The Mandarin Oriental's iconic bar, The Bamboo Bar is the place to be. We love this historic bar for the jazzy vibe and amazing drinks. 

Even if you're not staying over, breakfast on the riverfront terrace of Bangkok's venerable grande dame, the 150-year-old Mandarin Oriental hotel, is a rite of passage for anyone passing through the storied part of town. It's a silver-cutlery, white-tablecloth affair, with a menu of made-to-order eggs, Thai noodles, and cinnamon-dusted french toast, alongside a room-spanning buffet that runs the gamut from perfectly flakey pastries to gem-cut tropical fruits and a dizzying array of cold cuts and cheeses. 

THE place to be for elegant French dining in Bangkok. For over 60 years this restaurant has been serving clever flavour combinations designed to impress and delight. A huge bonus are the views of the Chao Phraya River. 

A Bangkok offshoot from a Chiang Mai-based tea farm of the same name, the beautifully serene Araksa Tea Room feels like a moment of pause amidst Charoenkrung's frenetic buzz. The hot- and cold-brewed organic teas, all farm-grown, range from rare silver-tip varietals to woody English breakfast teas and herbal blends with torch ginger and champaca flowers. Don't miss the adjoining shop to pick up a few of your favourite blends to brew back home.  
With its blonde woods and cream-coloured interiors, Araksa Tea Room leans heavily on Zen vibes.