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Affordable Dining in Bangkok: 12 Best Restaurants
Whoever says great food isn’t friendly to the wallet must be unfamiliar with the best cheap eats in Bangkok. So in this guide, we’re giving you food that’s as delicious as you want them yet affordable enough to not scare you off.
Let’s go beyond the usual street food as dining on a budget in Bangkok shouldn’t mean that you won’t experience the finer things!
Bamee Kon Sae Lee
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Addresses:
- Thong Lo: 1081 Sukhumvit Road, แขวง วัฒนา Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
- Sukhumvit36: Sukhumvit 36, Phrakanong, Klongtoey, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
Operating Hours: 6:30 a.m. – 11 p.m. (Daily)
Contact Number: +66 23 818 180
Prices: 60 – 150 ฿
Services: Dine-in, Take-out, Delivery
A popular restaurant, Bamee Kon Sae Lee is a master when it comes to delicious and affordable food, and it’s no surprise since it’s been in business since 1956!
The biggest hint of its popularity is the massive number of delivery riders outside the place during peak hours.
Though it’s most notable for homemade egg noodles, don’t miss out on the crabmeat fried rice, pork BBQ, and roasted duck. You won’t have to worry about spending a lot to gain your fill here since most dishes cost less than 100 THB!
Tom Yum Goong Banglamphu
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Address: หน้าอาคารจอดรถ ที่อยู่ Banglampuh กรุงเทพมหานคร Soi Kraisi, Talat Yot, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Operating Hours: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. (Tuesday – Sunday)
Contact Number: +66 86 883 7676
Prices: 60 – 140 ฿
Services: Dine-in, Curbside Pickup, Delivery
A few blocks from the iconic Khao San Road, you’ll find the humble Tom Yum Goong Banglamphu restaurant. The best thing about this local eatery is that it serves authentic Thai tom yung goong soups, apparent from its name.
Best of all, the prices of its dishes are reasonable for locals, meaning they’ll be affordable for tourists! Just keep in mind that authentic Thai dishes are typically spicy, so come prepared for some heat.
Hann Khao Soi Lovers
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Address: 303 Saliratthawiphak Road, Samsen Nai, Phaya Thai, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Operating Hours: 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. (Daily)
Contact Number: +66 87 695 0890
Prices: 60 – 100 ฿
Services: Dine-in, Take-out
Hann Khao Soi Lovers is a beloved local haunt that serves an exceptional bowl of khao soi or Thai egg noodles for cheap prices. Although it started as a street food stall, this place now has a cozy air-conditioned restaurant showing you that it’s a local success.
Here, you can try authentic egg noodles that originate from northern Thailand, with the option to choose between meat, seafood, or vegetarian toppings. However, expect this restaurant to be packed during rush hours, so it’s best to visit early in the morning.
Another thing you must try is their curry, but keep in mind that it’s often served with blood curd or “blood tofu.” It goes well with a bowl of noodles, but it might taste exotic to most foreigners unless they’re familiar with British black pudding.
Polo Fried Chicken
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Address: 137/1-3 Sanam Khli Alley, Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Operating Hours: 7 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. (Daily)
Contact Number: +66 81 300 4444
Prices: 70 – 250 ฿
Services: Dine-in, Take-out, Delivery
Most notable for its garlic fried chicken, Polo Fried Chicken is a popular restaurant in Bangkok for its delicious food, reasonable prices, and good serving sizes. But, note that their whole chicken is more than 200 baht—not the most affordable option.
If you’re coming alone, a half-chicken serving should be filling enough, especially since you’re likely to order other Thai dishes with it. A refreshing plate of papaya salad, in particular, is usually what locals order alongside the fried chicken dishes.
Of course, Polo Fried Chicken is still a Thai restaurant so you can also order classic dishes from their menu, including tom yum soups, grilled meats, and spicy stir-fried seafood.
Khao Gaeng Jake Puey
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Address: 25 Mangkon Road, Pom Prap, Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Bangkok 10100, Thailand
Operating Hours: 2 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. (Daily)
Contact Number: +66 22 225 229
Prices: 40 – 50 ฿
Services: Dine-in, Take-out
If you’re exploring Bangkok’s Chinatown, the streetside Khao Gaeng Jake Puey food stall is an eye-catching sight. Here, you’ll see a long line of people sitting in red plastic chairs on the sidewalk, waiting for their turn to get a plate of affordable curry.
You’ll notice that this small food stall mostly attracts locals. You can expect their popular curries to pack some heat, like most of the classic local dishes in Thailand.
However, the most surprising thing about Khao Gaeng Jake Puey is the number of curry flavors they serve, considering it’s only a food stall. You can choose between Penang, yellow, or green curry which can be made with pork, beef, crab, or chicken.
Ayeesah Roddee
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Address: 103, 105 Thanon Tani, Talat Yot, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Operating Hours: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. (Tuesday – Sunday)
Contact Number: +66 81 307 0654
Prices: 50 – 130 ฿
Services: Dine-in, Curbside Pickup, Delivery
A hidden gem in Thanon Tani Street, Ayeesah Roddee is a small affordable restaurant in Bangkok that serves good-quality Thai-Muslim food. As a result, you can expect the food here to be halal, which means you won’t find any pork dishes.
Instead, they offer a selection of savory Thai dishes from oxtail and beef soups to chicken satay and biryani, all available at cheap prices. So, if you’re trying to save up without cutting the amount of food you eat, Ayeesah Roddee will feel like a godsend.
Ong Tong Khao Soi
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Addresses:
- Ari: 31 Phahonyothin Soi 7, แขวงพญาไท Phaya Thai, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
- Rama I: 991 Rama I Road, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Phahonyothin: 1695 Phahonyothin Road, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
- Central Eastville: Floor 1, 69/2 Pradit Manutham Road, Lat Phrao, Bangkok 10230, Thailand
Operating Hours: 9 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. (Daily)
Contact Number: +66 20 035 254
Prices: 79 – 259 ฿
Services: Dine-in, Take-out, Delivery
With its multiple branches all over the city, you won’t have any issues finding a nearby Ong Tong Khao Soi restaurant in Bangkok. Although this is also a khao soi restaurant, its signature stir-fried egg noodles can’t be found elsewhere.
On top of that, they have other succulent dishes, like broiled crab, and nam ngiao khan, a rice noodle dish served with vegetables or a meat stew. Overall, get quality food from Ong Tong Khao Soi, which earned them their Michelin Bib Gourmand.
Pad Thai Thip Samai
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Address: 313, 315 Maha Chai Road, Samran Rat, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Operating Hours: 9 a.m. – 12 a.m. (Wednesday – Monday)
Contact Number: +66 22 266 666
Prices: 90 – 150 ฿
Services: Dine-in, Take-out, Delivery
Aside from being an affordable restaurant in Bangkok, this place is famous for serving the authentic flavor of pad Thai, according to Thailand’s third prime minister.
Since then, Pad Thai Thip Samai has been a big part of the country’s rich history.
Because of this, the restaurant should always be on your must-visit list whenever you’re in Bangkok, even if you’re not a big fan of pad Thai. With this restaurant’s history, you might think that its menu items are expensive, but that’s not the case.
For instance, the basic pad Thai they serve is only around 100 baht, which is pricier than most local restaurants but still affordable. If you want a step above that, you can get their superb pad Thai or the padthai song-krueng with crab and squid meat.
Klang Soi Restaurant
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Address: 12, 1 Sukhumvit 49/9 Alley, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
Operating Hours: 5:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. (Tuesday – Sunday)
Contact Number: +66 23 914 988
Prices: 95 – 250 ฿
Services: Dine-in, Take-out, Delivery
Klang Soi Restaurant is a cozy food place in the heart of Bangkok, serving classic Thai dishes inside its elegantly decorated walls. But although this restaurant is a step above the regular food stalls, its menu isn’t pricey enough to qualify as expensive.
You’ll notice that it’s popular among families who enjoy eating out, especially during weekends and to celebrate special occasions. Because of its gorgeous interiors and excellent menu you can even bring someone here for a romantic dinner date.
Sure, the experience won’t compare to sophisticated and luxurious restaurants, but it works amazingly well for a place that’s easy on your wallet. If you’re looking for a recommendation, their red and green curries are a must-try with pomelo salad.
Inter Restaurant
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Address: 432/1-2 Siam Square 9 Alley, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Operating Hours: 11 a.m. – 8:15 p.m. (Daily)
Contact Number: +66 22 514 689
Prices: 78 – 225 ฿
Services: Dine-in, Take-out
Another cheap eat in Bangkok, Inter Restaurant is a good place to visit for Thai food if you don’t mind waiting for an open seat. You don’t always have to wait, but due to its popularity, it’s more common for all the seats to be occupied.
It also doesn’t help that this restaurant doesn’t accept reservations, so you must avoid rush hours to get shorter wait times. But once you’re seated, your effort will be worth the excellent selection of authentic Thai food on their menu.
From classic stir-fried beef noodles and Pad Thai to the bestselling fried pork ribs and duck red curry, there’s plenty you can choose from. Best of all, you don’t have to wait long for your order to arrive because they’re quick at serving them.
Lao Garden
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Operating Hours: 3 a.m. – 11 p.m. (Daily)
Contact Number: +66 61 553 3928
Prices: 70 – 170 ฿
Services: Dine-in, Take-out, Delivery
If you’re specifically after affordable Laotian and Isan dishes, Lao Garden near Habito Mall is a good place to get some. Plus, you won’t have any issues ordering food here because their menu is written in English, along with clear pictures of each dish.
Among the standout dishes on their menu are the Isan sausage, stir-fried vermicelli noodles, and the various stir-fried chicken and pork with rice meals. With an average price of 90 baht, Lao Garden is definitely an affordable restaurant in Bangkok.
On top of that, they play live music in the evening, which is perfect if you prefer a lively atmosphere during dinner. Besides accepting reservations, you can also book Lao Garden for special events and celebrations.
Pe Aor Tom Yum Kung Noodle
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Address: 68, 51 Phetchaburi Road, Thung Phaya Thai, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Operating Hours: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. (Daily)
Contact Number: +66 26 129 013
Prices: 50 – 130 ฿
Services: Dine-in, Take-out, Delivery
If your spice tolerance doesn’t allow you to appreciate Thai cuisine, a good place to practice is Pe Aor since it specializes in tom yum soups. Don’t worry, the recipe here is adjusted for foreign taste buds so eat without burning your tongue and lips.
But, don’t let that fool you into thinking their watered-down tom yum soup isn’t as good as authentic Thai food. Sure, locals will prefer more authentic and spicier tom yum soups, but the food they serve in Pe Aor is perfectly serviceable.
Plus, the basic tom yum soup this restaurant serves is affordable. The price will only go high if you order the variations that come with various expensive seafood, like lobster, crab, or tiger prawns.
