Four years of culinary exploration, a renewed passion for Mediterranean cooking and a remarkable hospitality team give one of Sathorn's favourite dining addresses a fresh chapter.
BANGKOK, Thailand. Great food, a good glass of wine and no rush to leave. For Bangkok restaurateur Craig McLean, that has always been the idea behind great hospitality. And at XII Mediterranean on Sathorn Soi 12, it is an idea that has only grown stronger with experience.
On Saturday, November 14, XII Mediterranean, pronounced “Twelve,” will unveil a refreshed identity, new menu and renewed commitment to the flavours and traditions that first inspired the restaurant.
But this is more than a relaunch. It is the culmination of the last four years of culinary exploration, countless lessons learned and a growing understanding of what guests genuinely love.
Having navigated the challenges of opening during the pandemic, explored different culinary directions and more recently embraced the traditions of Southern French cooking, XII is returning to its Mediterranean roots. Not by abandoning the journey, but by bringing the best of it together.
For Craig, whose hospitality ventures also include neighbouring Bangkok favourite KAI New Zealand, the evolution has been as much about listening and learning as it has been about cooking.
Four Years of Discovery, One Mediterranean Table
The Mediterranean has long been one of the world's great culinary crossroads, where centuries of trade, travel and cultural exchange have brought together remarkable ingredients, cooking techniques and traditions.
That diversity is now at the heart of XII's new menu.
Rather than following a single country's cuisine, the kitchen draws inspiration from across the Mediterranean coastline, combining much-loved favourites from XII's original menu with standout ideas developed during its Southern French chapter.
The result is a complementary collection of dishes designed to take diners on a journey through the region, with each dish bringing something distinctive to the table.
One particularly exciting development is the expanded use of XII's charcoal oven. More dishes now benefit from the depth, aroma and unmistakable flavour that cooking over charcoal brings. It is an approach rooted in Mediterranean culinary tradition, where fire, fresh ingredients and straightforward preparation have long gone hand in hand.
Yet behind the apparent simplicity lies something Craig takes particularly seriously: sourcing.
Long before his Bangkok restaurant ventures, Craig worked internationally as a breeding livestock exporter and independent food trader. It was a career that demanded a detailed understanding of quality, provenance and the differences that distinguish an ordinary product from an exceptional one.
That knowledge now influences the way ingredients are selected for XII. Much of the work happens behind the scenes, but Craig believes the results should speak for themselves on
the plate.
His philosophy is refreshingly straightforward. There is no need to reinvent centuries of Mediterranean cooking.
The challenge is to bring together wonderful dishes, source excellent ingredients and give them the care, attention and personal touch they deserve.
The People Behind the Experience
Of course, anyone who knows Craig's approach to hospitality understands that the food is only part of the story.
The restaurant's refreshed interiors balance rustic Mediterranean warmth with contemporary touches, creating an inviting setting that feels equally suited to a casual drink, a romantic dinner or an evening that stretches pleasantly longer than planned.
Drawing on 25 years of interior design experience, considerable thought has gone into creating spaces where guests can relax, connect and enjoy themselves. Indoor and outdoor seating gives the restaurant a welcoming versatility, while an experienced head bartender brings Mediterranean wines, creative cocktails and a carefully considered drinks selection to the experience.
But perhaps the most remarkable ingredient at XII is one that cannot be ordered from the menu.
Its people.
Behind the restaurant is a close-knit hospitality team built over 15 years, with a level of loyalty that he has every reason to be proud of. According to Craig, the business did not lose a single team member during the COVID-19 pandemic, a particularly meaningful achievement during one of the most difficult periods the hospitality industry has ever faced.
For guests, that continuity creates something special: familiar faces, genuine warmth and the feeling of being welcomed into a place where people enjoy working together.
It also explains why he sees XII as something more personal than simply another restaurant.
“Good food starts with good ingredients, but great dining is about much more than that. It's about making people feel welcome, creating a comfortable atmosphere and giving them a reason to come back. That's what we want XII Mediterranean to be, a place where people can enjoy wonderful food, share a drink and simply enjoy being together.”
— Craig McLean, Owner, XII Mediterranean
Same Roots, New Rhythm
Conveniently located on Sathorn Soi 12, a short walk from Saint Louis BTS station, XII Mediterranean offers Bangkok residents and visitors an inviting escape from the city's pace.
The restaurant will celebrate its next chapter with an invitation-only gathering on Saturday, November 14, from 5pm to 8pm, featuring drinks and a selection of finger food.
For Craig and his team, the occasion is not about forgetting the past four years. Quite the opposite. It is about celebrating everything those years have taught them, from the dishes guests return for to the importance of exceptional ingredients, thoughtful surroundings and the people who make hospitality feel effortless.
The name XII Mediterranean is back, the charcoal oven is playing a bigger role, and the table is set for the next chapter.
Same roots. New rhythm. And plenty of reasons to pull up a chair.
Restaurant Information
XII Mediterranean
Sathorn Soi 12, Silom, Bang Rak, Bangkok
Nearest BTS: Saint Louis
New website launching November 14: https://xiimediterranean.com/
Email: [email protected]
