Ma Maison Restaurant

An oasis of peace in busy Bangkok

Ma Maison is still one of those hidden treasures we love finding in Bangkok. Tucked in the garden of the Nai Lert Park Heritage Home, right behind Central Chidlom and Central Embassy, this beautiful Thai restaurant feels like a peaceful escape you’d never expect in the middle of the city. Just a few minutes’ walk from BTS Chit Lom, yet you step into a vast green space shaded by giant old trees, with a glasshouse restaurant nestled right inside.

The restaurant shares the garden with the Nai Lert Park Heritage Home, a museum dedicated to one of Thailand’s most respected entrepreneurs. Nai Lert was a visionary businessman and developer in the early 1900s who played a big part in shaping modern Bangkok. His home, built in 1915, has been lovingly preserved and still feels full of history — it’s a nice side visit if you have time before or after your meal.

Ma Maison used to serve French cuisine when it first opened, but today it’s proudly Thai. It’s still upmarket, but not stiff at all — more like dining at a beautiful house surrounded by greenery. The restaurant is spread across three glasshouses, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering full views of the gardens. The main dining room, which also includes a cosy bar area, isn’t very large, so we always recommend booking ahead. On both sides, two smaller rooms are perfect for private groups. If the weather allows, the wooden terrace under the trees is one of the nicest spots to sit, even in the afternoon.

The decoration inside is charmingly eclectic. One back wall is covered in a mix of stuffed birds, vintage books, and rows of colourful orchids. It sounds busy, but somehow works — the whole place feels refined without being overly designed.

The menu offers a well-curated selection of classic Thai dishes with a little twist. During our last visit, we loved the Yum Hua Plee (banana blossom salad), the Gaeng Kee Lek (curry with cassia leaves) and a fresh and spicy Yum Tawai. We also had the Khao Chae, one of their seasonal specialities, which was perfect for the hot weather — a beautiful set of chilled rice served with small, intricate side dishes. It’s not something you find often, and it’s worth trying if it’s available when you visit.

Ma Maison has always been a bit of a secret, even among locals, but it’s still one of the best addresses when you’re looking for a quiet Thai lunch or dinner in Bangkok’s busiest shopping district.

What we ordered

The menu offers a good choice of classic Thai dishes with a small twist and great ingredients. We loved the Yum Hua Plee (Banana blossom salad), Gaeng Kee Lek (a delicious Curry with cassia leaves) and Yum Tawai.

Khao Chae

マメゾン バンコク を日本語で読む

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