Bangkok's Phahonyothin District:
Food and Drink Recommendations

Northern Bangkok's hippest place to eat is the area around Phahonyothin Soi 7, better known as Soi Ari (or Aree), and Soi 5, Soi Ari Samphan. Just out of the BTS Ari station. These busy streets are divided into their own sois, with Ari Soi 1 featuring a bustling market packed with food stalls and the trendier/more expensive joints around Sois 2 and 3.

The Victory Monument area has the usual collection of Western & Thai fast-food favorites and a busy street market as well, especially in the evenings.

Where and what to eat in Bangkok's Phahonyothin district

 Jud Leeo: Phahonyothin Soi 19 (Around the Corner from the British Council and Index). Exceptional Thai curries and other dishes with a friendly, English speaking staff. Shady trees and a fairly subdued side soi make evening outside dining pleasant. Closed Sundays.

 Khrob Khreung: Ari Samphan Soi 10. Famous for its kuay tiow yam bok rice noodles with fresh vegetables, topped with pork or shrimp (30 baht). Also serves up Thai-Chinese dim sum, muu stek pork satay with peanut sauce, and a wide range of other side dishes. No English sign or menu, but pointing should do the trick. 

 Pad Thai Aree: Phahonyothin Soi 7 (Soi Aree). This small, unassuming shophouse, located on the right side of the street as you turn down Soi 7 from Paholyothin serves up some delectable pad thai (and many variations) at slightly more than street stall prices (around 40-60 baht).

 Som-Tum Bangkok:  Soi Ari 3, tel. +66-26198659. Tucked down a leafy soi further down the street, this place is named after its showpiece som tum (green papaya salad, 45 baht and up) but features all your other Isaan favorites too, with mains in the 50-70 baht range. Seating indoors and outdoors, open from 11 AM to 11 PM.

 Street food: Phahonyothin Soi 7 (Soi Aree). Just off the BTS and around the corner on Soi Aree are a multitude of street stalls selling some of Bangkok's best street food, from Chinese-style wonton noodles, Isaan specialities such as som tom, larb, gai yaang, as well as pad thai, Thai deserts and stands that can whip up basically the entire repetoire of Thai cuisine, all for around 20-30 baht per dish.

 Wake Up Cafe: Phahonyothin Soi 9. In an unlikely location down a soi near Shinawatra Tower 2, this is a surprising little oasis of greenery (outside) and clean white lines (inside). Mains around 50 baht, a fancy cup of coffee around the same amount.

 Arancini: BTS Stop Ari - Soi Ari (Phaholyothin Soi 7). Italian food with especially enticing pizzas (try the Rianata) and a good selection of decently priced wines by the glass and bottle.

 Baan Mae Yui: Soi Areesamphan 1, (10-15 minute walk from BTS Ari or short motorbike/tuk tuk ride). Tucked away in a quiet, narrow residential Soi, this tiny gem has become a neighbourhood favourite (you may have to wait for a seat on weekends). Features a small menu of home-style Thai favourites (including some more old-fashioned dishes that are harder to find these days), and a daily specials menu. Dinner menu and Sunday lunch also features some quite good Western dishes as steaks, pastas and roasts, and the bakery items and homemade ice creams are worth taking home. 

 Bale: Lad Phrao Soi 35. Just inside the soi, this restaurant is a huge refurbished house and quite popular with young mobile Thai professionals. Features full band with 8 violinists, wine glass chandelier and several international beers.

 Chlorophyll: Lad Phrao Soi 64. Just inside the soi, this Bali inspired restaurant features outdoor dining in a quaint garden setting. Thai and Japanese fare.

 Lao Lao: Phahonyothin Rd (Between Sois 7 and 9). Chinese-style seafood restaurant that is always bustling well into the wee hours of night. Not much on atmosphere or service, but the crowds can attest that the food is terrific and the price is right. English menus available.

 The La Villa Shopping Complex, Phahonyothin Rd (at Ari BTS) houses several mid-range dining options, from the Japanese chain favourite Fuji to Korean barbecue, steakhouse, Thai and other dining venues. Also a Starbucks here and a Villa Market.

 Pickle Factory: 55 Ratchawithi Soi 2 (10-15 min from Victory Monument by tuk-tuk), tel. 22463036. Deep down a small soi in Din Daeng, this hip but relaxed lounge-cum-restaurant is neither factory nor has any pickles on their menu: instead, it's a modern residential house (complete with swimming pool) offering competent pizza (160/300 baht small/large), pasta and Thai favorites (90-150 baht).

 PizZanotti: Soi Ari, tel. 1344. Authentic Italian pizza made with imported ingredients and cooked in a wood-fired oven. Pizzas from 220 baht, free delivery in northern Bangkok.

 Pla Dip: Soi Areesamphan (10-15 min walk from BTS Ari or short motorbike/tuk-tuk ride, at the corner of Areesamphan 7). Surprisingly chic setting and menu, drawing in a constant crowd of Bangkok hipsters and "Indie" music fanatics, this restaurant cum bar features live bands on weekends, a happening bar and a creative menu focusing on fresh fish prepared in some creative fusion styles. A bit more of a splurge for this neighborhood, with dishes easily topping 200-300 baht.

 Reflections: Ari Soi 3, tel. +66-22703344. Two-floor restaurant decorated in kitschy primary colors packs in a good crowd nightly with its excellent Thai food. Dishes from 50 baht, although live seafood costs considerably more. About 300 meters down Ari Soi 3.

 Suan Gularb: Soi Areesamphan, (10-15 minute walk from BTS Ari or short motorbike/tuk tuk ride). An Ari neighborhood institution, popular with both neighbourhood locals and downtown dwellers in the know. Features a surprisingly vast menu of Thai and Chinese favourites, all terrific and priced at approximately 80-150 baht per dish (seafood more expensive).

 Where to Drink in Bangkok's Phahonyothin District