The best way to know what a city is like is by observing it from above. Whenever I visit a new city I try to find some high point that offers good panoramic views over the city.
I prefer when it’s a mountain, but skyscrapers also do the job. And even better if you can enjoy the views while having a beer, cocktail or local food delicacy!
When it comes to the Thai capital, the best way to enjoy panoramic views over the city is from one of its best rooftop bars and restaurants in Bangkok.
Bangkok is completely flat, but it has many skyscrapers. Many of them have rooftop bars and restaurants from which you can enjoy incredible views of this Asian mega-city. The best time to go is between 5 and 6 in the afternoon, so you can see Bangkok in the last light of day day, the sunset, and Bangkok by night.
Your image of Bangkok is likely to change a lot after seeing the city from the rooftop of one of these skyscrapers.
Most of these bars are quite expensive, but having a drink up there will not ruin your trip budget (cocktails usually cost around € 10-20, and soft drinks € 5-10). But if you feel hungry, you’d better check the price list before placing an order! Note that in most of these rooftop bars and restaurants there is a dress code, and clients are expected to dress neatly, no torn or sports clothing, and no backpacks or sandals.
The easiest way to get to these bars is by taxi (most taxi drivers know them). If they agree to put the meter on, you won’t pay more than 120 THB (€ 3).
So here is the list of our 8 best rooftop bars and restaurants in Bangkok:
Vertigo bar and restaurant is one of the best known among tourists. It is located on the 61st floor of the Banyan Tree Hotel, on an outdoor terrace on the roof of the hotel. Having a drink at night on this terrace is a highly recommended experience since, in addition to enjoying the cool breeze, you will have impressive views of Lumphini Park and the rest of Bangkok’s skyscrapers..
Sirocco Bar is perhaps the most famous of all the rooftop bars and restaurants in Bangkok, thanks to its appearance in films like ‘
Baiyoke Tower is the fourth tallest tower in Thailand (304 meters excluding the antenna), and the ninth tallest hotel in the whole world. It has 85 floors. On the 77th floor there is a public observatory, and on the 83rd is the highest bar in the Thai capital: the Rooftop Bar, one of the best rooftop bars and restaurants in Bangkok. You should not miss a visit to the 84th floor, where there is an open-air revolving platform with breathtaking views over Bangkok. Admission is 250 THB (€ 7.5), and includes a drink.
Located in one of the newest and most famous buildings on the list, the Central World Shopping Center (specifically above the Centara Grand Hotel), the Red Sky Bar and Restaurant is outdoors and offers amazing 360º views of Bangkok.
Above Eleven is a Peruvian-Nikkei restaurant, which means it combines Peruvian cuisine with Japanese (something common in Peru). At Above Eleven you can order the famous Peruvian drink Pisco Sour while you cool off with the breeze that blows on the 33rd floor of the Frasier Suites building. The views, while not as spectacular as other Bangkok rooftop restaurants, are also beautiful thanks to the colorful skyscrapers that surround it.
Long Table is a rooftop Thai restaurant with panoramic views over the city. There is ‘happy hour’ from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., when you can have 2×1 in drinks, and a pretty good menu for only THB 399 (+ 17% tax and service), an incredible price when it comes to rooftop restaurants in Bangkok.
The Rooftop Bar is one of the most romantic restaurants in Bangkok. It is located by the river, right in front of the beautiful Wat Arun temple. And that’s not all: the beautiful Wat Pho temple is also right behind! Therefore, it’s no surprise that at night the rooftop terrace of Sala Rattanakosin Hotel glows with an almost magical atmosphere. Having a beer, a cocktail or even dinner, surrounded by these ancient and impressive temples, is a unique experience. It is not cheap, but it’s not that expensive either: a local beer will cost you about 200 THB.
I also really like the River Vibe Restaurant & Bar. This list wouldn’t be complete without it because, despite not offering a high vantage point, its views of the Chao Phraya river are impressive, and its prices are very affordable. It is ideal to watch the sunset while having a good Singha, and if you want to have dinner, you can enjoy the food without being afraid of fainting when reading the bill. It’s on the terrace of the Riverview Guest House. Being a hostel there is no dress code to worry about either.