Ekkamai stopped trying to be cool. That's when it got better.
Why EKKAMAI, why now
BK Magazine's Top Tables 2026 flags Ekkamai as a current hotspot, with Somsak (the new high-energy Isaan concept from the Fatboy Izakaya team) leading the charge. Time Out Bangkok's 2026 cafe roundup confirms the Thonglor-Ekkamai corridor now holds the highest concentration of specialty coffee shops in the city.
1. Original shop
- 112, 1 Thanon Ekkamai, Khwaeng Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10110
- 4.4 · 3806 reviews · Riverside Walk
Here Hai opens the course because lunch needs to land before the afternoon decides what comes next. The original shop on Ekkamai Road anchors the route with bold Thai seafood, the kind that turns a quick meal into the reason you came. Start here while your head is clear and your appetite hasn't made compromises yet.
Crew's note
The sign doesn't try. Neither should you.
What visitors say
Here Hai, the original shop on Ekkamai Road, is a well-known eatery famous for its huge crab dishes and bold Thai flavors. The interior is s…
If you want bold Thai seafood done right, Here Hai – Original Branch in Bangkok is a must. I went in with high expectations and they still o…
2. Iron Balls Distillery & Bar
- G/F, Park Lane Ekkamai, Khwaeng Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10110
- 4.6 · 515 reviews · Club
Iron Balls closes the route because the night needs a place that doesn't ask what kind of evening this is becoming. It's a bar with enough corners to let the hours stretch, drinks generous enough to let the conversation settle in. End here when the rest of Ekkamai starts feeling like somewhere you'll come back to.
Crew's note
Order before thinking. The glass decides.
What visitors say
So I do like networking events for ex-pats here in Bangkok with in conjunction with my food blog follow fauzia!! I was very grateful that th…
Lots of cozy corners to hide in this bar with plenty of room also to crowd watch. The drinks are generously portioned though not as refined…
The walk between
The walk between them cuts through the strip that turned into a coffee and dining corridor without announcing it. You'll pass the specialty shops and new concepts that earned Ekkamai its current attention, the soi holding more than this route covers.
- Lunch first, drinks later. The crab dishes are the anchor, so don't arrive already full.
- Iron Balls works best when you're not watching the clock. Come on a night when the next morning can wait.
FAQ
- Does Here Hai take reservations, or is it walk-in only?
- The original shop operates on a walk-in basis, with two floors of casual seating to absorb the flow. Expect a wait during peak lunch hours, especially on weekends when the crab dishes draw the biggest crowds.
- Is Iron Balls suited for a quiet drink, or does it lean toward a party atmosphere?
- The bar offers both, cozy corners for low-key evenings and open areas where the crowd energy picks up as the night goes on. Expat networking events and social gatherings happen here regularly, so the vibe shifts depending on when you arrive.
Ask Moon
BKK
