It’s been two years and two (actually, two and a half) branches since Kyoto-born coffeehouse %Arabica launched in Bangkok, spurring photo-snapping crowds and long queues in every spot it has opened at.
As a follow-up to its flagship store at ICONSIAM and second branch at centralwOrld (plus a tiny kiosk in Siam Paragon), % Arabica has snatched a vacant spot on the mezzanine floor of EmQuartier. This third outlet maintains the brand’s signature minimalist-white aesthetics, still designed by no.10 of Nomurakougeisha, who’s responsible for setting up most of %Arabica's stores around the world.
This EmQuartier branch is sunlit and spacious, with more organized seating that separates the dine-in/drink-in guests from those just coming for a grab-and-go (significantly more peaceful if you want some alone time with your cuppa).
One more thing that makes %Arabica’s third Thailand branch different from its sister stores is the presence of a vintage Probat roaster, a German machine that can roast beans in big batches, thus establishing the EmQuartier shop as the brand’s central roastery in Thailand. Among the beans that are roasted here are Kona % beans grown at the brand’s own farm in Hawaii. A favorite among connoisseurs, these coffee beans offer a smooth but robust flavor profile with hints of lemon and chocolate.
Ice cream lovers will also find haven at this new store, which will soon debut two new flavors of the brand’s signature soft-serve—soft cream and affogato.