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Bangkok On Nut is a neighborhood that is still a bit of a hidden gem. Deemed ‘too far from the city center’ for some visitors, the district is actually well-connected to Bangkok attractions by the BTS Sukhumvit Line.
Boasting numerous restaurants, craft beer bars, fascinating markets, nearby nature and a handful of sights, On Nut shouldn’t be missed!
How We Discovered On Nut Bangkok
While Bangkok is a remarkable city…it can be overwhelming. Bangkok is massive, traffic is chaotic, and the heat can be downright unbearable. We believe the key to enjoying Bangkok is staying in a neighborhood that provides a reprieve from all the commotion.
For us, accommodation with a pool, easy access to public transport and nearby restaurants are essential. Bangkok On Nut in Upper Sukhumvit ticks all the boxes. In fact, it offered even more than we expected!
Upper Sukhumvit
Sukhumvit Road extends more than 300 miles across Thailand; from Bangkok to nearly the Cambodian border. A main Bangkok thoroughfare, Sukhumvit commences in the city center and wraps around to the east. Then turns south to the water and follows the coastline all the way to Trat.
The streets – or sois – that extend from the main road are numbered. Beginning with Sukhumvit Soi 1 in the city center to well into the 100s south of On Nut. Because the road is so long, it is often referred to in sections. Lower, Mid and Upper Sukhumvit – and the names correspond with the associated sois.
Although there are no formal district lines, Lower Sukhumvit runs from Soi 1 to about Soi 24 and Mid Sukhumvit is from Soi 24 to Soi 45. Upper Sukhumvit – which includes On Nut – runs from Soi 45 south to the Bang Na BTS station.
Bangkok On Nut
The On Nut Bangkok BTS Station once marked the end of the Skytrain line. The district was long off the radar for many people, including developers. Traditional houses, family-run restaurants and quiet sois attracted mostly locals and few expats.
Even today – long since the train line has been extended and high-rise condos are being built at a furious pace – the district retains (for Bangkok) a relatively low-key vibe.
Sukhumvit 77
In On Nut, Sukhumvit 77 (also named On Nut Road) is a central artery that roughly follows the nearby canal and continues east to the BKK Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Just steps from the On Nut BTS Station, Sukhumvit 77 is lined with restaurants, shopping centers, temples and condo complexes. However, there is much more to On Nut than just one road, which we discovered during our stay in Bangkok!
Things To Do in On Nut, Upper Sukhumvit Bangkok
Before we dive into our list of the top things to do in Bangkok On Nut, we’d like to point a few items. First, On Nut (sometime spelled Onnut) is pronounced On Noot. Be prepared for confusion or giggles if you use the English word Nut. Second, our list is not ranked in any particular order. Third, we provide a useful On Nut Bangkok Map at the end of the article.
Save, Pin or Bookmark our Bangkok On Nut Guide to plan your trip to Thailand!
#1 Phra Khanong Khlong Ban Pa Ferry
The canal running parallel to Sukhumvit Soi 77 is a great place to begin your exploration of the On Nut district. Bangkok was once a city of canals (khlongs) – and often referred to as The Venice of the East. Although most of the canals have been filled in as streets, water still flows in Khlong Ban Pa, merging into the Chao Phraya River just downstream from Phra Khanong and the On Nut district.
Visitors can get a glimpse of life on the canal on a ferry boat ride. Inexpensive long-tail ferry boats transport passengers from the Phra Khanong Market upstream to the Iam Sombat Market, making numerous stops along the way. Traditional houses and temples line the canal – as well as newly built condo projects. It’s a fascinating mix of old and new.
Top Tips: Tickets to ride the ferry cost 15 baht. The length of the entire route is about 9 km and takes about 30 minutes. The schedule is fairly limited, with boats departing from Phra Khanong at 7:00, 7:30, 8:00, 8:30, 9:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00 and 18:00 Monday to Friday.
Downstream boats from Iam Market depart at 6:00, 6:30, 7:00, 7:30, 8:00, 9:00, 11:00, 13:00, 15:00, and 17:00 Monday to Friday. On Saturday, Sundays and Holidays, the first boat departs at 9:00 (and then follows the weekday schedule).
#2 Best Beef Sukhumvit Bangkok
More than just a place to eat, Best Beef On Nut Restaurant is a unique and entertaining dining experience. The open-air (but covered) restaurant is massive – and from the moment it opens, the seats are filled (with locals, visitors and expats).
Contrary to the name, there is more than just beef on the menu. Hello, bacon…and, oh, nice to see you, squid! And, despite the All-You-Can-Eat food offerings, it is not a traditional buffet.
Best Beef is a cook-it-yourself restaurant. Each table has its own small wood-fire grill fitted with a grid and/or pan. Diners order a selection of meats – with choices of several different cuts of beef, pork, chicken and variety of seafood. They are served with vegetable accompaniments by filling out paper slips.
Guests have two hours to complete their meal and can put in an unlimited number of orders during that time. There are three different All-You-Can-Eat packages – Just Food (299 baht), Food plus Non-Alcoholic Drinks (369 baht) and Food plus Unlimited Drinks Including Beer (499 baht).
We opted for the gluttonous beer package – and were not disappointed. The raw meat platters came as quickly as we ordered them…and our beers were refilled before we even had to ask.
Unlike some self-cook dining experiences in Southeast Asia (like hot pot), we were completely confident in our meat-grilling abilities. Using butter, onions and mushrooms, we created flavorful combinations.
We gorged on sizzling bacon, giant shrimp, beef brisket and sirloin tip. By the time our 2 hour slot was up, we were too full to indulge in dessert at the ice cream station.
Top Tips: Even though the restaurant is gigantic, it gets busy fast! Arrive early or make reservations to ensure you won’t have to wait.
#3 Wat Mahabut Bangkok
There are hundreds of temples in Bangkok. In fact, some of the most famous Thai temples – Wat Pho, Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Arun – are in the City of Angels.
So, why visit Wat Mahabut in On Nut? Because, rather than housing a Buddha relic or an enormously large reclining Buddha, Wat Mahabut has a ghost. As a haunted temple, Wat Mahabut has an array of incredibly bizarre shrines and offerings.
The Mae Nak Ghost Story
According to legend, a young woman named Mae Nak haunts the temple. Some say it is in love, but not all agree. The story goes that Mae Nak and her unborn child died while her husband was away fighting during a war.
When he returned, she appeared to him as if she were still alive. Anyone who spoke to him of her passing would meet an untimely death of their own. Then her husband once saw her spirit disappear through the floor and realized the truth and escaped next door to the temple.
The house of Mae Nak has been incorporated as a shrine into the temple complex. Women go there to pray for their husband to be spared from military service or active duty. Pregnant women visit and ask Mae Nak for a healthy delivery. While other pregnant women steer clear of the temple until after the birth. Lottery players also go to get their numbers blessed.
Top Tip: The complex sees very few foreign tourists, so there is very limited information in English. As always, dress appropriately when visiting temples (cover shoulders and knees) and be respectful of those there to pray and make offerings.
#4 Bang Kachao Bike Riding
Right in the heart of the sprawling concrete city of Bangkok is an oasis of nature: Bang Kachao. Often referred to as the Green Lungs of Bangkok, Bang Kachao is an artificial island in a loop of the Chao Phraya River.
The rural landscape of Bang Kachao feels a world away from Bangkok. The preserved land is relatively free from developers and has only a small population of mostly farmers. A network of narrow, elevated paths weave around fields and through forests…and are ideal for a bike ride.
Bang Kachao Sights
The island features a handful of sights – there are nine temples, a Siamese Fighting Fish Gallery, a weekend market and a botanical garden. There are also numerous cafes where cyclists can stop for a refreshing drink; the Bangkok Tree House is among the most popular.
We attempted a route through the island to featured highlights, but our course was better in theory than in practice. Instead, we ditched any sort of itinerary and were content to pedal around taking in the striking contrast from the massive city sitting right across the river.
We did make it to the Sri Nakhon Khuean Khan Park and Botanical Garden, which we highly recommend as a destination point. The nearby Saphan Yao Food and Drink restaurant is an excellent choice for a cold beverage or light lunch, too.
Top Tip: There are a number of ways to get to Bang Kachao. From On Nut, we took a Grab Taxi to the Bang Na Pier. The ferry ride across costs 4 baht. When we departed the ferry, we came face-to-face with Wat Bang Nam Phueng Nok. Then turned left along the riverside where we rented bicycles (50 baht each, map included) for the day.
#5 Talad Rod Fai Train Night Market Bangkok
Located to the east of On Nut, the Talad Rod Fai Train Night Market is actually nowhere near a train, train tracks or a train station…well, except for show. The market is known for vintage goods and hipster vibes. It relocated to the current spot when the original location (which actually was on land owned by the State Railway of Thailand) was shut down.
Tucked behind the popular Bangkok mall, Seacon Square, Talad Rod Fai is the most fashionable night market near Sukhumvit…and possibly in the entire city. It has an eclectic mix of vendors selling everything from retro gear to home goods to classic cars. The market is comprised of both vendor stalls and permanent structures, with a few cool food trucks and pop up bars in between.
Although it appears to be typical from afar, Talad Rod Fai Night Bazaar is almost posh, with only a touch of the grittiness that is the standard of most Southeast Asia markets. In addition to the stylish wares, there is a trendy tattoo parlor and an old-school barbershop – and several of the bars feature live bands.
As with any Thai market, the food offerings are off the charts. In addition to standard Thai cuisine, chefs prepare international fare and gourmet treats. Talad Rod Fai Train Market is not the place to go for cheap shopping in Bangkok. It is, perhaps, the most upscale market we have visited in Thailand!
Top Tip: The Talad Rod Fai Train Market is open Thursday through Sunday from 5pm until 1am. From the BTS On Nut Station, take a Grab Taxi. Rush hour traffic can cause the streets around the station to be gridlocked. We recommend waiting until around 7:00pm – or later – to head to the market on Thursdays and Fridays.
#6 The Beacon Place: On Nut Sukhumvit Nightlife
The Beacon Place is a small plaza near the On Nut BTS Bangkok Station featuring boutique shops, chic restaurants and fun bars.
Attracting mostly expats, the space is filled with restaurants serving international fare – like Rolling Stone (woodfired pizzas), Okonomiyaki Izakaya Juubee (Japanese), Easy Burger and New Sushi Bar. Patrons can play pool at Black Cat Bar or throw back a few Thai beers at long-time favorite Cheap Charlie’s Bar.
The patios of all the establishments converge in the courtyard, creating a festive atmosphere. More than once, we ended up on Beacon Place for a few drinks and some food.
Top Tip: The bars that don’t serve food allow patrons to order – and eat – food from the adjacent restaurants.
#7 Classic Bangkok On Nut Restaurants
Even though the district is making room for new stylish eateries, there are still many decades-old street stalls and On Nut restaurants.
Pig Trotter
Honestly, I don’t know if that is the real name of the restaurant, but I do know it’s their specialty. In business for more than 40 years, it’s mostly locals that fill the seats of the narrow restaurant.
Perhaps it is the large dish of stewing pork parts (innards, hooves and all) at the front of the store that is off-putting for foreigners, but we couldn’t resist following the local crowd in for lunch. They had to scramble to find an English menu, but were able to squeeze us into the last table next to the kitchen.
Steering clear of intestines, we ordered a simple meal of Pork Leg on Rice, which was accompanied by a boiled egg and pickled vegetables. The scrumptiously tender meal was a delightful combination of salty and sweet – and we savored every single bite.
Kiang Aroy of Yaowarat
Located on Sukhumvit 77, Kiang Aroi may not have the most attractive storefront, but the food is phenomenal. In business since 1947, the famous chef’s dishes are so well-prepared that he has been invited to the palace to cook for royalty.
The extensive menu features a mix of Chinese and Thai food, but we didn’t even look at it. We both ordered the signature dish: Crispy Pork Neck with Garlic. The meal was absolutely perfect, with a lovely balance of moist meat and crispy coating.
Top Tip: These are just two of the highly rated places to eat in On Nut. Find more recommendations on TripAdvisor.
#8 Craft Beer in Bangkok
There are laws prohibiting craft breweries from producing beer in Thailand, but that hasn’t kept creative brewers from figuring a way around the rule.
Brewing in small batches or across the border in Cambodia and then importing ‘Thai Craft’ has become a sneaky way to fill the void. New craft beer bars – serving select ‘locally produced’ beer and some from international microbreweries – are popping up all over Bangkok.
The Ned Kelly Bar (Formerly Dog Step)
Located in the (already mentioned) Beacon Place, Ned Kelly Bar is a fun little craft beer bar that welcomes an easy going, beer loving crowd. With six taps of Thai craft beer and 20+ bottles, we always found something to suit our palates. They offer a beer taster tray, as well as happy hour discounts.
Top Tip: Find more tips for Bangkok craft beer in our 4-Day Bangkok Itinerary.
#9 RK Garden 79 Food Market (CLOSED)
The Corner RK 79 Market sits next to the On Nut Station, encircling a small fountain (some call it a pond). This On Nut market is relatively new – at least in comparison to other Bangkok markets – and is wildly popular for street food. A variety of vendor stalls ring the small space that is jam-packed with tables. Some of the offerings include whole grilled fish, sushi and BBQ – in addition to traditional Thai market food.
However, unlike most markets where you order, pay and wait for your food, the process is quite different at Corner 79. Patrons order food, sit at a table, are served by the vendor. I don’t know how they can find the customers in the sea of people! Then they ask for payment upon delivery.
Alternative Tip: Since the previous site closed, it appears many vendors have now set up under the BTS tracks next to Lotus Supermarket. If anyone can confirm, we’d appreciated it! MAP
#10 Habito Mall
The small Habito Mall features a nice selection of upscale restaurants and luxury coffee shops. We wouldn’t necessarily encourage visitors to go out of their way to see Habito Mall unless looking to do some boutique shopping or posh eating.
#11 New On Nut Night Market (Onnut Square)
When the original Bangkok On Nut Night Market closed (due to developers gobbling up the space), the On Nut Market relocated to Sukhumvit Soi 81. Dubbed the New On Nut Market Bangkok (or Onnut Square), the small space has just a handful of food vendors and a bar.
When we visited, the thin crowd was comprised of expats and lacked energy. Perhaps we just visited on an off night. That said, the food was good and the beer was cold…what more can you ask for?
More Bangkok On Nut Things To Do
We have a few more tips and practical information for On Nut BKK!
On Nut Bangkok Massage
One of my favorite things to do in Bangkok is get a traditional Thai massage – and there are plenty of places in On Nut the offer inexpensive massages. Although I didn’t partake on this trip, I look forward to getting a massage in On Nut the next time we are there!
Sights Near On Nut
We have highlighted what to do in On Nut Bangkok, but there are a few sights nearby, too.
Klong Toei Market
One of the best markets in Bangkok, Kong Toei is just a short 15 minute cab ride from On Nut.
Districts near On Nut
While we like the local charm of On Nut, there are nearby districts that are fun to visit, too.
Phrom Phong is an upscale district just northwest of On Nut known for luxury malls, fun bars and and hip eateries.
Bang Chak is just to the south of On Nut and features a few worthwhile attractions, like the Udom Suk Walk Market, Wat Dhammamongkol and the Jim Thompson Factory Outlet.
Supermarkets: Lotus and Big C
A big draw of the On Nut district to expats and long-term visitors is the two gigantic supermarkets – Big C On Nut and Tesco Lotus – that are just a short walk from the On Nut BTS Station. Both stores offer a variety of products – including groceries, home goods and cosmetics – including heaps of international brands.
Each of these shopping complexes feature air-conditioned food courts and recognizable fast food chains. We shopped (and dined at the food courts) at both shopping centers – and didn’t necessarily have a preference for one over the other.
Lotus Sukhumvit 50 On Nut
Formally the On Nut Tesco, the Lotus Sukhumvit 50 is directly across from the BTS Station. The Lotus On Nut Opening Hours: 6:00am to 11:00pm daily.
Big C Extra On Nut
The Big C On Nut Bangkok is located on Sukhumvit Soi 77, just around the corner from the BTS Station. Big C Supermarket Opening Hours: 8:00am to 10:00pm daily.
On Nut BTS Skytrain Station
The On Nut Station is the central hub of the district. There are 9 stops from On Nut to Siam Station. The ride should take about 15 minutes and costs 44 baht. At peak times, trains run every 3 to 4 minutes, but at rush hour they can be extremely crowded.
Riders can transfer to the MRT (separate ticket required) at the Asok Station, which is just 5 stops from On Nut.
Bangkok Train Map and Info
Find more info, routes, fares and maps online on the official BTS website.
Finding the Best Place to Stay in Bangkok On Nut
Our search for a cheap apartment to rent in Bangkok near a BTS station is what introduced us to the On Nut district – and we found numerous options when we focused in on the area.
For our week-long stay, we rented an Airbnb apartment in an On Nut condo complex that had a pool and gym and was located at the intersection of Sukhumvit Road and On Nut Road (Soi 77).
Our On Nut Apartment
As is often the case with rentals in Bangkok, the Airbnb apartment we rented was not the apartment shown in photos. It had a different view, was not as well decorated and lacked kitchen gadgets that were clearly pictured in the listing.
Regardless, the apartment was inexpensive, spacious and ideally located for our stay, so we really had no complaints. However, we would recommend that other travelers thoroughly read reviews prior to booking on Airbnb.
Vacation Rentals and Airbnb in Bangkok
Technically, short-term rentals, like those found on Airbnb, are ‘illegal’ in Thailand. In fact, there was a giant sign in the lobby of our building announcing that daily and weekly rentals are forbidden.
However, there are several On Nut Bangkok apartments (and apartments all over the country) listed on Airbnb, so it led us to believe that it’s a law that is rarely enforced. As long as it is a law, however, travelers rent at their own risk.
On Nut Bangkok Hotels
Travelers who would rather stay in hotels near the On Nut BTS Station have some really good options, too.
Avani Hotel On Nut Bangkok – Located just steps from the BTS Station, Avani is a luxury hotel featuring an outdoor pool, fitness center, on-site restaurant and bar. Check Availability!
X2 Vibe Bangkok Sukhumvit Hotel – The chic X2 Vibe Hotel is just a short walk from Tesco. Hotel features include an outdoor pool, fitness room, restaurant and bar. They also offer studio rooms with small kitchenettes at reasonable prices. Get the best rate!
Qiu Hotel – Just a 3-minute walk from the BTS Station (and practically next to the Corner 79 Market), Qiu Hotel offers rooms and apartments at reasonable rates. The property has an outdoor pool and on-site restaurant. Check out the reviews!
Bangkok Airport to Sukhumvit On Nut
There are two major airports that service Bangkok: Suvarnabhumi International Bangkok Airport (BKK) and Don Mueang International Airport (DMK). We start our search for the best deals on flights at our go-to platform for cheap airline tickets, Skyscanner!
BKK Suvarnabhumi Airport
There is a Suvarnabhumi Airport to Sukhumvit Train that makes getting into the city cheap and easy. Passengers need to ride the Airport Rail Link to the end of the line (Phaya Thai) and then transfer to the BTS Sukhumvit SkyTrain and ride to On Nut.
Bangkok Don Mueang Airport
The easiest way for getting from the Don Mueang International Airport to Sukhumvit On Nut is to take a Grab Taxi. Visitors can also book a less-expensive shared airport transfer in advance online.
Bangkok On Nut Map
Use this Google Map for an online version of our On Nut Map of Sights below.
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