For a romantic dinner in Bangkok, pick from one of these restaurants below and you can’t go wrong. All offer diners something special, be it an amazing view, romantic setting or excellent food. Vertigo, Sirocco and Le Normandie are expensive (even by New York or London standards) but there are other options on the list that are much more wallet friendly.
1. Le Normandie
Lovers of French high cuisine will enjoy dinner at Le Normandie in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. The intimate restaurant has probably the best French fare in Southeast Asia and an excellent selection of wines as well. As if that weren’t enough, the view of the Chao Phraya from the dining room is beautiful. Service is excellent and super attentive, though when you’re paying hundreds of dollars for a dinner for two (not including wine, which can easily double the bill) that’s a given. The dress code requires men to wear dinner jackets; if you forgot yours they will offer you a loaner.- Address: The Mandarin Oriental, 48 Oriental Avenue, Bangkok, Tel. +66 2659 9000
2. Baan Khanitha
This very traditional upscale restaurant near Asoke offers guests a classic Thai meal in a very pretty setting. The main dining room of the Sukhumvit branch is filled with antiques and curios; there are also smaller dining rooms available for those who want more privacy. This is a lovely choice for a romantic local meal in a nice setting, though the food may not be as authentic as you’ll find at Thai restaurants geared towards local diners. The Sukhumvit branch is close to both the Skytrain and the subway. The Sathorn branch is close to the Skytrain.- Address: 36/1 Sukhumvit Soi 23, Bangkok, Tel. +66 2258 4181 or 69 South Sathorn Rd., Bangkok, Tel. +66 2675 4200
3. Scirocco
If you’re looking for a flashier place to take someone special for a romantic dinner in Bangkok, Sirocco is the right choice for you. The dining room is on the 61st floor of the State Tower building and is completely open so there’s nothing blocking the magnificent view of the city below and beyond. The menu is all about indulging – caviar, oysters, Wagyu beef, foie gras feature heavily on the pan European menu. There’s a dress code here, too, and the place is so fancy that you’ll feel totally out of place if you’re not dressed up for dinner anyway.- Address: The Dome at Lebua, Silom Road, Bangkok, Tel. +66 2624 9555
4. Vertigo
This roof top restaurant above the Banyan Tree hotel on Sathorn Road is one of Bangkok’s original upscale al fresco eateries. Despite being in the open air on the top of a hig-rise, the restaurant feels small and intimate and is less of a see-and-be-seen scene than some of the other options. The menu includes a small selection of European and Asian food as well as steaks. There’s a dress code here so don’t show up in flip flops and shorts if you want to be seated.- Address: Banyan Tree Hotel, 21/100 South Sathorn Road, Tel. +66 2679 1200
5. The Deck
The view of Wat Arun from this pretty, mid-range restaurant in the Old City near the Grand Palace is just one of the reasons to head to The Deck, the restaurant attached to the small Arun Residence boutique hotel. There’s also the menu, a mix of European and Thai dishes, and the setting – a restored old shophouse at the end of a small soi on the edge of the Chao Phraya river. Though the restaurant isn’t as fancy as some of the other options on this list, it’s still a very special place to go. You must reserve in advance if you want a table right at the edge of the water. You can also head upstairs to the bar for a drink with a view after your meal.- Address: Arun Residence, 36-38 Soi Pratoo Nok Yoong, Maharat Road, Bangkok, Tel. +66 2221 9158
6. Once Upon a Time
Once Upon a Time, a restaurant with its own love story to tell, is set in a pretty old house with a lush green garden off of busy Petchaburi Road (just across from the Pantip Plaza electronics all). The menu is mostly “tourist Thai” so you’ll find plenty of familiar favorites and nothing will be too spicy. Don’t let that put you off, as most find the food excellent if not totally authentic. Book a table in the garden if it’s not too hot and enjoy a quiet oasis in the middle of the city.- Address: 32 Petchaburi Road, Soi 17, Tel. +66 2252-8629
7. Giusto
Craving pizza, pasta and red wine? Head to Giusto for a romantic Italian dinner in Bangkok. The city has some really good Italian restaurants but for an intimate dinner for two, Giusto is the best because of the intimate corners in the dining room. The menu is classic pan Italian, with a good selection of northern and southern pasta and meat dishes plus really good pizza. There’s a good, though expensive, wine selection, too. You won’t need to follow a dress code here but Giusto is slightly upscale.- Address: 128 Soi Prasanmit (off Sukhumvit Soi 23), Bangkok, Tel. +66 2258 4321
8. The Anna Restaurant and Art Gallery
This bright, pretty restaurant in an expansive old house off of busy Silom Road in Bangkok isn’t quite right for a quiet, candle lit dinner, but is still a lovely place for a sweet, romantic meal. The dining room is airy and light and the mostly Thai menu offers diners a reliable list of favorites and some more creative international dishes, too. As the name indicates, the restaurant is also home to an art gallery with rotating exhibits of local and international art. If you’re looking for a special place to take someone that offers good Thai food, this is a great option.- Address: 27 Soi Piphat, Bangkok, Tel. +66 2372 7889
