Top 11 affordable Michelin-rated restaurants in Bangkok, Thailand

Among the most beloved Chinese food spots in Bangkok, SBL has served up scrumptious Taechew cuisine for over 70 years. The three letters of the restaurant’s title stand for "Somboonlarb" — a name, too tongue-twisting for its guests, thus the abbreviation. The interior of the establishment, which spans across three floors, is adorned with authentic Chinese decor.

On the menu, you will find a delectable array of dishes, from traditional to innovative. Among the must-try items are X.O. scallops, crispy suckling pig, and grilled mero fish with soy sauce. Steamed Chinese white pomfret, deep-fried shrimp balls, fried snow crab, and Peking duck are also excellent choices.

Founded by skillful Cantonese chef Ungwho Chun Puay, Sanyod has attracted loads of guests for over 50 years with its sumptuous Cantonese fare. It continues to live up to its name, translated as “success and prosperity”, by maintaining the original flavors through traditional cooking methods and fresh ingredients.

In addition to signature Cantonese dishes like roasted duck, stuffed pork leg, and chow mein with gravy, Sanyod serves a variety of wok and seafood options. Standout choices include shrimp wontons, salt and chili calamari, original gravy noodle, curry crab, deep-fried shrimp rolls, and steamed show fish filet with soy sauce. You can have your meal in their outdoor seating area, comfortable indoor room, or scenic garden space.

Located on Chan Road, packed with street food vendors and hidden cafés, Guay Jub Mr. Jo is known far and wide for its mouthwatering guay jub. This extremely popular signature dish includes smooth rice noodles served in a broth, accompanied by tender pork coated in a delightfully crispy skin.

This original take on the classic Thai soup is less peppery than some of the contemporaries, while its broth is emphasized by the rice noodle's soft texture. No wonder why the spot is a crowd favorite! Even though the place is constantly packed with tourists, both locals and foreigners, it's rarely a hassle to find a table because the restaurant has a large dining area at the back.

The Local, with its elegant decor and each corner brimming with an old-world charm, offers a nostalgic respite. The menu reflects Thai cuisine at the finest and boasts such options like lemongrass salad wrapped with wild betel leaves, stir-fried prawns with special homemade tamarind sauce and gang lun juan, a beef dish steeped in fresh herbs crafted from an old royal recipe. Not to forget their deep-fried sea bass served with an intensely sweet and sour sauce and home-made yellow curry with crab in fresh coconut milk — a true symphony of flavors.

At The Local, dining is not just about savoring a meal; it’s an immersive gastronomic journey that embraces Thailand's rich culinary heritage. For an exclusive dining experience, indulge in the Chef's Table offering. You can witness the art of Thai gastronomy come alive as the chef prepares fresh ingredients from the herb garden right before your eyes.

A restaurant with more than 80 years of history located on the bustling streets of Chinatown, Lim Lao Ngow serves hands down the most delectable fish balls in Bangkok. The secret to this chewy and at the same time crispy dish is the careful selection of fresh fish and meticulous production process, free of flour and chemical contaminants.

It is also recommended to combine the balls with their flavorful signature noodles prepared from the finest flour and fresh, high quality eggs. Don't miss out on their other mouthwatering options like deep-fried squid balls, delicate spring rolls, tangy tom yam served with crispy wontons, and pork rib soup filled with a kick of spice.

Hidden on the outskirts of Bangkok, Maan Muang is a restaurant located in a fabulous wooden house set amidst swathes of vibrant greenery. The wooden interiors, complemented by vintage cookery and woven silk adornments, create an evocative atmosphere that seizes the magic of Thailand's rural landscapes. Yet, the true highlight of a visit to Maan Muang lies in its wide array of Northern Thai Lanna cuisine.

The vast, vibrant menu is an adventure in itself, offering options ranging from rich Thai curry soup with ribs and jackfruit to refreshing salads made with minced pork and blood. Other notable dishes include khao soi — egg noodles in a curry broth, aeb pla — fish curry wrapped in a banana leaf, and sai ua — a delectable Northern Thai herb sausage.

Renowned for its traditional Chinese dessert in ice bowl, Bok Kia Thadindaeng is a small family-run stall located in Bangkok's busy and vibrant Tha Din Daeng market. If you're visiting this district for shopping or to experience its bustling atmosphere, this dessert shop is a perfect pit-stop to get something sweet yet refreshing.

Their signature dish, bok kia, features chewy egg noodles topped with crushed ice and syrup. With a dozen topping options to try, from coconut chunks to jackfruit to sweet sticky rice, choosing one can be a delightful challenge. Well into its third decade of serving the beloved dessert, Bok Kia Thadindaeng's popularity continues to grow. Wait times can be up to 30 minutes, with the queue often extending out of the small shop into the market area.

Jeh O in Bangkok is a magnetic culinary hotspot, offering an array of Thai dishes: from legendary Mama Noodles Tom Yum to golden crispy pork belly. Outside the venue, extending several meters with its al fresco setting, a committed crowd braves lengthy waits for a taste of local excellence. Visitors bide their time for up to two hours to land a table in this popular haunt. However, if you yearn for a shortcut, planning to arrive just before opening or closer to closing times can spare you some time.

Your patience at Jeh O will certainly be rewarded with delectable fare. Each dish on the menu is worth a try, especially the already mentioned Mama Tom Yum Noodles, a testament to authentic Thai cooking. Other notable options include fried sea bass with fish sauce, stewed duck, stir-fried crab meat with curry powder, and fried soft shell crab with garlic.

Por. Pochaya is a traditional Thai-Chinese restaurant favorite among locals and tourists who don't mind a little detour from usual sightseeing. The place has served its culinary delights for several decades and is now in the hands of the third generation of the same family.

Signature dishes include savory crab omelet, stir-fried beef with cumin leaves, and sea bass or prawn tom yum. Additionally, try kra pao pork (pork and holy basil stir-fry), garlic prawns, and stir-fried chicken with cashew nuts. You should also go for their delicious coconut pudding and tantalizing Thai tea. As a testament to its popularity, the spot is often crowded. Advance booking is highly recommended.

Celebrated for its mouthwatering roasted chicken noodles, Kuay Teow Kua Gai Nai Hong is a small family-run food stall that has been satisfying its visitors for more than 20 years. Their famous noodles boast a crispy texture and an oil-free finish, generously seasoned to tantalize your taste buds. You can also go for omelet with stir-fried bits of chicken.

The starkly unpretentious appearance of the spot with its tables hosting the ingredients and a single charcoal stove is deceptive; the modest stall could be conveniently overlooked, but the authenticity of its Thai cuisine is unparalleled, making it a must-visit for adventurous food lovers in Bangkok.

Part of the luxury hotel of the same name, Baannai is a cozy restaurant featuring a charming, intimate ambiance. The vintage feel of the interior, festooned with intricately carved furniture and delicate lace tablecloths, paints a picture of the nostalgic past.

The establishment serves traditional dishes, inspired by family recipes, like an extraordinary pairing of watermelon and dried fish flakes, papaya salad with rice, crab noodles with southern fried chicken, marinated pork and fried bean curd, or yellow curry of sea bass with coconut shoots. To ensure a seat at this popular destination, booking in advance is advised.

Continue your Thai food exploration with our guide, Top Exotic Michelin-starred Restaurants in Bangkok, Thailand, for a taste of the uncommon. For an extended culinary journey, refer to Taste of Thai in Bangkok: 5 dishes to try, where your palate can savor the quintessential flavors of Thailand.