Cholos is a LA-inspired food truck that brings southern California-style Mexican flavours to Bangkok. Grab a seat at a wooden table, imagine the Hollywood sign is behind you, and tuck into the short but sweet menu of quesadillas, Baja-style fish tacos with smoky chipotle mayo and other classic tacos and burritos. Make sure to try the house speciality, birria, a meat stew typically made with goat; here, the chef uses pork instead, for a more local, but equally tender take on the dish.

If by some miracle you’re not totally stuffed, there are a number of classic desserts including flan, tres leche cake, and churros served with salted caramel sauce. Wash it all down with a refreshing frozen margarita, premium mezcal and tequila or a chilled local beer.

Address: Lakeview Residence, Suk Chai Alley, Sukhumvit soi 12, +66 91 725 8815

Smoky izakaya dishes served tapas-style are the name of the game in this minimalist, modern space in the heart of Bangkok’s emerging Creative District. Taking over a three-storey building that was once a gambling house, Jua was designed by Hong Kong-based Sean Dix Design & Architecture, and bring the vibrant energy of Osaka’s back streets to Bangkok’s laid-back old town.

This is a perfect spot for a pre-dinner nibbles and drinks—the list includes natural wines, handcrafted cocktails, artisanal sake and small-batch spirits—but the food menu is more than substantial enough if you decide to stay for a meal. We love to order a few skewers—chicken tail, and tiger prawn with garlic or durian butter are favourites—or a bowl of fresh sashimi from fish flown in from Japan several times a week, or toro tartare with truffle. If you’re lucky, you might be there on one of the special nights when the signature miso clam soup is served. Definitely worth asking about.

Jua
Address: 672/49 Charoen Krung soi 28, Bang Rak, +66 2 103 6598

One of our favourites places to indulge in laid-back, authentic Thai dishes. Celebrity chef duo Bo and Dylan of Bo.lan also bring their flavours to the retro Err Urban Rustic Thai. Enjoy Thai street food and other traditional dishes in a repurposed riverside shophouse adorned with charming vintage-kitsch decor: timber chairs and tables, vibrant murals and old-fashioned floor cushion seating.

Inspired by traditional Thai cuisine and culture, the menu focuses on ingredients that have been preserved and fermented in-house. Expect delicious street food items like spicy salads and noodles, Thai curries and other specialities. Some highlights include sai krok Isaan, an Isaan-style pork sausage with organic gaba rice, and mamuang prieaw, sour green mango macerated in soy sauce with chili powder.

The drinks list features signature cocktails crafted from locally made craft spirits like Chalong Bay Rum extracted from local sugar cane or local corn-based alcohol—local and irrestible.

Err Urban Rustic Thai
Address: 56 10 Thong Lo, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, +66 (0)2 622 2292

Finding its second home at the stylish Siri House, Quince’s modern Mediterranean menu is a collection of smoky fare with whimsical Asian-spiced tweaks on the traditional. Since it opened its first location in Sukhumvit 45, Quince has been a pioneer in wood-fire cooking techniques and bringing produce-driven international cuisine to Bangkok’s dining scene. The rustic charm, loft-style wood accents and seductive lighting of the new venue add to this a cosy environment to enjoy the restaurant’s contemporary cuisine.

Seafood lovers shouldn’t miss the BBQ octopus smothered in nuoc cham butter, Thai basil, spring onion and peppercorns. Other highlights the Wagyu beef tartare with Jerusalem artichoke, or the hearty lamb shank with spinach curry and lashings of pillowy naan.

Quince
Address: 14/2 Soi Somkid, Ploenchit Road, Lumpini, +66 (0) 94 868 2639

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