Small Plates Bangkok 2025: Best Bites, Views, and Value

Bangkok eats with friends. In 2025, small plates bangkok is the way locals and visitors share more flavor, faster. You order a mix, pass everything around, and try twice as much in one sitting.

Small plates are bite-size dishes, perfect for tasting and sharing. Shared plates are a bit larger, still meant for the table. Both keep the meal moving and the conversation easy.

Expect buzzy bars, rooftops with skyline views, and casual spots packed with bold Thai flavors. Menus lean seasonal, with fresh seafood crudo, grilled prawns, and rotating specials that change by catch and farm. The energy is real, on the street and up high, see it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zE_pwJvZJKg

This guide brings clear picks, simple planning tips, and what to order at each stop. You will get where to book, the best seats, and must-try plates, from chili-lime oysters to crispy pork bites. Let’s make your table the best in the city, one small plate at a time.

Best Small Plates in Bangkok 2025: Where to Eat Now

Bangkok keeps small plates fun, fast, and full of Thai flavor. These picks stand out in 2025 for variety, local ingredients, and fair value. Expect menus that mix Thai spice, Japanese technique, and bar snacks that actually fill you up. Use this to plan a crawl, whether you want tapas Bangkok style, riverside views, or seafood to share.

Photo by Atlantic Ambience

Thonglor and Ekkamai: Trendy bars and creative bites

Late-night energy on Sukhumvit Soi 55 and 63, with BTS Thong Lo or Ekkamai for easy access. Mix these into your small plates Bangkok crawl.

• Assembly Point Thonglor
  • Vibe: Lively bar crowd, DJs, strong cocktails.
  • Must-try: Spicy corn ribs, crispy chicken sliders.
  • Price: 600–900 THB per person.
  • When: After 8 pm, weekends buzz.
• Kaiwa
  • Vibe: Modern izakaya, counter seats, fast plates.
  • Must-try: Mini yakitori skewers, salmon tataki.
  • Price: 500–800 THB per person.
  • When: After 7 pm, pre-bar hop.
• Deja Brew Lifestyle Cafe
  • Vibe: Chill, airy, tapas-style bites with craft drinks.
  • Must-try: Garlic prawns, patatas bravas Thai-style.
  • Price: 450–700 THB per person.
  • When: 7–9 pm for a relaxed start.

For more neighborhood ideas, scan this updated guide to Thonglor spots in 2025 on ROADBOOK.

Riverside views: Small plates with a skyline

Date-night or friends-night with sweeping views and shareable plates that suit slow grazing.

• ThreeSixty, Millennium Hilton
  • Try: Duck spring rolls, Thai prawn cocktail, and a classic martini.
  • Price: 1,200–1,800 THB per person.
  • Timing: Golden hour, 5:30–6:30 pm. Book weekends.
• Barracuda Rooftop Bar
  • Try: Grilled squid with chili-lime, crab croquettes, signature spritz.
  • Price: 900–1,400 THB per person.
  • Timing: Arrive by sunset for river glow. Reserve for window tables.

Seafood to share: Fresh shrimp and big flavor

Big taste, easy to split. Balance spice with rice or a cold beer.

• Jaidee Shrimp
  • Dishes: Shrimp in spicy lime dressing, grilled river prawn, tom yum shrimp.
  • Tips: Ask for medium spice if sensitive; pair with sticky rice or lager.
  • Price: Mid to high, 500–900 THB per person.
  • Crowd: Evenings from 6:30 pm.
• Nhong Rim Klong
  • Dishes: Crab omelette, yellow curry stir-fry with crab, chili basil soft shell crab.
  • Tips: Curry heat runs high; add jasmine rice and iced tea.
  • Price: Mid to high, 600–1,000 THB per person.
  • Crowd: Lines from 6 pm, go early.

Explore more options nearby with this round-up of Thonglor and Ekkamai restaurants on Tripadvisor.

New and buzzworthy in 2025: Rotating menus and tasty sides

Fresh openings and hot talk, great for shared plates Bangkok style and quick bites between bars.

• Foong
  • Why go: Seasonal shared Thai set menu that rotates by produce.
  • Must-try: Rotating salad, curry, and soup set for groups.
  • Cost: 700–1,100 THB per person.
• Gowin Dimsum
  • Why go: All-you-can-eat small dishes, fast and fun.
  • Must-try: Har gow, siu mai, roast duck buns.
  • Cost: 450–700 THB per person.
• Kataru
  • Why go: Ramen plus snackable sides that fit a crawl.
  • Must-try: Karaage, gyoza, kimchi pork bites.
  • Cost: 350–600 THB per person.
• Kenny’s Phrom Phong
  • Why go: Casual, shareable plates with a Bangkok twist.
  • Must-try: Crispy pork bites, chili-lime wings.
  • Cost: 400–700 THB per person.

Check hours and menus before you go, since rotating dishes change fast.

What to Order: Thai Flavors That Shine on Small Plates

Photo by Follow Fauzia

Build a balanced table that hits bright, rich, and crunchy. Mix a salad, a curry or soup, one seafood star, and a comfort bite. For drinks, rotate Thai lager, lime soda, or a tropical mocktail to keep the spice lively. This keeps your small plates Bangkok spread easy to share and fun to pace.

Bright and spicy: Salads, curries, and soups to split

Start with zesty plates, then temper heat with rice and one mild dish.

• Som tam (papaya salad): Tart, crunchy, fresh chili. Heat: medium to high. Add sticky rice to cool it.
• Larb (herb-spiked minced meat salad): Lime, toasted rice, mint. Heat: medium. Pair with cucumber slices.
• Sour curry with fish (gaeng som): Tamarind-sour, light, fragrant. Heat: medium-high. Spoon over jasmine rice.
• Coconut chicken soup (tom kha gai): Creamy, galangal, lime. Heat: mild. Acts as a soft reset between spicy bites.
• Green curry: Sweet-basil aroma, gentle coconut, bite from chilies. Heat: medium. Order chicken or fish balls for easy sharing.
• Foong seasonal pick: Think young coconut and pomelo salad or a market-fresh herb soup. Expect bright acid, balanced spice, and produce-first flavor.

Tip: If heat creeps up, add plain rice, sip lime soda, and keep one mild dish on the table.

Seafood stars: Shrimp and crab plates that pop

Order one rich seafood dish to anchor the spread.

• Shrimp in chili-lime dressing: Citrus punch, garlic, fish sauce. Best at places like Jaidee Shrimp where turnover is high.
• Stir-fried crab with curry (pu pad pong karee): Savory, eggy, aromatic. Nhong Rim Klong does generous portions; ask about market price.
• Crispy fish with herbs: Crackly skin, herbal salad, limey bite. Share with sticky rice for crunch plus comfort.

Freshness check: shrimp should look glassy and firm, with a clean sea smell. For premium crab, confirm today’s price before ordering.

Comfort bowls and bites: Noodles and snacks to round it out

Add one or two comfort items to steady spice and fill the table.

• Pork noodle soup at Jek Tod: Clear broth, tender pork, springy noodles. Easy, soothing, low heat.
• Fried chicken wings with herbs: Crispy, salty, lemongrass aroma. Dip in sweet chili.
• Grilled pork skewers (moo ping): Caramelized edges, soft fat, mild sweetness.
• Fried morning glory (pak boong): Garlicky, crisp stems, light soy heat.

Portion guide: for 2 people, 1 noodle bowl, 2 salads or curries, 1 seafood, 1 snack. For 3–4 people, double the snacks and add one more soup or curry. Pair with Thai beer or a passionfruit mocktail to keep things fresh.

Plan Your Night: Easy Crawls and Budgets for Small Plates Bangkok

Map a clean route, set a budget, and keep the plates moving. These simple plans fit work nights, dates, and visiting friends. You will get timing, dishes that travel well across a crawl, and quick transport notes so you skip the queues.

Photo by Faheem Ahamad

Thonglor crawl: Bar bites, bold plates, sweet finish

Start 6:30 pm near BTS Thong Lo, walk Sukhumvit Soi 55 to keep the flow tight. Book the middle stop if you go on Friday or Saturday. For more neighborhood picks, scan this current Thonglor roundup on ROADBOOK.

• Stop 1, 6:30–7:15 pm: Early drink and one plate near BTS Thong Lo. Order fries or grilled skewers and a light lager. Keep it quick.
• Stop 2, 7:30–9:00 pm: Assembly Point Thonglor or Kaiwa.
  • Assembly Point: spicy corn ribs, crispy chicken sliders.
  • Kaiwa: salmon tataki, assorted yakitori.
• Stop 3, 9:15–9:45 pm: Dessert or late snack. Think soft-serve, mango sticky rice, or gyoza if you want savory.

Budget guide per person: modest 500–800 THB, splurge 1,200–1,800 THB. Taxi for the last hop if it rains.

Riverside date night: Sunset views and shared plates

Time it for golden hour, 5:30–6:30 pm. Start with a city view, then shift to seafood plates with river breeze. Weekends fill up, so reserve both stops. Dress smart casual and bring a light layer for wind.

• Stop 1: Drinks at ThreeSixty, Millennium Hilton. Order a classic martini or a Thai gin and tonic.
• Stop 2: Small plates at Barracuda Rooftop Bar. Try grilled squid with chili lime, crab croquettes, prawn skewers, and a citrus spritz.

Taxi across the bridge or use the hotel boat for smooth travel. For more riverside ideas, browse this curated list on the MICHELIN Guide.

Budget-friendly: Great small plates under 400–600 THB per person

Stretch value with smart timing and light drinks.

• Early-bird sets: grab a pre-7 pm plate-and-drink pairing.
• Weekday specials: many bars run Monday to Wednesday small plate deals.
• Gowin Dimsum all-you-can-eat: har gow, siu mai, roast duck buns, plus tea.
• Share 3–4 plates for two: one salad, one fried item, one noodle, one vegetable.
• Drinks: water or lime soda to keep costs down.

Sample order for two: som tam, fried chicken wings, pork noodle soup, morning glory, two lime sodas. Total 700–900 THB, so 350–450 THB per person. Gowin Dimsum set usually lands 450–700 THB per person with tea.

Treat yourself: Special-occasion picks and premium plates

Set a smoother night with bookings and clear timing.

• Foong, seasonal menu: market salad, curry, soup, and a premium seafood course. Expect 1,000–1,600 THB per person.
• Nhong Rim Klong, seafood feast: crab omelette, stir-fried crab yellow curry, jasmine rice. Plan 900–1,500 THB per person.
• View table with cocktails: pair two signature drinks with 3–4 refined plates.

Plan 6:30 pm start, 90 minutes at the main spot, then a view bar by 8:30 pm. Book ahead, confirm menu or set pricing, and arrive on time to hold your table. For small plates Bangkok on peak nights, call the day of to reconfirm and cut wait times.

Practical Tips for Small Plates in Bangkok 2025

Make the most of small plates Bangkok nights with smart ordering, well-timed bookings, and clear asks on spice and diet. Keep plates moving, costs predictable, and the table happy.

How to order: Portion sizes and plate counts

Start simple, then add as you go.

• Rule of thumb: 2–3 plates per person to start, plus rice or noodles.
• Mix plates: one bright salad, one fried or grilled item, one comfort bowl.
• Kids: order mild soups, noodles, grilled chicken or pork skewers, and egg dishes.
• Light eaters: 2 plates total, share rice; skip back-to-back fried dishes.
• Big groups: plan 1 plate per person per round, then repeat with new dishes.
• Pacing: place the first order, eat half, then add the next round. This keeps food hot and crisp.
• Shareware: ask for extra spoons and small bowls so everyone gets a clean taste.

Example for 4 adults: 8 plates to start, 2 rice or noodle bowls, then 3–4 more plates if needed.

When to go, and how to book

Friday and Saturday peak from 7 pm to 9 pm. Early tables seat faster and get better service.

• Aim for 5:30–6:30 pm for sunset or 8:45 pm after the rush.
• Book online for busy spots. Platforms like Hungry Hub’s small plates list show real-time options.
• Call the venue for same-day holds or special seating.
• Waitlists: write your name, then plan 20–45 minutes at popular places. Ask staff for a time estimate and menu to pre-choose.

Diet and spice: Make it work for everyone

Photo by Raunaq Singh

Keep orders clear and simple.

• Less spicy: “phet noi” (little spicy) or “mai phet” (not spicy).
• No fish sauce: “mai sai nam pla.” Ask for soy-salt or lime instead.
• Vegetarian: tofu stir-fries, vegetable curries, morning glory, mushrooms, papaya salad without fish sauce. For more plant-forward ideas, scan this updated guide to vegan options in 2025 on Veggies Abroad.
• Pescatarian: grilled fish, prawn skewers, seafood salads; ask for medium spice.
• Shellfish allergies: tell staff “แพ้กุ้ง ปู หอย” and request separate pans and oil.
• Gluten concerns: ask for tamari or plain salt-lime seasoning; avoid battered and soy-heavy dishes unless confirmed.

Price, payment, and tipping in Bangkok

Set a clear budget before you order.

• Price guide per person for small plates:
  • Budget: 300–600 THB
  • Mid: 700–1,200 THB
  • Premium: 1,300–2,000+ THB
• Bills often add 7% VAT. Some venues add a 10% service charge. Check the menu footer.
• Tipping: small cash tip is optional. Leave 20–50 THB for casual spots, 5–10% for great service in premium venues.
• Payment: most take cards, QR PromptPay, and cash. Street-style places may be cash or QR only.

Conclusion

Bangkok eats best when shared, and small plates bangkok proves it with quick flavors, smart value, and views that set the night right. You have the playbook to build a balanced table, time your stops, and get the most from hot seats and fresh catches.

Pick one neighborhood tonight and try 2 to 3 places on a simple crawl. Save this guide, share it with friends, and watch for seasonal menus that change fast. Which spot will you try first?