Akbar
1/4 Soi Sukhumvit 3, Khlong Toei Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110
Akbar earns its longevity. The menu is straightforward Indian-Pakistani cooking executed without shortcuts: tandoori meats, proper curries, freshly baked bread. Prices are honest, with most curries landing between 200-300 THB. For expats craving something familiar and halal-certified on Sukhumvit, this is the most reliable option in the area.
A restaurant that has been cooking on Soi 3 since 1979 does not survive on novelty. Akbar's draw is consistency: Indian and Pakistani dishes prepared by an owner who has lived in Bangkok for more than two decades and clearly knows both cuisines from the inside. The setting sits opposite Nana Plaza, which makes the address easy to find but gives no clue to what is inside.\n\nThe menu covers tandoori dishes, curries across a range of heat levels, rice, and freshly baked breads priced between 40 and 80 THB per piece. A non-vegetarian thali runs around 500 THB, and most curries fall in the 200-300 THB range. Butter chicken and tandoori platters appear consistently across every source. Vegetarian options are listed, and the kitchen accommodates both meat-forward and lighter orders. A full lassi rounds out the drinks menu alongside alcohol, beer, wine, and cocktails.\n\nAll food is halal-certified, confirmed directly by the owner. That detail matters on this stretch of Sukhumvit, where the surrounding dining scene skews toward mainstream Thai and international options. Akbar fills a specific gap for South Asian expats, Muslim travelers, and the large contingent of British visitors who want a properly spiced curry rather than a tourist-market approximation.\n\nService runs until 12:30AM daily, which puts Akbar in late-night territory for Bangkok. Outdoor seating is available, delivery runs through Grab and Lineman, and free parking is on site. One practical note: the Soi 3 location means street noise is part of the experience, particularly in the evening hours.\n\nFor the expat community specifically, the combination of halal certification, late hours, reliable pricing, and nearly 50 years of operation makes Akbar a practical anchor on this side of Sukhumvit rather than just a restaurant to try once.