Famed for its rich cultural heritage, gorgeous green landscapes, and warm hospitality, Thailand is also rapidly gaining a reputation as a top travel destination for coffee lovers, thanks to the thriving café culture putting a spotlight on locally grown or roasted beans and increasingly sophisticated pastry offerings. To help you along your way, we’ve rounded up the best cafés in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket and beyond. Get ready to sip, savour, and sabai sabai (relax).
Located on the first floor of the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC), Gallery Drip Coffee is a haven for coffee lovers and art enthusiasts alike. Admire the in-house exhibitions – they change every few months – while sipping on meticulously brewed coffee made using beans sourced from local Thai farmers. The choice of drinks on the menu may seem overwhelming, but fret not: the knowledgeable baristas will be able to recommend the right brew for you based on your flavour preferences, and even the best pastry to pair it with.
Don’t be fooled by this café’s understated exterior. Sauvage is a triumph of both skill and dedication. It is the brainchild of the French-trained, Instagram-famous “Mister Chou ”; initially finding success on social media with pastries listed each week online (and sold out within minutes), he became an even bigger sensation during the pandemic. The café features a stunning, full-scale kitchen where all Mister Chou’s creations are made. If you arrive before it sells out for the day, the Kouign-amann (butter pastry) is a must-try. For those with a particularly sweet tooth, we cannot recommend the decadent caramel flan enough.
Follow the delightful scent of roasting coffee beans through Chiang Mai's Old Town and you’ll be led straight to Akha Ama Coffee . Founded by a local Akha hill tribe community, this rustic coffee shop is adorned with tribal-inspired decor and offers some of the best brews in the region. In addition to a line-up of signature coffee creations, Akha Ama also hosts workshops and tours that allow visitors to learn about the coffee cultivation process first-hand. For health-conscious foodies, the café’s vegan banana cake is definitely one to try.
Converted from an old red-brick warehouse just off one of Chiang Mai’s main thoroughfares, Graph Ground is a solid favourite among both coffee and design aficionados. With an industrial chic vibe and mid-century modern touches, this ultra-trendy café offers a rotation of drool-worthy pastries and imaginative coffee cocktails, as well as a wide selection of artisanal brews, inviting patrons to enjoy different blends and bites with every visit. This is the place to be adventurous with your choices — we recommend the “Magma”, an espresso served with avocado and almond milk.
What do you get when you combine a passion for reading with excellent coffee? You’ll find the answer at Bookhemian , a cosy and charming café in Phuket’s characterful Old Town. The walls of this rustic, airy space are lined with books that you can peruse while sipping on your cuppa. The café also serves as a venue for regular meetups and film screenings, so whether you’re here to socialise and soak up some culture, grab a morning pick-me-up or bury your nose in a novel, there’ll be a comfortable nook — and warm mug — waiting for you.
If it’s a calm, family-friendly environment you’re seeking, the newly-opened Semicolon Cafe is a hidden gem that’s worth seeking. Built to complement the surrounding landscape, the café features a delightful garden complete with a hammock, a greenhouse filled with cacti that you can take home, and an abundance of al fresco seating options. The menu showcases both local and fusion dishes, along with a range of refreshing coffee and tea options. If you haven’t yet tried the Instagram-famous black orange coffee (coffee with orange juice), which is making waves in Thailand, Semicolon’s version is one that will impress.
The highest compliment an Asian patissier can receive is that their pastries are “sweet, but not too sweet” – and that’s exactly what you’ll find at Well Craft in Krabi. Famous for its bite-sized powdered butter doughnuts (they sell out fast, so come early!), this minimalist café also has a rotating menu of picture-perfect cakes and aromatic drinks. Bonus: social media enthusiasts will be able to get some great shots here thanks to a stunning tropical mural that dominates the café’s interior.
Located within the Putahracsa Hua Hin resort, Ob-Oon is an elegant, sunlit space with white furnishings and touches of foliage. Even better, it’s just a stroll away from the glorious stretch of beach that Hua Hin city is famous for. The menu features a variety of specialty coffees and refreshing iced drinks that pair perfectly with café’s selection of homemade pastries, cakes and sandwiches. We recommend the zesty lemon tart or fluffy coconut cake as a sweet treat after a long morning on the strand.