If you are looking for somewhere chic to have a sunset cocktail or to enjoy a rooftop dinner, then Zense rooftop is a great choice. The view is fantastic, from the horseracing track to the lines of traffic moving slowly out of town at the end of the day. But what we really love about Zense rooftop is its location. Walking through CentralWorld you’d never expect there to be such a cool and funky venue just above you. Despite the fact that it’s so easy to get to, with Chit Lom BTS only five minutes away, it doesn’t draw the same crowds as some other rooftop destinations in Bangkok. In our eyes this is only a good thing. Service is quick, the drinks are delicious and, for the moment, there are plenty of seats and beanbags to relax on.

The restaurant and bar take over the 17th floor of CentralWorld shopping complex. Not all the lifts go there, so it can be tricky to find, but head to Zen shopping mall and look for the aluminium-fronted elevators rather than the glass-fronted ones. The entrance curves along the side of the building, showing off the view and once you walk round the corner, opens up into a cavernous room. There is a factory feel to Zense, and early in the evening while it is still quiet it can feel a little too spacious in the main dining hall. This area is split over two levels with steps leading up to the balcony area, while the colour changing neon bar is up another flight of stairs, providing a centrepiece to the restaurant and adding a softness to the classy concrete walls and geometric metal piping.

The outdoor space is more relaxed, with a small al fresco lounge with beanbags and one side and the main terrace and outdoor bar on the other. These are the most coveted tables, so if you are coming for dinner, be sure to book ahead. Zense Restaurant serves five different cuisines: Thai, Japanese, Indian, Italian, modern European and a dessert section and dishes are well prepared using high-quality ingredients. Recommended dishes from White Café, which focuses on Thai food, include deep-fried salmon flakes with mango and avocado relish and pomelo salad with pork, shrimp and peanuts. To Die For makes a delicious duck with spicy peaches, and we looked on with envy when we saw the Bento with sushi from Kikusui.

Zense is also a great place to come for a drink or three, and there is a dedicated bar that looks out towards Siam Paragon serving some original cocktails and smoothies. We love their collection of season-themed drinks, especially the simple Spicy Mango, which combines fresh fruit with rum, brown sugar and just the right amount of red chilli. If you fancy something fizzy then try the Re-Touched, passion fruit, brandy with Italian bubbles and bitters. The menu also covers a good range of fruit-based margaritas, caipirinhas and daiquiris and the bar staff shake up a decent range of classics as well.

Open: Thai Fusion
Admission Fee: $$$

Getting There:

by taxi to Central World Plaza (17th floor) or by BTS Skytrain Silom or Sukhumvit Line exit at Silom (then walk through shopping mall until Central world Plaza)

Address: 17/F, Zen World, CentralWorld, Rajadamri Road Bangkok 10100 Tel: +66 (0) 2 100 9898

click for view map

Website: www.zensebangkok.com