Bangkok is a great place to explore with friends. Usually a stop-over on the way to the islands or up North, Bangkok is often over-looked as a layover stop. This couldn’t be further from the truth! Bangkok is a destination of its own with a thriving economy, metro system, delicious street food, and restaurants, as well as a famous nightlife scene.
Bangkok is full of places to visit with both friends and family. The best things to do in Bangkok with friends include.
- Sightseeing temples and palaces,
- Visit animal/cat cafes,
- Drink at a roof-top bar
- Eat at a Michelin Star restaurant
No matter what your friend’s tastes and budgets are, there is something for you to do in this list below. Make sure to add a few of these suggestions to your agenda, and enjoy your time in sunny Bangkok! Don’t forget your pollution mask.
Sightseeing
Bangkok is FULL of beautiful temples and palaces! If you don’t see at least a few of them, you will be missing out. Grab your friends, and make your itinerary for the day. Be sure to put on pants or a full-length skirt before heading out, and make sure that you have your shoulders covered. Now you are ready to see some temples.
There is a large concentration of lovely temples right off the Chao Praya River. We recommend that you start at Wat Pho, also known as the place of the Reclining Buddha. After you see the Reclining Buddha, you can get a traditional Thai massage at the world-famous massage school located inside the compounds of Wat Pho.
After Wat Pho, you can head on over to the Royal Palace. This place is massive and will take at least a few hours to get through. Inside the Royal Palace, you will be able to see the areas where the King used to live, as well as the Emerald Buddha. It is an incredibly informative tour but does cost around $15 per person to get it.
After the Royal Palace, you should hop on the boat ferry located along the river and take one of the ferry boats to the other side to see Wat Arun. The boat ferry is a crazy experience in and of itself and only costs about 3 cents to use. Wat Arun is also known as the Temple of Dawn but looks incredible in any light. It is a really intricate temple and a perfect place to take pictures.
Go to a Cat Cafe
After sightseeing, you may be a little tired and in need of a pick-me-up. If so, you should head to one of Bangkok’s many cat/animal cafes. They are the perfect place to relax and cool down while playing with some adorable kittens.
One of the more famous cat cafes in Bangkok is called The Caturday Cafe. This cafe is located off of the BTS or is a short tuk-tuk or taxi drive away. This cafe came to fame over their insta-famous Persian cat named Katsup. This famous kitty has since retired, but The Caturday Cafe is full of 15-20 expensive, well-groomed kitties. It is a must stop if you are looking for a picture with a cute grumpy-cat “look-a-like”.
Beyond cat cafes, Bangkok is home to quite a few animal cafes of all different sorts. If you want to see a variety of different animals in one place, you should definitely go to The Little Zoo Cafe. Here, you can play with Fennec foxes, meerkats, hedgehogs, chinchillas, bunnies, cats and corgis. The entrance fee is around $13 but includes a drink and a dessert. Not bad!
If cats aren’t your thing, and you would much prefer to chill with some dogs, then you should head on over to The Big Dog Cafe in Bangkok. Here, you can play with dogs that are the same size as you! They have Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes, and other large breeds. Reservations are necessary here, so if you plan on going, make sure to call ahead.
Get a Drink at a Roof-Top Bar
Bangkok is known for its decadent roof-top bars overlooking the city. One of the most famous bars here, Sky Bar, was even in the Hangover movie. While this roof-top bar has the notoriety of being in a blockbuster hit, there are many other roof-top bars in Bangkok that are just as delightful.
The Sala Arun is a must-visit during your time in Bangkok. It is right across the river from the Wat Arun temple. Many people come here to watch the sunset over the temple while sipping on a Lychee Martini. This bar is different from the other roof-top bars, in that the view is centered around the temple and river, as opposed to the skyline. Keep in mind that they don’t start serving drinks until 5 p.m. here.
If you are looking to spend a little bit more money, then you should head over to the Cru Campagne Bar. This luxurious bar sits on the top of the Centara Grand and has a seriously beautiful view of the city. The bar is filled with pink lights, and you can sip some bubbly while appreciating the views in some romantic lighting.
Of course, if you are just here to recreate the scene from the Hangover (we don’t blame you), then you should head over to Sky Bar. This bar is located off of Si Wiang and is world-famous now. You will find many tourists here, and $20 Hangover-inspired cocktails, but the views are worth it.
Eat at a Michelin Star Restaurant
Bangkok is chock-full of reasonably-priced Michelin Star restaurants. You can find 5-star noodles for $3 a bowl, Thai-inspired tapas for about $5 a plate, and of course, the more expensive Michelin Starspots if you are willing to foot the money.
For a $3 bowl of Michelin Star noodles, head over to Jay Jia Yentafo. This place is very unassuming but is always packed. Yentafo is a Thai noodle dish that has a bright-pink broth. It is very aesthetically pleasing, but even more pleasing to the mouth! Make sure to get another order of the wontons. You will finish your first bowl before the noodles even come out!
A great place to go for a mid-range Michelin Star restaurant is Err. This place has an amazing atmosphere, interesting Thai-inspired tapas dishes, as well as craft beers and cocktails. At Err, make sure to get the fried chicken-skin that comes with its own bottle of home-made Sriracha. The beer that they have on draft is always cold and local. Make sure to grab a pint.
If you like the food at Err and want a more fine-dining Michelin Star experience, then head on over to Bo.Lan. This restaurant is owned by the same chefs as Err, and is a pillar of the Bangkok fine-dining scene. At Bo.Lan, they take classic Thai dishes but add a touch of modernity to the recipes and presentation. It is by far one of the most famous restaurants in Bangkok.
Final Thoughts
All in all, Bangkok is a great city to visit with friends. Whether you are stopping over on your way to the islands or up North, Bangkok is a city that should not be overlooked. Spend a few nights in this crazy city and get to know the real Thailand!
Related Questions:
What is the famous bar street in Bangkok?
The famous bar street in Bangkok is called Khao San Road. Here, you will find tons of bars, restaurants, budget hostels, guest houses, street food, beer gardens, internet cafes, tattoo parlors, and even 24-hr tailors. It is known as the backpacker hub of Bangkok.
How many Michelin Star restaurants are in Bangkok?
As of 2017, there are 17 Michelin Star restaurants in Bangkok. There is a wide range in prices at all of these restaurants, with some of them being just $3-$5 for a plate, going all the way up to $50-$60 a plate. Bangkok has one of the highest concentrations of affordable Michelin Stars.
