Michelin-Star Studded Dining Experience
When restaurants are awarded Michelin Stars, customers know that these eateries are some of the best in the culinary world.
Thailand was first featured in the Michelin Guide in their 2018 edition, with only Bangkok included, and since it has attracted food connoisseurs all over the world to come and taste what the country has to offer. The 2020 edition, which includes Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Phang Nga, digs deep into the greatest restaurants and eateries worthy of hype and praise. The third edition of the Michelin Guide Thailand features 29 restaurants with prestigious stars.
Here are some recommended restaurants to make your gastronomy journey in Thailand a truly Michelin star-studded experience.
Jay Fai on Maha Chai Road | Shutterstock
Bangkok
Sorn
This two-Michelin-star restaurant in Sukhumvit 26 alley serves refined Thai cooking in an uncompromising taste of heavily spiced, tongue-burning Southern fare. This restaurant was founded by two visionary South-born co-founders, one of which was the man behind the popular Thai eatery Baan Ice. Thematically inspired by the tropical forests of southern Thailand, the restaurant is a tasteful testimony that the feisty flavors of the region can turn the tables in the culinary world.
Opening Hours: Tue-Fri 6-11pm, Sat-Sun 12pm-2pm, 6-11pm
Telephone: +6699 081 1119
Website: http://www.sornfinesouthern.com
Photo Credit R.Harn
R.Harn
One of the two two-Michelin-star restaurants in Thailand, R.Harn was founded by celebrity chef Chumpol Jangprai and offers an incomparable Thai fine dining experience. R.Harn serves authentic Thai food, both regional and royal cuisine, using ingredients from all over the country. The restaurant aims to reflect how food influenced Thai people and culture.
Opening Hours: 6-11pm
Telephone: +662 059 0433
Website: https://www.r-haan.com
Photo Credit Nahm
Nahm
Nahm at the Como Cosmopolitan Hotel on Sathorn Tai Road serves the finest Thai food, with an emphasis on the original taste using a variety of spices. Famed for its modern take on traditional Thai dishes, the restaurant now has several signatures including red curry with scallops, Thai basil, and coconut, as well as coconut and turmeric curry with blue swimmer crab and calamansi lime.
Opening Hours: Lunch Mon-Fri 12pm-2pm. Dinner daily 6.30 – 10.15pm.
Telephone: +662 625 3388.
Website: https://www.comohotels.com/en/metropolitanbangkok/dining/nahm.
Photo Credit Bo.lan
Bo.Lan
Known for an emphasis on sustainability using only organic ingredients sourced from independent farmers, Bo.Lan in Sukhumvit 53 Alley offers a menu where the flavors, textures, and complexity of its dishes are served in a sharing experience like a Thai home-cooked meal with hints of modernity in the presentation.
Opening Hours: Wed 6-10pm, Thu-Sat 12pm-2pm, 6-10.30pm and Sun 12pm-2pm. Telephone: +662 260 2962.
Website http://www.bolan.co.th/2019/
Caption Link
Jay Fai
Thailand’s only Michelin-starred “street food” eatery to date, Jay Fai on Maha Chai Road is frequented by local epicures who know they will get a satisfying food experience. With a Michelin star under her belt and a huge fan base, Jay Fai is usually fully booked, and you need a reservation to get a chance to try her now-a-signature crab meat omelet for 800 baht.
Opening Hours: Tue-Sat 1.30pm – 12am
Telephone: +6692 724 9633
Methavalai Sorndaeng
Located on the historic Ratchadamnoen Road, Methavalai Sorndaeng remains a favorite restaurant for those fond of traditional Thai cuisine. It offers a vast array of local dishes in a classic standard restaurant ambiance with Pomelo, prawn salad, and crab curry with cha-om or Acacia Pennata as highlight dishes.
Opening Hours: Daily at 10.30am-10pm.
Telephone: +662 224 3088, a+662 224 3178.
Chiang Mai
Celebrated as another cuisine haven for food-focused travelers, Chiang Mai, featured for the first time in Michelin Thailand Guide 2020 edition, takes pride in all 17 eateries awarded the Bib Gourmand status recognizing affordable restaurants offering exceptional food.
These are some of the eateries serving delectable dishes worthy of the coveted Michelin status.
Ginger Farm Kitchen
Dotted by lots of plants, this farm-to-table concept restaurant emphasizes the use of most fresh produce in its dishes, with northern Thai cuisine taking center stage on the menu.
Opening Hours: Lunch and dinner daily
Telephone: +6652 080 928
Huen Muan Jai
The traditional Lanna house with a garden offers traditional dishes barely available nowadays, including spicy soup with young jackfruit and pork, while classics like Hunglay curry is recommended.
Opening Hours: 11am-9pm, closed on Wed
Telephone: +6653 404 998
SP Chicken
Offering authentic Isan classics, SP Chicken in Old Town lures passers-by with the aromatic and juicy rotisserie chicken slowly spinning on vertical spits. Most of the diners unanimously agree that when it comes to grilled chicken, SP Chicken does it right.
Opening Hours: 10am-5pm
Telephone: +6680 500 5035
Khao Tom Yong (Suthep Road)
Drawing late-night customers, Khao Tom Yong serves boiled rice with some side dish variations of your choice. Stir-fried clams with chili paste and spicy and sour soup with pork spare ribs are two of the most favorite among patrons.
Opening Hours: 5pm-2am
Telephone: +6653 277 942
Khua Kai from Khua Kai Nimman, Chiang Mai | Joe Yoteyord
Khua Kai Nimman
Thanks to its prime location on Nimman Road and its tasty signature dish, Khua Kai Nimman serves full-flavored Khua Kai, fried noodles with chicken and squid, in different variations. Other dishes pack tons of flavor too.
Opening Hours:
Telephone: +6682 180 1177
Meena Rice Based Cuisine
Hidden in the far end of Loang Him Kao community in the San Kham Phaeng district, Meena Rice Based Cuisine specializes in rice, with most dishes are garnished with flowers and fruits, making them a feast for the eyes as well. For vegetarians, the restaurant serves plenty of vegan options too.
Opening Hours: 10am-5pm, closed on Wed
Telephone: +6687 177 0523
Phuket
Phuket has managed to clinch a star from the prestigious Michelin rating system, with Pru being awarded one star and 14 other eateries receiving the Bib Gourmand status in the Michelin Thailand Guide 2020.
Photo Credit https://www.prurestaurant.com/
Pru
With its name translated as ‘plant, raise and understand,’ Pru is close to the sea. Located in Trisara Phuket, a luxury resort, the restaurant serves local cuisine with newfound creativity. Most of the ingredients are locally sourced, many of which are from the resort’s organic farm. Expect dishes with a neat and sophisticated presentation, a criterion for truly fine dining.
Opening Hours: 6-10.30pm, closed on Sunday
Telephone: +6676 310 100
Website: http://prurestaurant.com
Telephone: +6687 177 0523
For epicures who have a soft spot for street food, these are some of the eateries with Bib Gourmand and Michelin Plate status.
Go Benz
Open daily from 7pm-3.30am, Go Benz in Phuket Town dishes out bowls of dry porridge (khaotom haeng) with the broth on the side. Try it, and you’ll understand why it’s always full of patrons. Telephone: +6684 060 7799.
Hong Khao Tom Pla
Hong Khao Tom Pla doesn’t just serve fish porridge as its name translates to, both the crab curry and tom yum soup are worth trying. Telephone: +6686 277 8067.
Mee Ton Poe
Mee Ton Poe is known for its stir-fried Hokkien noodles with pork, vegetables, or seafood cooked over a charcoal stove. Other dishes like satay and fish cakes are also tasty options. Telephone: +6676 216 293.
Go La
Go La serves soft and thick yellow Hokkien fried noodles with oozing egg and crisp vegetables. It’s not in its second generation.
Chuan Chim
Fresh seafood dishes make Chuan Chim a popular eatery, and its stir-fried holy basil with minced pork or chicken is equally as tasty, earning its following. Telephone: +6676 215 825.
O Cha Rot
Open from 7am-3pm, O Cha Rot serves noodle soup with homemade meatballs and slices of beef, which nearly melt in your mouth. Telephone: +6676 213 347.