Located in the heart of Bangkok on Soi Sukhumvit 8, just 200 meters from Nana BTS Station (Exit 4), Kinnaree by Vanessa WU has welcomed guests from around the world since 2006. At Kinnaree by Vanessa WU, every dish is more than a recipe — it is a story of Thailand’s heritage, local ingredients, and the artistry of contemporary Thai cuisine. 

OVERVIEW

Kinnaree by Vanessa WU presents Contemporary Thai Cuisine, where local and iconic ingredients are elevated with creative flair, yet every dish remains deeply rooted in the richness of authentic Thai flavors.

Located in the heart of Bangkok on Soi Sukhumvit 8, just 200 meters from Nana BTS Station (Exit 4), Kinnaree by Vanessa WU has welcomed guests from around the world since 2006. For nearly two decades, Kinnaree has been dedicated to sharing the richness of Thai cuisine, heartfelt hospitality, and an atmosphere inspired by Thai artistry. In 2023, after 19 remarkable years, the restaurant evolved into a Contemporary Thai Cuisine destination, blending timeless Thai flavors with fresh expressions that reflect today’s dining culture.

Our signature menu combines beloved traditional dishes, rare regional specialties, and innovative interpretations — all crafted with premium local ingredients. Every creation reflects our mission to support Thai farming communities and preserve culinary heritage, an effort celebrated in our documentary series “Touch of Thai Taste”. This series uncovers the stories of ingredients and traditions across provinces, bringing Thai food culture to a global audience.

The restaurant offers two floors of dining space with a total capacity of 150 seats (120 indoor and 30 outdoor). Guests may enjoy lush greenery in our cozy outdoor seating area, while families and children are warmly welcomed. We feature two private dining rooms (10–14 people each), a semi-private round-table room (9 people), and a large second-floor private hall accommodating 40–60 guests.

Enhancing the experience, our stylish bar offers craft cocktails and mocktails infused with Thai spirits, alongside our signature Thai food and wine pairings. With parking available and a location surrounded by 5-star hotels, Bangkok’s largest park, and luxury shopping malls, Kinnaree offers an elegant and serene dining escape in the vibrant heart of the city.

AMBIENCE

The ambience of Kinnaree by Vanessa WU reflects a harmonious blend of Thai heritage and contemporary elegance, with its concept personally designed and handcrafted by Mr. Peerapach Puboonkong (พีระภัทร์ ภูบุญคง) — the owner, artist, and designer who nurtures the essence of Thai identity through both his soul and hands. Shaped by global experiences, he brings a unique perspective to creating spaces that embody Thai art heritage.

With decades of expertise in designing and building distinctive Thai restaurants across East and West — from France to China and Malaysia— Mr. Peerapach channels his love, wisdom, and craftsmanship into Kinnaree, ensuring every detail conveys authenticity, creativity, and a sense of belonging.

Guests are welcomed through a striking modern European-style glasshouse structure, where natural light and openness set the tone for refinement. Inside, the interiors highlight handcrafted Thai artistry and decorative details, blending natural wood, antique elements, artisanal accents, and soft lighting to create a setting that is both sophisticated and warmly inviting.

Surrounding the restaurant, his landscape design inspired by the mythical Himmapan forest extends the vision into nature, with lush greenery and artistic landscaping that transform Kinnaree into a sanctuary-like escape in the heart of Sukhumvit, Bangkok.

Here, authenticity and elegance come together in perfect harmony, offering guests a dining experience that is as inspiring as it is welcoming.

MUST TRY

At Kinnaree by Vanessa WU, every dish is more than a recipe — it is a story of Thailand’s heritage, local ingredients, and the artistry of contemporary Thai cuisine. Our signature creations embody the restaurant’s philosophy: enhancing local treasures with creativity, while preserving the richness of authentic Thai flavors.

1. Smoked Duck Breast with Red Curry & Mixed Tropical Fruits
A Kinnaree by Vanessa WU Signature that reimagines tradition. Smoked and roasted duck breast meets the warmth of red curry, elevated with pineapple, longan, and grapes. The result is a vibrant harmony where tropical fruits enhance the complexity of Thai flavors. You can have fun and discover different layers of flavor in every bite, making this dish a true reflection of Kinnaree’s innovation rooted in authenticity.

2. Kinnaree Durian Fried Rice
Born from our Local to Global Research Project, this dish transforms the pride of Southern Thailand into culinary artistry. Using iconic durian from Betong, Yala, we crafted a unique creation that supports local farmers and offers an unforgettable taste experience found exclusively at Kinnaree by Vanessa WU.

3. Tom Zaap Baby Pork Rib Soup with Longan
A rare harmony of Northern and Isaan traditions. Tender pork ribs, slow-braised with Thai herbs and chili in true Isaan style, are paired with Lamphun’s signature Northern longan, whose gentle sweetness softens the fiery broth. Each spoonful balances heat and fruit, creating a soulful and complex signature soup.

4. Grilled River Prawns with Thai Trio Sauce
From Ayutthaya’s rivers to Kinnaree’s cuisine, river prawns — iconic for their firm texture and rich head fat — are flame-grilled and served with three house-made Thai sauces: sweet tamarind, salty chili-fish sauce, and aromatic lime sour. Guests can enjoy various joyful experiences in each dipping and bite, as every flavor combination tells a story of local waters and timeless Thai craftsmanship, celebrating the pride of Ayutthaya’s finest catch.

5. Palm Sugar Ice Cream – The Heritage of Phetchaburi
Crafted from GI-certified Tanod palm sugar, this dessert embodies the essence of Thailand’s cultural legacy. With naturally layered sweet-and-salty notes, each spoonful tells a story rooted in over a thousand years of tradition. Highlighted in our Touch of Thai Taste documentary journey, it represents more than a dessert — it is a handcrafted cultural experience, celebrating the heritage and artistry of Phetchaburi.

6. Light of Kinnaree Cocktail
Inspired by the mythical Himmapan forest, Light of Kinnaree captures brightness, depth, and mystery in a harmony of flavors. Finished with a graceful Kinnaree bird and a playful one-meter straw, this signature cocktail embodies the spirit of freedom and happiness that defines Kinnaree by Vanessa WU.

FOOD

At Kinnaree by Vanessa WU, our culinary philosophy is rooted in Contemporary Thai Cuisine — honoring authentic Thai flavors while enhancing them with creativity, artistry, and carefully selected local ingredients. Every dish reflects a balance of tradition and innovation, showcasing both Thailand’s cultural richness and the restaurant’s unique approach to refined dining.

Our menus feature a mix of beloved traditional classics, rare regional specialties, and inventive creations that transform local treasures into memorable dining experiences. Among the most popular are highlights such as Grilled Beef Wrapped with Pineapple & Seafood Sauce, Smoked Duck Breast with Red Curry & Tropical Fruits, Tom Yum River Prawn Soup, Palm Sugar Ice Cream from Phetchaburi, and the Chiang Mai Thai Sato Cocktail.

Dining at Kinnaree is not just about taste — it is about experiencing heritage, creativity, and harmony in every moment.

PRICING

Kinnaree by Vanessa WU offers a pricing approach designed to make Contemporary Thai Cuisine both accessible and memorable. Guests may choose between à la carte selections and carefully curated set menus, ensuring flexibility for every dining occasion and a truly tailor-made experience.

• À la Carte dishes range from THB 280–1,690, featuring everything from light starters and traditional specialties to signature creations and premium seafood.
• Set Menus are thoughtfully crafted dining journeys. Group dining experiences start from THB 1,300++ per person (for 10 guests or more), designed for celebrations, family gatherings, and corporate events. Each menu offers a balance of beloved Thai classics, regional specialties, and contemporary highlights, with customization available for dietary needs, wine pairings, or themed dining concepts.
• Signature Cocktails & Wine Pairings begin from THB 350++, featuring premium Thai-inspired cocktails and a curated wine list designed to elevate the experience. This pricing reflects Kinnaree’s commitment to quality ingredients, local sourcing, and artisanal presentation — while remaining approachable for both local and international guests.

At every price point, Kinnaree ensures heritage, creativity, and value, delivering a dining experience that is both elegant and rewarding.

ABOUT CHEF

Professor Vanessa WU (Wanasnan Kanokpattanangkul – วนัสนันท์ กนกพัฒนางกูร) is an educator, restaurateur, and culinary visionary who has dedicated over 30 years to promoting Thai cuisine across the globe — from Europe to Asia. Guided by her belief “Love what you do, and do what you love,” she has become a global ambassador of Thai gastronomy, blending heritage with innovation.

Her inspiration is rooted in deep research of Thai local ingredients across every region of Thailand, often in collaboration with government organizations. Her mission is to support local communities by using high-quality produce and uncovering the cultural stories behind them — a passion showcased in her documentary series, “Touch of Thai Taste.”

In 2018, she was honored as a Top Chef Asian by the China Hotel & Restaurant Association, certified under the Government of China, and soon became one of the country’s most recognized celebrity chefs. Alongside her restaurant leadership, she also serves as Instructional Director at Sichuan Tourism University, Chengdu, and Chitralada Technology Institute, Bangkok, where she leads the “Restaurant Concepteur” program, guiding future restaurateurs on how to open and operate Thai restaurants abroad.

Throughout three decades, Vanessa has worked as an international consultant for Thai restaurants in France, China, the UAE, Malaysia, and Thailand, and today holds leadership roles as Vice President of the Southeast Asia Cuisine Committee in China and member of the Cold Dishes Art Committee of the China Association.

In 2006, she returned to Bangkok to establish Kinnaree by Vanessa WU, the restaurant she considers her masterpiece. Kinnaree reflects her deep understanding of authentic Thai cuisine, respect for local ingredients, and global perspective gained from decades of culinary experience across East and West. Each dish is designed to resonate with both Thai and international guests — a global taste experience that makes Thai food accessible, cherished, and always true to its authentic richness.