Ah Bangkok — the sights, the colours and the amazing food of Thailand’s capital never fails to capture my heart. The fact that it’s only a short plane ride away from Singapore certainly helps, making it perfect for an impromptu getaway, especially if you’re a foodie like me. Bangkok is a great destination for street food but when travelling with young children, ‘where to eat’ suddenly requires a little bit more planning and research. Having recently visited Bangkok with a toddler in tow, I can definitely attest to that. With that said, here are four lovely places in Bangkok that I discovered on my last trip: they have nice, chic environments and are family-friendly to boot.
Lunch/ Bruch at Crepes & Co
While doing my research on family-friendly restaurants in Bangkok, Crepes & Co’s name came up multiple times and it’s easy to see why. The restaurant has a lovely ambience and to be honest would appeal to any adult (with or without a child in tow). The fact that it goes out of its way to cater for kids only serves to add bonus points in my eyes. There is a kids’ corner with an ample supply of toys for them to play with and a children’s menu that offers food art. Food-wise, the crepes there are delicious and very substantial (they do Mediterranean food as well but really, we were there for the crepes) and there’s good coffee to boot. A very nice choice if you’re looking for a brunch or lunch spot.
Crepes & Co @ Langsuan, 59/4 Langsuan Soi 1, Ploenchit Rd., Lumpini, Bangkok, 10330.
Tel. +66 (0) 2 015 3388 to 9
Afternoon Tea at House on Sathorn
The very funky W Bangkok isn’t really the sort of place you would expect to find a historical building like The House on Sathorn and yet the 127-year old mansion sits within its compound, directly adjacent to the main hotel building. Once the house of wealthy businessman Luang Sathorn Rajayutka (who created Sathorn Canal), it was later converted into the majestic Hotel Royal before serving as the Russian Embassy from 1948 to 1999. After careful restoration, the site is currently home to one of Bangkok’s most eclectic dining and socialising spots.
Although children are not allowed in The Dining Room in the evenings, they are more than welcome in The Courtyard and during afternoon tea time where the menu features sweet and savoury delights such as traditional scones, caramel chocolate tarts and chicken-pineapple curry finger sandwiches, all paired with TWG tea. Children-sized portions of the a la carte dishes are also catered for if your minis require them. Our advice: for afternoon tea, choose to sit at The Courtyard where the little ones have ample space to run around amid a historical site. For the kids, they get to learn more about the building’s history and heritage architecture, while daddy and mummy enjoy a spot of tea and some light bites. It’s such a beautiful space that you almost forget that you’re right in the city centre — a must-visit in Bangkok.
Dinner at Thiptara, The Peninsula
Thiptara is the signature Thai restaurant at The Peninsula Bangkok. It’s located just by the Chao Praya River so diners have a wonderful view of the water while enjoying some authentic Thai cuisine in a fine-dining setting. It’s the sort of place that every parent would enjoy: lovely food, beautiful ambience but best of all, it is also, surprisingly child-friendly.
As is to be expected from a Peninsula hotel, the service is top-notch and the staff are fantastic with children. But more importantly, the restaurant offers a comprehensive children’s menu complete with a super wide variety of choices for the children from the classic fish and chips to fried rice. Our top tip: if you have time, go on the Peninsula’s sundown cruise (THB 1,250) before dinner. Available only on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, the one-hour cruise includes unlimited cocktails and canapés as you take a ride down the ‘River of Kings’. Along the way, you pass by some of Bangkok’s most iconic sites such as the iconic Wat Arun temple. It’s the ideal way to spend a late evening — with drinks and nibbles for the adults and an educational boat ride for the little ones.
Sunday Brunch at Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit
The Sunday Jazzy Brunch at Bangkok’s Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit is known as one of the best Sunday brunches in the city. The spectacular buffet takes place across three award-winning restaurants (over one entire floor) in the hotel — Rossini’s, basil and The Living Room. Guests get to enjoy everything from antipasti and fresh seafood to authentic Thai and Chinese delights.
There is a great dessert buffet with live stations where chefs make deliciously fresh crepes and where there’s cotton candy for the kids. The decidedly impressive food selection can be enjoyed against an atmospheric background of live Jazz music (which the brunch is known for). While daddy and mummy enjoy the music and food spread, the children get to are entertained in the dedicated kid’s room within basil (our little tip: if you choose to sit in basil as opposed to The Living Room or Rossini’s, kids aged 4 to 11 get to eat free) where there are cookies and toys galore. Music, food and fun — what better way can there be to spend a Sunday afternoon?
