Where to Find the Best Indian Food in Bangkok

As one of the most acclaimed restaurants in not only Bangkok but all of Asia, it seems only fitting that Gaggan would come in at number one as the best Indian restaurant in the capital. Chef Gaggan Anand is the mastermind behind the delicious and progressive Indian cuisine at Gaggan, and one would not imagine that this luxurious restaurant came to be after a drunken night out with friends—but this is precisely the case. The restaurant is made up of multiple dining areas, from a private room to the library set inside the colonial-style wooden house in downtown Bangkok. Gaggan’s feasts, otherwise known as the Gaggan Experience, are designed to take diners to every region in India with a unique menu that even the hungriest of diners will struggle to finish. The feast is ฿4,000 (approximately US$116), yet the flavorful and reinvented Indian dishes continue to lure in herds of curious diners, with visitors having to book from a week to an entire month in advance to see what the hype is all about.

Chef Anil Kaswer Singh is behind all the delicious eats at Indus, located in the foodie hub of Phrom Phong. Like the river in Asia, this restaurant is overflowing, but with Northern Indian cuisine. The modern restaurant has received many awards and featured in a number of publications; Travel Channel Thailand even promoted it, which is not surprising given their authentic and delicious recipes on the menu. Freshly baked bread, biryani and rice, kebabs, soups, veg and non-veg curries—Indus has it all. In addition to the food, diners will want to frequent this restaurant at least once to bask in the restaurant’s elegant ambiance. The al fresco seating in combination with the sophisticated dining room provides guests with the ultimate luxurious, Indian dining experience.

Punjab is one of India’s most noteworthy states, and Punjabi recipes are in abundance and, most often than not, diners favorite Indian cuisine. The Punjab Grill has taken what makes this cuisine so unique (and tasty) and has brought it to the capital of Thailand for Bangkokians to enjoy. All of their dishes feature the restaurant’s signature, modern twist, with menu favorites including the tandoor pineapple, chicken biryani served underneath a crispy pastry, and the crab and lentil shorba. There are also vegetarian options available, including the veg kebab platter made with paneer, stuffed mushrooms, and more. Punjab Grill sits inside the Radisson Suites Bangkok Sukhumvit.

Soho Hospitality absolutely slayed the nightlife game with Above Eleven, one of the best sky bars and after-dark venues in the capital. Building upon the massive success of this restaurant and bar, the group decided the capital was in need of a cool and flavorful Indian restaurant, and Charcoal Tandoor Grill & Mixology came to be in November 2014. The restaurant prides itself on its class kebabs; however, the menu is brimming with favorites hailing from Northwestern India. Charcoal’s dishes are perfect for sharing amongst a handful of people; for example, their Chicken Sheekh Kebab comes with three pieces. There is also an extensive vegetarian section on the menu, with tandoor designated specifically for meat-free diners. Each menu item also has a subsection of the menu dedicated to giving diners both cocktail and drink suggestions to go with their meal. Signature cocktails include the Charcoal Mojito, Maharaja Mai Tai, and the Festival of Colours.

For superb Indian cuisine and stunning views, diners should head to Rang Mahal Restaurant, found on the rooftop of the Rembrandt Hotel Bangkok off the BTS Skytrain Station Asok. The hotel is home to a total of five high-end restaurants, but Rang Mahal is surely in the running for being the most noteworthy. The unique eatery specializes in Northern Indian cuisine, with an overwhelming number of dishes to choose from (11 pages of small font). There are a few set menus diners can choose from as well, which makes it slightly easier to narrow down what it is visitors want to devour. In addition to the cuisine, Rang Mahal Restaurant features live music every night except Mondays, serenading diners with Indian music as they chow down.

Khana Khazana’s inconspicuous exterior may have those hoping to chow down on delicious Indian food heading to a restaurant that is a bit more luxurious. Look past its sadly seedy location in Nana and find a delicious menu packed with a variety of Indian cuisine. This restaurant is serving up the best Indian food from all regions of the country, with delicious curries, soups, tandoori specials, desserts, and more to sort through. The menu is more than a handful of pages long, so customers will long be deciding what it is they want to enjoy as the options are seemingly limitless. All of the food here is vegetarian as well, but even the most avid of carnivores can get behind the food at Khana Khazana.

Saras Express Vegetarian Cuisine has several locations around the city, and visitors should be sure to try at least one before vacating the capital. Those who abide by a meat-free diet will be happy to hear that all the dishes at Saras are vegetarian-friendly (though the name surely gave it away). Dishes are available vegan upon request as well. There are more items on the menu than customers know what to do with, including tandoori, Thalis, and South and North Indian dishes, just to name a few. With a friendly and attentive staff, humble décor, and, of course, delectable Indian cuisine, visitors cannot go wrong dining at Saras Express Vegetarian Cuisine.