Everyone knows it can be tricky to set the date to meet with the entire gang, but to choose where to go and what to eat together can be even more complicated. If you’re planning a girls’ night out or a meet up with your group of friends, there are countless restaurants and bars to choose from in the capital of Bangkok that might accommodate what your group wants. If you’re looking for tasty food, there are hundreds of options in shopping malls, but what about the atmosphere for some long and comfortable catch-up and life updates? If you want to glimpse Bangkok at night, your choices are mostly limited to rooftop bars, which might not be available for some rainy months in Thailand. If you want open air or semi-open air, you know that most al fresco restaurants are a bit further away from the heart of the city or might lean more toward “beer gardens” with alcoholic beverages as the main focus. For all these reasons, today we are recommending an alternative and unique option: dinner cruises along the Chao Phraya river! This is how you can see the sights and hear the sounds of the glimmering city in the evening, while also enjoying a special meal on your night out to make memories together.

Pro tip: with dinner cruises, you and your friends can have an exact idea of the prize of the meal beforehand! With the clear fixed expenses that you know prior, you can discuss with your friends or partner whether all of you love the number you’re seeing. Moreover, these cruises tend to include both food and beverages in a buffet or carefully chosen courses, which you can enjoy fully and taste everything without worrying about going over budget. Sounds cool, right? A number of the cruises will even tell you the list of appetizer choices and buffet dishes you will get, therefore making deciding on which one to go on a much simpler matter if your group has dietary restrictions and needs.There are both affordable and luxury cruises to choose from depending on your choice and what occasion you’re planning the night out. With advanced booking through vouchers, you can also ensure availability prior to going, and also book for others as gifts as well. The best part: dinner cruises also tell you clear details of what the night entails such as exactly when and where you need to check-in, how long the journey on the boat will take, what you will see along the route, and what services are included such as live band music, fireworks, birthday cake, and more. Not to mention the bright city lights and landmarks that you might have never seen at night before, which add to the atmosphere and the vibe of your special meal.

Enjoy an international buffet with (or without) grilled seafood and barbecue on the Meridian Cruise, the first dinner cruise of our list. This cruise departs from ICONSIAM department store and takes you on the journey of Bangkok’s grand view at night, with live band music and Thai traditional performance included. With this cruise, you can also join the transfer service from designated areas in Bangkok for the most convenience on your night out, and you will get a birthday cake if it’s your birth month as well!

See the iconic waterfront landmarks along the Chao Phraya river with Wonderful Pearl Dinner Cruise. You can enjoy Thai and international cuisine in a buffet, and also sushi from the sushi corner as well, giving you a wide variety of dishes to taste. After you check in at La Grande Perle Restaurant, River City Shopping Complex, soak in the lively atmosphere of Bangkok at night, and relax while live band music plays during your 2-hour route amidst the most beautiful sceneries of the city. We guarantee you a fun and memorable time!

With the Temple of Dawn and The Grand Palace glimmering golden in the background, Chao Phraya Princess Cruise will charm and soothe your soul with soft pop and jazz tunes by their resident saxophonists and vocalists. The delectable dishes in the Thai and international buffet, including seafood, will make your mouth water for sure! A bonus is that this cruise departs from ICONSIAM pier, making transportation convenient from your group as well.

Royal Princess Cruise by Naka Service offers you both a dinner cruise at night, and a sunset cruise which is earlier in the evening, accommodating your group whether you want to stay a bit late or see the riverside attractions during the golden hour. The bright city lights at night pair well with their Thai, international, and seafood buffet. This cruise departs from Asiatique Pier, where you can also enjoy the sights and lights there before you embark on the river journey.

Marvel at all the enchanting illuminated sights along Chao Phraya River with River Star Princess, a cruise with dishes that include Thai, international, seafood, and even salmon sashimi for you to enjoy, desserts included. They also have a pay-3-for-4 offer that might be perfect for your group of friends too. This cruise departs from Yod Piman Pier, where you can stroll around, eat, and shop comfortably before heading on the river boat.

Feast on a delectable Thai and international buffet with White Orchid River Cruise, with live band music and entertainment for passengers. This 2-hour journey along the glimmering water from Asiatique Riverfront will let you glimpse many crucial sites such as Wat Arun and the Grand Palace, which will light up at night and draw everyone’s attention. This cruise has seats on the open-air top deck that guarantee the best view possible from the middle of the river so that you can see all the Rattanakosin landmarks during your special meal.

If you’re looking for luxury options for the river cruise, look no further than the Manohra Luxury Cruise by Anantara Bangkok. While normal dinner cruises are a buffet of well-known dishes to satisfy travellers, the signature set menu by Manohra meticulously combines the right tastes and flavors of genuine Thai cuisine handpicked by the 5-star hotel. Dinner aboard the Thai-style Manohra boat includes a generous set of 1 Miang Kham, 4 appetizers, 1 soup, 4 main course dishes, 3 desserts, and 1 Thai tea, and serving only a few tables with a smaller-sized exclusive boat that reflects Thai architecture.

Saffron Cruise by Banyan Tree Bangkok is another luxurious cruise option that lets you feast on a full 4-course Thai cuisine chosen by the famous hotel and resort. Go aboard their dazzling boat that is lit bright against the waters, with food and sweet petit fours to end on high note. This luxurious cruise also includes a complimentary cocktail on the moon deck, so that you can feel absolutely refreshed soaking in the river breeze. The cruise that departs from ICONSIAM pier will take you on a tour of the important landmarks of the city.