Viva 8 — Restaurant in Chatuchak Subdistrict

This place used to be the best. But now rubbish. Ordered paella - nowhere near as good as it used to be and COLD COLD COLD - lassi and iced cappuccino also ordered. Waited 10 mins - food, lassi, iced AMERICANO arrived. Sent back AMERICANO. 10 mins later iced AMERICANO arrives AGAIN! The waiter says sorry, he is wrong. So why bring me AMERICANO again? Send it back. 5 mins later, a different waiter brings me AMERICANO AGAIN. Sent it back. 5 mins later, HOT CAPPUCCINO arrives! I complain but I drink it. Asked for the bill ... BOTH ICED CAPPUCCINO AND AMERICANO are on the bill. Send it back. I used to love this place, but I will never return. Bad food, unbelievably bad service. I think they survive on hipster vibe, good location and past reputation of the Spanush chap who started the paella, but is no longer there to...

It is a showstopper in ChatuChak market mainly because of their head chef who cooks a huge pan of Paella right in front of you. He interacts with the crowd and is ever so cheeky to take pictures with you.

The bar has a nice alfresco easy breezy scene but it is always full of caucasians. Grab a seat once it is available else you have to wait pretty long. It can get very hot if you’re sitting towards the front.

Paella wise, I’m not a fan. While they cook a huge pan of it at a time, once it is finished, they will leave it to a side to scoop and distribute to customers who want it. You have to approach them to get a plate which cost about 300baht. The paella came cold and it’s not very tasty at the least.

Frankly, you’re paying for the showmanship...

I once ate the Spanish risotto and it wasn't that good. As for the Thai food I had an insider that told me that the pad Thai, somtum and the others Thai dishes are not made on the same place but on the other restaurant (section 7) not far from viva 8. The staff at the viva 8 is ok but not impressive, the only reason I say this is that they force the customers to get in and make you order whatever so that they can make money. And the music is loud as hell, that is not a restaurant its a pub. And the tips don't go to the servers, it goes directly to the owners, which is not a surprise considering that an insider witnessed at least 5 to 6 staff...