Zoom4Zoom5: The riverside restaurant that's self-serve, out of place and delightfully chaotic

Tucked away above Siriraj Pier (Tha Siriraj), Zoom4Zoom5 is not your average riverside restaurant with glistening candlelight and classical Thai music.  

The name comes from the Thai slang "zoom si zoom ha", roughly meaning "wonky". Khun Suk and her business partners took over this space nine years ago, aiming to create a far from glamourous restaurant with an unpretentious atmosphere. 

But that's not the only way it differs from its pricier brethren. Most riverside restaurants are at ground level, but Zoom4Zoom5 sits on an elevated terrace. To get there, make your way through Tha Siriraj's food market and walk up the stairs, which at first sight seem to lead nowhere.

Not only are diners pulled in by the secrecy of this place, but most can't get over the stunning river view.  The Grand Palace, Temple of Dawn, Thammasat University...you can see them all, from the second floor, at an angle most never knew existed. 

And the prices are nothing if not moderate. Recommended dishes include roasted pork salad, German pork leg and fried salty egg cakes. And their homemade kamikazes are also worth a few swills.

Just don't sit around waiting to give your order. Zoom4Zoom5 runs a self service system, so order and pay at the bar. This is to avoid confusion as the evenings can get busy due to Zoom's popularity amongst students from the nearby universities and young professionals working in the area.  (In addition to cheap eats, another appeal is the live football matches aired on large screens.)

For lunch, the half open deck is a great place to sit back and enjoy a cold beer, delicious food and watch the river life go by, making this the perfect Chao Phraya vantage point.

Zoom4Zoom5, at Siriraj (Wang Lang Pier) is open from 10 a.m.-midnight. Note: Alcohol is not served between 2-5 p.m. due to Thai law. This is a no smoking restaurant, however there is a small smokers' corner. 396/8 Thanon Phran Nok. Tel: +66 (0)2 866 8745