CAFE SOCIETY 2020 BANGKOK’S COOLEST HANGOUT SPOTS FOR BRUNCH, COFFEE, SWEETS AND ALL-DAY BITES.
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Siam-Phloen Chit
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Sathorn-Silom
Phrom Phong
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Riverside-Old Town
Chinatown
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Thonglor-Ekkamai
Nana-Asoke
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Ari
Out of Bangkok
Who's in charge? Managing Director & Publisher Andrew Hiransomboon Guide Editor Dhipkawee Sriyananda Selley Managing Editor Craig Sauers Deputy Editor Angela Symons Audience Development Specialist Nontaya Kumyat Junior Digital Content Coordinator Kawee Jarach Writers Veerabhatr Sriyananda, Supanan Anansuviroj Creative Director Bhatara Chirdchuen Production Supervisor Komkrit Klinkaeo Senior Graphic Designer Assaya Dejkong Photographer Poonsawat Suttama Chief Commercial Officer Jane Bay Product Marketing Manager Madeleine Anantasuk Advertising Director Wanida Akeapichai Sales Managers Tipkritta Chiraporncharas, Senior Sales Associates Tassanee Mahamad, Nattaya Bovornsettanon ASIA CITY STUDIO Managing Editor Dietrich Neu Event Projects Manager Chayanap Tongdadas Event Coordinator Thanawat Buddhichewin Project Coordinator Sirinart Panyasricharoen Junior Project coordinator Sawanya Chantarakana Senior Developers Prawee Wiangin, Wasan Wangrach Developer Nopanun Laochunanun Branded Content Writer Chakariya Cheewatara SOIMILK Editor Noranartta Chaikum Senior Writers Rujiyatorn Choksiriwan, Kristiya Chaisri Junior Graphic Designer Wathinee Srithongchuai Senior Sales Associate Kornkanok Sriwaranant Sales Associate Palita Nueangnit Finance Manager Supaporn Bangmoung Senior Accountant Maneeya Kanthongdang Accountant Manita Bangmoung Admin Executive Yaovaluck Srisermsri Cover photo Ha Tien Cafe Photo by Poonsawat Suttama
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nce upon a time, before cafe hunters ruled our Instagram feeds, before specialty roasters spread across the country like spilled coffee beans, we only had mega-chains and a few hipster haunts for our espressos and brunches. Now, you’ll find cafe-hoppers sipping on salted caramel mocha floats made with Costa Rica coffee beans and munching on canelés at indie venues in the Old Town. From ultra-sleek standalone joints to shophouses-turned-coffee shops, Bangkok’s bustling cafe scene is rapidly evolving—you might break a sweat just trying to keep up. Lucky for you, our trusty Cafe Society, now in its fourth edition, has you covered. Like before, we’ve organized it by neighborhood, but this year we’ve given Chinatown in its own (very much deserved) page space, and we’ve added a new section devoted to the best coffee shops in destinations outside of Bangkok, so you’re always a bean’s throw away from your next cup of joe. Expect brunch mainstays serving breakfast burritos and acai bowls. Expect rustic hideaways offering hand-drip coffee. Expect independent cafes cranking out world-class blends and scrumptious bites. From the riverside to Thonglor, from Phuket to Chiang Mai, Cafe Society 2020 is all about daytime-friendly bistros, tucked-away brunch spots and the who’s who of the country’s coffee scene. So order a house blend, grab some sourdough, and enjoy our pocket-sized companion.
Where to find us!
The Asia City Media Group Bangkok Asia City Publishing (Thailand) Ltd. 9/F, Sathorn Nakorn Tower 100 North Sathorn Rd., Silom, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500 Tel: 02-624-9696 Fax: 02-237-5656 Email: bkmagazine@asia-city.co.th
Cafe Society 2020 is published and distributed on July 31, 2020. It is published by Asia City Media Group Ltd., 9/F, Sathorn Nakorn Tower. 100 North Sathorn Rd., Silom, Bangkok 10500. Copyright ©2020 Asia City Media Group Ltd. The titles “BK Magazine”, “Cafe Society 2020” its associated logos or devices, and the content of Cafe Society 2019 are the property of Asia City Media Group Ltd. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is strictly prohibited. This publication is distributed as a supplement to BK Magazine. The magazine may not be distributed without the express written consent of Asia City Media Group Ltd. Contact the Advertising Department for ad rates and specifications. All advertising must comply with the Publisher’s terms of business, copies of which are available upon request.
SiamPhloen Chit
Luka at Siri House 14/2 Soi Somkid, 094-868-2639. Open daily 8am-5pm
Tucked inside charming mid-century Siri House, the picturesque Luka serves salted caramel green tea lattes and cold brew coffee alongside downto-earth comfort food. Think hearty all-day breakfast dishes, salads and sandwiches—the French toast, acai bowls and buttermilk fried chicken with Sloane’s bacon, emmental, ripe avocado and spicy chili mayo served on a brioche bun totally shine. Before you leave, be sure to check out their curated selections of books, clothing and records from Olympic Digger. 4 • Cafe Society
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Siam-Phloen Chit
Gallery Drip
G/F, BACC, Rama 1 Rd., 081-9895244. Open Tue-Sun 10:30am-8:30pm As the name suggests, this artsy yet minimal cafe is all about the drip brew method. The owners take their coffee very seriously, sourcing single-origin beans from Chiang Rai and coffee-rich countries such as Ethiopia, Kenya, Costa Rica and Honduras. Meanwhile, the down-to-earth vibe and bright natural light make this a great place to fuel up before exploring BACC’s vast gallery space.
Brave Roasters
3/F, Siam Discovery, Rama 1 Rd., 095-947-2813. Open daily 10am-7pm Nestled in a quiet corner by the huge picture window in Siam Discovery, this cold brew specialist offers dreamy views overlooking the BTS. Run by one of Bangkok’s best coffee roasters, the cafe features all the classics, as well as awesome cold drinks, from single-origin filter coffee to almond milk lattes, that you can pair with sandwiches, pastas and cakes. Exclusively for Citi credit card members Get 10% discount when spending THB 500 or more / sales slip 01 Jul ’20 – 31 Dec ‘20
Lido Cafe by Coffeelism
NEW
1/F, Lido Connect, Rama 1 Rd., 084-664-5564. Open daily 10am-9pm The revamped Lido Connect has given us this attractive cafe, serving drinks curated by Sathorn’s hippest coffee stand, Coffeelism. Get your caffeine hit with their specialty coffee blends in a hot Americano or latte. Don’t like coffee? Go for the best-selling iced black cocoa, which makes use of defatted cocoa powder for a creamy taste. The cafe also makes for a great Instagram backdrop, thanks to the stylish decor provided by Gelato Ceramica by Boonthavorn (the tiles are available for purchase).
Cafe Society • 5
Siam-Phloen Chit
BKK Bagel Bakery
G/F, Maneeya Center, 518/3 Phloen Chit Rd. 02-254-8157. Open Mon-Fri 8:30am-3pm; Sat-Sun 8:30am-4pm This New York-style bagel spot serves bagels done the right way: hand-rolled, boiled and baked. Offering everything from house-smoked pastrami to specialties like the Verrazano (roast beef, lettuce, cheese, stone ground mustard) and Lox Stock (smoked salmon, dill, red onion and cream cheese), the menu is filled with sizable sandwiches. Want dessert? Try the NY-style cheesecake, classic apple pie and salted caramel brownies.
Cafe Tartine
1/F, Athenee Residence, 65 Wireless Rd., 02-168-5464. Open daily 7am-8pm Escape the hustle and bustle of city life at this quaint Paris-inspired cafe. The extensive menu offers a great selection of wholesome dishes, from quiche lorraine and melted brie sandwiches to loaded Caesar salads and decadent desserts like creme brulee. Pop in early for breakfast (croissants, toasted baguettes, ham and cheese omelettes) on the terrace.
6 • Cafe Society
ADVERTORIAL Every Dish with Citi
NEW
Everyday I Love My Life
Siam Square Soi 3, 02-237-1148. Open daily 10am-10pm The cozy, warmly-lit first floor of this lifestyle store and cafe rolls out Karmakamet’s signature aromatic and beauty products, while the second and third floor feature hip stationery items and a range of menswear and womenswear staples. The fourth floor, meanwhile, houses a photogenic cafe, where you can while away the hours sipping on coffee paired with desserts like the Apple Shape Mousse.
The Coffee Academics
NEW
Thongyoy Café G/F Siam Paragon Rama I road. Open daily 10am-9pm The interior of Thongyoy Café in the brand’s Ari branch was well known for its outrageous interior—filled with gigantic flower arrangements and boisterously colored walls. The newly opened Siam Paragon branch continues that popular tradition. The menu keeps it simple with Italian sodas, coffees served in clear mugs and house-made smoothies. There’s also a bundle of Thai sweets on offer to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Exclusively for Citi credit card members Get a complimentary Giant Coconut Pudding with Water Chestnuts THB 60 when spending THB 500 or more /sales slip (limit 1 dish /card /table /sales slip) 01 Jul ’20 – 30 Jun ’21
1823 Tea Lounge by Ronnefeldt
Velaa Sindhorn Village, Langsuan Soi 87, 02-164-2500. Open daily 8am-6pm
1823 Tea Lounge by Ronnefeldt, G/F, Gaysorn Plaza, 999 Phloen Chit Rd., 02-656-1086. Open daily 9am-7pm
Gleaming metal accents, black mosaic tiles and big windows combine at this Hong Kong coffee chain’s first Bangkok branch. Here you’ll find world-class coffee, utilizing only the top five percent of specialty arabica beans from a variety of sustainable farms around the planet. Star drinks include the four signature latte selections, which incorporate natural sugars sourced from different cities.
This German brand is known as one of the world’s best tea houses, not to mention one of the longest running in existence as its name suggests. Prepared using traditional methods, 1823 Tea Lounge by Ronnefeldt sources its tea leaves from around the world—only the best will do—and they prepare them using traditional methods (i.e. by hand). They have over 50 loose leaf teas and highlight a “tea couture” collection of the finest teas from around the world. These are best enjoyed alongside their delicious scones and pastries.
Exclusively for Citi credit card members Get 10% discount on food only when spending THB 600 or more /sales slip 01 Jul ’20 – 31 Jul ’21
Cafe Society • 7
Sathorn -Silom
Crackhouse
NEW
The Commons Saladaeng, 126 Sala Daeng Soi 1/1, 094-490-4188. Open daily 8am-8pm Located in the Commons Saladaeng, Crackhouse stands out with its giant yellow kiosk lined with empty egg crates and neon lighting. The menu revolves around the humble egg with fun, easy-going breakfast favorites. The Breakfast Burrito is loaded with scrambled eggs, smoked bacon, creamy avocado, sharp cheddar and crispy tater tots and served with a cilantro-lime crema. Don’t miss the CrackGriddle, a breakfast sandwich featuring an omelet, Sloane’s sausage and oozing cheddar cheese, all pressed between two Chu pancakes and covered in maple butter. Pair it all with a piping hot coffee from Roots, or go for the refreshing cold-pressed orange juice. 8 • Cafe Society
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Sathorn-Silom
Luka
64/1 Pan Rd., 02-637-8558. Open daily 9am-6pm With distressed tufted leather couches, vintage-looking upholstered seats and plenty of natural light, this Pan Road favorite will make you feel like you’re dining in an edgy Provence villa. The menu, however, highlights down-to-earth brunch food: think breakfast burritos, acai bowls and the “Green Goddess” grilled cheese sandwich with pesto, baby spinach, mozzarella and avocado. The drinks cover proper coffee and solid list of teas.
Brioche From Heaven
NEW
156 Narathiwat Ratchanakarin Rd., 064-847-0049. Open daily 10am-8pm From BTS Chong Nonsi, the smell of fresh-baked brioche oozes from this bakery by chef Kai of “Iron Chef Thailand”—look to the left as you descend the stairs and you’ll even see chefs in toques mixing the dough on the second floor. Head there early to grab a slice of heaven, from peanut butter brioche for an instant childhood flashback to the more grown-up apple brioche paired with a good old vanilla shake or the Affogato from Heaven.
Akart Day
Yarden, 30 Yen Akart Rd., 02-249-0182. Open daily 7:30am-6pm Taking over the well-preserved 90-year-old wooden house that once belonged to Coffee Craftsman, this early-opening cafe is all about taking it easy. Start the day right with a hearty big breakfast (homemade toast with ham and cheese served with sausages and veggies) and freshly brewed single-origin coffee, or head here for lunch and order a pizza, burger, pasta or Thai flavors like yum woon sen. Save room for the excellent carrot cake.
Cafe Society • 9
Sathorn-Silom
Holey Bakery
39/17 Soi Suanphlu, 02-286-1549. Open daily 7am-7pm. Bread is where Holey really shines, thanks to owner Alam Porag’s fanatical approach to baking, resulting in some wonderful sourdough, flaky, golden-brown croissants, and an array of delicious puff-pastry treats. We love the avocado sandwich and proper slices of creamy cheesecake.
Kenn’s
NEW
163/2 Sathorn Soi 7, 066-149-5451. Open Mon-Fri 7:30am-3pm; Sat-Sun 8:30am-4pm From one of the owners of BKK Bagel Bakery, Kenn’s takes on the tried and tested formula of simplicity. Tucked down a Sathorn backstreet, the petite cafe has your mornings covered with its straightforward menu of flaky croissants (plain, chocolate, almond and bacon cheese), along with espressos, cappuccinos and iced Thai coffee. French bistro chairs and black furnishings get a splash of color from the bright red door and giant metallic mixer on display, while large windows usher in greenery from the backyard. Food-wise, delicacies, from the cheese to chocolate, are imported from France.
10 • Cafe Society
Neighborwood BKK
NEW
187/7 Sarasin Rd., 083-883-3864. Open daily 8am-5pm.
Find your way before or after a run at Lumphini Park to this minimal loft-like cafe for a caffeine hit from a curated selection of rotating single-origin beans (Colombia, Brazil, Guatemala, Ethiopia and Nicaragua). Order one of their specialties, like the Honeycomb latte (a shot of espresso mixed with honey and milk) or cold brew orange tonic, and treat yourself to a generous breakfast platter (scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages, toast and salad).
ADVERTORIAL Every Dish with Citi
Lots Sathon
NEW
43/1 Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra Soi 7, 083-826-4456. Open Mon 8am-10pm; Tue-Fri 7am-5pm; Sat-Sun 8am-5pm Within a few minutes’ walks of BTS Chong Nonsi, this caffeine-refueling station is a hit among local office workers. From within a sleek white container fitted with woodframed windows, leafy plants and a small side deck, you can get everything from straight-up espressos to toffee nut lattes, Thai iced milk tea and honey lemon soda. To eat, try the chicken guacamole with bell peppers, cheddar and tortilla chips or the salami, cheddar and salad on sourdough.
Kokopan
Paul 1/F, Empire Tower, 102 Naradhiwat Rajanagarindra Rd., 02 670 0761. Open daily 7am-6:30pm Founded over a century ago in Lille, Northern France, Paul has blossomed into one of Bangkok’s most popular patisseries and restaurants. It’s a big chain, but they do a good job of making products that feel like they are made by a local baker.
Exclusively for Citi credit card members Get 10% discount on bakery when spending THB 500 or more /sales slip (take away only) and get 10% discount on food and bakery when spending THB 800 or more /sales slip (dine in only) 01 Feb ’20 - 31 Dec ’20
NEW
60/22-23 Silom Soi 2/1, 095-654-4560. Open daily 8am-5pm There’s something satisfying about effortless minimalism, and Kokopan delivers just that. The cafe offers a calming cream and wood escape from the chaos outside. The name translates to “bread is here” in Japanese, and the menu is fittingly carb-laden. Try the kinako (roasted soybean flour) toast with kuromitsu (black honey) syrup and vanilla ice cream, paired with yuzu citrus coffee, or get the Kokopan Set—homemade mini-croissants toasted at your table.
Veganerie B/F Silom Complex, Silom Road, 02-258-8489. Open daily 10am-10pm Owned by a few vegan activists, Veganerie is a dream world for foodies who don’t want food with animal by products—everything is dairy free, egg free, and with no cholesterol or preservatives. They hit this niche probably better than anyone in Bangkok (seriously, even meat eaters will think the food here is darn good). They have five branches spread across the city, and the menus vary a bit, but some standouts include the Hearty Breakfast Scramble (B225) and the strawberry and cream scones tea set (B280).
Exclusively for Citi credit card members Get a complimentary iced beverage valued up to THB 110 when spending THB 300 or more /sales slip 01 Nov ’19 – 31 Dec ’20
Cafe Society • 11
Phrom Phong
Roast (EmQuartier)
1/F, The Helix Quartier, EmQuartier, 698 Sukhumvit Rd. 094-176-3870. Open daily 10am-10pm Despite being in a mall, Roast’s EmQuartier branch still has all the hallmarks of an excellent cafe, from its perfect lazy weekend vibe and spacious venue to its wellportioned, comfort food done right— crisp, rustic fries; tender steaks; indulgent gnocchi; hearty pastas; eggy specials; and fluffy pancakes. Coffee comes from their sister roasting business, Roots, with a choice of low fat milk, soy milk and almond milk. 12 • Cafe Society
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Phrom Phong Simple
235/5 Sukhumvit Soi 31, 02-6622510. Open Tue-Fri 9am-6pm; Sat-Sun 8am-6pm A cafe, restaurant and grocery store in one, this place is all about local, seasonal produce that is traceable and sustainable—and, of course, organic wherever possible. The friendly staff are always on hand to chat about their products’ origins, from the brown rice to the pure coconut oil. Try a preservative-free cold-pressed juice, like the refreshing lemon, beetroot and pineapple. Pair that with dishes from the extensive menu, which range from tropical acai bowls to a full English breakfast.
Holey Artisan Bakery
Breakfast Story
Phrom Phong foodies head here to grab their morning bread fix. Bangladeshi owner Nasirul Alam Porag is something of a fanatic when it comes to sourdough, and his unbleached flour loafs have a deliciously aerated, chewy texture. Be sure to pick up a slice of sinfully dense drizzle cake after tucking into a porchetta panini or butter croissant. The bakery also serves coffee and cold-pressed juice, which you can enjoy roadside amid a scattering of terrace seats.
American breakfast dreams come true at this homey, intimate all-day-dining spot perched above a craft beer bar. Let the tantalizing scents from the open kitchen guide you through their extensive line-up of morning classics, like buttery pancakes drenched with maple syrup; three egg omelets; country potatoes; and bottomless, self-serve American drip coffee—all of which are available until late.
245/12 Sukhumvit Soi 31, 091-720-1074. Open daily 7am-7pm
2/F, Hair of the Dog, 593/27 Sukhumvit Rd. 02-258-1461. Open daily 7am-11pm
Cafe Society • 13
Phrom Phong
Brekkie
6/9 Sukhumvit Soi 39, 083-656-6141. Open daily 9am-6pm In a modern and minimal setting, this casual, all-day diner serves healthy takes on hearty Western and Asian food. Ingredients like quinoa, flaxseed, acai berry and chia dominate the menu in dishes like Italian seafood quinoa, avocado toast, acai smoothie bowls topped with house-made granola and cacao pancakes served with banana, chocolate nuts and vanilla ice cream. Wash it all down with a caramel macchiato or a cold-pressed juice.
Odtomato
NEW
68/2 Park Origin, Sukhumvit Soi 24, 099-426-8255. Open daily 7am-midnight Here, Gavin Vongkusolkit, of Glowfish and Kuppa Deli, goes Aussie with avocado eggs Benedict and classic beef Wellington. With warm woods, midnight blues, an open kitchen and a live band, this is the perfect day-tonight hangout. Exclusively for Citi credit card members Get a complimentary Date Pudding valued THB 300 when spending THB 1,000 or more /sales slip (limit 1 dish /card /table /sales slip) 01 Jul ’20 – 30 Jun ’21
14 • Cafe Society
Vistro
NEW
46/1 Sukhumvit Soi 24, 065-998-2201. Open daily 10am-8pm This two-story vegan bistro exudes positive vibes from the moment you ascend the bright staircase. Green plants and natural light provide the setting for vibrant and creative dishes, ranging from jackfruit larb tacos and gyro-style “chicken” habibi wraps, to passionfruit cheesecake and homemade kombucha. Exclusively for Citi credit card members Get 10% discount when spending THB 1,200 or more / sales slip 15 Jun ’20 – 31 Dec ’20
ADVERTORIAL Every Dish with Citi
Co-Incidence House
NEW
Sukhumvit Soi 49, 063-425-6018. Open Tue-Sun 9am-6pm
The team behind hip stationery brand and coffee stand Co-incidence have opened their first concept store. Here, you can shop for all their products and chill out with a cup of coffee. Try their specialty house blend, which uses beans sourced from Chiang Rai and Laos. Go for an espresso, or opt for a taste of something different with the Black Tonic or frothy Black and Cream. Alongside coffee and tea, they also offer a breakfast and lunch menu ranging from scrambled eggs with brioche to Japanese pork curry rice.
Paco Bangkok
Chu Chinese 1/4 Sukhumvit Soi 49, 061-056-5636. Open daily 10am-11pm This humble Chinese restaurant hides cool secrets upstairs–a spacious salmon pink dining room that would look at home in a Wong Kar Wai movie. The menu, too, evades the playful vibe with its down the line comfort food from Hong Kong, Singapore, Sichuan and Thailand. With its adjoining neon-lit bar, Chu is a tale of two parts, with a unique menu of Chinese-inspired cocktails and great music.
Exclusively for Citi credit card members Get a complimentary Ice Lemon Jelly valued THB 76.50 when spending THB 600 or more /sales slip (limit 1 dish /card /table /sales slip) 01 Jul ’20 - 31 Dec ’20
NEW
249 Sukhumvit Soi 39, 061-919-9265. Open daily 10am-8pm Paco’s vivid plant-based smoothie bowls will add color to your Instagram photos, as well as your diet. Made with real fruit, the bowls utilize hard-to-find ingredients, such as dunaliella salina and blue spirulina (both are algae). Try the classic acai bowl or get adventurous with the charcoal-based Black Magic with banana, pineapple, blueberries, granola and sesame. With contemporary art, cool posters, neon signs and funky tunes, this small cafe is the perfect place to kick back.
DEAN & DELUCA G/F, Emquartier, Sukhumvit Rd., 02-261-0464. Open daily daily 9am-9pm This wildly popular New York deli chain remains a top spot for all kinds of quick meals, ranging from salads to sandwiches and (our favourite) NY-style pizza by the slice (only at some locations). It’s also a pretty decent place to get a cup of coffee and a pastry or two. The brand’s best asset is its consistency, with wait staff and cooks that drum up the same delicious food, no matter what branch you visit, ever time.
Exclusively for Citi credit card members Get 5% discount when spending THB 300 or more / sales slip or Get 10% discount when spending THB 600 or more / sales slip 01 Jun ’20 - 31 May ’21
Cafe Society • 15
RiversideOld Town
A Coffee Roaster by Li-bra-ry
NEW
Warehouse 30, Charoenkrung Soi 30. Open daily 9am-7pm Serial Bangkok cafe openers Li-brary have joined forces with The Fox and the Moon and Summer Heath for this spot in Warehouse 30. They now roast their own beans, too, creating a unique house blend for true coffee geeks. The espresso machine here turns out a light Thai-Brazil blend courtesy of Ceresia Coffee Roasters. Outlandish creations include the espresso tonic with a hint of lemon and the caffeine-free WTF Chocolate, a sinful concoction of Ferrero Rocher, Kit-Kat, Valrhona chocolate ice cream and whipped cream. 16 • Cafe Society
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Riverside-Old Town Broccoli Revolution Charoenkrung
NEW
55/6 Chareongkrung Soi 42/1, 095251-9799. Open Tue-Sun 10am-8pm
The third outpost of this popular plant-based restaurant is pure eye candy, with white walls and an airy courtyard where you can indulge in quinoa burgers, colorful salads, tofu satay skewers and the Cauliflower Dynamite Maki rolls stuffed with chickpeas and brown rice. Exclusively for Citi credit card members Get 10% discount on food only when spending THB 500 or more /sales slip 01 Jun ’20 – 31 Dec ’20
Tangible
NEW
Soi Mata Nuson, Charoenkrung, 081-376-0402. Open Wed-Mon 9am-6pm Run by multidisciplinary design firm Trimode Studio, this Instagram hotspot doubles as a cafe and retail store. Its raw and futuristic setting features an iridescent metal staircase seating area alongside an array of super sleek furniture on the first floor, while the second floor evokes a dystopian desert vibe thanks to piles of sand, rocks, tree branches and stainless steel seats. Coffee enthusiasts can get their caffeine fix with a dark cold brew or a smooth Dirty (espresso shot mixed with fresh milk) to sip alongside light bites like the Croffle (croissant waffle) and banana cakes with cheddar cheese.
Rue De Mansri
417 Bamrungmuang Rd., 083-158-9999. Open daily 7am-7pm Rejuvenating a 130-year-old former tram station near the Golden Mount, this Instagrammable cafe-slash-photography studio comes complete with antiques to match its aesthetic. Don’t miss the iced Marocchino and fresh-baked croissants. Exclusively for Citi credit card members Get 10% discount on beverages only when spending THB 1,000 or more/sales slip or Get 5% discount on beverages only when spending THB 500 or more /sale slip 01 Jun ’20 – 30 Jun ’21
Cafe Society • 17
Riverside-Old Town
Ha Tien Cafe
Soi Pratoo Nokyoong, Maha Rat Rd., 081-302-0651. Open daily 10am-6pm Tucked amongst the shophouses lining Maha Rat Road, this photogenic cafe is a hipster’s dream. The charming, rustic interior looks like an old-school Chinese kopitiam meets a Victorian tea room. The food here is equally photogenic. Find a seat upstairs and cool down with a refreshing Americano Yuzu or a Rose Latte. If you’re feeling peckish, we recommend ordering a slice of carrot cake or raspberry chocolate cake.
Sweet Pista
NEW
52 Warehouse 30, Charoenkrung Soi 30. Open daily 9am-9pm Sweet Pista’s cheesecakes, kakigori and crumbles have always given Bangkok dessert-seekers something to shout about. At their sleek and cozy new home in Warehouse 30, the menu also packs a full-on meaty punch thanks to a dry-aging fridge filled with slabs of American beef. Burgers and chicken waffles provide all-day crowd-pleasers, but those after a good cheese-steak won’t be disappointed, either. Prefer sweets? The signature orange creme brulee should give you good reason to come back.
18 • Cafe Society
Sarnies Bangkok
101 Charoenkrung Soi 44, 02-102-9407. Open daily 8am-10pm The chic Singaporean coffee chain’s first fully-fledged Bangkok branch takes over a 150-year-old shop-house that once was a boat repair shop. Order a latte or an orange mocha paired with a healthy grain bowl or the hangover-curing bacon and egg sandwich. Exclusively for Citi credit card members Get 10% discount when spending THB 500 or more / sales slip 01 Jul ’20 – 30 Jun ’21
Bangkok’s best online coffee delivery services Bhavacafe
Mother Roaster
NEW
1172/8 Soi San Chao Rong Kueak, 061-216-2277. Open Tue-Sun 10am-6pm
This former coffee stand has moved to a heart-melting new home above a Talad Noi parts shop. In the plant-filled cafe, the 70 year-old head barista serves meticulous hand drip coffee. Order the creamy, eggshell-colored “single snow white” or the dark calamansi “espressonic” alongside a mini beef stew pie or a chocolate cookie.
The high-quality local and imported beans here are always on rotation, so it’s best to contact directly before making an order. Try this: The Bhava full-body blend (B300/500g) for rich, chocolatey-caramel flavors and a berry aftertaste. Order at www.fb.com/ bhavaca
Brave Roasters
Master roaster Ekameth Witvasutti and co. are a mainstay of foodie markets across town. Try this: The Ethiopian Kayon Mountain natural process (B650/200g), with notes of grapefruit, earl grey tea, mango and kiwi. Order at
www.braveroasters.com Factory Coffee
Craftsman x Baan Ajarn Farang G/F, Silpa Bhirasri’s House, 153 Ratchawithi Rd., 065-234-0044. Open daily 9am-6pm
In a pastel yellow neo-Renaissance mansion, this cafe and gallery serves sophisticated treats like scones and slow bar staples using single-origin beans. Try the lemongrass latte or Sparkling Tamarind.
Expect single-origin beans from Thailand, Panama, Costa Rica and Ethiopia from this award-winning roaster. Try this: The Finca Tres Milagros heirloom beans from Costa Rica (B500/200g) for an espresso bursting with Valencia orange, Acacia honey, apricot, and green cardamom. Order at
www.factorybkk.com Mother Roaster
Exclusively for Citi credit card members
Talad Noi’s septuagenarian barista offers beans grown locally, as well as imports from Colombia and Brazil. Try this: The Summer Blend (B450/250g), featuring beans from Chiang Rai, Brazil and Colombia.
Get 10% discount (excluding coffee bean, workshop and souvenir)
www.fb.com/mother-
01 Jul ’20 – 30 Jun ’21
Order via roaster
Cafe Society • 19
Delightful Bites brought to you by Citi credit cards
Ampersand Gelato ....................................... Ampersand Gelato is filled with inspiration for unique flavours from all over the world. Fine quality and exotic ingredients are carefully selected with no artificial coloring or preservatives added. We put our heart into every recipe. Ampersand Gelato, Room 0104, Home Place Building 1/F, 283/6 Thonglor Soi 13, 062-652-4141. Open daily 10am-10pm Exclusively for Citi credit card members Get 10% discount when spending THB 500 or more /sales slip (for dine in only) 01 Jul ’20 – 30 Jun ’21
Bonnie Dolly’s ....................................... European-inspired cafe Bonnie Dolly’s Tea Room is all about afternoon tea.
Twee decorative features like teapot-shaped lighting, French-style windows and a greenery-covered ceiling set the scene for baked goods synonymous with teatime: chocolate and fruit covered tarts, pastel-colored macarons, an assortment of scones, and dainty finger sandwiches. Wireless Road (BDMS Wellness Clinic), 080-080-0003. Open Wed-Mon 9am-9pm Exclusively for Citi credit card members Get 10% discount on food only when spend THB 1,000 or more / sales slip (excluding menu set) 01 Apr ’20 - 31 Mar ’21
Cheevit Cheeva ....................................... Cute, amusing, ultra-photogenic and undoubtedly delicious. The desserts flying out of this Chiang Mai café are some of the best in the whole province. Many dishes lean on combinations of thai fruit or local ingredients, with heaps of other cakes, bingsu and drinks. Muang Chiang Mai, 088-564-6441. Open daily 11am-9pm Exclusively for Citi credit card members Get a complimentary French Lemonade or Okinawa Pearl Kokuto and Fresh Milk valued up to THB 95 when spending THB 300 or more /sales slip (excluding Unicorn Poop menu)(limit 1 glass /card / table /sales slip and limit 700 eligibilities /month) 01 Mar ’20 - 28 Feb ’21
ADVERTORIAL
....................................... Sretsis Parlour The tea parlour, which is an extension of a fantasy created by Sretsis, offers delectable delicacies with ever-present stories told through fantasies served on your plate. With a beautiful interior decorated with iconic motifs from the Sretsis Universe, the dreamlike destination indulges all the senses, especially with the signature “Tea Time with the Unicorn” tea set. 2/F, Central Embassy, Phloen Chit Rd., 0-2160-5875. Open daily 10am-10pm Exclusively for Citi credit card members Get 10% discount (dine in only) 01 Jul ’20– 31 Dec ’20
Hoppe..................................................... As far as coffeehouses go, Hoppe serves a surprisingly robust food menu (filled with hearty mains leaning heavily on Thai cuisine), but don’t be fooled, this is still a good place for desserts and coffee. The large windows, huge ceilings and natural like are everything you want while sipping a flat white. Velaa at Sindhorn Village, Soi Langsuan, 099 442 1592. Open daily 10am-10pm Exclusively for Citi credit card members Get a complimentary Deep Fried Bread with Minced Pork Spread valued THB 110 when spending THB 1,000 or more /sales slip (limit 1 dish /card /table /sales slip) 01 Feb ’20 - 31 Jan ’21
....................................... kanom With the goal to highlight this aromatic dessert, this classy chain offers freshly baked egg tarts made using quality ingredients. Aside from the signature Portuguese style egg tart, kanom also offers a selection of Thai-Chinese dishes such as khao soy and mee phad pak krached, as well as the very hard-to-find pathong ko yak. Sukhumvit Soi 49, 0-2391-2428, 02-712-6618. Open Mon-Sat 8:30am-7pm; Sun 8:30am-5pm Exclusively for Citi credit card members Get 10% discount on food only when spending THB 500 or more /sales slip or get a complimentary Pathongko yen valued THB 150 when spending THB 800 or more /sales slip for both section of promotion 01 Mar ’20 - 28 Feb ’21
Delightful Bites brought to you by Citi credit cards
Kay’s Boutique Breakfast....................................... Be prepared to indulge in a chill and relaxing white themed all-day breakfast café. Its signature Ultimate French Toast brûlée captured the attention of locals, travelers, and even New Yorkers when they launched a pop-up café in SoHo. Pair this with the Queen of Benny, you got it made. 116/55-57 Rangnam Rd., 02-245-6138. Open daily 7am-3pm Exclusively for Citi credit card members Get 10% discount on food only when spending THB 500 or more /sales slip 01 Apr ’20 - 31 Mar ’21
Lady L ....................................... The creations at this garden bistro pay homage to the European flavors loved by Thanpuying Lursakdi Sampatisiri, fondly known as “Lady L”. Experience the glass house garden ambience or savor the Art Deco dining, affectionately decorated with Lady L portraits. Lady L Garden Bistro, 4 Soi Somkid, Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 095 425 1424. Open Daily 9am-10pm
Exclusively for Citi credit card members Get 10% discount on a la carte menu 01 Apr ’20 - 31 Mar ’21
Meet Fresh ....................................... This popular Taiwanese dessert chain delivers exactly what is advertised—traditional Taiwanese sweets in all shapes and sizes. Popular dishes include purple rice drinks with mini taro balls and fresh milk, blows with glass jelly and shaved ice with taro on top, and milk and jelly teas. 647, 1 Sukhumvit Rd, 088 628 9508. Open daily 10am-10pm Exclusively for Citi credit card members Get 10% discount when spending THB 300 or more /sales slip 01 Jul ’20 - 30 Jun ’21
ADVERTORIAL
....................................... Milch The legendary Japanese cheese tart-maker is as popular as ever. Situated on Siam Paragon’s ground floor, you’ll spot a steady stream of people lining up for the brand’s specialty cheese cups. A glass pane allows you to watch the chefs prepare the treats on site, too. G/F, Siam Paragon, Rama 1 Rd., 098-265-6968. Open daily 9am-9pm Exclusively for Citi credit card members Get a complimentary Cheese Cup valued THB 75 when spending THB 450 or more /sales slip (limit 1 cup /card /table /sales slip) 01 Jul ’20 - 30 Jun ’21
Patom ..................................................... Patom’s greenhouse-like cube, surrounded by foliage, feels so far removed from Bangkok that you’ll forget you’re on Thonglor. Its good-life image has made it an IG hit, though that’s not to say its salads and lunch boxes don’t back up their claims of local, sustainable and organic. 9/2 Sukhumvit Soi 49/6, 098-259-7514. Open Tue-Sun 9:30am-6pm Exclusively for Citi credit card members Get 10% discount on food and beverages when spending THB 500 or more /sales slip 01 Feb ’20 - 31 Jan ’21
....................................... IHop With more than 1,600 locations across the US, Canada, and Asia, this American powerhouse serves buttermilk batter pancakes that are cooked to half-inch fluffiness but still dense enough to sponge up the syrup. 4/F, Siam Paragon. Open daily 7am-10pm. Exclusively for Citi credit card members Get a complimentary Cannoli or Mexican Tres Leche valued THB 195 when spending THB 600 or more /sales slip 01 July ’20 – 31 Dec ’20 Get a complimentary Strawberry Banana or Double Blueberry balued THB 195 when spending THb 600 or more /sales slip 01 Jan ’21 – 30 Jun ’21 (limit 1 dish /card /table /sales slip) (limit 500 dishes /month /all branches)
Chinatown
Ba Hao Tian Mi
8 Phadungdao Rd., 097-995-4543. Open Thu-Tue 10am-7:30pm Born from the crew behind hip cocktail den Ba Hao, this dessert cafe is small but striking. Its Hong Kongstyle, green-scaled facade is dominated by a circular granite entranceway topped with Wong Kar Wai-esque neon signage. Inside, a handful of tall wooden stools line the light gray counter, which doles out your desired sugar intake in the form of pork floss toast with egg yolk custard, rambutan granita, goji berry pudding and boba tea. 24 • Cafe Society
C
Chinatown
103 Bed and Brews 103 Soi Nana, Maitri Chit Rd., 02-102-8856. Open daily 7am-9pm
This elegant hostel-slash-cafe effortlessly soaks up its retro surroundings with an abundance of Chinese charms and colorful abstract paintings. Proving it’s more than just show, the cafe’s coffee list goes big on creative cold brew options like Coffee Tonic-Som Jeed spiked with kumquat syrup and tonic water. Not a coffee fan? Take in the quaint street surroundings with their signature tea, a herby Ceylon brew with ginger, lemongrass and orange.
Wallflowers Cafe 31-33 Soi Nana, 090-993-8653 Open daily 8am-6pm
From much-loved coffee shop chain Casa Lapin, this Instagrammer’s dream of a cafe is nestled above a bijou flower shop and boasts a secret garden vibe. The drip coffee and nitro cold brews are the go-tos for caffeine junkies, but if you’re looking for something quirky, go for the signature Le Boisson De Kanda, a carbonated fruity espresso.
Wanderlust Coffee & Eatery
149-151 Rama 4 Rd., 089-757-7770. Open Mon-Thu 6am-6pm; Fri-Sun 6am-8pm For a satisfying taste of Melbourne-style brunch culture, head to this unassuming hostel-turned-cafe just a stone’s throw from the ever-blooming hipster mecca of Soi Nana. Brunch staples include a chia pudding that features coconut milk and tropical fruit as well as skillet pancakes that combine the crispy Dutch style with America’s thicker, fluffier take. Complete your morning with an espresso or drip coffee starring beans from Chiang Mai.
Cafe Society • 25
Chinatown Charming traditional haunts for a taste of
As.is
45 Rama 4 Rd., 085-143-5215. Open Tue-Wed 9am-8pm; Fri 9am-9pm; Sat 9am-7pm; Sun 9:30am-5pm This vogue Chinatown coffee shop, goes for an industrial loft look with brickwork and blackened metal. Owner Teerajit Luanpitpong (a Brave Roasters alum) serves coffee made from Chiang Mai beans alongside a few food items and alternative drinks like a fruit-infused affogato and strawberry cream cheese shake. Hungry? Go for the eggs Benedict or buttermilk pancakes. We also recommend the homemade ice cream affogato with lemon cake.
old-style condensed milk coffee and custardy kaya toast Eiah-Sae
This 90-year-old coffee shop offers classic and simple freshly brewed coffee with condensed milk, alongside charming snacks like traditional custard on toast and soft-boiled eggs all charged at rock-bottom prices. 111 Phat Sai, 02-221-0549. Open daily 8am-8pm On Lok Yun
Standing strong for more than 80 years, this spot has a loyal following who come for the egg custard bread and Thai-style American breakfast. To drink, coffee with milk starts from B22. 72 Charoenkrung Rd., 02-2239621. Open daily 5:30am-4pm
Chata Specialty Coffee
Lhong Tou Cafe
Set amidst the crumbling back alleys of Yaowarat, this gorgeous glasshouse cafe is soaked in natural light. Barista-owner Nopphadon Jantranapaporn has built a name for himself with his latte art, flexing his muscles with a variety of creative brews—try the house-blend (Thai, Indonesian, Ethiopian and Brazilian) dressed up nice and dandy with lime and bubbly cola in the form of the Colapresso. Meanwhile, bites like the coconut cake are simple yet satisfying.
Another staple of Yaowarat’s cafe scene, this neon-tinged cafe dishes out Chinese-influenced snacks that pair perfectly with coffee or tea. The crispy yet creamy egg lava buns should prove any doubters wrong, while the savory Lhong Tou shumai—small boiled dumplings stuffed with pork and Chinese chives—are a must-try. We also recommend ordering the chestnut tart and cherry coulis along with their signature Thai milk tea.
98 Phatsai Rd., 084-625-2324. Open Tue-Sun 8am-5pm
26 • Cafe Society
538 Yaowarat Rd., 085-824-6934. Open Tue-Sun 6am-8pm
ThonglorEkkamai
Ink & Lion
1/7 Ekkamai 2 Sukhumvit Soi 63., 02-002-6874. Mon-Fri 8am-6pm; SatSun 9am-6pm Expect to find espresso machines whirring away and meticulous brews at this art gallery-slashcafe adorned with bare bricks and wooden furniture. Beans are roasted in-house both for espresso and filter coffee. Try the Happy Bear for a sweet taste of espresso, honey and soy milk over ice. Munch on pastries like the lemon tart and red velvet cake while taking a peek at the rotating exhibitions. Don’t miss the fresh butter waffles, either. Cafe Society • 27
Thonglor-Ekkamai
Caffe Olives
NEW
4 Napha Sap Soi 2, 061-613-9588. Open daily 9:30am-6:30pm This upscale deli dishes out Italian bites like the Panino–loaded with truffle, mushroom and cheese–and Roman-style pizzas. Lighter bites include pastries like the honey bun or brioche cinnamon bun, the perfect match for a fancy rosemary latte or refreshing organic lemonade. Exclusively for Citi credit card members Get 10% discount 01 Jun ’20 – 30 Jun ’21
Pompano Cafe de Musee
NEW
Ekkamai Soi 15. 086-507-1755. Open Tue-Thurs 11am8pm; Fri-Sun 10am-8pm Those who frequent the Chatuchak area will know all about Pompano Cafe de Musee. Once you step foot inside its new Ekkamai location, you’ll find it still retains its vintage Parisian vibe. For a wholesome brunch, pair the Cafe Truffle Au Chocolat with an array of fancy drinks, such as Birkin (black coffee with premium orange juice) or the Mer De Fleurs (a soda with your fruit of choice).
House of Susan Croissant
NEW
384/1 Ekkamai Soi 24, 062-293-6464. Open daily 7am-7pm This cozy cottage-style cafe is all about homemade mini croissants and doughnuts. Best-sellers include the salted egg lava and mushroom cream mini croissants, but those looking for sweet treats should turn to the lemon cream and crumble doughnuts, washed down with an iced mocha or dark chocolate. Exclusively for Citi credit card members Get 5% discount when spending THB 1,000 or more / sales slip 01 Jul ’20 – 31 Dec ’20
28 • Cafe Society
Broccoli Revolution 899 Sukhumvit Soi 49, 095-2519799. Open daily 10am-8pm
Thonglor’s OG plant-based eatery draws crowds for its socially conscious food. Try regional specialties like the Burmese tea leaf salad or go further afield with the healthy Green Bowl and mashed pumpkin burrito. To drink, expect cold-pressed juices and organic cold brew coffee.
Exclusively for Citi credit card members Get 10% discount on food only when spending THB 500 or more /sales slip 01 Jun ’19 – 31 Dec ’20
Kaizen
888 Sukhumvit Soi 63 (Ekkamai), 098-831-6009. Open daily 8am-6pm With its pared-back decor and scientific coffee prep, this sleek standalone will please fans of Melbourne-style coffee culture. Besides the long blacks and flat whites, try the Nitro Cold Brew along with the house-made cakes and pastries. Hangover cures come in the form of Breakfast Burgers (bacon, egg, cheese and HP sauce on a brioche bun), and juicy BLTs.
Cafe Society • 29
Thonglor-Ekkamai
Kurasu Bangkok
NEW
Bambini Villa, 18 Athakravi Soi 1. 064-941-2639. Open daily 9am-5pm Kyoto’s Kurasu began life as an online store selling Japanese coffee products. Now, it’s roasting and serving coffee around the world. In Bangkok, they serve up specialty blends in a minimalist open space. On top of their renowned matcha latte espresso— made using matcha from Morihan, a famous tea maker in Kyoto—and cold brew coffee, you’ll also find brewing equipment and their own coffee drip bags for use at home.
How to make the perfect pour-over coffee, by Thanapat Aumbumrung, barista and general manager at Kurasu Bangkok
What you need: Pour-over dripper Pour-over jug Paper filter Drip kettle Digital scale 1. Set the paper filter into a
dripper and pour some hot water over it to warm it up. This removes the papery taste that filters sometimes leave behind. Keep the water temperature around 90-93C. If you want more sweetness, lower the temperature to 88C. 2. Grind about 14g of coffee.
Place the ground coffee in the filter and gently shake it to create a flat surface. 3.
Place the dripper and jug onto the scale. Measure out about 210g of water.
4.
Conkey’s
72 Ekkamai Soi 22, 083-040-5911. Open Tue-Sun 9am-5pm This Aussie-owned farmers’ market favorite turned Ekkamai enclave has fast become a preferred neighborhood picnic spot. Head here for fresh crusty baguettes and buttery brioche, Aussie staples like sausage rolls and meat pies, and plump meatballs made for sandwiching between a ciabatta.
30 • Cafe Society
5. Set
a timer for 30 seconds and pour 30g of water very slowly over the coffee to make it “bloom.” Give a light stir using a spoon to encourage more flavor. 6. Over the next 30 seconds,
pour another 70g of water. After one minute, pour the remaining 110g of water. The whole process should take around two minutes. 7.
Enjoy your coffee!
ADVERTORIAL Every Dish with Citi
H Dining
NEW
Tea Factory and More
4 Sukhumvit Soi 38. 02-058-2699. Open daily 9am-midnight
95 Sukhumvit Soi 39, 062-575-4411. Open Mon-Thu 10am-7pm; Fri-Sun 10am-9pm
H Dining is all about healthy, feel-good comfort food in a minimally designed space featuring warm hues, wood and splashes of white. All the coffee beans are hand-picked from growers worldwide and roasted on the premises. Try the filter of the day, or up your daily vitamin intake with their fresh pressed juices, while recharging with hearty dishes like pork sandwiches or kimchi and burnt onion pasta with miso sauce and pickled mushrooms.
Have a pet? Bring them along to this Sri Lankan-inspired tea factory located in the pet-friendly “Trail and Tail” compound in the heart of Sukhumvit. The interior is a moody mix of dark woods, crystal chandeliers and fresh flowers (there’s also a large English garden for your furry friends to play in). There are over 20 varieties of tea from around the world and plenty of delicious scones to pair them with. There is also a food menu with all-day breakfast and light lunch fare.
Exclusively for Citi credit card members Get 5% discount on food and bakery and get a complimentary brownie valued THB 110 when spending THB 600 or more /sales slip 01 Mar ’20 - 28 Feb ’21
New Day Project
NEW
53 Soi Torsak, Thonglor Soi 13. 091-559-0994. Open Fri-Wed 7am-4pm One of Thonglor’s newest hangouts, this cafe is all about homemade bread and top-notch coffee beans, courtesy of Ink & Lion. Tucked away on Thonglor Soi 13, the space feels like your friend’s house with its welcoming vibe. Be sure to try their homemade breads, like the signature sourdough or the cranberry and walnut bread. To drink, order a freshly brewed coffee or a milk-free iced matcha.
Met Café Sukhumvit 55, 088-964-1989. Open Tue-Sun 10:30am-9:30pm This flower lover’s paradise is impossible to miss with its gorgeous window display showing off a green-packed interior. The dishes on offer go well beyond your typical café fare (in fact, they are largely inspired by the owners travels around the world, so expect eclectic bites). They churn out some impressive Thai-fusion pastas, like penne stir-fried with shrimp and potent amounts of shrimp paste, and a seemingly never-ending supply of house-made cakes and pastries.
Exclusively for Citi credit card members Get 10% discount when spending THB 1,000 or more / sales slip 01 Jul ’20 - 30 Jun ’21
Cafe Society • 31
NanaAsoke
Paris Mikki
1/F, Metha Wattana, 27 Sukhumvit Soi 19, 088-870-0020. Open Mon-Fri 10am-9pm; Sat-Sun 9:30am-9pm Having lived and trained in Paris for almost a decade, including stints at Angelina and Laduree, Thai pastry chef Carol Boosaba brings her authentic French sweets and pastries to this dainty white and blue cafe. Don’t miss classics like the Parisian croissant forêt noire and mille-feuille. Exclusively for Citi credit card members Get 10% discount when spending THB 650 or more /sales slip 01 Jul ’20 – 31 Dec ’20
32 • Cafe Society
ADVERTORIAL Every Dish with Citi
Kuppa
39 Sukhumvit Soi 16, 02-663-0450. Open daily 9am-10pm This brunch mainstay dishes out comfort-food staples like salads, stone-baked pizzas and Thai classics like chicken kaprao. Finish with a slice of their hefty cheesecake and a cup of long black, using beans roasted and blended in-store. Exclusively for Citi credit card members Get 10% discount on food only when spending THB 1,000 or more /sales slip
WWAPORTAL Sukhumvit Soi 29, 086-100-0993. Open daily 8am-7pm This stunning all white and chrome café is Instagram fodder if we have ever seen it. They know this (and even made a cheeky comparison between their interior and Tesla’s angular-shaped Cyber Truck on their social media). It’s not all looks here, though. They take their coffee seriously and import elite-level coffee beans from around the world. What’s the dark horse of their menu? Hong Kongstyle milk tea. One of the more legit versions you’ll find in Bangkok.
Exclusively for Citi credit card members Get 10% discount when spending THB 650 or more/ sales slip 01 Jul ’20 - 31 Dec ’20
01 Aug ’20 – 31 Jul ’21
Iwane Goes Nature 14 Sukhumvit Soi 23, 02-664-0350. Open daily 7:30am-midnight
This lush garden hideaway is the ideal place to start your slow mornings with souffle-like ricotta pancakes served with fresh bananas and maple syrup. Pair them with a Bulletproof, a blend of four shots of espresso, coconut oil and butter. Exclusively for Citi credit card members Get 10% discount on food only 01 Feb ’20 – 31 Jan ’21
Chu Chocolate Bar & Café 2/F, Exchange Tower, 388 Sukhumvit Rd., 02-663-4554. Open Mon-Fri 7:30am-9pm, Sat-Sun 8am-9pm This cafe veteran serves the traditional Spanish churros with dulce de leche or a show-stopping velvety, dark hot chocolate (and a variety of other specially made chocolate drinks, as the name suggests), from its perch overlooking traffic-clogged Asoke. Aside from the decadent sweets, savory brunch dishes and hearty mains round out the menu and will leave you in a delightful food coma.
Exclusively for Citi credit card members Get 10% discount on food and non-alcoholic beverages when spending THB 600 or more /sales slip 01 Jan ’20 - 31 Dec ’20
Cafe Society • 33
Nana-Asoke
Ici
24 Sukhumvit Soi 27, 02-007-3113. Open Tue-Sun 10am-6pm Pastry chef Arisara “Paper” Chongphanitkul delicately crafts sweet treats like the photogenic Blueberry Balloon (cheesecake, blueberry gelee, lemon cream, biscuit joconde and a buttery crumble base) and the just as aestheticallypleasing Starfish featuring coffeevanilla mascarpone mousse, pineapple compote, cashew nut praline, ginger milk froth and coconut rum gel.
NEW
Artis Coffee
Yest Works
This San Francisco-hailing chain serves uber-fresh cups of coffee made with quality house blends. The simple decor gives the cafe a laid-back vibe, where groups of friends chat and digital nomads work on their laptops while sipping flat whites and nibbling on butter scones.
With its dark wooden frontage and walls lined with small black and brown bottles, this place could double as an old-school apothecary or a branch of Aesop’s, but those aren’t pills or cosmetics they’re selling. The bottles are filled with beans sourced from Chiang Rai and far-flung coffee-growing countries, which can be blended and purchased to brew at home or ordered for takeaway drinks. They do, however, approach coffee like scientists, charting their eight different roasts on precise flavor diagrams.
4 Sukhumvit Soi 18, 02-262-0760. Open daily 7am-8pm
Exclusively for Citi credit card members Get 10% discount on food and non alcoholic beverages when spending THB 600 or more /sales slip (13:00 22:30) (excluding Hario) 01 Jul ’20 – 31 Dec ’20
34 • Cafe Society
41/1 Sukhumvit Soi 23, 090-219-3142. Open Mon-Fri 7am-6pm; Sat-Sun 10am-6pm
Ari
Rocca BKK
NEW
57 Phahon Yothin Soi 11, 086-9005555. Open daily 11:30am-9:30pm Formerly home to tile company Casa Rocca, this spacious warehouse has been revamped into a handsome tile gallery-slash-restaurant. The large glass facade lets in plenty of natural light, while inside the atmosphere remains quiet and relaxed. Head here for the Yuzupresso (iced coffee with yuzu juice), sparkling black honey or iced Uji matcha latte to sip with a charcoal-grilled rib-eye steak and a Caesar salad on the side. Cafe Society • 35
Ari Bangkok’s best cafes for cold brew coffee
Common Room x Ari
Roots
13/1 Phahon Yothin Soi 5, 062-416-7746. Open daily 7am-6pm
The Commons, Thonglor Soi 17, 097-059-4517. Open Mon-Thu 8am-7:30pm; Fri-Sun 8am-8:30pm
With fine single-origin and houseblend beans courtesy of well-known local roasters Ceresia and Brave, this minimal Ari coffee shop brews some no-nonsense lattes, flat whites and pour-overs. Make sure to get their daily-baked croissants, scrambled eggs with rocket salad or breakfast waffle topped with bacon and eggs to go with your favorite cup.
Rocket Coffee Bar
149 Sathorn Soi 12, 096-791-3192. Open daily 7am-6pm Casa Lapin x Ari
1/F, Noble Reform, Phahon Yothin Soi 7, 064-586-6031. Open daily 8am-6pm
NEW
Landhaus
Aribica
This German-slash-Austrian bakery is known for its exceptional baked goods, fresh out of the concrete and steel oven. Get the chicken and pesto flûte baguette sandwich; open smoked pork-loin sandwich with cheese spread, salad and tomato; or a platter of cold cuts, which can be enjoyed with a piping hot americano or frothy cappuccino. Fancy takeaway? Grab some Florianer rye bread, a cinnamon Danish or olive tomato white bread for slow mornings at home.
Snuggled between two fairly tall buildings inside an alleyway behind a Hat Yai fried chicken stall, this coffee geek’s haven is easily missed. It brews up reasonably-priced drinks using local and imported single-origin beans, sourced everywhere from Chiang Mai to Costa Rica. If you’re in no rush, go for the slow bar menu, with five brewing methods for you to choose from. Otherwise, a bottle of cold brew has you covered.
18 Phahon Yothin Soi 5, 02-165-0322. Open Tue-Sun 7am-7pm
36 • Cafe Society
Room No.4/1, Sahakorn Pranakorn 2 Building, Ari Soi 1, 061-632-1335. Open Mon-Fri 7:30am-5:30pm; Sun 9am-6:30pm
Baby Bar
Bar Storia Del Caffe
Housed in the chic Craftsman Hotel, this Art Deco affair doubles as a cocktail bar and cafe. During the day, order an iced lychee tea. Then, move on to light snacks like fried gyoza with kani miso dip and tasty cocktails like the Baby Shower at night.
Mid-century modern decor and all-day brunch define this Italian slow bar-inspired cafe, where you can tuck into European flavors, like angel hair crab meat A.O.P and mussels in white wine sauce with garlic toast.
1/F, Craftsman Hotel, Phahon Yothin Soi 11, 02-279-7299 ext. 55. Open daily 11am-11pm
Exclusively for Citi credit card members Get 10% discounnt on food only 01 Nov ’19 – 31 Dec ’20
BrewJay
NEW
Gump’s Ari Community Space, Ari Soi 4 (North), 082-561-9964. Open Mon-Fri 10:30am-7pm; Sat-Sun 11am-8pm Have you ever craved a cocktail early in the afternoon? If so, make your way to this sleek and minimal “Cofftail” cafe, where cocktails and coffee blend seamlessly. Here, the “Brewtenders” turn unique creations into (nonalcoholic) cocktail-inspired drinks. If you like piña coladas, try their Java Colada—a very tropical concoction of cold brew coffee, pineapple, coconut and coconut milk topped with homemade coconut foam.
13 Ari Soi 4 (North), 082-581-9026. Open Sun-Thu 9am-11pm; Fri-Sat 9am-midnight
Exclusively for Citi credit card members Get a complimentary Tiramisu valued THB 259 when speding THB 1,000 or more /sales slip (limit 1 dish /card /table /sales slip) 01 Jul ’20 – 31 Dec ’20
Blacksmith
NEW
9/1 Ari Soi 3, 099-756-2323. Open daily 11am-midnight Juxtaposed with the simple white-washed houses on Ari soi 3, this semi-open-air cafe and bar serves up refreshing drinks, cakes and fusion dishes in a Wild-Westsaloon-meets-steel-mill setting. Think cowhide rugs, woven chairs and rusty tables atop a light brown gravel yard. Get yourself comfortable and order the signature Undead (medium roast coffee mixed with black forest honey, yuzu and infused tea) and a slice of purple yam cheesecake.
Cafe Society • 37
Out of Bangkok
Velo (Hua Hin)
43/21 Naebkehardt Rd., Hua Hin, 063-223-9162. Open Fri-Wed 7:30am-5:30pm Within walking distance of Hua Hin beach, this eclectic specialty coffee shop keeps regulars raving for more of its crispy almond eclairs with chocolate whipped cream and khanom tuay (steamed coconut milk pudding). Wash those down with a piccolo latte, caramel macchiato or iced mocha mint latte; then you are good to go for another kitesurfing sesh. 38 • Cafe Society
O
Out of Bangkok
Gallery Drip Coffee (Hua Hin) 10 Hua Hin Soi 51, Hua Hin, 086-0492731. Open Thu-Mon 8:30am-7pm
The sister branch to the drip coffee specialist at Bangkok’s BACC, this cafe acts as a micro-gallery for local artists to showcase their work. As you scan the art, have a latte with coffee jelly, hot mocha or iced drip coffee with honey and lemon, all crafted from a selection of single-origin beans.
Yellow Submarine Coffee Tank (Khao Yai)
The Baristro at Ping River (Chiang Mai)
Inspired by The Beatles’ hit, this coal-black cafe is designed by architecture firm Secondfloor Architects and is located amid a sea of Indian mahogany trees close to Khao Yai National Park. If you’re looking for a pick-meup, try the yellow oxygen iced latte or the iced Americano made from a blend of Thai beans. Both are great foils for the signature charcoal toast topped with a scoop of ice cream.
This riverside space offers three different seating areas. Inside, white-washed walls and exposed brick strike a laid-back vibe, while seats on the terrace offer tranquil Ping River views. Get a crispy roti filled with whipped cream, foi thong (golden egg yolk threads), chocolate, and condensed milk, and wash it down with drinks like the Black Coconut (coconut water iced coffee).
Mu Si, Pak Chong, Nakhon Ratchasima, 096-981-0682. Open Fri-Sun 9am-7pm
62 Pa Tan Rd., Mueang Chiang Mai, 087-788-2788. Open daily 8am-7pm
Cafe Society • 39
Out of Bangkok
Ristr8to LAB (Chiang Mai)
14 Nimmanhaemin Rd. Soi 3, Suthep, 099-419-4653. Open Wed-Mon 8am-6pm Amid this raw-looking enterprise, a crew dressed entirely in black serves up impressive coffee under the guidance of 2017 World Latte Art champion Arnon “Tong” Thitiprasert. Head here for the signature Satan Latte, served in a gothic, eight ounce cup with a double shot of long ristretto. For something more adventurous, check out the coffee-based alcoholic drinks.
Campus Coffee Roaster (Phuket) 6 Krabi Rd., Talat Nuea, Mueang Phuket, 092-218-9292. Open daily 8am-6pm
Situated in a century-old shophouse in the heart of Phuket’s Old Town, this specialty coffee cafe is the brainchild of a former barista at School Coffee. Expect both locally and internationally sourced single-origin coffee in drinks like Ms. Scarlet, a red berry-infused cold brew with wine-like tasting notes, and the Honey Espresso on the Rocks, which comes served in a sugar-rimmed whiskey glass.
40 • Cafe Society
Graph One Nimman (Chiang Mai)
1/6 One nimman, Nimmanhaemin Rd., Suthep, 086-567-3330. Open daily 10am-10pm This Instagram darling is all about creativity. Order Graph No. 16, a mix of soda, lime juice, cane sugar and a shot of espresso served in a sugar-rimmed glass, or the Lost Garden, a nitro-brewed coffee infused with rose water. Pair them with the golden, custard-filled Cruffin—a cross between a croissant and a muffin.
The Feelsion Cafe (Phuket) 445/1 Phuket Rd., Talat Yai, Mueang Phuket, 088-242-9646. Open Fri-Sat 10:30am-midnight; Sun-Thu 10:30-10pm
This two-story cafe filled with vintage furniture and knick-knacks doles out desserts galore. Try the apple crumble waffle or Thai sweets like chor muang (steamed dumplings) and tangmo pla heang (watermelon cubes sprinkled with dried fish). Thirsty? Go for a cocktail like The Gentleman, made with coffee, root beer, soda and honey with Thai tea ice cream.
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Index Siam-Phloen Chit Luka Siri House Gallery Drip (BACC) Brave Roasters Lido Cafe by Coffeelism BKK Bagel Bakery Cafe Tartine Everyday I Love My Life The Coffee Academics
4 5 5 5 6 6 7 7
Sathorn-Silom Crackhouse Luka Brioche From Heaven Akart Day Holey Bakery Kenn’s Neighborwood BKK Lots Sathon Kokopan
8 9 9 9 10 10 10 11 11
Phrom Phong Roast (EmQuartier) Simple Holey Artisan Bakery Breakfast Story Odtomato Brekkie Vistro Co-Incidence House Paco Bangkok
12 13 13 13 14 14 14 15 15
Riverside-Old Town A Coffee Roaster by Li-bra-ry Broccoli Revolution Charoenkrung Tangible Rue de Mansri Ha Tien Cafe Sweet Pista Sarnies Mother Roaster Craftsman x Baan Ajarn Farang
16 17 17 17 18 18 18 19 19
China Town Ba Hao Tian Mi 103 Bed and Brews
24 25
Wallflowers Cafe Wanderlust Coffee & Eatery As.is Chata Specialty Coffee Lhong Tou Cafe
25 25 26 26 26
Thonglor-Ekkamai Ink & Lion Caffe Olives Pompano Cafe de Musee House of Susan Croissant Broccoli Revolution Kaizen Kurasu Bangkok Conkey’s H Dining New Day Project
27 28 28 28 29 29 30 30 31 31
Nana-Asoke Paris Mikki Kuppa Iwane Goes Nature Ici Artis Coffee Yest Works
32 33 33 34 34 34
Ari Rocca BKK Common Room x Ari Landhaus Aribica Baby Bar Bar Storia del Caffe BrewJay Blacksmith
35 36 36 36 37 37 37 37
Out of Bangkok Velo Cafe (Hua Hin) Gallery Drip Coffee (Hua Hin) Yellow Submarine Coffee Tank (Khao Yai) The Baristro at Ping River (Chiang Mai) Ristr8to LAB (Chiang Mai) Campus Coffee Roaster (Phuket) Graph One Nimman (Chiang Mai) The Feelsion Cafe (Phuket)
38 39 39 39 40 40 41 41