Trip review of Bangkok: Plenty of dining hits

This trip was completed in August 2025.

We were once again in Bangkok, hunting for food spots and we think we got lucky. Tourism has somewhat hit a soft patch for Thailand recently due to the spate of events such as the scam centre operations and general safety concerns among Chinese travellers. However, the government has been spearheading new initiatives to incentivise tourism again, unveiling a 750m THB subsidy program ahead of China's golden week holiday. When we were there, we found the usual tourist hotspots to still be crowded, although newer openings like the One Bangkok commercial complex continues to have thin footfall.

Airport Lounge: Thai Airways Royal Orchid Prestige Lounge (Suvarnabhumi Airport)

Rating 8.2/10

Being the home base of Thai Airways, Suvarnabhumi Airport boasts several of the airline’s lounges scattered across the various concourses. These are the Royal Orchid and Royal Silk Lounges (serviced by Thai Catering). The Royal Orchid Prestige Lounge opened in 2019, right before the pandemic, so it is still a rather new lounge.

The lengthy layout of the space means that guests have to walk deeper in to find a seat during peak hours, though the inconvenience is mitigated by two separate dining areas. We found the food to be average at best, but the selection is sufficient for a short stay. Towards the end of the lounge, there is also a bar serving more premium beverages than the self service drinks fridge. We got ourselves a thai iced milk tea and to our surprise, the grass jelly inside is even shaped like their airline’s logo.

The lounge also offers shower facilities and comes with good amenities. Compared to the other lounges we visited in the airport, we like this lounge for its peace and quiet. Due to the large space, it can also be less chaotic than the Silverkris lounge down the corridor in the evening.

Accommodation: The Landmark Bangkok

Rating 7.7/10

Located right at the main commercial stretch of central Bangkok, this hotel is strategically-placed for travellers who prefer to have their activities concentrated between Siam and Asok BTS stations. It is within walking distance from Nana station of the Sukhumvit Line, but for cars or taxis, the road into and out of the hotel is permanently congested.

Due to the proximity of the hotel to the main road (direct street access via Landmark Plaza and The QUAD), the rooms can be affected by the noise at night. It is more of an issue for light sleepers and we found the sound of the tuk tuks to be even louder than we expected despite our room being situated at the high floors.

The room itself is certainly spacious and clean. It was not as dated as we anticipated, and our room came with two bathrooms (but only a main one for shower). The large windows are a welcoming sight and the view (towards the odd-numbered Sukhumvit alleys across the road) is pretty decent both in the day and at night.

One big positive surprise for us is the access to a full-fletched fitness centre in the mall for staying hotel guests. We were able to use the Fitness First Platinum facilities and while we didnt have time, it was even possible to sign up for their classes if our schedule can fit. With room rates around 4,500THB/night, we find this hotel to be quite value-for-money for its strategic location as well as the gym access.

Dining: Woo Tender

Rating 8.3/10

Originating from South Korea, this is a pretty famous restaurant serving high quality beef dishes. Complementing their Korean BBQ are other traditional items like kimchi soup. All customers are served in their own private dining rooms, hence reservations are highly recommended given the limited capacity. However, do note that a deposit will be collected through an online payment link to confirm a reservation.

The restaurant is tucked away in the corner of a boutique hotel, an intentional design suggesting higher degree of privacy than a grand entrance. The location is central within Bangkok and we like the dark theme of the restaurant. There are designated servers who will attend to each private rooms and food are prepared and cooked by them at the table.

The usual Korean side dishes are given to each table and we find them to be very delicious. The ingredients were fresh and there are some premium sides like kimchi squid and japchae (one of the best we have eaten). Meat order comes in minimum portion of 200g for some, so do check with the staff before going through the menu. Overall, we found the dishes to be well-prepared. Everything was meticulous, down to the generous amount of consistent pebbled-sized charcoal used for the BBQ.

Dining: Lon Lon local diner

Rating 8.1/10

Away from the main shopping district of central Bangkok, this Thai-Chinese restaurant is a local favorite gaining popularity among tourists. Given that there is always a constant queue during dinner time, it is recommended to make a free reservation online a few days ahead.

The place is designed as a cosy Thai eatery with warm dim lighting and decor pieces all around the restaurant. The food portions are not too large, so it is great for ordering more dishes to share. One interesting staple is their porridge option as an alternative to rice.

We find the dishes to be savoury and pair well with the porridge. The food menu steered towards a more simple affair, while their beverages selection includes both cafe and bar type drinks. Overall, we rank the restaurant high on atmosphere and slightly above average for their food. A stand-out item is their clear tom yum soup, which is smooth and easy to drink while still maintaining a strong distinctive flavor.

Dining: Peacock Alley

Rating 8.5/10

Known for its afternoon tea, this lounge bar within Waldorf Astoria Bangkok serves up unique yet delectable small bites. Compared to other afternoon tea sets which may have a few standard items, we found Peacock Alley to have a rather interesting menu when we tried their seasonal Mediterranean rendition.

Similar to the other restaurants we featured in this review, this lounge also takes reservations in advance. Occupying a small squarish area, there are not many tables so it is highly advisable to secure a reservation before heading over. The service we received was top-notched and apart from the well-presented food, the tea they offered also tasted great. The afternoon tea set for two came up to be below 2,500THB, so it is quite affordable and suitable for a special occasion.

Activity: King Power Mahanakhon Skywalk

Rating 7.5/10

We were previously here to dine at Mott 32, but this time around, we decided to be touristy and ended up at the King Power Mahanakhon observation deck. This is a widely-featured building in Bangkok due to its quirky exterior design. Overall, the view from the top was a good experience, but we think that it is highly dependent on the day’s weather.

The entry ticket was also considered pricey in our opinion, even though the Skywalk experience also allowed complimentary access to their Skyverse exhibition at the 4th floor. This attraction is likely only a must-visit for visitors who enjoy overlooking Chao Phraya river meandering the city and admire the urban sprawl of Bangkok.