Passita Setthawornwat

There has never been a better time to be a coffee drinker in the city thanks to an influx of international chains, artisanal cafes and local bean roasters. The surge of cafes in Thonglor, Silom, Ekkamai and other hip neighborhoods has us coming up with a list of the best cafes and coffee houses in Bangkok. Old favorites also feature. 

This cafe is quite far from downtown and is not an easy find. It’s also out of the way from any BTS or MRT station. It’s worth going, however, for the reason that the owner has had over ten years experience with specialty coffee. His knowledge on how to source and process beans, and on equipment and brewing methods are priceless and incomparable. It’ll be hard to notice the shop if it’s your first time here. Just keep your eyes peeled for shop signs along the way. The black coffee is highly recommended and so is the café latte. The owner, in fact, is known as a master of latte art. For those who don’t like coffee that much, the hot green tea latte is a great choice.

Groans were heard all around when everyone’s favorite Roots Coffee Bar at Ekkamai closed down at the end of last year. Jubilation ensued when fans realized that the coffee purveyor was relocating to The Commons, the newest feel-like-home community mall located on Thonglor Soi 17. Hoping to be that backyard hang-out where everyone comes to chill on their free time, Roots serves coffee at its very best. Their cold brew attracts coffees lovers across the neighborhood, even more now that Roots offers it fresh from the tap. Another gimmick that attracts brewed-bean fanatics is the Barista’s Choice, which includes winning drinks from a barista competition in the menu for a limited amount of time. They now have Cherry Cola and Summer Peach cold brews on the grind – both are perfect for beating the heat. The owners also own popular eatery Roast, located on the top floor of The Commons. If you have a chance to stop by, don't forget to try their famous strawberry waffles! Roast also opened two new outlets within the city: one at EmQuartier, and a grab-and-go kiosk called Daily Roast at Bhiraj Tower (the office building behind EmQuartier).

Combining an art gallery and a café, Ink & Lion is owned by a couple who both have art in their blood. Those who are passionate about arts, crafts and coffee will definitely fall in love with this place. Interesting artwork from both local and international artists are always on exhibit. Ink & Lion, who trained the latest winner of the National Thailand Brewer Cups, is now also roasting small batches of coffee. You can try their beans at the café or buy a pack for home brewing. Parking is limited, although there is more parking available at a site opposite to the café.

Put your phone down. Put away your laptop. There’s no Wi-Fi at Ceresia. It may be a bit weird today when good cups of coffee usually go together with free Internet. Who knows, maybe it’s their hidden agenda: face to face, not face to phone. With its wooden interiors, orange brick walls and yellow lighting, Ceresia serves not just great coffee but also a warm and relaxing vibe. This is one of the more peaceful specialty coffee shops in Bangkok. Ceresia also roasts their own beans, sometimes offering up to six single-origins on a weekly rotation (other cafes usually have two to three choices). The beans they choose are both from local farms and the best coffee farms around the world. A new branch, Ceresia Saladaeng, recently opened at Tisco Tower in Sala Daeng.  

Phil Coffee Company is one of the few wholesale specialty bean roasters in Bangkok, a fact that’s enough to guarantee the quality of their coffee. Owned by three siblings, this specialty shop is set off by brick walls and lovely floral ceramic tiles. It’s great for hanging out with friends, but is also suitable for solo fliers particularly on weekdays when it’s quite peaceful. Try their filter house blend (Hummingbird with Floral, Lemon & Caramel notes) and their cold brew. If you’re lucky, you may even get a chance to taste the special Panama Geisha brew. Try it once and it may just be your newest favorite.

You won’t find any espresso shots here. Instead, hand-brewed cups are served, and even the grinder is still of the manual sort. This shop is a must for pour over coffee lovers who would love to see how coffee is made without any automatic machines. The team behind Gallery Coffee has started a long-term plan that involves working with special coffee beans from the coffee trees they’ve grown, reaping and processing the cherries, and roasting and brewing the beans themselves. The project is named Long, a play on the English word, and a reference to its Thai meaning, which means “to try.” The cafe is located on the first floor of the Bangkok Art & Culture Centre (BACC). After finishing your cuppa, meander upstairs and check out some great artwork and exhibitions.    

Imagine being in a European cottage in summer. That’s how it feels like sitting and sipping coffee in Sutdrip. The glass-roofed backyard lets the natural light in and warms up the cafe’s ambiance. One corner at the back of the shop is filled with soothing evergreen ferns. Wi-Fi is free, making it the perfect workspace for those who come with laptops. Its owners won the First National Thailand Brewers Cup Championship, so there shouldn’t be any hesitation about ordering a cup of pour over coffee. In case your stomach starts to grumble, homemade food is waiting at a tiny restaurant named Kao-Baan hidden at the back of the cafe. It’s run by the owner’s mom – just in case you’re not charmed enough. A note for bikers: there’s a little bike showroom between Sutdrip and Kao-Baan as one of the cafe’s owners is a bike lover.

All-white interiors, marbletop counters, black infinity-edge lines – all these elements combine to create a clean modern look for this cafe. Outstanding signature drinks and a great food menu make this cafe suitable for everyone. Nitro cold brews offer energy boosts to the caffeine-obsessed, while sweets lovers will enjoy the Milo Mountain (iced chocolate topped with vanilla ice cream and Milo, and served in a chocolate-dipped cup). The two sibling owners have had years of experience in the Australian coffee culture. Their passion and enthusiasm for what they do assures an engaging experience each time you’re here.

Located in a shady peaceful area along Rama 9, this artsy little shop is owned by the runner-up at the National Thailand Brewers Cup Championships. Do try their filtered coffee. Another must on the menu is the Ipanema (iced black coffee with coconut milk), which leaves a mellow bittersweet taste on the palate. A newbie on the menu is the Unicorno (cappuccino topped with pink swirl milk foam and colorful candy beads). The small outdoor space in front of the cafe is a perfect place for chilling out on a good day.