The best way to travel like a local, is to ask a local. In this series of travel guides, we ask creatives and insiders from our global community to show us their city, their way

Bangkok-based Mint Pattarasaya is many things—professionally, she's a singer and a model who has worked with brands like Chanel and Bulgari. Personally, she's a music-loving, globetrotting arbiter of taste with an impressive vinyl collection, an enviable wardrobe and a restaurant checklist most gourmands could only dream of. 

She spent a year in New York during the tail end of the pandemic, hanging out at high-end haunts like Per Se and La Noxe. This summer, Pattarasaya enjoyed eating and exploring her way through the best of Brussels, Barcelona and Berlin.

"I’m always on the go and I am never actually in my hometown," she says. "But nowhere else is like home for me, which is Bangkok, Thailand."

Currently home recording her third single, we caught up with the Bangkok beauty to find out where she likes to eat, drink and play in the Thai capital. 

 

BANGKOK CAFES

CDGRE

A collaboration between two Michelin star restaurants—Gaggan Anand and Sühring—and local streetwear label, Carnival, inside the famous Paragon department store. I usually order the matcha oat milk latte because they import the ceremonial matcha from Japan and I must say, if you drink this matcha you can’t go back to Starbucks matcha. The quality is just, wow!

KURASU

Always my favourite. A franchise of Japanese coffee roasters, which I believe also has [an outlet] in Singapore. 

HANDS AND HEART COFFEE

A small coffee shop in Sukhumvit, where they do filter coffee hand drips. The white space makes it so peaceful and relaxing. 

BANGKOK RESTAURANTS

GAGGAN ANAND

For progressive Indian cuisine.

ZUMA

For a fun sushi night. It's a franchise, but who doesn’t love Zuma? I studied in London, so before Zuma was open in Bangkok, I spent most of my dinners at Zuma London.

MASATO

The best sushi in Bangkok. They also do a la carte upstairs, which I love because it’s more relaxed. They have a mini omakase section, where the atmosphere setting is more cozy.

SORN

Southern Thai fine dining, which I love as there are bite size snacks.

SUHRING

For German fine dining and romantic dinners.

GIANNI

One of my favourites for traditional Italian, I have been going there since childhood with my parents. 

SEAW

My favourite noodles place, which is in Sukhumvit, and has the best pork noodles. The portions are small and you can never get enough of it. I usually have four bowls at least.

IGNIV

A European classic with plates made to share.

POLLI'S CAFE

If I’m working and I don’t have time to bring food from home, I usually order from Polli's Cafe. The owner makes the healthy dishes so delicious that you don’t feel like you’re eating healthy food, it's so tasty. I always order the chia pudding and her snowfish soba noodles with vegetables.

NUSARA

Thai fine dinning in chareongkrung.

 

BANGKOK BARS

BAMBOO BAR

Jazz-fuelled old-world glamour with the best jazz in town, and the best cocktails in a romantic atmosphere.

TROPIC CITY

For whenever I'm in the mood for fun vibes.

See Also: 7 Best Rooftop Bars in Bangkok With Spectacular Views

ALONE TOGETHER 

A small jazz bar with a cigar bar and vinyl shop upstairs, where I mostly spend my time as it’s more quiet and cozy. You can also smoke in the room (yes, I’m a smoker).

SIWILAI SOUND CLUB

I went there recently with the owner and he has one of the best hip hop vinyl collections. So if you’re a hip hop fan, it's a must.

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