One unexpected discovery on my first trip to Bangkok was how easy it was to find halal food. There was a variety of halal cuisines available, and they usually add a halal sign in front of the shop. A real pity my tummy capacity is so small!

Should have known since they have relatively big Muslim communities, not only in the capital city, but other cities like Hat Yai and Chiang Mai with Muslim-friendly options.

Here’s a list of places that we ate at, plus the cafes and snacks that we checked out.

Note: The list here does not include markets, and the cafes may not be halal-certified.

MBK Center (Halal options)

MBK Center has restaurants and cafes on almost every floor, including a food court on Level 6. It was cool to spot some halal-certified stalls there. There is a prayer room on the same level (for Men), and the ladies could use the prayer room on Level 5. Here is a shortlist of food.

What we did not expect to find were also random halal stalls in the mall. There was a Zam Zam, and also a bread shop!

There were also lots of coffee shops which were a lot more affordable than in Singapore, even if you request the alternative dairy options.

Yana Restaurant (Halal)

At MBK, we headed straight to Yana restaurant for our first lunch in Bangkok! Before we even attempted to order in Thai, the waitress already spoke to us in Malay. The restaurant was clean and for 2 pax, we ordered three small dishes. The serving was just nice, and the Tom Yum here actually tasted pretty good. Rich, sour and moderately spicy. Of course, could not skip my pink milk!

Address: 5A – 05 444 ถนนพญาไท อาคารเอ็ม บี เค เซ็นเตอร์ ชั้น 5 ห้อง 5เอ-05 444 Phaya Thai Rd, Wang Mai, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

Chong Ko (Halal)

Address: 25 Pramuan Rd, Silom, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500, Thailand

Nuatair Restaurant (Halal)

Do note that the steak does not come with sides, so you have to add on fries and other sides. They also serve a Thai menu, suitable for everyone’s palette.

Address: PGWM+F7R Siam Centre Khwaeng Pathum Wan, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

Phrigkiao Bangkok (Halal)

Met up with a penpal of mine and had a great time catching up over dinner at Phringkiao Bangkok. Not only was the company great, the food and ambience was superb too. There was a wide variety Thai dishes. We bought dishes like steamed fish, fried chicken, som tam etc, and the quality was great. It was fresh and flavourful and has a signature taste, which tasted nicer than the usual street food. Their fried chicken was aroy mak! The food was beautifully presented, but serving size may be a little small for big groups.

The location is also right in the city centre, so you could visit after some shopping or massage. The restaurant was clean, and prayer rooms are also available. Would definitely visit this place again!

Address: 410/5-6 Siam Square Soi 6, Khwaeng Pathum Wan, Pattumwan Bangkok 10330, Thailand

Outside Platinum Fashion Mall (Halal options)

It is not stated on Google Maps, but there is actually a food market along the popular shopping street on Petchaburi road, aka Platinum. There was a few halal options in the mall itself at the food court and a restaurant, but personally felt that the street food had better options. You can spot the halal signs easily, and they may also put up a picture of stall owner as proof that it is Muslim-owned. A lot of the staff at these stalls also wore headscarves.

You can find a lot of halal items if you walk past – from souvenirs, food stalls, roti, and lots of other desserts. Was very surprised to see that the stalls stretches all the way down the street.

Muzzlim Food (Halal)

Address: ชั้น 11, อาคารเดอะแพลตตินัม แฟชั่นมอลล์, 222, 1398 Phetchaburi Rd, Thanon Phaya Thai, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand

SookSiam Zone at ICONSIAM (Halal options)

You will be overwhelmed by the sights, the smells and sound at ICONSIAM’s basement food court, also known as SookSiam. There are four zones based on their regions, and also a second floor to this endless food haven. The food court is designed with the traditional street and floating market concept in mind, and is air-conditioned. Do note that it will be crowded, especially during meal times.

This was the most number of halal food stalls and a wide variety seen so far in one location. While they were mostly found in the main food zone, we found even more halal booths after walking past the floating market section side.

There were really a lot of variety of food to choose from, even crocodile bbq meat. My advice would be to buy items that are cooked, and to avoid the seafood here. For example, their chicken rice was tasty and filling, while I bought a cup of cockles which was quite expensive and was not fresh.

There were so many Thai desserts that looked mouth-watering and snacks like peanuts and corn, and bubble tea!

Address: 299 Charoen Nakhon 5 Alley, Khwaeng Khlong Ton Sai, Khet Khlong San, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10600, Thailand

Usman Thai Muslim Food (Halal)

We decided to have a meal at a Halal restaurant located in a small alley off Sukhumvit Soi 22 after seeing Butterbear! There are both Thai and western meals available.

It was walking distance from Emsphere, and we also discovered that there were other halal restaurants that serve Middle Eastern food in the area.

Address: 259/9 Sukhumvit Alley 22, Khlong Tan, Khlong Toei, Bangkok 10110, Thailand

Cafes and Snacks

% Arabica Bangkok Empire Tower

We wanted to chill while feeling on top of the world, so we visited the % Arabica at Empire Tower!

Speaking of King Power Mahanakhon, the prominent tower has a viewing deck at 1,030 feet, and a map of Bangkok at its lobby. We did not actually head up to this building, but we experienced it by re-watching my favourite video that featured the building at % Arabica.

Even the whole lift experience to get to the cafe felt super luxurious even if you feel like you were going in blind. Truly an experience that you need to try out for yourself. The lift is located at a lobby in the corner, and not the main office tower gantry entrances.

Address: Level 55, EA, Empire Tower, 1 S Sathon Rd, Yan Nawa, Sathon, Bangkok 10120, Thailand

Mil Toast House

Credit: Aina

The coffee was a bit too strong for me, but my oh my, the toast was amazing! It was so soft and so fluffy, but filling at the same time! We got the Pandan Soft Bun with Pandan and Taro Custard and Strawberry Toast Stick. The staff will unveil the soft bun upon serving which was super lovely. My friend said the Thai franchise tasted better than the one in Korea.

You have to order and pay first before finding yourself a seat on the second floor. The minimalist, wooden aesthetics still gives the place a Korean touch, with natural sunlight flowing through. Spot the baristas making your drinks at the open counter and the bakers on the first floor preparing your delicious fresh bread.

Address: สยามสแควร์, ซอย 3, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

7-Eleven (Halal options)

We also gotta try 7e dinner when in Bangkok, right? There was one right below National Stadium BTS station, so we bought some to eat back at our hotel. There were hit and misses, but CP brand goods will never go wrong! After making payment, the staff will heat the instant food for us and pack it with utensils and chilli sauce packets. Halal snacks and instant noodles are available too.

Address: Rama I Rd, Wang Mai, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

EmSphere

There were many things that I wanted to try (like A Keen, Holiday Pastry, Kanom, and more Souri!). But I digress.

Butter Bear

Am a huge Nong Noey fan, so visiting the shop at EmSphere was definitely on our bucket list. We queued for about 15 minutes at about 7ish at night, and ordered their sugar butterbun, cookies, and a red velvet cheesecake. We had fewer options for their baked items since it was quite late, but they did sell other pastries like bombolini donuts and bagels.

I liked their bun since it was soft and fluffy and the taste was not overpowering. Their cheesecake was rich and thick. Their palmers were nice and crumbly. As for their cookies, which are butterbear-shaped, the chocolate ones were super tasty, while the limited Thai Tea flavour might be for those with an acquired taste, you either hate it or love it.

Overall, like the brand’s name, do expect the products to be more on the sweet buttery side.

Address: 628 Sukhumvit Rd, Khlong Tan, Khlong Toei, Bangkok 10110, Thailand

Souri

A LOT of people online mentioned that it is halal, but I am unable to find the actual source.

Coffee Beans by Dao

This cafe is a sister company of Butterbear, and while I was in Bangkok, there was a collaboration where you can collect Butterbear’s photocards with a food purchase!

Coffee Beans by Dao is well-known for their desserts. Without thinking, we bought the coconut fresh cream cake, which was about S$12. The smooth cream with coconut strips, made the dessert taste sweet and fresh overall. The cake base itself was not sweet so it helped balanced out.

Address: G Floor, Sukhumvit Rd, Khlong Tan, Khlong Toei, Bangkok 10110, Thailand

Minimelts

If you do not have childhood memories with minimelts, you missed out. Known for its mini balls flavoured ice cream that will melt in your mouth, you can mix and match the flavours to your liking.

The brand was eventually phased out in Singapore, so I definitely had to eat it in Bangkok! They had more variety of flavours from what I remembered, and the staff was sweet and friendly. Was super lucky as I fulfilled my Minimelts craving literally 1 minute before the shop closed.

Address: ชั้น 2 สยามเซ็นเตอร์ ข้างร้านชาบู You&I, Pathum Wan, Bangkok, Thailand

Neilson Hays Library Garden Café

Located at the extension of the Neilson Hays Library, the Neilson Hays Library Garden Café was a great spot to relax your mind and body. There was nothing too fancy in terms of food and decor, but the drinks were super cheap for one big cup. The café serves breakfast, lunch, and snacks too.

The full glass walls allowed you to appreciate the sun and the greenery. They also had a selection of curated artist items on display in the corner. The only reason I found out about this place was because the gorgeous library was a filming location for a GMMTV series, (and increasingly in other series after that), so this was definitely an Enchante moment for my fangirl heart.

The place truly felt like a peaceful getaway from all the city life, while still being in it.

Address: 195 Surawong Road, Suriyawongse, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500, Thailand

Fire Tiger Coffee

Located in a strategic place in the middle of the main Siam shopping street, they had a wide range of drinks from ice blended, to coffee, to yoghurt drinks, bubble tea, and fruity flavours. The staff were friendly and it was not too crowded when we were there. The interior of the cafe was very sleek and cool with a huge tiger head at the entrance, but they juxtaposed it with the serving of drinks with bunny motifs. Apparently, they are well known for their bubble tea!

Address: PGVJ+RX9, Siam Square Soi 1, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

The Coffee Academics Thailand

Went to a music festival in Bangkok, and there was not much halal food options (although there was a big and clean prayer room!) so we went with pastries as our next best alternative. Crispy on the outside, and it fills your tummy. Also, if you are curious about the music festival, check it out here:

Inaugural Summer Sonic Bangkok Recap

Address: IMPACT Challenger Building, 2 Popular 1 Rd, Pak Kret District, Nonthaburi 11120, Thailand

See you at the next one, maybe? Check out Rolling Loud, which is another big-scale concert in Thailand with even more artistes. Buy your tickets now!

Macdonald’s

The meal deals in Bangkok were so cheap. Also, they have an XL-sized fries, and I could Grabfood it to the hotel even if it was 150metres away.

Potato Corner (Halal)

If you want a quick snack before flying off, Potato Corner can be found in the departure area. Honestly, what’s not to love about fried chicken and fries, sprinkled with your preferred flavours like cheese, bbq, or even truffle?

Always a must buy (for me) in any Thailand airport!

Also, my trip was so packed that I had my first mango sticky rice for this Bangkok trip only when I am about to depart for Singapore?! But at least I managed to eat one, phew.

Speaking of airport, we actually spotted a few beautiful mosques along the journey in the Hua Mak area. Found out only after that it is a suburb with a big Muslim population where some live on the river kampong-style, and there are also a few popular halal restaurants in this district. Definitely curious about this place.

This list is nowhere near exhaustive. I still discovered new food during the trip – so explore and eat as much as you can!