NILA, Bangkok

NILA Coastal Indian Cuisine: An Indian dining experience with Portuguese flair

Looking for a unique Indian dining experience in Bangkok? NILA is more than just a curry house — it blends coastal Indian flavors with Portuguese style, right in the city center. This restaurant tells stories of heritage, history, and harmony through its food. Led by Iron Chef Thailand winner Bharath S. Bhat, NILA offers a gourmet journey along India’s coasts, from Goa to Kerala, with every dish showing generations of cultural fusion.

NILA shows what happens when tradition meets innovation. Its menu takes you to India’s coasts, and the setting feels like a storybook. It’s one of Bangkok’s most unique fine dining spots. Come for the flavors, stay for the experience, and leave with a deeper love for India’s coastal cuisine.

Craving a unique Indian dining experience in Bangkok? NILA is more than a curry house — it blends coastal Indian flavors with Portuguese style in the city center. This restaurant tells stories of heritage, history, and harmony through its food. Led by Iron Chef Thailand winner Bharath S. Bhat, NILA offers a gourmet journey from Goa to Kerala, with every bite reflecting generations of culture. Get ready to be surprised, delighted, and transported.

Where in Bangkok is NILA located?

NILA is on the fourth floor of the Amari Bangkok hotel at 847 New Petchburi Road in Ratchathewi, a central Bangkok area near Platinum Fashion Mall and Ratchaprasong shopping district. It’s easy to reach by BTS Skytrain (Chit Lom or Ratchathewi stations) and Airport Rail Link (Ratchaprarop station). Guests arriving by car can use free parking and valet services.

Architecture & Design

NILA’s design honors a Goan merchant’s home from the early 1900s. The interiors are colorful, with colonial Portuguese details, stained-glass windows, and detailed woodwork. The highlight is a glowing stained-glass bar, inspired by Goan church architecture.

Inside, the open kitchen lets diners watch the chefs cooking. Rich textures, collected artifacts, and maritime décor create a feeling of travel and trade. Every dish is beautifully served on custom ceramics that add to the story.

Ambiance & Atmosphere

The ambiance is elegant, warm, and rich in culture. Soft Fado music, reflecting Portuguese influence in Goa, adds a nostalgic touch. Guests include Bangkok food lovers, travelers, couples on dates, and business diners. It’s relaxed yet refined and welcoming.

Service & Hospitality

Expect excellent service led by Restaurant Operations Manager Vinod Verma (Vicky). His team, including Ajay and KK, are known for their attention to detail, menu knowledge, and helpful advice. Cleanliness and comfort are top priorities, and many guests appreciate personal touches like Chef Bharath visiting tables to enhance the experience.

What type of kitchen do they have at NILA BKK?

NILA’s kitchen specializes in coastal Indian cuisine with Portuguese influences, a rare concept in Bangkok. It combines rich, spiced dishes from India’s west and south coasts with the tangy, sweet flavors and cooking styles of colonial Portuguese kitchens.

Chef Bharath S. Bhat and his great kitchen team

Chef Bharath S. Bhat leads NILA. He’s the first Indian to win Iron Chef Thailand. Trained in Michelin-star kitchens like Indego by Vineet in Dubai and former Executive Chef at Punjab Grill Bangkok, Bharath is inspired by his Mangalorean roots and his mother’s cooking. His team is disciplined, coordinated, and motivated by his leadership. His passion for authentic regional flavors and culinary storytelling shines through his skilled kitchen staff.

The menu

What to eat at NILA Bangkok?

The menu covers India’s coastal regions, from Bengal to Goa. Highlights include:

• Peri-Peri Jheenga – Goan prawns grilled with smoky heat and a zesty twist
• Lobster Ghee Roast – bold, buttery, and intensely flavorful
• Kosha Mangsho – Kolkata-style lamb in rich mustard oil
• Meen Pollichattu – banana-leaf grilled snapper
• Wild Mushroom Ularthiyayhu – Kerala-style umami-rich mushrooms

Vegetarians have great options like Tofu Jhol and Mochar Chop. For a full experience, the 8-course tasting menu (from THB 1,600++) is highly recommended.

What to drink at NILA Bangkok?

The beverage program is equally impressive. Cocktails like the Mumbai Mule and Spiced Tamarind Margarita mix Indian flavors with classic drinks. Wines come from Italthai Cellar, and refreshing mocktails like the Lychee & Rose Sparkler are also available. The popular Signature Cocktail Night (THB 890++ for 2 hours of unlimited cocktails/mocktails) runs daily from 17:30.

Our visit at NILA in December 2024

Just before 2025, we visited NILA. Chef Bharath wasn’t there, but it gave us a great reason to come back. As big fans of Indian food, this visit put NILA in our top five Bangkok restaurants.

After a warm welcome, we sat at a cozy table overlooking Platinum Fashion Mall. We chose the tasting menu, with spice levels adjusted to our taste. The meal started with NILA’s signature amuse-bouche trio in a velvet-lined treasure box — creative, tasty, and well explained by the staff. The Wada Bao Bun was a highlight.

What followed was a well-curated coastal journey. The Peri-Peri Jheenga offered bold Goan-Portuguese flavors; the Coorg Kori Fry was crispy, spicy, and comforting; and the Pathar Ko Gosht, flambéed at the table, was both dramatic and aromatic. Then came the Meen Pollichattu — snapper wrapped in banana leaf with flaky Malabar parotta. Dramatic, delicious, and a highlight.

We finished with the playful Filter Kapi Misu, a South Indian coffee take on tiramisu — bold, bitter, creamy, and perfectly balanced.

The service was outstanding. Mr. Vicky and his team managed everything perfectly. Each dish was timed, explained, and customized. It’s rare to get this level of care in such a warm setting. A big thanks to the kitchen team — we had a truly wonderful dining experience! Without a doubt, one of our favorite fine Indian meals in the city.

Why should you visit NILA Coastal Indian Cuisine in Bangkok?

• Bangkok’s only Indian coastal restaurant with Portuguese inspiration
• Dishes curated by Iron Chef Thailand winner Bharath S. Bhat
• Immersive design inspired by a Goan merchant home from 1900s
• Personalized hospitality from a team that cares
• Tasting menus that make storytelling part of your meal

Some tips and recommendations when visiting NILA

• Reserve in advance — NILA gets busy on weekends
• Try the tasting menu for the full coastal experience
• Arrive early to enjoy the Signature Cocktail Night
• Ask for a seat near the open kitchen for a view of the culinary action
• Let staff know about any dietary restrictions – the kitchen is flexible and accommodating

Amari Bangkok

Amari Bangkok, home to NILA, is a luxury 5-star hotel in the lively Pratunam district, with 564 stylish rooms and suites. Guests can enjoy the Breeze Spa, FIT Centre, and Club Siraa lounge. With several dining options and close to top shopping spots, it’s perfect for both leisure and business travelers.

More information about Amari Bangkok on Agoda

NILA Coastal Indian Cuisine: General information

Location: on the 4th floor of the Amari Hotel, 847 Phetchaburi Rd, Khwaeng Thanon Phaya Thai, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Nearby stations: BTS Chit Lom / Ratchathewi (15 minute walk), Airport Rail Link Ratchaprarop (10 minutes)
Opening Hours: 12:00 – 00:00
Phone number: +66 (0)2 6539 000
Dress Code: Smart casual; no swimwear
Price Range: THB 350–1,450 for à la carte, THB 1,600++ for tasting menu
Taxes & Charges: 7% VAT + 10% service charge