Restaurant recommendations near Peninsula BKK?
 

I'm a first-timer to Bangkok. In case of exhaustion from jet lag (flying from NYC) and other activities, any recommendation for restaurants near the Peninsula Hotel?

If you are looking to save money, take the Penn boat to the Oriental Pier and head to Harmonique or Tongue Thai. You will have to request specifically that they take you to the Oriental Pier but they are happy to do it. Otherwise, the hotel restaurants are adequate and for the most part, very expensive by Bangkok standards. Thiptara is in a pleasant setting but nothing special food-wise imo. I have not eaten in the other more expensive venues.

Craig is right - other than the hotel restaurants there is nothing near the Pen. Cross the river and you'll find a number of restaurants near the river.

When I arrive at the Pen all jet lagged and stupid, I head over to Sala Rim Nam for the lunch buffet.

Walk out of the Peninsula Hotel, take a right go down a couple of blocks then back up to your right at the sign. Same place as the Oriental Spa (same side of the river as the Pen)

Lovely food, a little up-budget but no hassle. Come hungry and taste a million wonderful thai treats.

Try the Chinese restaurant at the Penn- it has great Dim Sum and very reasonable prices - except their tea is a little expensive.

There are a couple of no-frills eateries outside the Peninsula--walk down the drive and make a left. But these may not be what you are looking for on your first night..they are more like indoor food stalls than actual restaurants. I thought Thiptara,in the hotel,was very disappointing food-wise, although I agree that the setting is lovely. Make sure to reserve if you plan to eat there.

As others have posted, getting to the other side of the river is so quick and simple, there is no need to stick by the Pen.

It will take about three minutes to take the Pen's ferry across the river to the oriental hotel, and another three minutes to walk to Tongue Thai.

You could also take their free ferry to Takshin pier (by the Skytrain station) or up to the River City Mall, and eat in that area (I like Gallery cafe). The Skytrain ride takes about 5 minutes, and the mall ferry takes a bit longer as the ferries don't run as often.

i like bill's idea....have dim sum or a simple meal in the chinese rest. on the lower level of the hotel...

of course it depends on what time you arrive.....

room service is an other option...

ask the boat to take you to the oriental pier...walk behind the hotel and behind the OP Place mini mall.. there you will find tongue thai....take a taxi back to the hotel...they will call you one

Depending on your arrival time...our FAVORITE first place to eat in BKK (and we always stay at the Pen) is a placed called Face Bar. You can get a massage before dinner in these cool traditional teak huts (i do this to detox from the flight and help with jetlag) Then, onsite is either a great thai restaurant or Indian restaurant. The prices are fairly reasonable, the food is wonderful! and the massage is amazing! I got this recommendation from a lady on this board and go there every time we are in BKK (4 times in four years :) p.s. also very easy to get there via skytrain from the Peninsula

I have done Harmonique and it was good. I don't crave it...but it was a good stop for dinner.

if you don't mind a taxi ride, face is fabulous... i also love harmonique but after a plane ride and not knowing the city, i would not go on day one...although it is not far...