to Sahan Khwai Subway Station and take the BTS Sukhumvit Line to Ratchathewi. This station is within easy walking distance of tons of different sightseeing spots. For example, the Chaloemla Gardens and its many street murals; the ancient art displays at Jim Thompson House Museum; and the aquarium Sea Life Bangkok Ocean World, home to marine life, boat rides, and a 4D cinema.

Not too far away is the restaurant Ban Khun Mae, where you can sit down and relax. They serve a range of authentic Thai dishes, including pandan chicken, pad thai, and Bangkok-style fish cakes. It’s a great way to wind down after a long day of travel and street market shopping.

pad thai, a classic Thai food dish — Photo by Miss Fauzia

Once you’ve had your fill, head back to the hotel for a good night’s rest. Tomorrow is packed full of more gourmet adventures!

Day 2 – Riverfront Restaurants and Thai Food Midnight Tours

Some hotels offer amazing Thai food breakfasts, so be sure to check if yours is one. Alternatively, Twenty Seven Bites Brasserie offers a wide range of choices, including both Thai food and international dishes. You’ll get the chance to savor some comfort foods before launching into Day 2.

Head over to Asiatique, an open-air mall situated right next to Chao Phraya River. Here, you’ll find lots of places to sample various foods – both Thai and international – along with plenty of souvenir shops and attractions. One such attraction includes a ferris wheel where you’ll get an excellent view of the river.

For lunch, I’d recommend the riverfront restaurant, Sirimahannop. This gorgeous, permanently docked ship has three masts that stand proudly against the sky. In short, it’s an ideal spot to enjoy the seafaring vibe without worrying about motion sickness. Its atmosphere isn’t the only reason to eat here, though; reviews rave about the delicious seafood selection and excellent service.

Take some time to rest in the afternoon, because at night you’ll have a midnight tour through Bangkok’s Old Town. This twelve-person, 4-hour-long group tour hosted by Tuk Tuk will have you riding in a motorized rickshaw. You’ll get a chance to sample all sorts of classic Thai foods while leisurely soaking in the sites, from the Siam Area to the flower market, Pak Khlong Talat, to a temple, and more.

Once the tour ends, head back to your hotel for some well-deserved sleep.

Day 3 – Markets Floating on the River, Restaurants Floating in the Sky

For your last day, we’ll stray a bit from the city center in order to visit one of Bangkok’s floating markets, Khlong Lat Mayom. Get there early to beat the crowds. You’ll get a chance to see first-hand merchants selling their wares on boats floating on the canal.

There’s plenty of shopping (including quite a few handmade crafts and thrift “shops”) and food sellers to choose from. This particular floating market has the advantage of being one of the most beautiful and one of the easiest to maneuver. The atmosphere hums with a busy, old-fashioned air, but it’s a kind of ordered chaos that won’t have you completely lost.

Thai Porridge and Lumpini Park

If you like, you can stop along the way (or after you’re done) at a little streetside stall and sample the Thai food version of porridge. The stall itself is called “โจ๊กเปิดหม้อ,” (found here on Trip Advisor) which translates to “Open Pot Porridge.” The owners aren’t fluent in English, but they do have an English menu available. It’s definitely the closest you’ll get to a “local” experience, as very few of their customers are tourists or foreigners.

For the afternoon, head over to Lumpini Park for a leisurely stroll in one of Bangkok’s most tranquil sites. Enjoy nature in the middle of the city with a ride on a duck boat on Lumpini’s manmade lake, or take a photo of a passing monitor lizard. If you’re feeling peckish, take a break at one of the park’s coffee shops for a bite.

Finally, take the chance to splurge on a night you won’t soon forget – the Vertigo Rooftop Fine Dining Experience at the Banyan Tree Hotel. It’s pretty pricey (US$127 at the time of this writing), but well worth it for the stunning view as you dine on the rooftop of this luxurious hotel standing over 60 stories tall.