Sra Bua is one of the original places in Bangkok for a modern and innovative interpretation of Thai cuisine. Notably, it is also one of 26 restaurants in Bangkok with a Michelin Star.

What we like about Sra Bua is that both fixed and à la carte menus are available, which vary depending on the season. It’s also worth mentioning that the consulting chef in the restaurant is the renowned Henrik Yde Andersen, founder of the Kiin Kiin restaurant in Denmark.

Sra Bua offers a unique gastronomical encounter through molecular gastronomy, a cooking style commonly used when modernizing traditional dishes. It presents food that frequently crosses the line between frozen and liquid, savory and sweet.

Another thing that we like is its concept where each set meal is called a journey. We found the name fitting since it aims to give customers a new Thai culinary experience through a mix of authentic Thai cuisine and avant-garde concepts.

Since the food was plated exquisitely in a fusion-style presentation, we were initially worried if the look would translate into authentic tastes. 

Although served in a fusion manner, we appreciate that the creative dishes retained the notable characteristics and flavor profile of Thai cuisine. 

In our opinion, several dishes stood out, including the Khao Mun Kai Steamed Chicken and Rice Lava Cake, the Hokkaido Scallop with Lemongrass Beurre Blanc, and German White Asparagus.

Furthermore, do not miss out on its special dessert named “Frozen Red Curry,” which placed the restaurant on the map and eventually won it a Michelin Star in 2018.

On the downside, we did not find the beverage pairing enjoyable, which consisted of a subpar Argentinian wine and a somewhat lacking cold-pressed juice. We also think that the staff can work on improving the speed of service during busy days. 

Next on our list is Sühring, a multi-awarded fine dining restaurant in Bangkok. This place is a must-visit for those looking for an authentic German restaurant with a modern twist.

Born from the passion and inspiration of twin German chefs Mathias and Thomas Sühring, we like how Sühring presents German cuisine to the Bangkok culinary scene in Bangkok. Through the chefs’ experience, their country’s culture and food shine in a foreign land.

Furthermore, the awards gained by this restaurant are impressive, aside from its having two Michelin Stars. It’s ranked seventh in 2021 Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants and 40th in the 2022 World’s 50 Best Restaurants list.

Another aspect of Sühring that we found exceptional is its establishment. We immediately fell in love with the charm of the beautiful old villa converted into a modern garden restaurant. 

Our favorite part of the venue is the greenhouse-style section called the Winter Garden, which overlooks a lush European-style garden. Dotted with twinkling fairy lights, the rustic interior walls, glass roof, and floor-to-ceiling windows made for an intimate and romantic dinner setting.

A second favorite section is called the Kitchen, which features an open kitchen at the back of the house where guests can closely watch the chefs prepare the food. We found this part engaging since customers are free to talk to the chef and ask questions.

The main section of the restaurant is called the Living Room. We found this space warm and welcoming and serves its purpose as a space designed by the Sühring chefs to be like a living room of a large house. 

While it may be due to our high expectations because of its 2-Star Michelin status and high prices, we did not have a mind-blowing dining experience. 

While there were delicious standouts in the 8-course or 5-course Sühring Experience, we found it inconsistent. 

Some standouts include the Himmel und Erde, made from black pudding, green apples, and crispy potatoes, and the Spätzle, a classic Southern German egg dish that was given a twist by serving it with black truffle.

Cadence is a fine dining restaurant in Ekkamai by Dan Bark, a famous Michelin-star Korean-American chef in Bangkok. We like how this venue creatively presents Progressive American cuisine to the Bangkok crowd.

We like how each dish is artfully crafted and driven by excellent flavor combinations, variations in texture, and ingredients from around the world. Some of Chef Dan’s wonderful creations include the Hokkaido Scallop with Kale and Kagoshima Wagyu and Coconut.

A notable favorite of ours is one of the main courses, which we consider a tasteful take on Korean barbecue. Featuring a perfectly-grilled Ocean Beef rib-eye from New Zealand, we like how the salty meat was complemented by his version of the Korean red dipping sauce and side dishes.

Another thing that we like about Cadence is its private and laidback venue tucked on Soi Pridi Banomyong 25 in Ekkamai. On the other hand, this is also a downside since it is not easily accessible via Skytrain. 

Furthermore, we like that the tables are designed and spaced far apart, making for a more intimate and private dining experience. The elegant details of the decors are beautifully accentuated by modern ambient lighting.

Finally, we like how our dining experience was elevated through the wine pairings. Some notable wines served are the New World and Old World wines chosen by renowned Chicago-based sommelier, Charity Waltenbaugh.

A culinary institution in Bangkok, Le Normandie has been serving sophisticated French cuisine since 1958. For the past 60 years, it has set standards for premium dining and excellent service.

One recent change in this fine dining restaurant is that its new Chef Patron is the renowned Alain Roux. Notably, he is a second-generation chef of The Waterside Inn, a three-star Michelin restaurant founded in 1972.

Currently, Le Normandie boasts two Michelin Stars for its highly-acclaimed contemporary French Cuisine. On the plate, we appreciate the exquisite and precise flavors that conjure stunning dishes brought about by refined techniques and superb ingredients.

Under the helm of Alain Roux, Le Normandie switched up the menu to include his family’s popular signature dishes, which made for a memorable dining experience. We were pleasantly surprised at the homey food, not the usual pretentious caviar, truffles, and lobsters.

Moreover, the professional and friendly team in this fine establishment is noteworthy. Their warm welcome and discreet service elevated the dining experience even further.

We find it exceptional that every aspect of Le Normandie offers an outstanding haute cuisine dining experience. What we like most about the venue are its floor-to-ceiling windows which offer a spectacular view of the Chao Phraya River.

Take note that all guests above seven years old are asked to wear formal attire and footwear, while jackets are compulsory for men during dinner. On the other hand, we like that the latter are available upon request, perfect for the forgetful fellow.

Finally, be prepared to book well in advance since Le Normandie is a popular spot for tourists and its regulars. Prepare to spend around 2,500 to 2,800 Baht for a la carte main courses, and 6,800 Baht per person for the 8-course lunch tasting menu.

Medici Kitchen & Bari is an award-winning Italian restaurant in Central Bangkok. In its location in the basement of Hotel Muse Bangkok, this restaurant shines the spotlight on traditional Italian fare.

Helmed by chef Giuliano Berta, Medici features classic recipes made with fresh ingredients from homegrown produce and modern culinary techniques. Notably, this restaurant is nominated and selected every year as one of the best restaurants in the country by Thailand Tatler. 

Although the menu size is quite small, we like the attention to detail given to each dish. All pasta is handmade and cooked al dente, while meat lovers have a decent variety of options, which includes the Rossini Steak with Foie Gras and Black Truffle, and the juicy Lamb Chops.

An exceptional attraction at Medici Kitchen & Bar is the live opera music by Fivera, a pop-opera band that performs twice weekly in the venue. We appreciated seeing the performance up close, which gave us a more immersive dining experience.

Another thing that added to our great dining experience at Medici is its memorable interiors which feature a neo-industrial design look. We like how the spacious dining area is grounded by hardwood furnishings and warm brick walls.

While we had a good experience with the service Medici Kitchen & Bar, we noted several comments in our surveys about being served poorly. Some former customers mentioned experiencing slow service with inattentive waiters.

Nonetheless, Medici Kitchen & Bar offers outstanding and creative dishes, making it one of our favorite spots for authentic Italian fine dining in Bangkok. We no longer wonder why both locals and foreigners frequent the place.