GrabFood, Thailand’s No.1 Food Delivery Platform*, has unveiled the “60 Outstanding Food Merchants of the Year” at the #GrabThumbsUp Awards 2025 event. This year’s awards presentation themed “The Power of Your Voice”, highlights the essence of the #GrabThumbsUp sub-brand, symbolizing the quality and wide selection of food enjoyed and guaranteed by real users based on their reviews and ratings

Three new award categories were introduced this year to honor restaurant operators who have played a role in promoting Thai culture and soft power through Thai cuisine, while also elevating the industry. These include the Cultural Icon of the Year, awarded to Butterbear, a dessert house whose lovable mascot became a viral sensation; the Revolutionary F&B Icon of the Year, presented to Atchara Burarak, the visionary owner behind the success of the iberry Group; and  the   Global Thai Food Trendsetter, given to Khao-Sō-i for bringing the iconic Khao Soi to the global stage.

Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, Minister of Culture, stated that the  government is committed to promoting tourism and elevating Thailand’s soft power on the global stage. As part of this effort, the Minister of Culture has implemented the “Culture-Driven Economy” policy, which aims to enhance the value and significance of ‘Thai cuisine’— a cherished cultural heritage that is widely recognized and enjoyed worldwide. More importantly, this initiative leverages cultural capital to drive economic growth by creating jobs, generating income, and strengthening Thailand’s reputation, particularly throughThai cuisine. This commitment is further reflected in the Ministry’s support for the #GrabThumbsUp Awards 2025, which not only honors the dedication of Thai culinary professionals who uphold quality, taste, and high standards, but also plays a key role in elevating Thai cuisine on the global stage. 

“On behalf of the Ministry of Culture, we extend our congratulations to all award winners and encourage all sectors to collaborate in further developing and elevating Thai cuisine as a valuable cultural asset, serving as inspiration and continuously promoting our Thai culture internationally.”

Chantsuda Thananitayaudom, Country Head of Grab Thailand, commented, “The #GrabThumbsUp Awards 2025, now in its fourth consecutive year, continues our tradition of recognizing the dedication and excellence of our merchant-partners. This year’s theme, ‘The Power of Your Voice’, reinforces the essence of the #GrabThumbsUp sub-brand, where award winners embody outstanding quality, flavor, and experiences—endorsed and truly loved by GrabFood users. Each winner has undergone a rigorous selection process, evaluated across key criteria, including taste, service quality, management standards, brand reputation, and popularity. To qualify, restaurants must achieve a minimum rating of 4.6 (out of 5) and receive over 100 positive reviews on the platform.” 

“A key highlight this year is the introduction of three new award categories honoring restaurant operators who are not only culinary leaders but also champions of Thai culture on the global level. This aligns with the government’s mission to strengthen Thai soft power through cultural identity, particularly Thai cuisine. It also underscores GrabFood’s commitment to empowering and supporting the sustainable growth of Thai entrepreneurs  while playing an active role in driving Thailand’s economy and society.” added Chantsuda

This year,  a total of 844 merchants nationwide have received the #GrabThumbsUp Awards, with only 60 standout winners honored as the “Outstanding Merchant of the Year” across various categories. Highlights include; 

• “GrabFood Rising Star” was presented to Oh! Juice, the viral smoothie sensation that has captivated social media, leveraging the growing health-conscious trend. The brand saw a remarkable 400% sales growth within three months.
• “Sustainable Brand of the Year” was awarded to Ohkhaju, an organic restaurant deeply committed to sustainability. From responsibly sourcing ingredients to supporting local communities, Ohkhaju has placed environmental consciousness at the heart of its business. 
• “Most Trending Menu of the Year” went to Dubai Chocolate, a crunchy pistachio kunafa-filled chocolate,from The Rolling Pinn, and the Hong Kong-style croissant egg tarts from YOLK. 
• “Best Marketing Campaign of the Year” was presented to Guss Damn Good, the creative icecream brand that continuously  delights customers  with innovative flavors and exciting collaborations throughout the year. 
• “GrabFood Merchant with Highest Rating” went to 1:2 Coffee, a Chiang Rai-based coffee roaster praised for its premium-quality coffee at accessible price, guaranteed by positive user reviews.
• “GrabFood No.1 Top Selling of All Time” was awarded to the ever-popular Emily’s, famed for its signature chicken noodles, a must-try dish that keeps customers coming back.
• “Young Entrepreneur of the Year” was presented to Metawin ‘Win’ Opas-iamkajorn, co-founder of SOURI, a rapidly growing dessert brand renowned for its signature macarons with indulgent fillings and vibrant pastel branding.
• “Foodie Influencer of the Year” belonged to Teeradetch ‘Alek’ Methawarayut, a food-enthusiast actor and creator of the AlekT Official; Araya ‘Gig’ Panitchkulpoonpon, known for her unique and engaging food reviews on Kinraideeva; and Apiwich ‘Nut’ Ektarawong, a popular YouTuber from the NutApiwich who explores renowned restaurants worldwide.

“The #GrabThumbsUp Awards stands as a testament to the power of our users’ voices in recognizing excellence within the food industry. We extend our congratulations to all the winners and commend their dedication to maintain exceptional quality and service standards. We hope these awards will inspire other food merchants on our platform to continue elevating their offerings. At the same time, GrabFood remains committed to enhancing our services to meet the evolving needs of our users while empowering restaurant owners and small-to-medium to achieve sustainable growth,”  Chantsuda concluded.

More information about the #GrabThumbsUp Awards 2025,
please visit https://www.grab.com/th/campaign/grabthumbsupawards2025/

*GrabFood was recognized as the most often used food delivery brand in Thailand for 2024, according to  Kantar