Best Things To Do in Thonglor
If you've spent any time in Bangkok, you'll know that Thonglor has a reputation. It's the neighbourhood that Bangkok's coolest expats, creative locals, and visiting nomads all seem to gravitate toward — and once you've spent a day here, you'll understand why.
Thonglor is polished but not pretentious. It has great coffee, excellent food, proper wellness spots, and a bar scene that goes well into the night — all within walking distance of each other. It's the kind of neighbourhood where you can start your morning with a pour-over, work from a café, grab a long lunch, squeeze in a spa treatment, and end the evening with a craft beer. Basically: a perfect day in Bangkok. I’ve lived in Thonglor for more than a year (also check out my Thonglor Youtube vlog) and I’m still discovering cool places!
Here's my guide to the best things to do in Thonglor.
Quicklinks:
Visit all the Hip Coffee Spots
Thonglor is one of Bangkok's best neighbourhoods for specialty coffee. Whether you're looking for a quick grab-and-go or a slow morning with a book, you're spoilt for choice here.
Kurasu Thonglor
If you know Kurasu from Kyoto, you'll be happy to hear they brought the same meticulous coffee standards to Bangkok. The Thonglor location is a beautiful cafe right on the corner of Sukhumvit road 57, and just 3 minutes from the Thonglor BTS stop. Perfect for a morning pick-me-up before exploring the neighbourhood.
They serve their signature Japanese-style specialty coffee alongside matcha, houjicha and refreshments. I also love their carrot cake and sandwiches - highly recommend!
Where: Soi Sukhumvit 57
Hours: Daily, 7:00–18:00
Phil Coffee Co.
Phil Coffee is one of Bangkok's most respected specialty roasters, and their Thonglor location is a coffee lover's dream. It lies tucked away on a quiet side street off Sukhumvit Soi 61, and it's a calm, no-fuss space where the coffee is taken seriously and everything else takes a back seat.
Where: Sukhumvit Soi 65
Hours: Daily, 8:00-16:30
Other coffee spots worth exploring
Thonglor has no shortage of great cafés. One of my all-time favourite cafés is Sam Coffee Roasters, a small a cozy cafe in a smaller side street (although it might be technically in the Ekkamai neighbourhood, which is right next to Thonglor). Another favourite of mine is Bump Coffee Space Thonglor.
There’s a lot of cafés that pop up around the neighbourhood — half the fun is stumbling into somewhere new.
Spend Time at The Commons
The Commons might be the beating heart of Thonglor, and if you only have time for one stop in the neighbourhood, make it this one.
It's said to be a "community mall," but it feels more like a neighbourhood backyard — four levels of restaurants, cafés, vendors, a play yard, and a rooftop terrace, all designed to make you want to linger. The ground floor Market has 18 food stalls covering everything from Thai street food to international bites. So you should probably go hungry.
The space is also dog-friendly, has a great atmosphere at all times of day, and attracts a mix of local creatives, expat families, and digital nomads. On weekends it gets busy, so I'd recommend going during the week if you want a more relaxed experience.
Where: 335 Sukhumvit Rd., Thonglor Soi 17
Hours: Daily, 8am–midnight (hours vary per vendor)
Spa Day in Thonglor
One of the best things about living in or visiting Bangkok is how accessible — and affordable — spa treatments are. Thonglor has some excellent options.
💡Check out my blog post on best spa’s in Bangkok
Preme Spa
Preme Spa has become one of my go-to recommendations for a proper Bangkok spa experience. The main branch is in a beautiful old Thai house on Sukhumvit 36, and there's also a second location — Preme Sanctuary — on Sukhumvit 51 (Thong Lo BTS is just 150 metres away).
Treatments include traditional Thai massage, aromatherapy, body scrubs and facials. Prices are reasonable for the quality, and the house setting makes it feel very different from the more clinical-feeling hotel spas.
Where:Sukhumvit 36 (main branch) / Sukhumvit 51 (Preme Sanctuary)
Book: Reserve a massage via Klook
Loft Thai Spa & Massage
If you feel like something a little more luxurious, then this might be the spa spot for you. It’s located in a gorgeous old Thai house and upon entering you are greeted with a welcome drink of your choice. They’ve got various massage and wellness treatments, including Thai massage and aromatherapy massage.
Where:Sukhumvit 38
Book: Reserve your massage treatment via Klook
Mandarin Ginger Spa
For something a bit more minimalist and boutique, Mandarin Ginger Spa is a great option. Located on the ground floor of the S59 Executive Apartment on Sukhumvit Soi 59 — a short walk from BTS Thonglor — it's popular with both locals and expats for its professional staff and consistently good treatments.
Where:S59 Executive Apartment, Sukhumvit Soi 59
Book: You can reach out to them via the line app
Visit DIB Bangkok for Contemporary Art
One of Bangkok's most exciting recent openings, Dib Bangkok is a world-class contemporary art museum that opened in late 2025 and is already being watched closely by the global art world. It's housed in a reimagined 1980s steel warehouse between Rama IV Road and Sukhumvit Soi 40 — technically just a short Grab from Thonglor, and well worth the detour in my opinion.
The museum was the lifelong project of Thai collector Petch Osathanugrah, who spent nearly 40 years assembling a collection of over 1,000 works from around the world. Current highlights include a permanent installation by James Turrell. The building itself is stunning — considered angles, softened light, and shadows that shift throughout the day. There's also a bistro and bar (Watthu-Dib) on site, open to both ticketed and non-ticketed visitors.
Book tickets in advance through Klook or their website, as capacity is managed by time slot.
Where: Between Rama IV Road and Sukhumvit Soi 40 (short Grab from Thonglor)
Hours: Thu–Mon, 10:00–19:00 (closed Tue–Wed)
Check out the Best Nightlife in Bangkok
View from the Octave Rooftop bar
Grab a Beer at Duke of Beerington
For craft beer lovers, Duke of Beerington is non-negotiable. This small, unassuming bottle shop and bar near BTS Thonglor has built up a cult following among Bangkok's beer community — and for good reason.
Owner Um keeps a rotating selection of over 100 craft beers and ciders, mostly in cans and bottles, plus three taps. The space is minimal (a long table, some stools, a big window) but the vibe is relaxed and friendly. Happy hour runs 11am–2pm and 5–7pm with B40 off draft beers.
Where:Ground Floor, SK Tower, Sukhumvit Road (near BTS Thonglor)
Hours: Tue–Sun, 11am–2pm / 5pm–11pm
Octave Rooftop Bar at Marriott
If you want a Bangkok skyline moment, Octave Rooftop Lounge & Bar at the Bangkok Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit is one of the best rooftop bars in the city. Spread across three floors (45th–49th), it offers a 360-degree view of Bangkok — best at sunset.
Dry Wave Cocktail Bar
For something more refined, Dry Wave has made waves (sorry 😂) on the Bangkok cocktail scene and ranked among Asia's Best Bars. It's a great spot if you appreciate a well-crafted cocktail and a more low-key, grown-up atmosphere.
Find the Locker Room Speakeasy
One of the more famous speakeasy’s in Bangkok is called #FindtheLockerRoom - meaning you literally have to find the locker that opens to the speakeasy. It has some of the best nightlife vibes that you can find in Bangkok and they also serve delicious cocktails.
Try Some of the Best Mango Sticky Rice
There are two great places for mango sticky rice in Thonglor. The most famous and popular one is called Mae Varee and it’s visited by both locals and tourists alike.
If you want something slightly more off the beaten track and cheaper, but in my opinion equally as good, then right on the other side of Sukhumvit road, you will find Ning’s Mango stand, which is a more local option.
Eat Amazing Food
Thonglor is also known for it’s excellent food scene and virtually all cuisines are represented. There are quite a lot of great Japanese restaurants too, which makes sense as there is quite a big Japanese community living in Thonglor and surrounding neighbourhoods.
Here are a few of my favourite restaurants in Thonglor:
Supanniga Eating Room by Khun Yai - For some great Thai food check out this restaurant right on the Thonglor main street
SWIRL Wine Bar- a really cozy and great wine bar that also serves delicious, Japanese-Italian fusion cuisine
Tsuru Udon - my favourite Udon and Soba place in Bangkok. Even though it’s a chain they manage to keep the quality really high.
Rangoon Tea House - Try Burmese food and fun cocktails in a beautiful setting
The Missing Burro - A cozy Mexican place tucked away in a small alley in Thonglor.
Sorellina - One of my favourite Italian restaurants famous for their pizzas
Homeburg - For something a bit more fancy, try Homeburg which specialises in Hamburgers - it’s kind of like fine dining but with hamburgers! Sounds amazing..
🏝️ Are you thinking of moving to Bangkok? I created a complete Moving to Thailand Guide full of tips and recommendations and a step-by-step guide to help you with the move.
Where To Stay in Thonglor
The Salil Hotel room
Thonglor is a great base for exploring central Bangkok. Here are some options for every budget:
💡 Search hotels near Thonglor on Booking.com →
Luxury:
Mid-range:
Handy Tips for Visiting Thonglor
Getting around: BTS Thong Lo station puts you right at the beginning of the soi (street in Thai). Within the neighbourhood, walking works well, but Grab is handy for the further sois.
Best time to visit: Thonglor is good at any time of day, but it really comes alive in the evenings. For coffee and cafés, mornings are quieter.
Budget: Thonglor is one of Bangkok's more upscale neighbourhoods, so expect slightly higher prices than elsewhere in the city — though it's still great value by international standards.
Travel insurance: If you're visiting Bangkok as a digital nomad or remote worker, don't skip on travel insurance. SafetyWing is my go-to recommendation.
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