Ploenchit, Lumpini & Central Bangkok

The area around Ploenchit, Lumpini Park and Witthayu Road is central Bangkok's embassy and hotel quarter, with leafy sois such as Langsuan and Ruamrudee off its main roads. French restaurants here range from a cultural-centre café to hotel tasting rooms.

Signature Bangkok on the 11th floor of VIE Hotel holds one Michelin star, serving Thierry Drapeau's tasting menus to just 20 guests. Bisou (Michelin Selected) on Soi Langsuan is a late-night modern French restaurant known for tableside beef Wellington. L'Escargot Bistro on Soi Ruamrudee serves snails, onion soup and steak frites, Paname on the sixth floor of Dusit Central Park pairs oysters and mussels with views over Lumpini Park, and Bonjour Bonsoir in the Alliance Française is a daytime bouillon for brunch or a set lunch.

Book Signature well ahead given its 20 seats, and Bisou for late dinners. BTS stations at Chit Lom, Phloen Chit and Ratchadamri, and MRT Lumphini and Silom, cover the area. Prices run from casual set lunches to tasting menus.