As the summer humidity kicks in and the monsoon rains fall, head to the cool of Bangkok’s iconic Chao Phraya River at night to sip sunset cocktails, soak up the yesteryear feeling of Old Siam, marvel at the twinkling city lights on a dinner cruise, relax Australian café style, and go shopping!
The Deck By The River
36–38 Maha Rat Road; 02 221 9158
www.arunresidence.com
One you find this restaurant tucked in a small side street leading to the river, climb the stairs beyond the restaurant to the small cocktail bar and behold one of the best sunset views in the city. On a clear day the open-sided roof bar perfectly frames Wat Arun across the river, bathing the scene in golden light as the sun goes down. With lovely cocktails to sip, too, this place is a wonderful start to any evening.
Viva & Aviv The River
23 Trok Rongnamkhaeng Si Phraya Pier, Yota Road; 02 639 6305
www.vivaaviv.com
A breezy, laid-back café and bar that is a relative riverside newcomer. Quirky cocktails and seating right on the dock with great river views, good food, and chilled-out tunes. A perfect riverside retreat!
The Grand Pearl Dinner Cruise
La Grande Pearl Restaurant, River City, Charoen Krung Road; 02 861 0255
www.grandpearlcruise.com
Glittering Thai architecture lit up at night looks spectacular as you glide by on one of the most established dinner cruises in the city. Starting at 7 p.m. from a French riverside restaurant—that happens to serve an exquisite truffle soup—step aboard for gourmet food, live music, and an unforgettable evening before docking again at 9:30 p.m.
Asiatique The Riverfront
2194 Charoen Krung Road; 02 108 4488
www.asiatiquethailand.com
With 1,500 boutiques, a small village of indoor and al fresco restaurants serving cuisines from all over the world, not to mention a cabaret show, 4-D cinema, and Asiatique Sky Ferris wheel, this shopping and dining extravaganza is a new evening entertainment riverside venue. While there is a free shuttle boat from the pier at Saphan Taksin, the queues can be long, so you can hop in a cab to get there instead.
Mandarin Oriental Hotel
48 Oriental Avenue; 02 659 9000
www.mandarinoriental.com/bangkok
Opened in 1876, this splendid five-star riverside beauty has all the glamor of a movie star. Although there are ten outstanding restaurants and bars to choose from, The Riverside Terrace is perfect for al fresco dining by the water, with an appetizing international menu that features some classic Thai dishes too.
