End the year on a high note (and a full stomach) with a memorable meal and fulfilling experience. We’ve rounded up the best dining spots near the scenic Chao Phraya River to make sure your taste buds get the grand finale they deserve.
Let’s face it, 2024 has been a wild ride. Between juggling work, chasing goals, and surviving the occasional chaos of life, we’ve also had to deal with the cosmos throwing curveballs. Remember when Mercury retrograde was pulling up its antics or the moon making us all a little more emotional than we’d like? Yeah, that was a crazy period, but we’ve made it through, so it’s now time to reward yourself the best way possible—with food. Here’s our guide to the most satisfying restaurants near the Chao Phraya River.
[Hero & Feature Image Credit: Blue by Alain Ducasse]
Best dining spots near the Chao Phraya River to end the year
Blue by Alain Ducasse
If there’s one restaurant that’s a must-visit, it’s Blue by Alain Ducasse. Not just for the food (which is nothing short of exquisite), but also for the insane views. Alain Ducasse is a culinary legend, holding 24 Michelin stars, and lucky for us, one of his masterpieces is right here in Bangkok, at the legendary riverside landmark ICONSIAM.
At Blue by Alain Ducasse, Executive Chef Wilfrid Hocquet takes the lead, turning French fine dining into an art form. But this place isn’t just about the food (though the butter cart alone is worth the hype). From the moment you walk in, it’s a sensory feast—impeccable service, stunning interiors that even won two global design awards, and, of course, that scenic Chao Phraya River view. Day or night, this majestic river always puts on a show. And while you savour in Ducasse’s French classics paired with Hocquet’s minimalist, modern presentation, this is not just a meal; it is an exceptional experience. Blue by Alain Ducasse has been awarded one Michelin star for five consecutive years.
Top dishes: We adored the Hokkaido sea scallop with green apple and coriander. It was a truly memorable appetiser bursting with flavours and textures. For main, the Margaret River Wagyu beef with wild mushrooms and oxtail bolognese was absolutely delightful and well-seasoned.
More info: Blue by Alain Ducasse
Opening times: Open Thursday to Monday for lunch from 12 PM to 2 PM and dinner from 6 PM to 10 PM. On Tuesday and Wednesday open from 6 PM to 10 PM.
Location: Located inside ICONSIAM at ICONLUXE, 1st Floor, Klongton Sai, Khlong San, Bangkok 10600
Horsamut
For some of the best views in Bangkok, especially of Wat Arun, head over to Horsamut. Located near the Grand Palace, this gem serves coastal Thai cuisine, with a focus on sustainability. The restaurant prides itself on sourcing ingredients from local farms and fresh catches from smaller fishing boats, ensuring every dish is as fresh as possible. The overall ambience is inviting throughout with its glass windows (perfect for a photo-op). However, dining upstairs offers the most breathtaking vistas.
Favourite dishes: If you’re looking for a spicy curry dish with Thai shrimp paste (kapi), order the Pranburi delta egg squid curry. The kapi tasted premium and the squid was full of delicious eggs. Pair that with the Horsamut triple zest rice, containing blue crab and caramelised pork belly and you’ve got the perfect duo.
More info: Horsamut
Opening times: Open daily from 11 AM to 11 PM
Location: 8 Tha Kham Alley, Khwaeng Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Khet Phra Nakhon, Bangkok
Restaurant Potong
Nestled in a historic Sino-Portuguese building that once served as Chef Pam’s family pharmacy, Potong is a Thai-Chinese fine dining spot that beautifully blends the old with the new. From its rustic-yet-modern décor to a mind-blowing 20-course tasting menu that is a journey of memory, Potong is anything but ordinary. Sure, it’s fancy, but what makes it special is how it reimagines familiar flavours from around Bangkok, bringing a wave of nostalgia with every bite.
Favourite dishes: Of course, our favourite has to be “Bold,” a 14-day dry-aged, spiced duck, beloved by many, that is beyond exceptional.
More info: Restaurant Potong
Opening times: Open Thursday to Monday from 4:30 PM to 11 PM
Location: 422 Vanich Rd, Samphanthawong, Bangkok 10100
Small Dinner Club
A hidden gem tucked away in Charoenkrung, Small Dinner Club (SDC) is a private dining experience that promises an unforgettable culinary adventure. Led by Chef Sareen Rojanamatin, this intimate, progressive restaurant doesn’t just serve food, it redefines it. With a bold mission to “pull apart, question, and reimagine Thai cuisine,” SDC flips the script by blending unfamiliar ingredients with modern techniques.
Every dish here feels like a creative experiment, offering deconstructed versions of classic Thai favourites that surprise and delight. And just when you think it couldn’t get more unique, some dishes are even paired with music to elevate the experience.
Favourite dishes: Within the courses, we loved the Crying Tiger, a coconut charcoal tart with pork jowl and abalone, elevated by the finger lime and wild herb. For the main, Duck & Hide comprises 4 weeks of aged Muscovy duck stuffed with a variety of Thai aromatics, cooked to a perfect medium rare. The duck was soft, yet firm with a lovely crisp on the skin.
More info: Small Dinner Club (SDC)
Opening times: Open Thursday to Sunday from 6 PM to 11 PM
Location: 1109 Charoenkrung Rd, Si Phraya, Bang Rak, Bangkok 105000
Samlor
Rounding out our top picks this year is Samlor, a loft-style Thai restaurant that has gained lots of hype lately. Created by the chef power couple Napol ‘Joe’ Jantraget and Saki Hoshino, this spot takes Thai cuisine and gives it a playful twist, embracing the Thai gap gam (drinking snacks) culture in the most delicious way possible.
Industrial and funky, but somehow still cosy, Samlor is the kind of place you’d want to hang out all night, especially for the food. You can taste how fresh the ingredients are, but what’s even more respectable is their focus on sustainable sourcing. The atmosphere and service are warm and welcoming almost as if you’re actually at home eating with the people you love.
Favourite dishes: When heading to Samlor, the Samlor Thai Omelette is a must. When breaking into this stunning dish, you first have to crack into the crispy fried egg floss on top where it will reveal a fluffy egg white soufflé before you finally reach the molten egg yolk centre that’s pure deliciousness. It’s honestly a dish you have to try at least once in your life.
More info: Samlor
Opening times: Open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday from 6 PM to 10:30 PM // Saturday & Sunday from 11 AM to 1:30 PM and 6 PM to 10:30 PM
Location: 1076 Charoenkrung Rd, Bangrak, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500
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Drinking is best during the day, especially when at brunch. If she's not working, catch her at the gym or socializing with friends. An introvert extrovert at heart. She's a Capricorn.
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