Thailand
Bangkok - Day 1
During our stay in Bangkok, we based ourselves in the heart of Chinatown—perfect for exploring the city’s food scene and nearby sights like Talat Noi and the Chao Phraya River. We kicked off the trip with lunch at Naam 1608, a cozy riverside restaurant, followed by an afternoon wandering through Talat Noi’s artsy streets filled with murals, cafés, and boutiques. As the day ended, we enjoyed sunset views of Wat Arun from the rooftop of Rongros restaurant—an unforgettable moment with boats drifting by and the temple lighting up at night. Still glowing from the experience, we wrapped up the evening with a second dinner in lively Chinatown.
Talat Noi: Where Old Bangkok Meets Urban Cool
On our first day, we had lunch at Naam 1608, a cozy riverside restaurant with a lovely view of the Chao Phraya. If you go, try to reserve a table by the water—watching the boats pass by while you eat adds an extra layer of charm to the experience. After lunch, we wandered into Talat Noi, one of Bangkok’s most creative and characterful neighborhoods. It’s a maze of street art, cool coffee shops, and boutique stores where you can find beautiful handcrafted pieces. A perfect spot for a relaxed afternoon stroll.
Sunset at Chao Praya River
After exploring the artsy streets of Talat Noi, we made our way to Rongros, a restaurant perfectly positioned across from Wat Arun. From the rooftop terrace, you get an incredible view of the temple—especially at sunset. We hadn’t reserved a table, but luckily snagged the last two seats. (Tip: try to book in advance if you want a guaranteed spot. There’s a minimum spend for the terrace, but it’s reasonable—and honestly, we ended up going over it without even trying.) The whole scene was unforgettable: boats drifting by on the river, the sun slowly dipping behind Wat Arun, birds circling above, and finally, the temple lighting up as dusk turned to night. We stayed until the sky was completely dark, soaking in every moment. Still on a high from the view, we capped off the night with a second dinner in Chinatown before calling it a day.
