If there is an area that is happening in Bangkok right now this area is Chinatown. Old shop-houses have been restored and converted into hip bars, cafes, boutiques, art galleries and accommodations.
Instead of going to the obvious places as Khaosan Road, we booked a charming antique room at the heart of this trendy area – at Soi Nana street. We asked our host Pupe for recommendations in Chinatown, and her answer was very simple: on this street, you will find the hottest places!
Check out our Chinatown crawl through booming spots!
Nahim Cafe & Handcraft – This cute place serves (very) good coffee, tea and pastries. It’s also perfect for original handcraft shopping. Don’t miss their self-brewed teas, which you can take away in gorgeous mini bottles. They offer handcraft workshops on weekends. Soi Nana, 78.
Mon – Tue – Thu – Fri: 11am – 9pm / Wed: Closed / Sat-Sun: 9am – 9pm
Tep Bar – Sophisticated bar and an ideal place to try Thai herbal whiskey and Thai special beers as the Chiang Mai Weizen. They also prepare cocktails, mixing Thai fruits, herbs and spices. From 7:30 pm you can enjoy live music from Thailand Central region. Soi Nana, 69-71.
Tue – Thu: 5pm – 12am / Fri – Sun: 5pm – 1am
23 Bar & Gallery – Bar, art exhibition and DJ performance share the same space at 23 Bar & Gallery. Try a cocktail or a cold local beer while gazing at their unusual exhibition. A very cool place! Soi Nana, 92.
Tue-Sun: 6pm – 00
El Chiringuito – Retro tapas bar where you can enjoy everything from healthy smoothies to gin tonics accompanied with Spanish inspired tapas. We stayed in one of their four renovated rooms (antique shop-house) and we simply loved it! The room is very spacious and charmingly decorated. They host occasionally art exhibition. Soi Nana, 221.
Thu – Sun: 6pm – 00
Soy Sauce Gastro Bar – Gallery, bar and restaurant. They serve great Thai food (we tried spicy Thai beef salad and spring rolls) and you can expect live music following all the exhibitions. They have also rooms available. Charoenkrung Soi, 24.
Mon-Sat: 11am – 10pm
Scoopp Ice Cream – Like an oasis in the always hot Bangkok, this ice-cream shop offers original flavours as aloe vera with grape, green tea latte, dragon fruit with strawberry, blue pea lemon, Thai milk tea among others. Delicious! Soi Sukon, 23/8-9.
Mon – Sat: 12am – 10pm / Sun: 11am – 5:30pm
Other two affordable accommodations in the area: 2W Bed & Breakfast and The Light Space.