When it comes to food, Bangkok has tons to offer as it has transformed into a melting pot of cuisines over the years. You don’t have to go further than a 5 km radius to find anything you heart or stomach desires. Whether you’re in the mood for Thai (obviously), Japanese, Italian, French or even Indian, there is always a vast amount of restaurant choices.

Indian food is actually one of the most popular cuisines in Bangkok. Hard to believe? Just take a walk down Sukhumvit (from Nana till Ekkamai) and you’ll see dozens of restaurants, ranging from both hole-­in-the-­wall type offering old fashioned thalis to lavish diners serving feasts that were once fit only for the royals.

Now we haven’t tried them all. In fact we’ve probably only been to a handful of Indian restaurants and that is for a couple of reasons.

1. We eat Indian (Pakistani actually) food at home all the time.

2. I try to stay away from the hole in the wall restaurants as much as possible because eating Indian food out means going for an experience and trying something different or new.

3. There’s an always an Indian or Pakistani event where we’re trying catered Indian food.

So based on the restaurants we have went, here are our top 5 Indian restaurants that everyone should try at least once (and sure to go again and again).

Charcoal

Photo credit: Charcoal Bangkok

Just a few months after The Great Kabab Factory opened its doors, it seemed like more and more Indian restaurants were popping up. Conceptualized by the same man behind Soho Hospitality and Above Eleven, Rohit Sachdev brings us another addition to the marvelous Indian cuisine Bangkok has to offer in the form of Charcoal. Located at Frasier Suites in bustling Sukhumvit soi 11, this traditional meets modern restaurant sets a completely different and unique tone to Indian fine dining. Similar (but also quite different) to the The Great Kabab Factory, Charcoal has an industry-feel décor but with a modern twist and hints of Indian culture.

Here you’ll only find one or two curries in the menu and the rest is all tandoor-based food items such as kababs, lamb raan and much more. Charcoal does more than serve as a place to eat good Indian food – it also focuses heavily on creating memorable experiences.

Most Indian restaurants would just serve you chai in a simple cup or a cocktail in a traditional glass but not here. You’ll be reaching out for your camera or smart phone to take that Instagram-able photo of that well-displayed tandoor prawn dish or that cocktail served in an impressive setting that only pictures can describe.

Mojito in a glass in an ice bucket. Sunglasses not included 🙂

Charcoal is definitely a must visit for those wanting to have an Indian dining experience like no other. Don’t miss out their weekend brunch (THB 625++) by the pool outside or inside while sipping on cocktails or boozing up with their free flow of sparkling wine (THB 900++) offer.

The Great Kabab Factory

Who can say no to kababs? This franchise is brought straight from India and is gaining popularity fast. Although the restaurant décor and the way their food is served appear to be factory-style, it is everything but that. In fact, TGKF promises to take you on a food journey of epic proportions. Nestled within Sukhumvit soi 2 at the Majestic Grande Hotel, this Indian restaurant boasts a recipe of over 450 different types of kababs. The menu comprises of an extended 3-course (all you can eat) in vegetarian, non-vegetarian or even vegan options at a set price (see their sample set menus).

It starts with the waiters bringing you salad, followed by a selection of kababs that pair with either one of the four chutneys (yoghurt, mint, tamarind or tomato), then the main course of daal, curries, breads and Biryani. Finally when you’re about to explode, comes the dessert.

Their signature dish, The Galouti kabab is of considerable note as it is one of the best kababs I have ever tasted and can have 5 or 6 servings of easily. It’s basically a patty made of minced lamb with half a dozen spices that simply melts in your mouth.

Galouti Kabab  |  Main course

“If kabab is the king of snacks, then The Great Kabab Factory has to be the king of kingmakers” – The Hindu Times. Indeed, they make some really amazing, delicious and succulent kababs. Meals here are best enjoyed with a group of friends or family as you go on a journey of tantalizing flavors, chat with friendly staff and sip on a bottle of Kingfisher beer.

Rang Mahal

Photo credit: Rang Mahal

An old family favorite, Rang Mahal is truly as authentic and traditional as it gets. Perched high up on Rembrandt Hotel in Sukhumvit 18, this award winning restaurant serves a world-class North Indian cuisine. They have an extensive menu at slightly high-end pricing but their Sunday brunch is definitely value for money.

The brunch serves everything from Indian-style salads to live stations of kababs, curries, Naans, rice and an array of desserts. I’m drooling just thinking of it and it has been a while since we’ve been back there. 

Rang Mahal is an excellent and luxurious restaurant, fit for a romantic candle-light dinner or a feast with family as you look on to the beautiful skyline of Bangkok city.

Indus

Photo credit: BK Magazine

Having only eaten here once or twice, Indus serves up some of the meanest and spiciest curries. I like spicy food. In fact I won’t have it anyway else but Indus took the spice factor to another level on my last visit that left me hiccupping for 10 minutes. Make sure to ask them to dial that down if you can’t take it or opt for their signature Lamb Raan, which is cooked to so much perfection that meat falls right off the bone.

Photo credit: Indus Bangkok

The restaurant is located deep in Sukhumvit soi 26 and sits beside a beautiful garden and comprises of a sleek, modern décor, comprising a lively dining room, a spacious cocktail lounge, an outdoor garden, a function Room and even private VIP Room.

Indus is definitely the perfect place to go with friends, family or your significant other for a romantic dinner or weekend brunch.  

Maya

Photo credit: Live Less Ordinary

Probably my least favorite of the five in terms of flavor but this restaurant has a contemporary vibe to it. Situated on the 29th floor of the Holiday Inn, Sukhumvit 22 has a very slick and elegant ambiance that pairs well with a fusion Indian food experience. I went here a few years back and other than the cocktails and the marinated, slow-cook chicken, there’s nothing else memorable about this restaurant. However, it’s at least a single visit so you can make your own decision. Besides where else can you get a beautiful city view while eating Indian food in a fancy setting (other than Rang Mahal)?

The list wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t mention some of the restaurants that have gained enormous recognition that I want to give a try sometime.

Gaggan

Ranked number 10 in the world’s 50 best restaurants is a progressive Indian restaurant that really puts gastronomy cuisine to another level. Wait, what? Gastronomy and Indian food? Yes, the brainchild Gaggan Anand is indeed adventurous in his approach to modern cooking.

I think the only reason I’ve been holding back going to this restaurant is that it seems slightly pretentious and the price of the menu would cost me an arm and a leg. Someday perhaps.

Masala Art

Another contemporary and high-end restaurant that is further away from the normal Sukhumvit scene as it is located in Thong Lor (2nd floor of Eight Thonglor complex). Masala Art has a reputation of blending spices in a unique, making it an award winning restaurant. Something worth checking out.

Mrs. Balbir

I’ve heard a lot about Mrs. Balbir. I see it every time I pass Nana and I even follow (her) on Facebook. The restaurant and brand gives a homely twist to Indian food dining and it’s also popping up at smaller locations and stalls at a few shopping mall food courts so now I have no reason not to give it a try.

So what do you think of Indian food? Have you had your fair share of Indian cuisine indulgences in Bangkok? I’d love to know where you’ve tried the best ones and what your experiences have been like.