VILAS วิลาศ — Restaurant in Si Lom Subdistrict

Vilas was a truly interesting dining experience in Bangkok and one that we’re glad we tried. The ambiance is absolutely beautiful – the interior is tastefully designed with a modern yet cozy aesthetic. There’s a clear attention to detail in both the architecture and decor, which creates a calm, refined atmosphere that immediately makes you feel comfortable. It’s definitely the kind of place that stands out visually and sets the tone for a special night out.

We chose the à la carte menu and were impressed by the creativity behind each dish. The presentation was elegant and there was a great variety of flavors and ingredients – something for every palate. It felt well-balanced overall, with a mix of lighter and richer options, though we both felt that the desserts were the real highlight. The flavor profiles in the sweet courses were more defined and memorable than in some of the savory dishes, which at times lacked a bit of depth or boldness. Still, it was clear that a lot of thought had gone into the menu.

One area that could use improvement is the service. While the staff were kind and attentive in their own way, the team didn’t seem fully in sync. There were a few moments where we waited longer than expected to be attended to, and it felt like communication between team members wasn’t always smooth. That said, the owner was absolutely lovely – she stepped in with such warmth and hospitality, explained the concept behind the dishes with genuine passion, and made sure we felt cared for throughout the evening. Her presence really elevated the experience and left a positive impression.

Overall, Vilas is a thoughtfully designed and creative restaurant that offers something a bit different in Bangkok’s dining scene. While there are still a few areas that could be polished, especially in terms of service coordination, it’s a great place to visit if you’re curious to explore new flavors in a beautiful setting. We’d happily come back to see how the experience...

I can say that I've been a customer of this restaurant since it opened as a fine dining establishment and was always impressed. I consistently recommended it to others. When I heard it reopened, I quickly made a reservation. However, I was disappointed and don't think I'll return.

Upon arrival, I told the staff I wanted to sit at the sofa seating. I saw no effort from the staff to help or consider making adjustments. They abruptly concluded that "at this restaurant, we don't let customers choose tables." While I accepted this response, by around 9 PM after we finished dining, the seating area I wanted was empty - showing their poor service quality.

Throughout the meal, my eyes were irritated because someone (either the owner or a shareholder) was constantly using camera flash to photograph food. The restaurant should know better, as it's a small space and this disrupts dining.

The worst part, which the restaurant should have known better about, was that they took food meant to be served to customers to photograph it. I understand wanting to reduce costs for menu photography, but they should have considered how inappropriate this is. There was no consideration for hygiene. Several dishes for our table were delayed because they had to photograph them first.

Today, I question whether they lack common sense or basic etiquette. When I informed the manager, they apologized for "not noticing," but claiming they didn't notice is implausible. Perhaps because the person doing it was management, staff didn't dare to speak up.

In any case, while the food was delicious, considering the prices and service,...

Vilás is a restaurant that presents Thai cuisine through an imaginative and deeply thoughtful lens. Every dish shows clear intention and a desire to reimagine familiar flavors in a more refined, artistic way.

Overall, the food was flavorful and well-executed. The curry, in particular, was bold and punchy — the kind of sauce you’d happily eat with a big bowl of rice. The crab omelette arrived impressively crisp and golden, and paired beautifully with classic Sriracha sauce. The dish was also served with fish sauce-cured egg yolk, meant to be eaten together — a pairing I personally couldn’t quite connect with, so I happily stuck with the Sriracha instead.

Some dishes felt a little too complex for my palate, especially considering they were reinterpretations of Thai flavors I already knew well. The creativity was admirable, but not every concept fully resonated with me.

A few downsides to note: the space can get very loud — the acoustics make it hard to hold a conversation — and the wait for food was quite long. It took about 40 minutes to receive our first dish, though that may have been due to the Friday evening rush. The wine list was also on the limited side.

That said, Vilás is a restaurant that truly celebrates culinary creativity. If you’re someone who appreciates innovative, thoughtful takes on Thai cuisine, you’ll likely walk away impressed — not just by the food, but by the...