Loud, lively all-you-can-eat seafood buffet at Bangkok’s fish market, with live tanks, charcoal grills and big, open Chao Phraya views.
Kodtalay The Riverfront is Bangkok’s riverside seafood free-for-all: a huge open-air terrace tucked inside the Fish Marketing Organization on Charoen Krung 58, with long rows of tables, glowing blue water channels and the river just a few metres away. Instead of white tablecloths, you get plastic buckets, charcoal grills and baskets of live prawns and crab waiting to be cooked. It’s busy, a little smoky and very social – more night-market energy than classic restaurant – and that’s exactly why seafood lovers and big groups flock here.
Once you’re seated, the routine is simple: grab a basket, head to the tanks and counters, and start choosing. River prawns, crabs, squid, clams and mussels share space with salmon, sashimi-style bites, marinated seafood, meats and a line of Thai dishes, salads and hot sides. Most set-ups work as all-you-can-eat with a fixed price; you pick what you want, bring it back and cook over the charcoal grill at your table, with staff on hand to help if needed.
The atmosphere is half riverside picnic, half seafood battlefield. At peak times, queues form around the most popular items – especially bigger prawns, crab and salmon – but the kitchen refills trays constantly, and there’s more than enough variety to keep everyone happy while you wait. Cold beer and soft drinks flow steadily, Thai seafood dipping sauces cut through the richness, and the open river view plus chatter from neighbouring tables make even a long, slow dinner feel like part of Bangkok’s nightly show.