Emporium Bangkok
The mall that started the EM District — luxury fashion, one of the city's best supermarkets, and a calmer pace than its younger siblings across the road. Here is what's actually worth your time inside.
Emporium is the original EM District mall, open since 1997 and connected to BTS Phrom Phong by a direct skywalk from Exit 2. Come for luxury fashion, the Gourmet Market supermarket and food hall, and the Exotique Thai crafts section — it's the quieter, more established counterpart to EmQuartier across the road, with Benjasiri Park directly next door.
What Emporium is known for
Emporium opened in 1997 as Bangkok's original upscale mall and later became the founding piece of the EM District. It has been renovated over the years, but its character has stayed consistent: luxury fashion houses, a proper department store, and a clientele that skews residents and regulars rather than crowds passing through. If EmQuartier is where the neighbourhood shows off, Emporium is where it actually shops.
Beyond the fashion floors, two things make it a genuine visitor stop. The Exotique Thai section gathers upscale Thai crafts and souvenirs — a far better hunting ground for gifts than the airport — and the Gourmet Market supermarket downstairs is one of the best in the city. There is also a cinema upstairs, and the Emporium Suites by Chatrium serviced-apartment tower is attached to the mall itself — you can live above the shop, quite literally.
Eating at Emporium
The food hall
The easy, no-reservation option: a food hall covering Thai classics and international counters at reasonable prices. It's the practical lunch stop between shopping floors — air-conditioned, quick, and far calmer than the equivalent at the newer malls across the road.
Gourmet Market
The supermarket that residents cross the neighbourhood for: imported groceries, excellent fresh produce, and ready-to-eat counters. It's also the best edible-souvenir shop in the area — Thai curry pastes, dried mango, and coffee from the northern hills all travel well.
Restaurant floors cover proper sit-down meals too, and dessert institutions like After You have locations in the Emporium/EmQuartier complex. For the wider neighbourhood food picture — Little Tokyo, street food, cafés — see our things-to-do guide.
Emporium vs EmQuartier vs EmSphere
All three EM District malls connect to BTS Phrom Phong, so this isn't really an either/or — but they have distinct personalities, and knowing them saves you time.
| Mall | Character | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Emporium 1997 | Luxury and established — the calm, grown-up original | Luxury fashion, the Gourmet Market, Thai crafts, a quieter pace |
| EmQuartier Newer | Fashion and dining — bigger, busier, trendier | Trend shopping, restaurant floors, the rooftop garden |
| EmSphere Newest | Youth, nightlife, and events — open latest | Food hall grazing, evenings out, concerts and events |
Honest advice: if you only have an hour, pick by mood. Quiet luxury and souvenirs — Emporium. Fashion and a long lunch — EmQuartier. An evening out — EmSphere.
Getting there and practical notes
By BTS: Exit 2 skywalk
Emporium connects directly to BTS Phrom Phong (E5) by skywalk on the south side of the station — follow signs for Exit 2 and you'll walk straight into the mall without touching street level. One stop from Asok, about ten minutes from Siam.
Benjasiri Park next door
Benjasiri Park sits directly beside the mall — the natural pairing is a walk in the park as the heat breaks, then dinner or the Gourmet Market on your way back to the BTS.
One shopping note: Thailand runs a tourist VAT refund scheme for eligible purchases — if you're buying anything substantial, ask at the customer service desk about the paperwork at the time of purchase.
Emporium Bangkok FAQ
Is Emporium Bangkok worth visiting?
Yes, especially if you prefer a calmer shopping day. Emporium opened in 1997 as the original mall of the EM District and remains the most established and quietest of the three — luxury fashion, a strong department store, the Gourmet Market supermarket, a food hall, and the Exotique Thai section for upscale Thai crafts and souvenirs. It connects directly to BTS Phrom Phong by skywalk, and Benjasiri Park is right next door.
What is the difference between Emporium and EmQuartier?
They face each other across Sukhumvit Road and both connect to BTS Phrom Phong. Emporium (1997) is the established, quieter one, focused on luxury fashion and its department store. EmQuartier is the younger sibling — bigger, busier, and stronger on trend fashion and dining floors. Most visitors do both in one loop, since you can walk between them via the station without touching street level.
How do I get to Emporium by BTS?
Take the BTS Sukhumvit Line to Phrom Phong (E5) and follow signs for Exit 2 — a direct skywalk connects the station to the mall on the south side of Sukhumvit Road, so you never need to cross the street. From Siam it is about ten minutes; from Asok, one stop.
Where can I eat at Emporium?
Two easy options without a reservation: the food hall, which covers Thai and international dishes at reasonable prices, and the Gourmet Market supermarket, which has ready-to-eat counters alongside its groceries — and is one of the best places in Bangkok for edible souvenirs like curry pastes, dried fruit, and Thai coffee. Restaurant floors round out the picture if you want a proper sit-down meal.
Can tourists get a VAT refund at Emporium?
Thailand operates a tourist VAT refund scheme for eligible purchases at participating stores — if you are shopping seriously, ask at the mall's customer service desk about the paperwork before you buy, since forms need to be issued at the time of purchase and processed at the airport when you leave.