Tucked inside the Ashton Morph condo complex on the often-overlooked Sukhumvit Soi 38, Otto is a sharp new arrival that feels casual on the surface but delivers food with serious depth. Calling itself “Copenhagen inspired and Italian influenced”, the space is clean and unpretentious—smooth walls, light wood, minimalist furniture—but the kitchen tells a more ambitious story. 

Behind the menus is a clear culinary mind, balancing comfort and complexity. No wonder, given it was co-created by Italian fashionista and mixologist Giuseppe Carneli, formerly of Lennon's at Rosewood Bangkok. 

We tried two standout dishes which showcase just how considered the food here really is. The Bucatini Calabrian Carbonara (B360) comes with thick, springy bucatini tossed in a silky egg yolk sauce, rich without being heavy, spiked with a touch of heat from nduja, and dotted with crisp guanciale crumbles. It’s finished with a generous dusting of salty, funky pecorino romano. 

For dessert, the Panna Cotta (B150) is exceptional: perfectly set with just the right bounce, delicately sweet, and served in a pool of fresh strawberry coulis that balances tartness and fruit without overpowering the vanilla base. Both dishes show a level of restraint and detail you don’t often find in a laid-back neighborhood spot.

Not to be confused with Otto Italian Restaurant, Otto runs two menus: a daytime menu from 10am-6pm, and a dinner menu from 6pm-10:30pm. During the day, guests can build their own breakfasts from a lineup of quality ingredients - eggs, breads, proteins, sauces, and extras - or go for signatures like the ham and cheese croissant or smoked salmon avocado croissant. Freshly baked pastries, salads, sandwiches, and pasta round things out.

There’s also a wine-and-dine lunch set (B590): one main dish (sandwich, pasta, or house favorite), a glass of wine, and a scoop of ice cream, available 11am-2pm.

From 6pm, the menu turns bistro-forward with dishes like tuna crudo, beef carpaccio, mussels, and burrata. Familiar pastas remain, joined by grilled sea bass in cherry tomato sauce, Wagyu strip loin with mustard butter, and tacos - we’re eyeing the beef birria (B390). 

A tight cocktail menu includes a Negroni, Cherry Old Fashioned, Aperol Spritz, Rossi Spritz, and an Espresso Martini (from B360), and there’s a well-priced Italian-leaning wine list starting at B1,400 per bottle. Kombucha fans will clock the real deal here too - scobies fermenting on a shelf in full view.

Soi 38 has long flown under the radar, sleepy, but quietly studded with a few standouts like Toby’s, Rangoon Tea House, The Reading Room, Ang Morr Chinese Bistro, Chez Shibata 365 Patisserie, and the charming Japanese bistro, Okonomi. It’s a low-key enclave for those who value quality over flash, where good food meets thoughtful spending. Otto now adds another reason to explore this quiet stretch, any time of day, with attentive staff and funky tunes to boot. 

Ashton Morph 38, Sukhumvit Soi 38. 083-086-3983. Open Mon 10am-10:30pm; Wed-Sun 10am-10:30pm