Mon-Sun : 5.30pm-2am
75, 23 Soi Sukhumvit 13 Khlong Toei Nuea Watthana Bangkok 10110
Perched on the 16th floor of the four-star Solitaire Hotel on Sukhumvit Soi 11, Bawarchi Rooftop is one of two Indian fine dining restaurants among the Bawarchi group’s six restaurants in Bangkok.
“Not many Indian restaurants out there come with such a great view. We take pride in delivering original recipes like those you would find in New Delhi. No fusion, nothing innovative. We stay true,” says marketing manager Calvin Lee.
“Now that we have six locations, we have a central kitchen that allows us to cater for thousands at big events.”
The Bawarchi (the Hindi word for chef) group celebrates 20 years in Bangkok in November 2019.
Executive chef Rana, who has been with the company for 15 years, says his core food philosophy is for “all the flavours to fight together and blend in a perfect marriage of taste”.
Bawarchi Rooftop, which has an opulent dining room where you can enjoy an Indian-themed cocktail while enjoying panoramic views over the capital, was previously called Nabah and offered Mediterranean food alongside Indian dishes.
“We decided to remove the Mediterranean dishes and focus on our strength of northern Indian food,” says Lee. “Our diners are mainly Solitaire Hotel guests and people staying at other nearby hotels, but we are trying to attract more Thais, who generally love Indian food once they try it.”
Bawarchi Rooftop has an impressive menu offering classic curries, tandoori dishes, seafood, breads, soups, desserts and an array of vegetarian offerings. Its tasting menus (999 baht for meat eaters, 799 baht for vegetarians) are great value with 10 dishes. The carnivores’ version has a tempting line-up including tandoori king prawns and lamb chops, chicken kebab and lamb, chicken and salmon curries.
After complimentary pappadums with dips, we chose three of the restaurant’s signature dishes.
Bawarchi Hyderabadi (595 baht) was a delicious lamb biryani with delicate saffron rice. A cucumber and mint raita (150 baht) was the perfect accompaniment for this spicy dish. Murgh Tawa Masala (475 baht) was an unctuously spiced chicken curry, while Lamb Rogan Josh (585 baht) had generous chunks of meat cooked with fennel, garlic, ginger and chilli in a thick gravy. The garlic naan (120 baht) was crispy and nicely flavoured.
We stuck with classics for dessert. Rasmalai (225 baht) was like a rich cheesecake without a crust, while Gulab Jamun (225 baht) comprised deep-fried dumplings dipped in rose and cardamom-flavoured sugar syrup.
* Prices shown may be subject to change