10 Bangkok Under-the-Radar Spots for a Two-Day Trip

(SPOT.ph) You can never run out of things to try in Bangkok. The Thai capital is a vibrant mix of old-world charm and cutting-edge trends. From indulging in some of the best street food in the world to hitting up night markets or sipping cocktails in a trendy bar, there’s always something new to discover. If you have a few days to spare, follow this itinerary to help you explore more of the city and spend less time stuck in Bangkok's infamous traffic.

Also read: 10 Popular Shopping Markets in Bangkok, Thailand

Here are 10 must-visit spots for a quick visit to Bangkok:

Na Tanao 1969

Na Tanao 1969 is a quaint, narrow, 3.5-meter-wide "hometel." The owner resides in one of the rooms and will even offer to help you bring your luggage up. It's a well-designed space that will impress even the most discerning guests. There are only four sleeping quarters available on the property and a small in-house cafe on the ground floor for a quick snack. Don’t fret if you're big on food and culinary experiences. Great food is all around, steps away.

If you always stay in Bangkok's glitzy Sukhumvit district, try slowing down and staying in the Phra Nakhon area instead. This area is considered the older side of Bangkok, but you'll be surprised by how enjoyable it is to explore.

Sae Phun

Sae Phun has been included in the Michelin Guide for six years. It has been serving the same recipes since 1926 and is now run by third-generation family members. Must-try dishes in this humble spot include their Prawn Wontons in Chili Sauce, which was a definite highlight during our visit, thanks to the prawn's delightfully firm bite paired with tolerable heat from the chili sauce. Wash down all your eats with a bottle of their Thai Milk Tea and you're good to go.

K. Panich Sticky Rice

For dessert, walk over to K. Panich Sticky Rice, 400 meters from Sae Phun. This place has been selling the same thing for over 80 years—steamed sticky rice from Chiang Rai topped with rich coconut milk, toasted yellow mung beans for crunch, and unbelievably sweet and juicy mangoes. This dessert is an example of how a simple dish can be memorable just by using the best ingredients. No wonder it is also on the Michelin Guide.

theCOMMONS Saladaeng

Designed by the Bangkok-based design firm Department of ARCHITECTURE, theCOMMONS Saladaeng is an open-air, community-based alternative to the shopping mall. One of its most striking features is a red double-gabled roof made of red corrugated steel. This is apt, considering that according to the Department of ARCHITECTURE's principal architect Amata Luphaiboon, the name Saldaeng means "red pavilion," a reference to an old train station that used to stand in the area painted in red.

Here in theCommons you will find great, independent local eateries and cafes where you can relax and snack while you people watch. For more unique experiences, you should time your trip when there are workshops or events. Pro tip: you can check the calendar on their website to know if there's anything special going on when you visit. 

The House on Sathorn

The House on Sathorn is a heritage house that was built in 1889 by a wealthy Chinese businessman. Today, it stands as a delicately restored restaurant and bar on the same compound as W Hotel.

The facade is painted the original shade of yellow and features green shutters and arched windows. Its interiors have a stately appearance—possibly because it served as the Russian embassy for 50 years—with high ceilings lined with cornices. Another striking feature about this building are its columns. They are decorated with the head of a boar - in reference to the original owner’s Chinese zodiac symbol.

Enjoy an afternoon snack here and be sure to order their cocktails—especially the Chandon Sparkling Wine, butterfly pea tea and elderflower mix called Mali Wal.

Oh, and if you accidentally find yourself drinking more than usual, carefully step out into the courtyard on your way to their beautiful marble restrooms.

Nana Coffee Roasters Ari

Nana Coffee Roasters is well-known for the designs of its standalone cafes. If you don’t have time to visit the ones further out on the outskirts of Bangkok’s city center, check out their outpost in the Ari neighborhood—a branch that used to be a 50-year-old home. The structure is clad in a metal grid punctuated with terracotta plates forming the cafe’s logo.

Single-origin coffees can be paired with an assortment of desserts, such as the Blueberry Bomb, a thick brioche sandwich of blueberry jam topped with gradient blue swirls of sweet cream.

For those who want something savory, try the Mentaiko Sando, an umami-filled mentaiko cream sandwich topped with shrimp and ikura.

This place is only a 15-minute drive from Chatuchak Weekend Market, so it’s a great place to start before heading out to shop.

EmSphere Mall

The  EmSphere Mall opened in December 2023, making it the newest spot to hang out in the Sukhumvit district. Just like any mall, it has a lot of spaces where people with different needs can shop, dine, or chill depending on what they want to do for the day.

Must-not-miss spots in the mall include The Em Market, a colorful food hall on the ground level with dining spots such as Gordon Ramsey’s Bread Street Kitchen & Bar and a high-street vegan food spot called V Street.

But if you're not in a munching mood, EM Wonder on the 5th floor is the place for you. Geared towards those looking for a good hangout spot and drinks, this area is the home of Vinyl & Wine, a popular watering hole that combines a great selection of wine and DJs spinning vinyl records.

Karmakamet / Shaloba Eatery

From Emsphere Mall, walk across Benjasiri Park and look for an alleyway with a Karmakamet Secret World sign. When you see an old metal structure decorated with a fountain at the end of the road, you'll know you've found the spot shared by Karmakamet and Shaloba Eatery.

Karmakamet is a scent shop that started back in 2001 at Chatuchak Market. This particular branch was inspired by owner Nathorn Rakchana’s grandfather, who had an apothecary of sorts back in the day. The whole shop smells of a pleasant peppermint, and the interiors have an old-world industrial look with quaint details such as trench coats hanging on coat racks.

The space is shared with Shaloba Eatery—a cafe serving brunch fare, Turkish style sand coffee, and other drinks that blend coffee and tea. Be sure to get off your seat, walk to the front kiosk and watch them brew your coffee using hot sand. 

Another Story at EmQuartier

A short walk from Karmakamet is the EMQuartier Mall. Inside The Helix Building on the 4th floor is a concept store that claims to be the “first lifestyle concept store in Bangkok” called Another Story.

Curated brands from all over the world are mixed with high-end, local Thai souvenirs such as cutesy homeware, quirky socks shaped like food, and small toys for kids. They even have their exclusive fashion line of Bangkokian casual wear. It’s a perfect and fun way to get gifts for those back home or a way to treat yourself.

Never Ending Summer

Never Ending Summer is hard to get to. You'd have to either take a ferry at the Khlong San Pier or walk through what feels like a demolition site or a hotel. But that shouldn’t hinder you from taking a quick adventure to this cafe because the food is worth it.

This restaurant is inside a repurposed warehouse designed by renowned Thai architect Duangrit Bunnag. Large black pendant lights hang from the ceiling, shining light on the restaurant's open layout. You won't get bored waiting for your food here as on one far end of the wall is a gallery of artworks while the opposite end has a glass partition showing the workings of the kitchen. 

Speaking of the kitchen, the menu borrows recipes from Bunnag’s family. It may seem overwhelming to choose which dishes to try as their menu is quite large, but you should try the Pasta Duangrit, an aglio olio loaded with bacon, cherry tomatoes, and parmesan cheese. If you want something more Thai, their Crab Fried rice or their take on the Tom Yum Goong are some of their greatest hits.

Also read: 
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Photos by Jar Concengco

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