There has been a boom in the steakhouse business here in Thailand. Long gone are the days when you’d have to be in New York to get the best steaks; Bangkok is the place to be for the finest Japanese, Argentinean, US, and Australian beef. The top restaurants don’t prepare budget menus, and a steak can set you back anything up to 5,000 baht, but you can taste the difference. We’re not talking about Sizzler or Chester’s Grill here either; these are real steaks.
Kicking things off with a bang is the established favorite, viewed by many as serving the best steaks in Bangkok, NY Steakhouse at JW Marriott Hotel, Sukhumvit soi 2. The setting is very formal, even if that isn’t the intention. It can feel a little intimidating and edgy, but it’s in the Marriott so that’s what you should expect. The chairs are enormous and the staff are very courteous and well-trained; they smile incessantly. The steaks are perfect: tender, juicy, rich in flavor, and mouthwatering. A 16 oz New York striploin will set you back close to 2,000 baht and other side orders will cost you extra. This is the perfect restaurant to take someone you want to impress.
The Japanese make some of the best beef in the world. Unfortunately it can be expensive, but for the occasional meal out it provides an unparalleled taste experience. One of the most delightful places to sample Japanese beef is a quiet restaurant named Amapola. The easiest way to get there is to go from Sukhumvit Road down soi 51, turn right at the end of the soi and walk a short distance up the street. The Kobe beef is the signature offering from Amapola. Its taste is divine, and the restaurant is such a calm and peaceful establishment with the option of tranquil al-fresco dining. There is even a resident guitar player who makes his way from table to table singing inoffensive melodies. Kobe beef typically hovers around the 2-3,000 baht area. Pricey, but beautiful.
Our next restaurant is arguably better than NY Steakhouse: Madison, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Chidlom, serves competitively priced food in a more relaxed atmosphere than the Marriott, but without any compromise in style. It’s down to personal preference how you rate the food here, but from this writer’s point of view, the meat is a little more flavorsome and deeper in taste than at the Marriott. The overall experience is also worth mentioning: You might see movie stars, singers, and other celebrities enjoying dinner at Madison, but it has such a subdued atmosphere that you hardly notice the other people, and rightly so. The US rib eye steak comes highly recommended.
Sticking with a hotel theme (with good reason), Prime at the Millennium Hilton is a little out of town, but it is more than worth the effort to find your way there. You can reach it by boat from the pier near Saphan Thaksin BTS station. The view from the restaurant looks out onto the calming Chao Praya River. The staff are fantastic (some of the best in the city) and the atmosphere is inviting, bright, and friendly. This really is a steakhouse for connoisseurs, as the website states. The meat is juicy, succulent, and tempting. You get what you pay for, so expect to pay around 2-3,000 baht per head.
If you prefer something a little bit more accessible, in an informal setting away from the fancy restaurants, try Tenderloins Bar and Grill on Sukhumvit soi 33. This restaurant focuses on Australian steaks, and the place feels like a typical Sydney bar. There’s even a pool table, but this restaurant is far from tacky. The food is very good and not expensive. An Australian tenderloin steak costs 895 baht, while the rump steak comes in at 490 baht. It’s very affordable for the quality of the product on offer.
If you want to impress a business client, go to NY Steakhouse, if you want to eat great food, head to Madison, and if you’re after an informal meal with friends, Tenderloins is your best bet.
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