You half expect white gloves and pearls to be mandatory for high tea at the Mandarin Oriental’s Authors’ Lounge, a lovely spot to refuel in the afternoon. Cucumber sandwiches, homemade pastries and jams, cookies and sweet treats are served on three-tiered silver trays, but the warm and friendly staff prevents the ambience from turning stuffy.

You all but expect to come across Joseph Conrad or Graham Greene nursing a whiskey at the venerable, but fun, Bamboo Bar in the Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok, which features leopard- and tiger-print fabrics and an array of potted greenery. It’s not memorable enough to warrant a special trip, but if you’re having dinner at one of the restaurants, it’s a nice spot for a drink and live music before or after.

Set in a whimsical garden—complete with greenery and a koi pond—this is a popular spot for breakfast and brunch and has afternoon tea.

Jewelry designer Elizabeth Locke, a frequent traveler to Bangkok, recommends this classic, saying, “It’s beautiful and has great service, and the staff will understand if someone wants to order a Diet Coke. It’s on Sathorn Road, and any concierge will know it.” Part of the Blue Elephant group, a collection of Thai restaurants whose original outpost opened in 1980, Bangkok’s Blue Elephant is housed in a Colonial-era mansion, and the menu offers a modern twist on traditional Thai cuisine. There’s a cooking school on the premises as well, in case you want to learn to prepare those rice paper–wrapped prawns or that juicy tamarind-flavored duck you just ate.

The acclaimed fine-dining restaurant at the Ed Tuttle–designed Sukhothai serves up a stylish ambience (the restaurant is surrounded by lotus ponds) and consistently terrific Thai cuisine prepared with top ingredients. Guests can choose between the elegant (and air-conditioned) dining room and the romantic outdoor terrace.

Don’t let the alley location fool you. This trendy and young spot serves a fusion of authentic and modern Thai food crafted from local ingredients, as well as a list of signature cocktails. The space has a contemporary feel and an open kitchen concept.

A taste of the Riviera in Bangkok, this one-Michelin-starred restaurant by chef Mauro Colagreco (of three-Michelin-starred Mirazur) is at the Capella Bangkok overlooking the river. The cuisine blends contemporary touches with the traditions of the Mediterranean and fits in the light and airy dining room.

This multilevel, cool but welcoming restaurant, bar and art gallery, on an unassuming street, is a real find. Darren and Cherie Hausler are an Australian brother-and-sister duo, whose inspired and well-executed menu includes such dishes as pumpkin, coconut and blood-orange soup; fig-and-blue-cheese ravioli; and pan-fried duck foie gras. Cocktails, too, are delectable. This is an intimate, delicious spot located away from the bustling city. Request a table on the terrace, which is shaded by leafy trees, for a romantic, peaceful dinner. Afterward, take a ten-minute stroll to the Suan Lum Night Bazaar for some late shopping, or head to the Met Bar at the Metropolitan hotel, also within walking distance.

A short walk from both Wat Pho and the Grand Palace, this neighborhood eatery is bold in design and flavor, which should come as no surprise: Err comes from chefs Bo and Dylan of the now closed Bo.Lan. Style-wise, there’s a mix here of throwback kitsch, industrial toughness and street-art vibrancy. The kitchen, however, turns out elevated street food plus homey classics like baskets of crispy chicken skin and sliced green mango in spicy fish sauce, braised pork belly and ribs in a sweet-and-spicy pepper and toddy palm sugar sauce.

After leaving his beloved Gaggan, internationally-renowned chef Gaggan Anand set up shop anew across town with his second restaurant.

You probably won’t go out of your way to come to the all-organic health restaurant on the second floor of the Metropolitan hotel, but if you’re planning to go to the Como Shambhala spa, it’s worth scheduling in some extra time before or after for a light meal and an energizing juice here.

“Not only do you have beautiful things, but what is rare, you have arranged them with faultless taste,” wrote Somerset Maugham in a letter to Jim Thompson, whose former home is now a not-to-be-missed museum. The self-made American entrepreneur came to Thailand in the late 1940s, after World War II. In subsequent years, Thompson single-handedly revived Thai silk weaving, a craft that had been slowly dying out. Not only did he revitalize an industry that runs strong to this day, he also championed socially responsible business practices, letting his female weavers work from home (where they were able to watch their children) and giving the core group of his weavers shares in his Thai Silk Company. Thompson disappeared under mysterious circumstances in Malaysia in 1967. There are lots of theories of what happened to him; be sure to ask your guide.

Thompson was a major collector of Southeast Asian art, and many of his unique finds from Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia and Laos are displayed in the house, which he began building in 1958. The complex is made up of several typical Thai houses that were taken apart and moved from Ayutthaya, the ancient capital. It’s a stunning oasis of beauty and serenity and the second-most-visited attraction in Bangkok (trumped only by the Grand Palace). Open 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Tip: You can visit the interior of the home only on a guided tour. When you purchase your ticket, you are given a place on the next tour given in your language. During the unavoidable wait, you are encouraged to hang out in the boutique; a nicer way to while away the time is to have a coffee at the gorgeous little café and restaurant on the property.

Acclaimed chef and Indagare Insider Daniel Moran recommends this sleek Japanese-fusion restaurant. The Bangkok outpost of this international sushi titan is one of the most talked about restaurants in town, from the rumored shady business dealings to the “models night” that draws every clotheshorse in the city. But, all controversy aside, there is a lively vibe to Koi. The tables are packed every night and the bar scene (we recommend the wasabi martini) is always buzzing with a young, well-heeled crowd.

This takeout spot is just a window in the heart of Thong Lor, but it is famous for its mango sticky rice. The menu consists of different flavored and colored rices that are fun to try, such as a butterfly pea infused rice.

Dine on elevated pad thai, kaosoi and natural wines at this hidden spot. The setting is trendy but casual, done in pinks and reds with an upside -down flower lighting fixture hanging before a bar framed by shimmering pink curtains. Any dish with Wagyu is a must.

Technically, the bar at the Metropolitan hotel is a “members only” hot spot, but Indagare members can call ahead and get on the list. There are comfy leather-chaise seating groups, trendy cocktails (think Tom Yumtini), loungy music and Bangkok’s beau monde to watch. But be sure to come on a weekend after dinner, as the bar tends to be dead during the week.

Awarded the prestigious ‘World’s 50 Best Restaurants’ by Restaurant Magazine, Nahm at the Metropolitan hotel stands as one of Bangkok’s hot spot dining experiences. Australian born chef David Thompson crafts every dish with bold flavor and sophistication. With tables in the sleek dining room and out on the terrace overlooking the pool, Nahm offers top-notch traditional Thai cuisine in an elegant setting.

Founded by famous food blogger Mark Wien, this quick and casual spot specializes in the classic Thai dish pad ka prao: holy basil, chili, garlic and a choice of meat.

Named for the owner who is known for her street food, people queue for hours at this one-Michelin-starred spot to taste the crab omelet and other specialties. This experience is entirely for food—the service is very so-so and waits are at least two hours.

This relaxed, family-run Thai restaurant (the owners are a French-Thai couple, which explains the name) is located on a quiet soi, a few doors down from the M.R. Kukrit Heritage Home, which makes it a great lunch spot if you’re touring the museum. After snacking on freshly prepared curries and noodle dishes, stay for a game of pétanque in the courtyard.

This one-Michelin-starred fine dining institution serves Thai and Chinese cuisine in an old school Sino-Portuguese building. The tasting menu experience lasts around three hours and is paired with the chef’s storytelling. The bar on the top floor, Opium, serves fun and flavorful cocktails and is a good place to start or end the night. Reservations are recommended.

This riverfront boutique hideaway hotel, located directly across the water from Wat Ahrun, embraces a stylish, more contemporary English décor. A short walk from some of Bangkok’s most notable sites like Wat Pho and the Grand Palace, Sala Rattanakosin offers a stylish dining room and outdoor overwater dining deck with dead-on views of Wat Ahrun. Stop in for lunch while sightseeing or come for drinks to enjoy a spectacular view of the glowing temple at dusk from the scenic restaurant deck or chic open-air rooftop bar and lounge.

This small street, off Sukhumvit, the main thoroughfare, has become a popular destination for diners eager to try street food. Its rows of small stands sell everything from spicy seafood soups to sticky rice and sweet mango. You have to be a little intrepid (or go with someone who speaks Thai and can order for you), but the food is local, authentic and, according to many locals, safe to eat. If you change your mind at the last minute, just keep walking: Face Bar and excellent the Indian restaurant Hazara are just down the street. For insider information on and private tours of the best of Bangkok’s street food contact our bookings team.

Overlooking the riverfront and Wat Arun, this venture by Thanaruek Laoraowirodge (of Home Khon Kaen and Tatchai Nakapan) brings the home cooking of Northern Thailand to the public. Using recipes that have been passed down generations and sourcing the best local ingredients available, Supanniga Eating Room combines a great location with delicious food. The atmosphere leans into the homey vibe (they even use traditional northern utensils) and there is a ground floor, mezzanine and outdoor deck.