Food and drink

One of the first restaurants to promote Thai artists and designers by holding exhibitions in the dining room, Eat Me is owned by Australian siblings Darren and Cherie Hausler, who wanted to open a comfortable, intimate space with an artsy vibe. Making use of the expertise of US chef Tim Butler, the restaurant focuses on the sort of international menu that draws on comfort-food classics while adding enough Asian-style flair to remind diners that they are in Bangkok.

A favourite among Bangkok expats, Eat Me’s dishes range from smaller plates such as Wagyu steak tartare mixed larb-style, to bigger portions including Japanese black cod in coconut cream. 

Despite the surrounding encroachment of coffee chains, sushi bars and brunch spots, Saew remains entrenched in its mid-Sukhumvit location, serving as a magnet for scores of office workers. The diner specialises in soup noodles such as bamee or Chinese-style egg noodles with pork, including the hard-to-find bamee ban (flat egg noodles).

Building on the great success of the original restaurant on Soi Sathorn 12, Swedish/American beverage specialist the Sapparot Group has since expanded to a branch on Soi Sukhumvit 11. While each restaurant has its own feel, all have snared a number of fans thanks to their coffee, shakes and brunch menu of egg dishes, pastries and health-food offerings. There is also a smattering of Nordic specialities: a “daily hash” with potatoes and pickled beets and the omnipresent Swedish meatballs. Front and centre is the coffee, brewed from beans sourced from Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. 

When it opened in 2010, David Thompson’s Nahm prompted a bout of soul-searching over the changing nature of local cuisine. Luckily the Australian-born Thompson was able to answer the scrutiny with delicious food (although he has since left). Traditional Thai cooking methods take centre stage at this restaurant but the kitchen isn’t afraid of tweaking a few traditional favourites, such as larb made with minced guinea fowl. This approach has won Nahm a number of ardent fans.