Paii, Bangkok

Paii at The House on Sathorn: Modern Thai cuisine in an incredibly beautiful historic house in Bangkok

Bangkok is not short of remarkable restaurants. Our site features plenty of them, yet Paii caught our attention before we had even taken a single bite. If you are looking for a modern Thai restaurant in Bangkok with an exceptional historic setting, Paii is simply a restaurant you have to experience.

The cream-yellow neoclassical mansion on North Sathorn Road has been drawing guests from around the world for years, and in May 2026 it was finally our turn to pull up a chair.

During our stay at the adjacent W Bangkok, we reserved a table for two on the last evening of our wonderful trip, to dine outside in the courtyard. It turned into a legendary evening: wonderful food, attentive and friendly service, exceptional cocktails at Bar Sathorn, and afterwards a short walk to our favourite rooftop bar Le Du Kaan, less than ten minutes away.

Where is Paii in Bangkok located?

Paii is located within The House on Sathorn on North Sathorn Road in the Bang Rak district. The property is part of W Bangkok and is visible from the BTS Skytrain as you pass between Chong Nonsi station (exit 1, Sathorn Square) and Surasak station. On foot, you can reach it in less than five minutes from Chong Nonsi. Guests arriving by taxi, Grab or Bolt simply ask for W Bangkok or The House on Sathorn.

Some of Bangkok’s most well-known addresses are nearby: the Silom market starts around the corner, as does King Power Mahanakhon, and our favourite rooftop bar Le Du Kaan is located directly opposite the restaurant.

Paii shares The House on Sathorn with Bar Sathorn, voted one of Asia’s fifty best bars in 2025. You can easily combine several exceptional addresses in a single evening.

From Siam or other well-known parts of Bangkok, the journey takes approximately half an hour by BTS Skytrain (Green Line).

Architecture & (interior) design

The House on Sathorn is a national heritage site. Literally. In 2001, the Thai Department of Fine Arts officially recognised the building as a protected monument. And once you stand before its cream-yellow facade, you understand why.

The mansion was built in 1889 on the orders of Luang Sathorn Rajayutka, the wealthy businessman to whom Bangkok owes its iconic Sathorn Canal. The villa began as a private residence, later became the luxury Hotel Royal, and served from 1948 to 1999 as the first Russian Embassy in Thailand. Following a careful restoration, the venue opened its doors in 2015 as a culinary and cultural destination.

Inside, the vertical space is immediately striking: high ceilings with original fresco motifs, heavy wooden joinery and stained-glass windows. Outside, a lush courtyard garden offers a green oasis in the middle of the urban jungle. We chose a table there, with a view of the illuminated facade of the mansion.

Paii’s atmosphere and guests

We found Paii nothing like a typical hotel restaurant, more like a standalone restaurant that happens to be connected to an accommodation. That is of course down to the separate mansion standing beside the hotel tower.

The crowd is mixed: Bangkok residents who regularly dine here with family, colleagues or friends, international guests of the W Bangkok, and couples from every corner of the world in search of a romantic dinner in a beautiful setting.

The best time to visit is during the golden hour at sunset, when the late afternoon light falls across the courtyard garden and the facade of the mansion glows warmly. There is something special about dining in a classical building while surrounded by modern high-rises. A unique backdrop for a truly excellent dinner.

Service & Hospitality

The service at Paii was outstanding, plain and simple. The team led by restaurant manager Khun Marisa and assistant manager Khun Amp operates like a well-oiled machine: warm and attentive, yet never intrusive, and with a sharp eye for detail. When we arrived, the hostess took a moment to walk us through the different spaces and briefly explain the history of the building. A small effort that immediately made the visit feel personal.

The menu was explained with expertise and we were asked about our preferences. Allergies are taken seriously here, as that was one of the very first questions we were asked. Wine advice is given with genuine knowledge, and guests who prefer something else are helped just as well.

Throughout the meal, our water glass was never empty for long, and dishes and cocktails arrived at a comfortable pace. Not too fast, not too slow.

Type of cuisine @ Paii in Bangkok

Paii positions itself as a modern Thai seafood restaurant, though we would describe it more broadly as a modern Thai restaurant in the higher segment. Head Chef Bua Sarocha Rajatanawin works with a clear philosophy: honour tradition, but do not be afraid to innovate. The kitchen combines authentic Thai flavours with contemporary techniques and the finest ingredients, both locally and internationally sourced.

Local produce takes centre stage: mud crab from Samut Songkhram, banana squid from Chonburi, giant river prawns and organic jasmine rice from Nakhon Pathom. Imported ingredients such as Hokkaido scallops, Jean-Paul oysters from France, black mussels from New Zealand and Spanish octopus enrich the menu without losing its Thai heart.

Chef Bua & Kitchen Team

At the helm of the Paii kitchen stands Chef Bua Sarocha Rajatanawin, a highly acclaimed Thai chef who has cooked at some of Asia’s top five-star hotels and fine dining restaurants. Her path to Paii reads like a masterclass in culinary ambition: she trained at the School of Oriental Hotel Apprenticeship in Bangkok and Le Cordon Bleu in New South Wales, Australia, before starting her career in Sydney and returning to Bangkok in 2011 as a Commis Chef at Le Normandie, the legendary restaurant at Mandarin Oriental Bangkok.

In 2015 she joined The House on Sathorn for the first time as Chef de Partie, right as the building emerged from its major restoration. She went on to build her reputation further at Front Room at Waldorf Astoria Bangkok, the acclaimed Thai fine dining venue Niras in Hong Kong, and Amanpuri, the Michelin three-key resort in Phuket. Now she has returned to The House on Sathorn to lead the culinary direction at Paii, and the result speaks for itself.

The restaurant was previously led by Chef Joe Weeraket Nilayon, who defined many of the signature dishes that remain on the menu today. The continuity in the kitchen is palpable: Paii has a recognisable style that does not depend on one name, but on a shared culinary vision.

Chef Bua works closely with Bar Sathorn, ensuring that the flavour profiles of dishes and drinks are aligned, and sources her ingredients with a clear focus on sustainability and quality. Her signature dishes at Paii include the Hamachi Tom Kha, Thod Man Puu, Coconut Sundae and Paii Waffle, several of which we were lucky enough to try during our visit.

“Paii honours the essence of Thai cuisine without allowing tradition to become rigid. It is about balance: sweet, salty, sour, spicy, and always the sea as the starting point.”

Dining Packages

Paii offers a fitting package for every time of day. Whether you are stopping by for a working lunch, celebrating over afternoon tea, or planning a full gastronomic evening.

• Heritage Afternoon Tea
  THB 1,890++ for 2 persons | Includes 2 pots of TWG tea or coffee | Daily 2:30–5:30 PM
• Hotel Royal Afternoon Tea
  THB 2,990++ for 2 persons | Includes 1 bottle of sparkling wine + TWG tea | Daily 2:30–5:30 PM
• Paii Set Lunch
  Starter + main course + dessert + coffee or TWG tea – From THB 950++ | Daily 12:00–2:30 PM
• Paii Experience (3 courses)
  Food only: THB 3,850++ | Daily 12:00–11:00 PM
  With wine pairing: THB 5,850++ | Daily 12:00–11:00 PM

The Paii Experience is the ideal introduction for a first visit: a three-course menu with a choice of starters, rich main courses such as lobster in choo chee curry sauce, crispy pork belly with Thai basil and the celebrated fried rice with fresh mud crab, finished with a classic Thai dessert. You can choose this experience with or without wine pairing.

Beverages

The drinks menu at Paii includes cocktails from Bar Sathorn, a well-curated wine list, Thai and international beers, and a special coffee collaboration with Voyage Coffee from Chiang Mai, sourced from organic farms at 1,200 metres altitude in the Pu Muen village.

During our dinner at Paii we drank water and a number of ab-so-lute-ly amazing cocktails. The cocktail experience at Paii cannot be separated from Bar Sathorn, the acclaimed cocktail bar also located within The House on Sathorn and listed in Asia’s 50 Best Bars since 2025.

Food menu

The menu offers both à la carte and curated set menus for every occasion and time of day. Portions are generous, presentation is refined, and prices are what you would expect from a five-star hotel restaurant in the heart of Bangkok. Quality comes at a price.

Our Paii experience in May 2026

It starts before the first order is even placed. A basket of prawn crackers from the Royal Project arrives at the table, accompanied by a surprising sauce of passion fruit, shallot and Thai herbs. Fresh, lightly sour, with a playful bite. A perfect opener that immediately sets the tone for the evening ahead.

The Hamachi Tom Kha is perhaps the finest expression of Paii’s philosophy on a plate. Kombujime hamachi, aged on kombu seaweed for extra umami and texture, is served with jicama salad, fresh Thai herbs and a coconut dressing inspired by the classic tom kha soup. Paper-thin slices of fish, an aromatic dressing, fresh and elegant. The texture and flavour are simply wonderful.

The Yum Phon La Maai is the classic yum principle at its very best. Minced pork with tropical fruit, Thai herbs and a lime chili dressing that pulls the dish in every direction at once: sweet, spicy, sour and savoury. A colourful salad where every bite tastes slightly different.

The Massaman Neua is the dish Ilonka was already excited about the moment she spotted it on the menu. She orders massaman curry wherever she finds it and has become a true connoisseur. “This is a really good one,” she said at her first bite. The slowly braised Australian wagyu beef cheek falls apart at the first touch of the spoon, and the curry is rich and deep in flavour without feeling heavy. The addition of a special type of citrus fruit and lotus seeds gives this modern take on massaman a subtle freshness that the classic version does not have.

The Goong Mae Nahm brings two giant river prawns from the grill to the table, simple and excellent. The flesh is firm, sweet and smoky, and needs no elaborate sauce to impress. It briefly took us back to our visit to Ayutthaya, where we ate giant river prawns every single day. At Paii, this dish proves that top-quality ingredients do most of the work.

The two side dishes were not an afterthought. The Phat Ka Na Nam Mun Hoy, kale from the hotel’s Roof Garden with oyster sauce and crispy garlic, and the Ka Lam Plee Ob Nam Pla, roasted cabbage with caramel fish sauce and crispy garlic. That last dish in particular is one I could happily eat every week. Both vegetable dishes pair perfectly with the main courses.

The Paii Waffle is a crispy bubble waffle, loaded with ice cream, baked banana, caramel popcorn and more. The combination of warm, crispy batter with soft banana, delicious white chocolate ice cream and caramel sauce is the kind of dessert where you realise halfway through that you are eating it far too quickly. Yummm.

The Coconut Sundae is a modern interpretation of the classic Thai tubtim krob and arrived at the table in a creative presentation: a round glass jar filled with coconut ice cream, rice crisps and the most delicious caramel sauce I may have ever tasted. All finished off with various extras. It looks festive and tastes even better. The perfect ending to a fantastic meal.

And as if that were not enough, a selection of three Paii bonbons was served alongside our coffee. A small touch that brought the dinner to an elegant close and shows that Paii does not cut corners even in the smallest details.

Our Conclusion

Paii is proof that a restaurant can be more than the sum of its parts. The mansion carries history, the kitchen carries craftsmanship, and the team carries genuine care for its guests. That combination is rare, and when you encounter it, you know immediately.

We left Paii satisfied and certain that this deserved its own review, it really was that good. The food, the service, the setting and the cocktails at Bar Sathorn together made for an evening we will not forget soon. A more than worthy choice for one of the final evenings of our six-month Thailand journey.

If you are staying in Bangkok and looking for an evening that truly means something: reserve a table at Paii, ask for a spot outside in the courtyard, and let the evening unfold. We will be back!

Some good reasons to book a table at Paii in Bangkok!

• Located within The House on Sathorn, an officially recognised national monument since 2001.
• Dishes of outstanding quality, with locally and internationally sourced seafood as the highlight.
• Courtyard garden with historic grandeur, unique in the Sathorn district and perfect for a romantic dinner or special occasion.
• Packages for every moment, from afternoon tea and set lunch to the full Paii Experience with wine pairing.
• Bar Sathorn on-site, one of Asia’s 50 Best Bars, on the same grounds.

Some tips and interesting facts

• Book well in advance, especially for weekend evenings and special occasions.
• Specifically request a table in the courtyard garden if the weather allows.
• Come at sunset for the most beautiful light on the facade, ideal arrival time around 18:00.
• The Paii Experience is the ideal introduction for a first visit.
• The Heritage Afternoon Tea is an excellent afternoon option and considerably more accessible in price.
• Dress code: smart casual. Valet parking is available and complimentary for restaurant guests.
• Also visit Bar Sathorn. Read our review.
• Stay at the adjacent W Bangkok. Read our review.
• “Paii” means paddle in Thai, a direct reference to the Sathorn Canal built by the original owner of the property.
• The House on Sathorn served as the first Russian Embassy in Thailand from 1948 to 1999, a period still reflected in the cocktail menu at Bar Sathorn. Before that, Italian Madame A. Staro transformed the mansion into the luxury Hotel Royal in the 1920s. Read our article about The House on Sathorn.
• Paii collaborates with Voyage Coffee from Chiang Mai, whose organic coffee comes from farms at 1,200 metres altitude.
• Along the corridors of the building hangs a small photo exhibition about the history of the property, a detail that adds an extra cultural layer to the visit.

General information about Paii

Address: 106, 108 N Sathon Rd, Si Lom, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500
Tel: +66 (0)2 3444 025
Open: Daily from 12 AM – 11 PM
Reserve your table via: Klook
Book your room or suite at W Bangkok via Agoda or Booking.com
Websites: Paii / W Bangkok / Bar Sathorn / The House on Sathorn