Jim Thompson, A Thai Restaurant — Restaurant in Wang Mai Subdistrict

TLDR: Not as smooth a dining experience for a high-end restaurant - a lot of waiting around

I share a birthday with my sister and we had lunch here for our birthday with my mum and boyfriend on 26 February 2024. We were in Bangkok for a quick 3-day getaway from Singapore.

Ordered 1 'S' dish and 4 'M' dishes, including Our Khao Pad 'Socarrat'. The 'S' dish arrived first as an appetiser as expected, and 3 'M' dishes followed soon after. We wanted to have all 4 'M' dishes before we started eating, so we waited. After 10 minutes, we wondered if our order had been forgotten, and on enquiring, were informed that it was being made from scratch, and would take another 15 minutes before ready to be served. Hence we started eating our now-lukewarm dishes paired with jasmine rice. We tried to pace ourselves and ate what we had over 20-30 minutes, however it was 5-10 minutes after everyone's plates had been empty before the Our Khao Pad 'Socarrat' arrived. It was scrumptious, and I can't help but wonder how much better the rest of the dishes could have been if eaten hot.

Would have been useful to be informed that the estimated waiting time for the Our Khao Pad 'Socarrat' was going to be 2-3 times longer than the rest of the dishes at the time of ordering - we would have changed our minds about ordering it. And I'm unsure if jasmine rice was officially on the menu - I didn't recall seeing it. We ordered it only because my mum asked for it directly...out of exasperation that all we had were dishes that she felt were meant to pair with the rice dish that had yet to be served. Also, I wished that the waiting staff's English was better. We interacted with a few and I felt an underlying sense of being slightly confused throughout. As examples - when we asked for jasmine rice, based on our waitress' response, I wasn't sure if she meant "I will ask for you if this is an available food option" or "yes we do have it" and had to clarify twice; after she walked away, I realised I didn't know if she was replacing the Our Khao Pad 'Socarrat' with jasmine rice, or adding it to our order. Finally, I wished they asked if we had a Jim Thompson membership - a 5% discount is significant if your meal is in excess of THB3000! My mum had applied for it the day prior at the Jim Thompson Outlet, and my boyfriend who was footing the bill had forgotten. To their credit, they did refund the original transaction and processed the bill with the 5% discount, but even that took a good 10 minutes.

I wish I could say that it was a good experience, but it did significantly cut into the time we had to visit the Jim Thompson Museum. We even had to go on the Mandarin tour despite my boyfriend's inability to comprehend the language because attending the next available English tour that was 25 mins after the next available Mandarin one meant we risked missing our checked baggage cutoff time for our...

Dining Experience at Jim Thompson Restaurant & Museum: A Beautiful Setting That Missed the Mark

I recently had dinner for the first time at the Jim Thompson Restaurant, which opens in the evening at 6 PM and is part of the beautiful Jim Thompson Museum. The ambiance was truly impressive — elegant, refined, and in keeping with the rich cultural heritage of the brand. However, the overall experience left much to be desired, particularly in terms of service and food quality.

To begin with, while the front-of-house staff appeared courteous on the surface, their demeanor, tone, and delivery lacked the refinement expected in a setting of this caliber. The staff seemed to rely on scripted phrases, but the way they were delivered felt unnatural and lacked the warmth and finesse that should match the Jim Thompson brand. There is definitely room for improvement here through proper training.

As for the food, expectations were understandably high given the restaurant’s reputation and price point — but the reality fell short. One of the most disappointing dishes was the Crispy Pork Salad, which, unfortunately, was neither crispy nor freshly made. The texture was flat, and the flavor was underwhelming.

The Spring Rolls with Kurobuta Pork and Crab were another letdown. The rolls themselves were dry and lacked depth in flavor. Interestingly, it seemed the crab was only present in the dipping sauce, rather than in the roll as described. That said, the sauce was quite tasty — arguably the best part of the dish.

We also ordered four skewers, which arrived rather dry and uninspired. The only dish that stood out was the Panang Wagyu Curry. The curry was rich, deeply flavorful, and the wagyu beef was beautifully tender. It was clear this dish received more attention in execution and presentation.

In summary, while the setting and concept are undeniably appealing, the service and food did not deliver an experience that would make me want to return. For a brand with such prestige and storytelling potential, the execution on the restaurant floor must rise to meet the atmosphere. Sadly, it didn’t — and I would likely not revisit. The cost of this meal for four people was almost 10,000 baht. I do expected more...

A Luxurious Taste of Traditional Thailand at Jim Thompson Restaurant Stepping into Jim Thompson Restaurant feels like entering a refined oasis of Thai culture. The ambiance is distinctly Thai, exuding an elegant charm that immediately sets a sophisticated tone for your dining experience. While the restaurant offers a diverse menu of Thai dishes, the true star, and a must-try if you visit during the summer months, is their exquisite Khao Chae. It's highly recommended to make a reservation in advance, as this seasonal delicacy is incredibly popular. What sets Jim Thompson's Khao Chae apart is the sheer abundance and quality of its accompanying side dishes. Each component is meticulously prepared and bursting with authentic flavors, offering a genuine taste of this classic Thai summer treat that has been preserved beautifully over time. For those not inclined towards Khao Chae, the restaurant also features a selection of à la carte options and set menus. The flavors tend to be on the milder side, perhaps catering to a broader palate, including international visitors. However, the food is consistently fresh, well-prepared, and of a good standard. Notably, Jim Thompson Restaurant offers dishes that are quite rare to find elsewhere, such as Som Chun (a refreshing sour and sweet fruit salad). They also showcase a creative fusion approach, such as incorporating these unique flavors into their dessert offerings, like their intriguing ice cream menu. Finally, the service provided by the staff is truly commendable. They are attentive, dedicated, and contribute significantly to the overall positive dining experience. In conclusion, Jim Thompson Restaurant offers a delightful blend of luxurious Thai ambiance, a remarkable and authentic Khao Chae experience (during the summer), and a range of other well-executed Thai dishes, complemented by exceptional service. It's a place where you can savor both traditional flavors and a touch of refined Thai...