Best of 2021: New Cafés

Enjoy coffee drinks curated by renowned chef Anand Gaggan and small plates by the Sühring brothers at this café-slash-boutique without having to sit through an entire multi-course experience. What’s even better, aside from its emo all-black aesthetic, is the chance to shop for street fashion by sneaker house Carnival.

The establishment breathes new life into the old Chinese café culture (called “kopi”), but also celebrates the traditional Thai milk tea that our grandfathers used to drink. The vibrant space has been decorated with details that would remind you of old-school mom-and-pop shops: handpainted wooden walls, stools found at noodle shops and colorful wallpaper—yet everything is put together in a chic, creative manner.

Travel blogger OATS x Somewhere’s passion project Drop by Dough has outgrown its original idea as a shop dedicated to the beloved donut, and has been fully developed into an all-day dining restaurant that serves scrumptious eats beyond sugary holed desserts and café drinks.

The FICS crew knows all too well that they can’t compete on the coffee front, so they took inspiration from their strong passion for film to create a stunning café that’s worth hanging out at. An in-venue poster gallery and drinks inspired by classic movies also add to its appeal.

While the majority of Bangkok sipping joints are all about coffee, Grow takes a different path by serving matcha (green tea) from Uji. We love how this spot pays close attention to every process that goes into making green tea and bringing out its natural aroma. There’s a drink that suits every preference, even one for those who are not necessarily fans of matcha.

ICI is already a household name for pastry lovers in Bangkok, but this new branch at Mahanakhon Eatery is a must-visit, thanks to its collaboration with Chef Aom Pongmorn from Michelin-starred Saawaan, which resulted in more awesome food and desserts.

Art and coffee have become two things that many new openings attempt to put together, but only a few venues, such as Madi, get it right. The shop’s minimalist Nordic-style vibes attract hip kids who just finished their gallery-hopping in Charoenkrung.

This bread house has become a go-to for its super soft, Korean-style steamed bread that’s served with fresh butter. We’re grateful that the shop opened up in Bangkok, especially since flying to Seoul to get these pillowy breads from the original branch is nearly impossible.

This spot exclusively brews quality single origin beans into a variety of creative coffee drinks. Come to really enjoy the coffee and not just to beef up your Instagram feed.

Piccolo Vicolo has a couple of good unconventional signature drinks on its menu, but its hidden location in the soon-to-open community estate Galileoasis and very detailed mid-century-style decor are really what make this spot so exciting.