Coastal Thai seafood, warm terracotta interiors and sunset terraces with Wat Arun views at one of Old Bangkok’s chicest river spots.
Horsamut takes the classic Wat Arun river view and wraps it in something far more contemporary: coastal Thai cooking, warm terracotta interiors and a breezy rooftop terrace that feels made for sunset. A short walk from Tha Tien pier, the restaurant sits almost at water level, with striped chairs and timber pergolas looking straight across the Chao Phraya to the temple spires. Inside, it’s all golden light, brick, wood and greenery – stylish enough for date night but relaxed enough for groups of friends. On the plate, the focus is seafood and southern-leaning flavours, backed by sustainably sourced produce and day-boat catches. It’s the kind of place where you linger over cocktails as the sky turns pink and the riverboats light up.
Horsamut is part of the Rongros Dining Group, so there’s a quiet confidence to both the cooking and the atmosphere. The design bridges old and new Bangkok: an open kitchen and long bar on the ground floor, intimate tables by the windows, and upstairs a more open terrace where you feel the river breeze and see the temple lights switch on after dark. The soundtrack leans Thai pop and easy-going beats; the vibe is “sunset drinks that drift naturally into dinner”.
The menu reads like a greatest hits compilation of coastal Thai dishes, with plenty of spice and smoke. Think Ayutthaya grilled river prawns over mangrove charcoal, kong kang pork belly slow-cooked until caramelised, and Khao Yam Horsamut – a citrusy rice salad with triple zest, blue crab and herbs that’s as pretty as it is refreshing. Dishes tend to be bold, aromatic and made for sharing, so it’s easy to build the table from a mix of salads, grilled seafood and a curry or two. Cocktails and mocktails follow the same coastal theme, with plenty of tropical notes that play nicely with the chilli heat.