Top Hidden Gems in Thailand

Pa Aor Tom Yum Goong Noodles ★ 4.8 · Bangkok

113 Soi Charoen Phon, Khwaeng Nakhon Sawan, Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Bangkok 10100

Pa Aor Tom Yum Goong Noodles is bib gourmand stall on a dead-end soi off charoen phon, locals only, where the tom yum noodle bowl was invented.

Tip: Cash only. Lunch only, 09:00-16:00, closed Sundays. The tom yum goong with whole river prawn is the canonical order.

Krua Apsorn Dinso ★ 4.6 · Bangkok

169 Dinso Road, Wat Bowon Niwet, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200

Krua Apsorn Dinso is royal-influenced thai room from 2003 in the old town with bib gourmand stir-fries, the local lunch room missed by tour groups.

Tip: Closed Sundays. The Dinso original is better than the newer branches. Lunch through 19:30 only, last seating 19:00.

Soei Restaurant ★ 4.5 · Bangkok

1834 Soi Phradiphat 19, Sam Sen Nai, Phaya Thai, Bangkok 10400

Soei Restaurant in Bangkok: Bib Gourmand 1972 family Thai seafood room in Phaya Thai, off the tourist circuit with rare horseshoe-crab egg salad.

Tip: Closed Sundays. Cash only, the menu is huge and only partially translated; ask the staff to point at seasonal seafood.

Khao Soi Lung Prakit Kad Kom ★ 4.4 · Chiang Mai

wualai · 53 Suriyawong Road Soi 5, Hai Ya, Mueang Chiang Mai 50100

Tip: It sits inside Kad Kom market south of the moat; go mid-morning and pair the khao soi with a plate of naem crispy-rice.

Soi Nana Chinatown bar district ★ 4.3 · Bangkok

Soi Nana, Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Bangkok 10100

Soi Nana Chinatown bar district is six-block stretch of converted shophouses with hidden cocktail bars, the bar district most travel itineraries miss.

Tip: Start at Teens of Thailand for gin, then Tep Bar for Thai spirits and live mor lam music. Most rooms open from 19:00.

Pakorn's Kitchen ★ 4.3 · Chiang Mai

wualai · 186/7 Kampangdin Road, Hai Ya, Mueang Chiang Mai 50100

Tip: Order the award massaman and the pomelo salad; it is small, so booking ahead on a weekend evening is wise.

Meena Rice Based Cuisine ★ 4.3 · Chiang Mai

hang-dong · 13/5 Moo 2, San Klang, San Kamphaeng, Chiang Mai 50130

Tip: It is a 30-minute drive toward San Kamphaeng; go for lunch, order the pork rib longan curry and the butterfly-pea blue rice.

Krua Aroy Aroy ★ 4.2 · Bangkok

Pan Road, Silom, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500

Krua Aroy Aroy in Bangkok: Bib Gourmand canteen tucked off Pan Road, lunch-only, with the city's best khao soi northern Thai curry-noodle bowl.

Tip: Cash only. Lunch only, 09:00-17:00, closed Sundays. The room is small; arrive by 12:00 to avoid the office workers.

Khao Soi Arak ★ 4.2 · Chiang Mai

old-city · 10 Phra Pok Klao Road Soi 13, Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai 50200

Tip: Come before 13:00 on a weekday and add the extra chicken; the broth runs out early and it is closed on Sundays.

Kanomjeen Sanpakoi ★ 4.2 · Chiang Mai

chang-khlan · Thongkham Market, San Pa Khoi, Mueang Chiang Mai 50000

Tip: Get there before 11:00 while the sauces are fresh; point at the nam ngiao pot and add a plate of fresh herbs and crispy pork skin.

Krua Phech Doi Ngam ★ 4.1 · Chiang Mai

hang-dong · Route 1141, Nong Phueng, Saraphi, Chiang Mai 50140

Tip: You will need a taxi or scooter to reach it; go for the gaeng hang lay and the nam prik platter with sticky rice.

Guay Jub Chang Moi Tat Mai ★ 4.1 · Chiang Mai

chang-khlan · Chang Moi Kao Road, Chang Moi, Mueang Chiang Mai 50300

Tip: It runs late afternoon into the evening near Chang Moi; order the guay jub with extra crispy pork belly and a side of fried wontons.

Wine I Do ★ 4.0 · Bangkok

100 Soi Charoen Krung 36, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500

Wine I Do on Soi Charoen Krung 36 in Bang Rak is the no-signage natural-wine bar in a converted shophouse with an orange list and a chef's-table back room.

Tip: Closed Tuesdays. Walk-in most nights; the back room is the chef's-table option for a sharing menu.

Khao Soi Wulai ★ 4.0 · Chiang Mai

wualai · Wualai Road, Hai Ya, Mueang Chiang Mai 50100

Tip: It is a lunch-only spot; arrive before 14:00 and expect to share one of just a few tables with the neighbourhood regulars.