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Things you should do & eat in Bangkok, Thailand

Things you should do & eat in Bangkok, Thailand

by Anne Shirley
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Table of contents

  • 1. Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew
  • Floral Cafe at Napasorn
  • 2. Wat Pho
  • Chakrabongse Dining
  • 3. Lumpini Park
  • Royal Osha
  • 4. Wat Traimit (Golden Buddha)
  • Chyna by Tommy Tang
  • 5. Safari World
  • Sunrise Tacos
  • Exploring the Multifaceted Identities of Bangkok
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Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is one of the biggest cities in the world. Full of cultural and ancient attractions, it brings in thousands of visitors every year. Bangkok is everything you would expect from a bustling tourist destination – noisy, crowded, exciting, colorful, charming, serene, and simply magical. In this metropolis, you will find centuries-old traditional temples standing side by side with modern shopping malls – a vivid reflection of what makes Thailand special.

The first associations that come to most people’s mind when they hear about Bangkok are congested traffic, Thai massage, and nightlife. TFor a long time, the capital of Thailand has been unfairly perceived as having only limited sights. But this city is much more than its reputation. There are attractions that not only reflect the exquisite Thai culture but also offer a soul-stirring experience. Bangkok beckons all guests, whether you're flying solo, embarking on a family adventure, or seeking a romantic getaway. This vibrant city is bursting with unforgettable discoveries for every type of explorer. So let us find out together some of the best things to do and where to eat in Bangkok city.

1. Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew

by greg_nunes https://unsplash.com/photos/Qw8SO2242S0by greg_nunes https://unsplash.com/photos/Qw8SO2242S0

If there is time to see only one attraction in the whole city of Bangkok, then it should be the Grand Palace. It is the former royal residence that was consecrated in the year 1782. Today, it is used mostly for ceremonial occasions and as a pilgrimage destination for devout Buddhists. The massive complex encompasses 94.5-hectare ground that consists of priceless relics, towering spires, stunning temples, and more than 100 buildings representing 200 years of royal history and architecture.

Most of the designs, royal or sacred, are classified as Rattanakosin – an old Bangkok style. A must-visit sight inside the palace walls is Wat Phra Kaew, which is the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Inside its chambers, you will find a small emerald green and gold-laden Buddha in a cloak that the king of Thailand personally changes with the passing of each season. Visitors are allowed to survey the Grand Palace grounds and explore four of its buildings, which are known for their royal grandeur. One important thing to keep in mind when visiting this attraction is the presence of a strict dress code. Every guest needs to be fully covered when entering the palace grounds.

Floral Cafe at Napasorn
Photo from Restaurant Guru
Photo from Restaurant Guru
Photo from Restaurant Guru
Photo from Restaurant Guru
Photo from Restaurant Guru
Photo from Restaurant Guru
Photo from Restaurant Guru
Photo from Restaurant Guru
Photo from Restaurant Guru
Photo from Restaurant Guru
Floral Café at Napasorn
#75 of 28028 cafes in Bangkok, Thailand
67 Chakkraphet Rd, Bangkok, Thailand
Closed until 9AM
Cheesecake
Cheesecake

Perhaps, the most popular cake in the US and in Europe. These cheesecakes are made from Philadelphia cheese. You can buy them almost everywhere - in stores, cafes or restaurants.

Just a little distance from the Grand Palace is a quaint little deli shop that is one of the best places in the city to visit. Floral Cafe inside the Napasorn boutique is a flower lover’s paradise as its blossoming decor changes every time with the seasons. It is a hidden gem, as many tourists are unaware of this place, but it is quite popular among Bangkok’s residents. The interiors of the cafe have a retro vibe that perfectly balances vintage furniture collections and colorful natural flowers. The decor is full of chandeliers, exotic flora, leaves hanging from the walls, and shelves filled with European and Thai artistry.

Besides the mesmerizing ambiance, you can enjoy creative desserts, drinks, ice cream, and smoothies. Another highlight of the place is local Mr. Flufferson – a resident-friendly cat, who you will probably find chilling around. Floral Cafe offers a unique selection of tea and coffee such as cherry or lavender roast tea, matcha latte, and minty lotus tea. From their homemade cheesecakes, do try the mouthwatering chocolate, raspberry, and rose or lemon-poppy seed cake, and the very berry brownie.

2. Wat Pho

by Jacob Guse https://unsplash.com/photos/b8WAqKMvHE0by Jacob Guse https://unsplash.com/photos/b8WAqKMvHE0

Located on the south of the Grand Palace grounds, Wat Pho is the oldest temple in Bangkok. It is a place of healing and serenity, which was famous centuries ago as Thailand’s first university for pharmacy and conventional massage. Today, it still has a traditional medical school on its premises where teaching and preservation of Thai healing take place. You can visit two pavilions to get a Thai or foot massage or the additional training rooms for a one-day course on being a therapist yourself.

Another highlight of this temple complex is the famous Reclining Buddha statue. Nothing can prepare you for the jaw-dropping size of this figure, which cannot be viewed in its entirety. The statue is 46 meters long and 15 meters high with the face of Buddha staring at the ceiling in a gaze of enlightenment. Do check out the soles of the feet that are inlaid with precious stones and the lotus bud configuration on the hand – a symbol of purity and beauty. There are also colorful murals on the temple grounds illustrating over 400 images of Buddha.

Chakrabongse Dining
Photo from Restaurant Guru
Photo from Restaurant Guru
Photo from Restaurant Guru
Photo from Restaurant Guru
Photo from Restaurant Guru
Photo from Restaurant Guru
Photo from Restaurant Guru
Photo from Restaurant Guru
Photo from Restaurant Guru
Photo from Restaurant Guru
Chakrabongse Palace
#28527 of 111352 restaurants in Bangkok, Thailand
27 Pansuk Alley, Bangkok, Thailand
Closed until 11AM
Prawns
Prawns

Prawns are delicious, whether stir fried, tossed through pasta, cooked in spicy curry, or placed in salads. Prawns can be served on their own, as a side dish, an appetizer or a snack.

Many local restaurants claim to have Royal Thai cuisine, but they only make that up to get attention. Situated along the banks of the Chao Phraya River, Chakrabongse Dining truly serves authentic royal Thai fare using original family recipes from the palace kitchens. Guests can indulge in the exotic flavors of traditional dishes with daily-changing set menus, while basking in a stunning riverside terrace setting with the majestic temple as backdrop. Whether you prefer indoor dining or soaking up the sun on the richly decked outdoor terrace, the restaurant's welcoming atmosphere with elegant wooden flooring will leave you enchanted.

The royal feast typically begins with three petite appetizers on a half bamboo pole. Some of the exquisite specialty dishes you can relish here are prawn satay with cucumber relish, shredded boiled chicken breast with soy sauce, Thai seasonings, and coconuts served on betel leaf, tender crab meat curry with lemongrass and kaffir leaves, and bouncy prawns served with mixed vegetables. The feast ends on a sweet and healthy note with fresh seasonal fruits that are carved delicately.

3. Lumpini Park

By Rach Teo https://unsplash.com/photos/p-U6rH_WW-IBy Rach Teo https://unsplash.com/photos/p-U6rH_WW-I

Named after the birthplace of Lord Buddha in Nepal, Lumpini Park is Bangkok’s largest and most popular garden. Originally, it was a royal reserve till 1925, when King Rama VI declared it a public space. Due to this, a statue of the founding emperor can be found at the southwestern entrance. It is a 58-hectare piece of greenery right in the center of bustling Bangkok city with an artificial lake surrounded by broad well-tended lawns, wooded areas, walking paths, and large monitor lizards.

Lumpini Park provides visitors with a green oasis, where people can rent a paddle boat for the day and enjoy the serene calmness of the lake. Besides the water body, health enthusiasts can join groups of aerobics classes, tai chi practice, or jog, skate, and cycle around the park’s 2.5 km long trail. There is also a Chinese-style clock tower located at the southeastern corner of the garden – an interesting photographic spot. Lumpini Park is the best outdoor escape from Bangkok’s urban scene without actually leaving the city.

Royal Osha
Photo from Restaurant Guru
Photo from Restaurant Guru
Photo from Restaurant Guru
Photo from Restaurant Guru
Photo from Restaurant Guru
Photo from Restaurant Guru
Photo from Restaurant Guru
Photo from Restaurant Guru
Photo from Restaurant Guru
Photo from Restaurant Guru
Royal Osha
#831 of 111352 restaurants in Bangkok, Thailand
Royal Osha 99 Royal Resident Park, Bangkok, Thailand
Closed until 12PM
Lobsters
Lobsters

Lobsters are ten-legged marine crustaceans with long bodies with muscular tails. Since its white, firm meat is sweet and succulent, lobster is considered a delicacy all over the globe.

Royal Osha is a Michelin Guide-recommended fine dining establishment located close to Lumpini Park. It offers its guests multiple-course menus showcasing refined Thai cuisine that aims to engage the senses with enticing aromas, flavors, and textures. The decor of the restaurant is sleek and modern: gorgeous interiors made up of dining booths, Buddhist monk’s bowls, beautiful art murals, and contrasts of gold and black color tones.

Chef Vichit Mukura leads the kitchen and curates a delightful Thai menu that is updated every week with seasonal ingredients. Guests can relish exquisite dishes such as watermelon conch with beetroot and dried fish, stir-fried lobster with grilled lamb served alongside jasmine rice, spicy and sour soup with river prawns, and green lamb curry. In desserts, you can enjoy sweet mung bean dumplings with ice cream, coconut pancakes with citrus jelly, and coconut stuffed dough with pistachio and ginger. For a unique dining experience, do visit the Royal Osha restaurant on your vacation to Bangkok.

4. Wat Traimit (Golden Buddha)

by  Nattachai Nimnual https://unsplash.com/photos/qm722JiWrkkby Nattachai Nimnual https://unsplash.com/photos/qm722JiWrkk

Just a short walk from the Chinatown district is Wat Traimit – one of the most noteworthy temples in the capital. The stunning building is home to a 3-meter tall 5.5-tonne solid gold Sukhothai-style Buddha statue.

Sheer luck is what makes this attraction so impressive. In the 1950s, when a company had purchased the land around the temple, there was a condition to remove a plaster Buddha from the premises. While lifting the statue, the crane cable gave away, and the figure dropped. The following day, as some monks were passing by the scene, they noticed a glint of gold. It was then discovered that the plaster statue was actually entirely made of gold. It was speculated that the covering was added to protect the figure from Burmese marauders. Today, it is housed in a four-story marble structure. There is also a small engaging museum with multimedia exhibits in the complex teaching the history of Bangkok’s Chinatown.

Chyna by Tommy Tang
Photo from Restaurant Guru
Photo from Restaurant Guru
Photo from Restaurant Guru
Photo from Restaurant Guru
Photo from Restaurant Guru
Photo from Restaurant Guru
Photo from Restaurant Guru
Photo from Restaurant Guru
Photo from Restaurant Guru
Photo from Restaurant Guru
Chyna by tommy tang
#21346 of 111352 restaurants in Bangkok, Thailand
574 Yaowarat Rd, Khwaeng Samphanthawong, Khet Samphanthawong, Bangkok, Thailand, 10100
May be permanently closed
Pad thai
Pad thai

Pad Thai literally means fried in Thai style noodles. In a plate with patch, the whole harmony of Thai cuisine is concluded - a balanced combination of four main flavours: sour (vinegar, lime), spicy (chilli), sweet (sugar) and salted (salt, soy or fish sauce). In Thailand, depending on the province, the recipe will change, but fresh herbs, spices and, of course, rice noodles remain unchanged.

Chyna is a modern bistro-style restaurant by celebrity chef, Tommy Tang. As a renowned Thai food master from the USA, he has not only helmed two acclaimed establishments in New York and Los Angeles but also headlined a popular prime-time cooking program on the PBS network. Returning to his roots, Chef Tang opened his flagship restaurant Chyna in the heart of Bangkok. The place has garnered lots of praise from locals for its fusion Thai – American cuisine and chilled vibe. The decor of the eatery is designed to be relaxing and welcoming with a lounge-like ambiance made up of simple wooden furniture and rustic brick-lined walls.

The menu features American comfort food made with Thai seasonings and sauces. At Chyna, diners can savor specialty dishes such as baby back ribs with crinkle fries, stir-fried Mongolian beef with rice, crispy garlic chicken, prawn pad thai, four-cheese garlic bread, and chicken satay. In desserts, guests can enjoy creamy cheesecake, apple pie, and lemon-lime tart.

5. Safari World

by Frida Lannerström https://unsplash.com/photos/76dgUcMupv4by Frida Lannerström https://unsplash.com/photos/76dgUcMupv4

Safari World is Thailand’s most popular animal and leisure park. Unlike other zoos around the world, Safari World is an entertainment and recreational destination with shows and adrenaline-pumping activities to excite all kinds of visitors. It consists of two themes – Safari and Marine Park. In the Marine Park, guests can witness shows performed by marine animals such as dolphins and sea lions. There is also an egg island with different birds' eggs on display for educational purposes.

Safari Park offers visitors a drive among the animals in a car to observe them in their natural habitat. You can choose to feed tigers from a cage, while these magnificent beasts are roaming around you freely. Visitors can also take a boat ride to get closer to crocodiles and other animals. If you are planning a trip to Bangkok, make sure to add this exciting attraction to your itinerary for a fun-filled vacation.

Sunrise Tacos
Photo from Restaurant Guru
Photo from Restaurant Guru
Photo from Restaurant Guru
Photo from Restaurant Guru
Photo from Restaurant Guru
Photo from Restaurant Guru
Photo from Restaurant Guru
Photo from Restaurant Guru
Photo from Restaurant Guru
Photo from Restaurant Guru
Sunrise Tacos
#11916 of 111352 restaurants in Bangkok, Thailand
33/1 Sukhumvit Rd, Bangkok, Thailand, 593
No info on opening hours
Tacos
Tacos

Сrispy and tasty, tacos are a popular street food in Mexico and other parts of the world. The dish consists of small tortillas topped with meat, beans, cheese, and vegetables.

Authentic Mexican cuisine arrived in Bangkok in the year 2007, with the opening of the Sunrise Tacos chain of restaurants. The owner Greg Lange grew up eating tacos in the USA, and when his family moved to Thailand, he started missing his authentic street food. Teaming up with two Mexican chefs – Luis and Ezequiel – he developed a menu that was made of original corn tortillas.

Using premium quality ingredients for all their dishes, Sunrise Tacos quickly expanded to over 12 locations in Thailand. The outlet near the Promenade district features a small eatery with colorful decor for a family-style dining. Visitors can indulge in grilled chicken tacos, beef carnitas, Baja-style fish tacos, sizzling beans with beef burritos, and cheesy pulled beef quesadillas. The restaurant serves large portions of margaritas with strawberry and mango flavor that pair well with your meal. Visit Sunrise Tacos for a lovely Mexican experience in Thailand.

Exploring the Multifaceted Identities of Bangkok

Bangkok is one of Asia's premium tourist destinations that is full of magnificent temples, grand palaces, extensive waterways, and shopping centers. With its array of amazing street food and lively nightlife, the capital of Thailand is a cosmopolitan city that needs to be visited at least once in your lifetime. And to find more inspiration for your future journeys, check out our latest articles.

Have you been to Thailand already? Share your experience with our community in the comment section below.

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