COFFEE GUIDE TO BANGKOK
BY TREMOR CHRIST
Chiang Mai has historically had the upperhand in Thailand when it comes to coffee, but Bangkok is starting to catch up. There are still far too few solid coffee shops taking their grind-brew-serve seriously, but compared to a decade ago it's grow in leaps and bounds.
Despite many succumbing to the numb hipster vibes of a big city, this is definitely a case of "don't judge a book by it's cover". Some of the best coffee in town is served in shops lifted from a cover of Wallpaper Magazine. Still, with a pair of sunglass on you'll fit right in, and everyone else is too preoccupied with their phones to notice your shaky hands whilst waiting for the caffeine to hit right.
Here below are what we consider the best coffee shops in Bangkok, for varying reasons. Whether its the ambiance, a divine espresso, a miraculous pour-over, a particular style of ice-coffee or the perfect place to switch off, we've got all your needs covered in the guide below.
If you do happen to be heading North to Chiang Mai afterwards, then you'll perhaps be interested to peruse our dedicated article to all things coffee up there. You can find that
here.
#THEMOUTHSCHOICE
MOON PHASES COFFEE
Mon - Thu 7.00 am - 13.30 pm
Closed - Fri - Sun
Tucked away in a small street of Khlong Toei, this amazing coffee shop serves all your regular style espresso drinks, thai coffee's, but the real gold is their 3-4 bags of specialty coffee on rotation. Ask for tips from the ultra friendly barista's, and sit back and sip sumptuously prepared coffee.
The location may turn a few off from visiting, but this should be more of a reason to go rather than stay in your usual compounds. Hitching a ride on a motorbike taxi to Moon Phases will really be one of the best things you can do on your coffee explorations of Bangkok.
POBNAR
Open: 7.30 - 17.00 everyday
The first test is finding this amazing little coffee roaster/shop. Google maps will have you heading down the wrong alleyway, and when you finally find the right one you'll walk halfway down and think you've gotten lost. Fear not! Keep walking, you'll find
it.
Head inside and sample some of the best coffee in Bangkok, pour-over or espresso. Heavy on the Ethiopian beans when we visited, but absolutely fabulous cups! Highly recommended.
SMOKEY CAT
Open daily 8am-5pm
Free 2-hour parking at Somerset Park Suan Phlu
This neighborhood coffee shop in Suan Plu serves ultra consistent cups of coffee. Despite having a large customer base ordering flat white's and americano, they also have a section at the back counter where they do some really great pourovers. They usually have 4-5 bags to choose between, so ask the barista for recommendations to suit your taste!
BLACKHILLS BKK
Open daily 8:00 - 17:00 last order 16:45
Pour over enthusiasts head to BlackHills in the Lat Phrao neighborhood, sip your coffee whilst listening to Slowdive on vinyl. Life could be worse. If you want an espresso, they have a Flare hand-pulled machine that they'll happily plonk on the counter and produce an excellent sip.
RATT CAFE
Open 9:00 - 19:00 every day
This ramshackle house in the middle of an artist collective is a great place to sip a coffee after visiting the Lomography shop or the vinyl store opposite.
AROON
Mon - Fri Open 7:30 - 17:30
Sat - 8.30 - 17.30
Sun - 12 - 17.30
Hipster vibes are on display at this clinically clean and minimalist shop, however their attention was not only on the decor, they brew a mighty fine cup too.
CERESIA COFFEE ROASTERS
Open daily 8.00 - 17.00
Smuggled down an alleyway by a large Korean food shop is Ceresia. From the moment they open, hordes cram in to buy weighed out bags of beans, or sip a well made coffee before tackling the insanity outside.
LILOU & LAIART
Open Daily 09:30 - 17:00
Ari had its moment about a decade ago, but lying in some of the quieter backalleys are some very solid places for a cup of coffee, cake or pastry. One of our favourites is Lailou and Laiart, the perfect distraction from all the action elsewhere.
HACKING FLAGSHIP STORE
Open daily 07.00 - 18.00
Up in Lad Prao lies this behemoth of a coffee shop. Part warehouse, part hipster hall, the locals seem to crowd here to escape the sun, with shadows reigning supreme. The coffee is not amazing, but well above average.
NANA COFFEE ROASTERS
Mon-Fri : 7am - 6pm
Sat-Sun (Holiday) : 8am - 6pm
A huge step up from commercial coffee chains, this place doesn't offer anything truly exciting, but it is a good choice if you're wondering or wandering around and need a caffeine injection. The garden is perfect for a date or book read.
Warning: If you are allergic to influencers, steer clear.
AS.IS
Open daily: 11.00 - 18.00
Chiang Mai beans in a seriously hip industrial metal/concrete cafe near Hualumpong station? This is our spot if we're in Chinatown and need coffee. Think Melbourne meets melting steel.
BRAVE ROASTERS
Open daily 10.00 - 18.00
If shopping malls give you anxiety, why not fuel the fear by adding caffeine to the mix. Up top of the Siam Discovery Mall is Brave Roasters, one of Bangkoks most famous third wave coffee shops.
