Restaurants with a view in Bangkok: facing Wat Arun and the river

Bangkok lends itself well to dinners with a view: a wide river, lit-up temples and towers rising out of the haze. This guide does not push one particular address at all costs (menus and prices change fast) but explains the four main kinds of view, the areas where you find them and how to book without nasty surprises. For rooftop bars and late-night terraces, read our guide to Bangkok at night; here, we are talking about sitting down to eat.

The four kinds of view

Facing Wat Arun: terraces on the east bank (Tha Tien, Maharaj) or in Thonburi look at the temple. The best moment is sunset, when the prang stands out in silhouette, then the night illumination. Book a table at the edge of the terrace several days ahead.
On the river: dinner cruises and hotel restaurants on the banks, around Charoen Krung and Silom, with the bridges lit up (see our page on the Chao Phraya river and the guide to shows for dinner cruises).
In a shopping centre: ICONSIAM has restaurants overlooking the river and the fountain show; Asiatique The Riverfront gathers many restaurants facing the water.
From above: a tower floor or an observation deck. At the Mahanakhon SkyWalk and at Baiyoke Sky, the restaurant or bar is visited along with the observation deck.

Facing Wat Arun: how to choose

Wat Arun at sunset, seen from the river

The restaurants opposite the temple are numerous, from the simple eatery to the fine-dining table. The main criterion is the table: a terrace seat sometimes comes with a minimum spend, and full-sun views are less pleasant in the afternoon. A few rules to avoid mistakes:

Look at the terrace plan before booking: some tables have the temple, others the car park.
In high season (November to February), book sunset three to five days ahead.
Dishes cost more than at a neighbourhood restaurant: the view is part of the bill.
The temple closes at 6pm but stays lit in the evening: to visit it, come in the afternoon (see the page on Wat Arun), then dine opposite.

Along the river: banks and hotels

The luxury hotels on both banks (Silom, Charoen Krung, Thonburi) offer terrace dinners, often as a buffet. Their free river shuttles drop you at the hotel pier: handy if you do not want to depend on a taxi. The open-air restaurants of Talat Noi offer a simpler, more local view of the river at neighbourhood prices. The express boat (see transport in Bangkok) is still the best way to get to dinner, but it stops running in the early evening.

From above: observation decks and bars

Rooftop bars have their own rules: a smart dress code (no beach sandals or shorts), sometimes a compulsory minimum spend and high prices for a cocktail. Baiyoke Sky combines a buffet and a revolving observation deck in Pratunam; the Mahanakhon SkyWalk has a cocktail bar on its terrace. Check prices and hours on their pages: they vary by day.

Booking and budget tips

Book for sunset, especially at weekends and in the dry season (November to February, see best time to visit).
Budget: a meal with a view quickly costs more than an ordinary restaurant; to eat well and cheaply, turn to street food, then have a drink on a terrace for the view.
Rain: in the rainy season, an uncovered terrace can be unusable; ask whether there is an indoor room with a view.
Mosquitoes: by the water at dusk, bring repellent.

Going further

For an evening as a couple, our guide Bangkok for couples has ideas for waterside dinners; for a walk before dinner, read the evening stroll in Bangkok.