How many times can you say bon appetit? Apparently the sky's the limit if you follow through this list. Bangkok has got a generous offering of French restaurants to pick from so BK has handpicked a mix up of highly praised traditional fine dining, alongside some casual, contemporary, and fusion spots to challenge your palate.

 

This top 18 includes picks from BK's Top Tables at Anantara Siam Bangkok, sponsored by UOB, supported by alcohol partners Gulp, Campari, and TAP. View the full Top Tables 2023 list here. 

 

Taking home the the No.1 title at Top Tables 2022, Cote by Mauro Colagreco has been ushering in premium French and Italian cuisines since its inception in 2020. The restaurant prides itself in using fresh daily sourced produce, giving something a little different to customers every single day. Set in Capella hotel, the winning panoramic Chao Phraya view further ensures a memorable dining experience. 

 

 

Chef Shunsuke Shimomura, who previously worked as an R&D chef at Gaggan, presents a little something extra for Bangkok's French and Italian foodies. Approaching the omakase tasting menu with a “boundless” concept, the chef takes bits and pieces of inspiration from different periods of his career, stationed across the globe, and concentrates these experiences in minimalistic bites.

 

 

Pulling inspiration from different regions in France, legendary chef Arnaud Dunand, who formerly ran the brigade at Mandarin Oriental’s Le Normandie, ventured out with his solo project at Maison Dunand. The signature caviar with sea urchin and potato soup doesn’t disappoint. Alpine influences pop up across the tasting menu as seen on the freshwater blueback char with spruce and the selection of cheese for dessert.

 

 

 

We just established that chef Arnaud Dunand can deliver a phenomenal high-end feast, but the chef can also pull off a more easy-going and family-style dining experience. At Alpea, guests are surrounded by wood-and-stone aesthetics while enjoying plates of comfort meals like the chicken cordon bleu, beef tartare with Utah oysters, line-caught sole meunière, and an airy, orange-kissed Grand Marnier soufflé which perfectly displays the chef’s culinary skills.

 

 

 

This French restaurant needs no introduction, especially with Alain Ducasse’s name attached to it. Perched in IconSiam, this space opens to a gorgeous view of the river and further seduces diners with its artfully crafted dishes. The French blue lobster, completed with figs and parsnips, is a stand out example of the legendary chef’s attention to detail and ability to transform simplistic ingredients into extraordinary creations.

 

 

 

Kagoshima A5 wagyu with potato gratin and umeboshi (pickled plum) and smoked eel with crème fraiche and luxe Baeri caviar, these are just some of the French-Japanese fare that’s been cooking at Okura Prestige’ Elements ever since chef Gerad Villaret Horcajo from the original Amsterdam Ciel Bleu joined the Bangkok team. This space is an institution, and it’s the right time to try with their new winter menu in full swing. 

 

 

 

Yen Akat is rich in dining hot spots both fancy and budget friendly, but Iode certainly takes the cake as one of the most (controversially) hyped restaurants that opened last year. Following a new wave neo-bistro movement that aims to make French dining more approachable, a departure from some of the limiting culinary traditions it is known for, the menu centers around seafood with highlights being the barbecued monkfish with tomato and white wine sauce, and some juicy red meat options like the hefty porterhouse or the lamb confit with salsa verde, fennel, cilantro, and dill.

 

 

 

Guaranteed its success by the title holder of the three-Michelin-starred La Cote Saint Jacques in Burgundy, Jean-Michel Lorain headed J’aime with an artistic eye, not only spawning a comprehensive list of never before seen French dishes but also giving rise to new talents like chef Amerigo Sesti and chef Yoan Martin. Each year, the venue incorporates more and more local ingredients such as cacao from Chiang Mai and Vivin’s cheese.

 

 

 

The acclaimed Dutch chef Henk Savelberg has been winning Michelin stars since 1997. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, the celebrated culinary expert channels his skills into visually striking creations. Here, the signature being the inclusion of vibrant jellies that adds a surprising element throughout the dining journey. They also have an impressive collection of French wine to go with the venue’s romantic vibes.

 

 

 

Martine Pailloux dishes out a wide range of Mediterranean cuisine but mainly highlighting seafood from France and Spain. It’s already a local Francophile favorite, pulling customers back in with some freshly shucked Utah oysters, marinated red prawns, and spaghetti alle vongole with Manila clams.

 

 

 

Standing out amongst its fellow French restaurants, chef Thierry Drapeau serves up something less familiar. His unique “floral cuisine” is a high concept philosophy that blends cooking, art, florals, and herbology, all in one sophisticated plate. Bringing out the natural notes in the petals and plants, the Flower Bouquet menu features fresh seasonal ingredients and a flavor profile that still rings true to French roots.

 

 

 

Although this fine dining French establishment will be closing down this March, chef Jay Sangsingkaew left an indelible impression on the scene by nailing the classics and occasionally breaking the rule book for something entirely different. For instance, the menu goes from duck confit to “stone” filled with crab and lobster consommé resting atop avocado gazpacho jelly. There’s a bit of old and new in this one, so grab a seat while you still can.

 

359/2, Ekamai Complex, Sukhumvit Soi 63, 02-002-5253, 083-623-4444. Open daily noon-2:30pm, 6pm-midnight.
 

 

Hailing from the Loire Valley, chef Vincent Thierry pioneers a contemporary and minimalistic take on French cuisine. The menu is prepared in an open kitchen, placed right at the center of the dining room for guests to have an up close snake peak of what’s in store. What’s even more special is the chef’s ability to fine tune the flavors to the customer’s taste.

 

 

 

French food (could be) but isn’t just about thick buttery cream sauces and rich brothy soup.  Going for something a little lighter for Thailand’s tropical weather, chef Nicolas Raynal produces dishes like the marinated sardine tartines with tomato marmalade and some pan seared sole that will bring you the ultimate French riviera fantasy. The cocktails here are also designed by BKK Social Club’s highly acclaimed Philip Bishchoff. 

 

 

 

We’ve seen a fusion of French cuisine with other cultures but it's a rare sight to see it paired with Thai flair. Chef Pat-In “Knock” Promsawadi brings out local flavors and presents it in a visually pleasing 13-course tasting menu. Expect some familiar favorites like fish soup, beef noodles, and black sticky rice, all spruced up to reveal ingredients' unexpected potential. 

 

 

 

Looking for the French Mediterranean in Bangkok? Petits Plats gives customers all the classic fixes but not without some modern twists. Creme brulee au foie gras, poulet roti, oursin meringue, and escargots de bourgogne, the restaurant has got its proteins down to a tee.

 

 

 

Nestled in Chatrium Grand Bangkok, this newcomer has already won the hearts of French and Mediterranean food enthusiasts. In the hands of award-winning Chef Jerome Bondaz, dishes like the veal shank and Bresse pigeon begin with high quality European and local produce that changes throughout the seasons. Stylish and sophisticated, the venue is just what you need on an intimate dinner date.