Bangkok’s Top 5 Coolest Neighbourhoods

Spending some time in Bangkok and looking for some alternatives to the regular tourist sites? If you’ve seen enough of the Grand Palace, or are just looking to experience a bit of offbeat Bangkok, then look no further. We’ve got you covered with our list of Bangkok’s coolest neighbourhoods. From incredible restaurants, cafes, vintage shops and plenty of public art, our list has some of the most exciting and up-and-coming areas in the City of Angels.

Step away from the tourist trail and explore some of Bangkok’s trendiest areas with us.

Bangkok’s Coolest Neighbourhoods #1 Ari: The Hipster

Our number one spot goes to Ari. We visited Ari for the first time in 2022 and fell in love with it. 

Ari offers a taste of local life with hipster vibes and is one of Bangkok’s coolest up-and-coming neighbourhoods. The streets are filled with cute cafes, incredible restaurants, street food, street art and best of all, no tourist kitsch in sight. 

The restaurant and bar scene is really great. There are incredible restaurants everywhere and new ones popping up all the time. They range the gamut from international to Thai, to region-specific Thai. 

We especially recommend Phed Phed, a restaurant that focuses solely on making different versions of som tam. Not only are they super creative, but absolutely delicious. Note that ‘phed’ in Thai means spicy, and take it from us, they’re not playing around here, so order your spice level carefully. 

Ong Tong Khao Soi is another favourite, offering yummy bowls of the Northern Thai favourite. 

The bars are likewise trendy and attract a younger crowd more interested in quality v quantity. 

Oh yeah, and the massages are great and as cheap as you’ll find them in the city. We each got one here for 200 THB and it was superb!

Ari is not located near the main tourist activities, so you’ll find locals rather than tourists hanging around. There’s a noticeably calmer feel to the area and it feels less frenetic than in the core central areas. Staying or hanging out here gives you some insight into how the locals live, rather than just the tourist bubble. 

And since public transit in Bangkok is cheap and easy to navigate, everything is still very accessible. Ari is conveniently located on the BTS Skytrain, meaning you can get to most places easily.

The famous Chatuchak Weekend Market is also just a couple of minutes away. We highly recommend checking it out, either independently, or with a private guide for an insider’s perspective.

Bangkok’s Coolest Neighbourhoods #2 Charoen Krung: The Artist

Charoen Krung is a super trendy and eclectic riverside neighbourhood. Imagine Thailand’s answer to Brooklyn. 

Charoen Krung itself is Bangkok’s oldest road (and a long one at that).  It’s very arty and filled with vintage architecture that houses trendy cafes and restaurants. 

Like all things trendy, brunch is a big seller here and Sarnies is the spot for it. 

This area is filled with cool and sophisticated art galleries. One of the best spaces is the Thailand Creative & Design Centre (TCDC), located within a historic building. Warehouse 30 is another cool spot, spread through seven old warehouses. 

The art isn’t just limited to galleries though, and one of the best features of Charoen Krung is the really cool street art that is everywhere.  Make sure you stroll through the neighbourhood leisurely and take the time to admire the art. 

Want a night out with some great music? Check out SIWILAI Sound Club, a great music venue with a jazz bar on the first floor. 

Where to next? Check out our guides on Khao Sok and Chiang Dao

Bangkok’s Coolest Neighborhoods #3 Thong Lor: The Sophisticat 

Thong Lor, another high-ranking spot in the list of Bangkok’s hippest neighbourhoods, is somehow both mainstream and obscure. It’s centred around Sukhumvit Soi 55, which is filled to the brim with fashionable restaurants, themed cocktail bars and vibrant nightlife.

It’s one of the best places to drink, eat and have a good time. 

You’ll find great jazz bars, beer gardens and the best Japanese food in Bangkok (there’s a decent-sized Japanese population living here). You’ll find everything from hole-in-the-wall ramen shops to some of the freshest and most authentic sashimi eateries in town.

There are some good vintage shops around, such as Thonglor Art Village and Eco Ring. The former has a 100 THB rack, so those on a budget can shop here too. There’s also theCOMMONS, a community hub/mall space focusing on local, quality producers. 

And for fellow digital nomads out there, of course, there’s a co-working space, The Hive Thonglor, featuring everything you expect from a co-working space plus a rooftop for events.

Keen to gain a local perspective of Bangkok’s hidden gems? Check out this awesome Bangkok bike tour.

Travel insurance, as always, is essential. If something goes wrong, you want to be covered. Our preference is SafetyWing. Trust us, we’ve used a lot of travel insurance and they really are the best.

Bangkok’s Coolest Neighborhoods #4 Chinatown: The Foodie

Bangkok’s Chinatown: super famous, super touristy, but downright awesome.

There’s no denying that Chinatown is one of Bangkok’s coolest neighbourhoods. Being the largest Chinatown in the world, there’s some serious hustle and bustle going on. It’s cheap and the food is seriously great. Don’t miss out on tasting some of Chinatown’s delicous food, whether on your own, or with a guide to show you the best of the best.

There are the bright, colourful lights and the vibrant colours, plus a million markets around, selling whatever you can name and a ton of things that you can’t. All of this combine to make it a fascinating place to wander and explore. Wanna explore some of the side alleys in a more organised fashion? Check out this fascinating tour.

On top of all that, Soi Nana (not the sex-street one) has a super hip cocktail bar scene. There are heaps of bars tucked in little alleyways, complete with a speak-easy vibe.

So while it may be busy, it’s still worth a visit (or two). 

Looking for a magical island to escape to? Read our guide to Koh Adang

Bangkok’s Coolest Neighborhoods #5 Phra Kanong: The Next-Door Neighbour

Last but not least, is Phra Khanong, an offbeat neighbourhood with a local feel. It’s also super cheap and there are heaps of street food stalls and cafes. 

While it may not have the trendy-hip-chic vibe of Charoen Krung or Thonglor, it’s super authentic and maintains a unique character with a friendly, neighbourly vibe. 

The food scene is diverse, with anything from Japanese to Burmese to Italian on offer.

There are also several co-working spaces and local galleries, spas and even a board game cafe. The large open-air W District is the area’s happening spot and as such attracts many locals and expats. It’s a great spot to enjoy a cold drink and peruse the food trucks. The communal hub brings a night market vibe together with a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.

Explore the small streets near W District and you’ll come across heaps of interesting street art and graffiti too. Right next to the market is Hof Art Space, a premier contemporary art gallery showcasing the works of established and emerging artists. 

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