Best Thai dessert shops in Bangkok

Named after the jasmine flower, a symbol of purity, this dessert house presents classic flavours in colourful bites. The traditions of Thai confectionary are strong here, even down to the northern-style basket called a khantok, in which your favourite luk chup (mung bean), jala mas (golden strand egg-yolk) and khanom piak pun (sweet pandan pudding) goodies are served. Tucked away down Lat Phrao soi 48, this is a quiet spot in which to appreciate sugary classics. 

Ladprao Soi 48 Yak 28-16, Samsen Nok, Huai Khwang. 085-441-7549. Open Tue-Sun 8am-5pm. Closed Mon.

Fancy a bowl of munchy bua loy? Ban Tad Thong’s sweet café specialises in the Chinese-Thai dessert made with black sesame. The best-selling black sesame rice dumplings in ginger tea (B65) helped to make the name of the original Sweet Circle branch in Chinatown. Other Cantonese-influenced desserts include sesame and taro dumplings in Thai tea (B115).    

Chula Soi 16, Wang Mai, Pathum Wan. 091-951-9656. Open daily 5.30pm-12.30am

Chonburi’s Hom Run Chuan brings the finest sweet to Bangkok. Almost works of art in their creativity, grab a box of kanom chan (layered pandan pudding, B70) for a truly sweet and aromatic bite. At festival time, whether the Lunar New Year or Christmas, the outlet offers holiday boxes to celebrate the special occasion.

1329/52 Si Vara Rd, Wang Thonglang. 095-095-2295. Open Mon-Thu 7.30am-7pm, Fri-Sat 7.30am-8pm, Sun 7.30am-7pm

Established over 50 years ago, this legendary Thai dessert stall is still pleasing sweet-toothed punters in the Talad Phlu area. Try their Thai-style pumpkin custard with coconut for a true taste of the Orient. Sweet sticky rice with toppings should also be on your list for a great grab-and-go snack. Go early and enjoy these delights fresh from the kitchen.

1119, Thoet Thai Rd, Thon Buri. 02-472-6305. Open daily 9.30am-8pm 

Remember when Thai hip-hop artist MILLI ate mango and sticky rice on stage at Coachella 2022? Rock out and try this iconic Thai dessert yourself at the Mae Varee stall near Thong Lor BTS station. Using only Barracuda mangos, their iteration of coconut-steamed sticky rice and sweet-sour yellow fruit is the epitome of refreshing tropical flavours. Don’t forget to add coconut milk for an even more complex taste sensation.  

1 Thong Lor, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana. 02-392-4804. Open daily 6am-10pm   

Preserving their grandma’s recipes for decades, the owners of this sweet stall in Ari pride themselves on using organic ingredients and classic cooking techniques. Try their deliciously smooth and comforting pumpkin custard pudding (B35) if nothing else. Kanom chan (layered coconut pudding, B25) is also a best seller and almost as photogenic as the surrounding neighbourhood.  

1/2-3, 1 Ari Soi 1, Phaya Thai. 02-278-1179. Open daily 8am-6pm. 

This Thai dessert café offers an elevated experience to most other sweet stalls. Heavily decorated in floral motifs, it serves traditional confectionery on golden plates. A good spot to chill on a hot day in Ari, try the Thai set (B190) for an energy boost. It includes local specials like ruby chestnuts in coconut milk and luk chup (fruit-shaped mung beans).

24/4 Ari Fang Nua Soi 4, Phaya Thai. 098-748-4661. Open daily 10am-8pm

This cafe shines a light on jade-coloured desserts made from the pandan fruit. Yok Sod – the name denotes a type of green coloured sweet – serves up royal recipe delights such as Inthanin, which is pandan balls in coconut milk (B50), and an intriguing green coconut pudding (B50) that oozes with fresh flavour. 

G/F Siam Paragon, Rama I Rd. 061-272-4990. Open daily 10am-10pm