What makes a trip to Thailand’s capital a fulfilling one, besides the shopping: Hitting up Bangkok cafes that are big on character, whether it’s the innovative dishes they serve up or the chic minimalist interiors that make them 100% Instagram-worthy. Here, 10 cafes you should add to your travel itinerary.
#1: Everyday by Karmakamet
Replete with retro fittings, this is the newest cafe branch opened by Bangkok-based beauty brand Karmakamet. How it’s different from other cafes in the chain: You get to shop cool homewares and clothing, apart from their house range of scented products. Note: Only light bites are sold here, so it’s best to head here for a spot for tea. Level 1 Yada Building, Silom Road, 10am-9pm daily
Photo: @everydaykmkm Instagram
#2: One Ounce For Onion
Originally a shop stocking clothing and accessories (which make great additions to any hipster cafe-hopper’s wardrobe), there’s now a cafe to go along with its new location in Ekkamai. Diners flock here for quirky menu offerings like waffles with popsicles. 19/12 Ekkamai 12, Sukhumvit Road Soi 63, Wattana. Open on weekdays (9am-6pm) and weekends (9am-8pm)
Photo: @oneounceforonion Instagram
#3: Vanilla Cafe
Surrounded by lush greenery, this cafe is popular for its alfresco dining and Japanese-Italian cuisine, such as salmon and maguro salad maki and angel hair with soft shelled crab, along with the usual all-day breakfast choices. 53 Ekamai Soi 12, Sukhumvit Soi 63, 11am-11pm daily
Photo: @vanillaindustry Instagram
#4: Roast Coffee
High ceilings + natural lighting = an industrial chic dining spot that dishes out hearty American fare (think classic French toast and crab cake eggs Benedict with hollandaise sauce). It’s an ideal spot for a lazy brunch away from crowded shopping malls, and for your daily dose of great caffeine. Seen Space, Thonglor 13 BTS Thonglor Station. Open Mon-Thu (10am-11pm), Fri-Sat (9am-11pm) and Sun (9am-10pm)
Photo: @roastbkk Instagram
#5: D’ark
The decor: Minimalist, with monochromatic posters on its walls and naked lightbulbs dangling from the ceiling. The food: Inventive, with creative twists on common dishes, like pancakes with bits of meringue and frozen cream and pork belly confit drizzled with crunchy pear and red wine sauce. With two Michelin-trained chefs behind the menu, you can be sure a meal here is worth every penny. Piman 49, 46 Sukhumvit Soi 49, 8am-10pm daily.
Photo: @darkbangkok2015 Instagram
#6: Rocket Coffee Bar
With high ceilings and large windows (read: more natural light means better Instagram photos), the cafe serves unpretentious Scandinavian dishes like gravlax (house-cured salmon) on dark rye bread and Swedish meatballs. Another bestseller: its cleverly-packaged cold-brewed coffee, aptly named Rocket Fuel. Piman 49 46/3 Soi Sukhumvit 49 Klang Klongton Nua, 7am-11pm daily
Photo: @rocketcoffeebar Instagram
#7: Karmakamet Diner
Opened by the same folks behind Everyday by Karmakamet, this branch has a more rustic feel, with dark wood interiors, old-fashioned lanterns, and an apothecary-themed store space stocking its popular perfumes and sprays. Head here for wholesome mains like linguine with a sprinkling of lemon zest and burgers served with Indian spices. 30/1 Sukhumvit Rd, Khlong Tan, Khlong Toei, 9am-11pm daily
Photo: @karmakamet Instagram
#8: Gram
It’s hard to miss this Brooklyn, New York-esque cafe with its neon-lit signboard at the entrance. Snag a seat at its open-air courtyard and enjoy homey dishes and indulgent desserts – one in particular, the Ovaltine Volcano pancakes, already sounds irresistible. 45 Klang Alley, Khlong Tan Nuea, 9am-5pm daily except Mondays
Photo: @smashpop Instagram
#9: Hands And Heart
If you’re into monochrome dressing, you’ll fit right into this elegantly designed cafe, which comes with sleek, polished elements like a black marble bar and white bean bags for you to lounge on. Head here if you’re feeling peckish: It only sells pastries and cakes along with hand-brewed coffee. 33 Sukhumvit Soi 38, Ascella Condominum, 7:30am-9pm daily
Photo: @handsandheartcoffee Instagram
#10: Tribeca Restobar
With leather booths and plush red stools, this casual bistro resembles a typical cafe found on the streets of New York. It also serves a mean brunch (examples include carbonara served with pork belly as well as avocado toast topped with crunchy walnuts and melted cheese for breakfast). Level 1 Nihonmaru Mall, 85 Soi Thonglor soi 13, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, 9am-9pm daily
Photo: @tribeca_bkk Instagram
Main image: Hands and Heart
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