Hidden wooden riverside house in Talat Noi serving Thai-Chinese comfort dishes with vintage decor and close-up Chao Phraya views.
NAAM 1608 is the definition of a hidden riverside spot: a restored wooden house tucked down a tiny alley in Talat Noi, a short walk from River City and Holy Rosary Church. From the street there’s barely a hint of what’s waiting at the end of the lane; step through the door and you find a vintage-style room in warm, dark wood that opens straight onto the Chao Phraya. Guests sit at bar stools and small tables just a few metres above the water, watching boats drift past while plates of Thai-Chinese comfort dishes and drinks arrive from the compact kitchen and bar. It feels personal, lived-in and quietly romantic – more like discovering someone’s favourite local hideout than ticking off a big, polished hotel terrace.
Finding NAAM 1608 is half the charm. You slip off busy Song Wat Road into a narrow lane, pass a small temple and workshops, then suddenly the city noise drops away and you’re standing in front of a plant-filled wooden façade with a simple round sign. Inside, the space is long and low, with dark timber floors, vintage décor and soft lighting that suits late lunches just as much as after-work dinners. Along one side, a row of counter seats faces the open river, so even solo diners get their own front-row view. On busy evenings, an upstairs level adds a few more tables while keeping the same “homey” feeling.
The menu reads like a love letter to Thai comfort food with Chinese influences. You can work your way through upgraded classics – tom yum, pad thai, pad see ew, spicy salads, whole fried fish – or zero in on house favourites like mee krachap (stir-fried noodles with water mimosa and prawns), rich curries and seasonal fruit smoothies. There are a few surprises too, including old-school desserts like a som saa citrus pudding that you rarely see elsewhere, plus mango sticky rice when in season. Drinks range from beers and simple cocktails to Thai fruit coolers that fit the laid-back, slightly bohemian mood. It’s not fancy in the hotel-fine-dining sense, but the cooking is confident, portions generous and the overall feel very “real Bangkok by the river”.