Shareen Wong is back to share with you more travel tips, and she highlights some of the most happening places in Thong Lor, Bangkok
So you’ve been to Siam Paragon, Pratunam and Chatuchak. Time to venture a little further down the BTS line to Thong Lor – home of the Japanese community, upmarket condos and tons of good street food and trendy bars!
In this first of a two-part series, I’ll bring you to check out some of these hip places.
Agalico
Agalico is straight out of an English romance novel. It’s been around for years but the all-white café is immaculately kept, complete with manicured gardens.
There is no signboard to indicate that you’ve arrived at the right place, so good luck finding it, but once you’ve discovered it you’ll understand why the search was worthwhile. Not only are the interiors dreamy, the cakes and scones are some of the best I’ve had. They have a very limited menu so this place really is perfect for breakfast or tea and especially if you’re on a girly trip.
Have a wander around the garden while waiting for your tea to brew and you’ll be rewarded with a picture perfect backdrop as the owner is one of Bangkok’s top landscape architects.
Agalico, 20 Sukhumvit Soi 51 (only open from Fri-Sun, 10am-6pm), Tel: +66 2 662 5857
Soul Food Mahanakorn
Honest food and serious drinks await at Soul Food Mahanakorn. Located right at the tip of Sukhumvit Soi 55 (or Thong Lor itself), this place is a stroll from the BTS station.
Take Exit 3 and turn right when you’re on street level. Look for the flower shops across the main road, and you’ll spot it about 5 minutes down that road.
It looks like a Japanese restaurant from the outside, especially with the sliding door, but once inside, you know you’re in for some killer cocktails and good Thai grub. All the drinks are double shots, so go slow if you’re a lightweight.
Most of the dishes taste home-cooked and the ribs were particularly memorable. Don’t expect street food prices!
Soul Food Mahanakorn, 56/10 Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Soi Thong Lor), Tel: +66 (0) 2714 7708
Octave Rooftop Lounge & Bar
You’ve probably heard of the famous sky bar at the Lebua State Tower in Bangkok, which was featured in the movie Hangover 2. Well, Octave – the sky bar at the Marriott Thong Lor – offers a similarly impressive view but of a totally different part of the city.
The bar on the 45th floor extends three storeys up and reminds us of 1-Altitude in Singapore. Done up to look real sexy (inspired by New York’s apartment terraces), this bar is a great place to chill out at after dinner.
I’d also highly recommend checking out the rooms at the Marriott hotel. Each room comes with a huge bathtub that offers a breath-taking view of the city.
It’s a perfect spot in which to spend a night or two so that you can truly explore Thong Lor.
Octave Rooftop Lounge & Bar, Marriott Thong Lor, 2 Sukhumvit Soi 57, Tel: +66 2 7970400
Look out for Part 2 next week, where Shareen will bring you to more interesting hangouts.
Shareen Wong is a travel-holic, foodie and former radio presenter. She’s floored by the sheer number of cool restaurants and bars in Thong Lor. And they keep popping up, so there’s a never-ending list of places to check out!
Shareen has caught the entrepreneurial bug and now travels the world curating pieces for her designer jewellery boutique – Embrace Jewellery. Follow her travels on Instagram: @shareenwong_
ADVERTISEMENTS