Luz is the tapas bar on the 33rd floor of INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit. The views over Bangkok are fantastic, especially just before sunset. It’s one of those places where you think you’ll just stop by for a cocktail, but before you know it, you’ve stayed all evening.
The menu is authentically Spanish with subtle Asian influences, and the tapas are beautifully presented.
I started with the Gilda San Sebastián, small skewers with olives, white anchovies, and brown anchovies. Such a delicious little bite, and the kind of thing I could happily eat ten of.
The rest of the tapas arrived shortly after. The Croquetas de Jamón were perfectly crisp on the outside, creamy in the middle, and topped with Jamón Ibérico. The Bocadillo de Calamares was Luz’s take on the classic calamari sandwich. Instead of the traditional bread roll, the crispy calamari was served in a soft mantou bun, which worked really well.
My favorite dish was the Salmorejo con Burrata. Salmorejo is a classic cold soup from Andalusia in southern Spain. It’s often compared to gazpacho, but it’s thicker and creamier because it’s made with bread as well as tomatoes, while gazpacho is lighter and more vegetable-forward. The burrata was a delicious addition, and together with the excellent bread served on the side, it was one of those dishes I just couldn’t get enough of.
I also had the Tortilla Española, which was topped with a thin brown sauce and tasted really good.
While I was eating, Chef Nacho came over to chat. He’s originally from Spain and told me that salmorejo is one of his favorite dishes. He first suggested I try the restaurant’s paella, but then changed his mind and brought me the Fideuà Negro de Pulpo instead.
I had never tried fideuà before, so I was really excited. It’s similar to paella, but instead of rice it’s made with short pasta noodles. The noodles absorb the sauce differently than rice, and I really liked the texture. They were both chewy and slightly bouncy. The squid ink version with octopus was not only beautiful to look at, but also incredibly delicious.
Even though Luz is located inside a hotel, it doesn’t feel like a typical hotel restaurant. There was a DJ playing the evening I visited, and the atmosphere reminded me a little of Above Eleven, another rooftop restaurant I really like in Bangkok. The place filled up quickly around sunset, and I can easily see Luz becoming one of the go-to spots for sundowners in this part of the city.
Another wonderful evening in Bangkok.
Luz, INNSiDE by Melia 1472 Sukhumvit Rd, Phra Khanong, Khlong Toei, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
