Behold! Mighty Krung Thep (the Thai name for Bangkok), majestically sprawled out from both sides of the Chao Praya river, like bicycle spokes connected by lanes, canals, and alleyways. Home to 11 million locals, and absorbing double that in tourists per annum, the city is a world-leading destination for food, culture, and coffee.
This is our second major guide to Bangkok here on Sprudge, and though our first whack at a guide was published almost 10 years ago, miraculously, all of the cafes are still open. The shops featured in Michael Light’s article were located along the congested peripheries of Sukhumvit Road. Although many new places have opened since, they still act as an anchor for good-quality coffee in the area.
Over the last decade the specialty coffee scene in Bangkok has erupted. For visitors this means avoiding hours spent in traffic jams, and more time enjoying coffee. From family-run roasters to serious espresso bars, pour-over art shops and quiet retreats, rest assured whatever your preference is, you’ll find a favorite here.
In the spirit of convenience, this guide covers the city as a whole, so no matter where you are you’ll be within striking distance of a great cup. Taken together with our guide from 2016 and you’ll be spoiled for choice across the city.
Samadool
Meaning “balance” in Thai, Samadool’s philosophy is showcasing this in both the cup and the process. They believe that roasting their own beans is key to maintaining consistency, and this is an evolution. With each passing year they adapt their roasting profile to ultimately serve the customer a better experience.
Located a stone’s throw away from Hands & Heart (who have moved location since the previous Sprudge guide), this neighborly cafe specializes in brewing drip coffee from their own internationally sourced beans. They also roast and sell coffee from farms in Northern Thailand when they’re seasonally available.
Samadool’s family atmosphere makes it one of the best coffee shops in Bangkok for repeat visits.
Moon Phases
“I chose my espresso beans based on if they will taste good when cooled.”
Moon Phases mostly caters to office workers in the surrounding area (hence the odd opening hours), but disregard this unassuming gem at your peril. Owner Té is a bonafide espresso nerd, obsessing over every element with chops learnt in his decade abroad in Australia.
The philosophy here is brewing with lower bars of pressure, and cooling the coffees to release their full flavor. Té uses Thai roaster Mister Lee’s coffee for standard drinks and subscription coffees for specialty espresso. Our recommendation is to go for one of the juicy, acidic African coffees that work well when prepared in this style.
Please note this cafe is closed weekends.
Pobnar
Pobnar is an introverts dream, tucked at the end of a small lane, with a beautiful ginger cat that falls asleep in the sunspots. They carry predominantly (though not exclusively) Ethiopian beans, from the moderately priced to the rare, reserve lots. Whether you order the specialty beans as a milk-based drink or black filter coffee, the baristas prepare them all with expert care. They roast their beans in the backroom and have a generous selection for purchase.
It can prove quite tricky to find as Google Maps tends to pin the wrong alleyway, but perseverance will be rewarded.
Wanwan
Hong Kong native Dawn Chan (three-time barista champion) showcases his award-winning coffee in this Lat Phrao cafe. Wanwan specializes in both washed and natural coffee, ranging from clean cups to the more funky end of the spectrum. Our last visit coincided with the launch of their new Colombian “El Paraiso” Double Anaerobic process coffee which packed a vibrant lychee punch. They also concoct fruit-infused coffee drinks for those who fancy a lighter alternative.
The philosophy here is on sourcing ethically produced green coffee, and roasting it upstairs above the cozy living room. There is a food menu, so should you have some work, the lounge provides a great atmosphere for last minute emails.
Brewing Path
Passion is contagious, and owner Garipp worked for several years at Hands & Heart before opening Brewing Path. Located in the same block as Livid Roasters (worth popping in to stock up on beans), this tiny coffee shop is one of Bangkok’s true treasures. Hosting flea markets, art exhibits, pop-ups, and even wine events, Brewing Path is focused on creating a community environment in the neighborhood.
The highlight here is the pour-over coffee, notably the beans from local roaster Koble Coffee, which you can enjoy with a slice of Hojicha cheesecake. Garipp is a seasoned traveller who loves to compare coffee stories from far flung places like Hong Kong and Copenhagen.
Phu Chai Kai Cafe
Of all the cafe’s mentioned in this article, Phu Chai Kai Cafe is the most Thai. Residing in an old shop front in Khlong Toei (famous for its authentic market), serving both filter and espresso coffee—with beans from an ever changing International roster—this coffee shop has been a local favorite for over 15 years. The nostalgic interiors with knick-knacks on the wooden shelves fit perfectly with the reasonable prices for remarkable coffees. There is an underlying feeling that the whole place came about either by cosmic accident or carefully planned design. It has that glorious “Je ne sais quoi” of intangibility.
File under: Those looking for a true Thai coffee shop atmosphere, but without the typical trappings of condensed milk drinks.
Factory HQ
This concrete laboratory prepares meticulous drinks in a clean, airy atmosphere. Strategically located beside a busy highway, with ample parking, Factory is a neo-Brutalist dream. As for their drink offerings, coffee in all formats is sold and they have stations for smelling different varieties of beans to help your decision making. There is a dedicated retail wall where you can purchase their beans, along with some merchandise.
If in season go for the coffees produced by Sirinya Farms, for an insight into top quality Thai beans. They brew at a light (1:15) ratio which perfectly compliments the delicate notes. The service is far more friendly than the architecture dictates, so don’t be put off by the imposing facade.
Ceresia Coffee Roasters
Founded in 2013, but newly relocated to a beautiful residential building, Ceresia specializes in roasting small batches of coffee. They serve pastries along with tea and coffee and stock a wide variety of beans for sale. The ability to buy coffee in 50g increments is part of their philosophy so that you can purchase fresh coffee weekly, according to your needs.
Considered a huge influence in the Bangkok specialty scene, a visit here is obligatory. With seating spread in divided corners, and the roasting room visible through an open door, the shop bustles with activity and nasal accents befitting of enrapture.
Single Lane
Though billed as an Australian style coffee shop, Single Lane doesn’t only serve flat whites and magic’s. This Phra Khanong jewel has a vast array of choices for filter coffee, a full food menu, and both indoor and a small outdoor section. Their house blend used for espresso-based drinks is roasted by Pobnar, so you can rest assured the quality will be top notch.
For the more intrepid guest, the top shelf boasts a myriad of recognizable names, ranging from Coffee Collective, Market Lane, and Stitch. Whilst visiting we enjoyed a clean, washed pour-over from Gringo Nordic Roasters, prepared in a typical Scandinavian style.
Blackhills
Blackhills could be a transplant from Melbourne, Berlin, or Seoul. Interiors of Scandinavian wood, pebbled concrete, a counter-top with a Flair espresso maker, and a vinyl player create the perfect aesthetics. Iced americanos using single origin Ethiopian or Colombian beans are served in Kinto glasses, which they believe help bring out the right flavor profiles.
Since Lat Phrao is not a popular tourist destination, we suggest a visit to Blackhills before heading to the Chatuchak Weekend market. The best beef noodle soup in the city is a five-minute walk away, just saying!
Nana Roasters
The list of accomplishments Nana Roasters have won is lengthy: World Siphonist Champion 2018, National Barista Champion 2019, National Brewers Cup Champion 2020 and 2024, however judging by the smiling staff you’d never guess. Snobbery is not on the menu here, and Nana offers guests a wide selection of drinks and the luxury of a beautiful garden to enjoy them in.
Everything from a yuzu matcha latte, kombuchas, a bespoke tea menu, and the biggest specialty coffee menu in Bangkok, Nana will satisfy even the pickiest customer.
Being a mega-city, it is an impossible task to include all the great coffee shops in one article, however if you want to do a deeper dive and visit some more then may we highly recommend the following: Roast Runner, Kurasu, Gallery Drip, Brave, Pridi, Smokey Cat, Greydient & Them, Livid, Phil Coffee, Pacamara, Rocket, Karo, Kohi, Hacking, Roots, Kaizen etc.
Benjamin Sand is a freelance journalist and the creator of The Mouth. Read more Benjamin Sand for Sprudge.
