Lotus-Bar Guesthouse

We’ve eaten here twice, once having Thai food and once choosing Western dishes, and both meals were tasty, generous, and well prepared. The tuna steak came grilled with a slightly salty coating, just as we’d asked. Vegetarian choices are limited, but they were happy to prepare our dishes without meat. If you order an international main, you can also help yourself to fresh salad and tasty soup. The drinks list includes wine, cider, and several European beers and lagers, and there’s free WiFi. Service was helpful and always came with a smile. We first found the place while looking for somewhere new to eat. It’s easy to reach, about a two minute drive or five minute walk from the Big Buddha at Phratamnak Soi 4. There’s a bar and pool table, seating for around 40, and tables that work for couples or can be pushed together for larger groups. Everything was well maintained, with a relaxed feel. In the evening the lighting is low and the music stays quiet enough to talk over. It’s open plan and cooled by fans. Prices are a little higher than at some nearby places, but we liked the food and atmosphere enough to happily come back.

I stopped in for the first time around 2 pm on a Tuesday and paid 85 baht for a tiny bottle of Tiger Light, under 12 ounces. That felt far too expensive. I wasn’t hungry at first, but after the beer I ordered chicken in sweet and sour sauce with rice to take away for dinner. At home, the portion looked more like a child’s meal, and the sauce was bland, neither sweet nor sour.

The place is clean and has good WiFi. I didn’t love the Pad Thai, but there’s a great selection of European dishes I’d like to try next time.

Belgian specialties like mussels and fricandelle are a big focus, with plenty of imported Belgian beers too. They also serve pizza and Thai food. The decor is nice, and Belgian Pitou is friendly and seems to be running the place.