Escaping to a secret garden and meeting Totoro was not something I had in my original trip itinerary, but when traveling abroad many unexpected things can happen! As someone who is both a avid anime fan and loves themed restaurants, I was thrilled to discover a Totoro restaurant in central Bangkok. I decided to go there my 2nd day in Thailand as soon as it opened!
May’s Garden Cafe is a lovely dining experience with its artistically crafted stained glass windows, portraits of Miyazaki characters hanging on the wall, and also its outdoor garden where you are free to leisurely roam. With an expansive menu featuring mostly Thai food and Asian cuisine, there are a large variety of dishes to choose from. I decided to order the Pad Thai Omelette and the Totoro cake pictured above, and was amazed at how delicious the cooking was! Unlike other themed restaurants, this food is extremely authentic and uses a lot of fresh ingredients, vegetables, and spices to create culinary delights.
This restaurant was officially opened by Ghibli co-founder Toshio Suzuki after he visited Thailand and met a vendor named May selling the best chicken wings he had ever tasted on the street (according to Coconuts Bangkok). Inspired by how hard she worked to feed her family, he hired her as a chef and her wings are on the menu!
I’ve been to the Hayao Miyazaki Museum and Cafe in Tokyo, but this restaurant in Thailand has a bigger menu and much more of an atmosphere to it. I did not make a reservation here because I walked in as soon as it opened, but it is recommended to do so in advance because it is quite popular.
If you get the chance, please visit this cafe to meet a life-sized Totoro and dine on some authentic Thai cuisine! The garden awaits you~
