Bangkok is consistently one of the most visited cities in the world. If a Mastercard report is believed, Bangkok will be the second most visited city in 2023 with 21.2 million visitors. While we might all have our favourite haunts, most of them centre around places like Platinum Mall, Central World, Big C Chidlom and Chatuchak. I lost count of the number of times I bumped into friends in Bangkok. Some of which I have not kept in contact with for decades.
One of my favourite things to do is to visit cafes. The younger generation would term this as cafe hopping. Bangkok is full of well-themed cafes. The cafes in Bangkok cater to a wide array of palates. Hence it can be very overwhelming as to which cafes you should visit. After visiting Bangkok for the umpteenth time, I have a final list of 3 cafes that everyone should visit. I rank them based on ambience, creativity of the menu and quality of food.
ROAST
This may not be a place that is foreign to many. The first ROAST In fact, if you frequent EM Quartier, you will know that ROAST is one of the more popular cafes in the shopping mall. However, the branch that I personally prefer is the one at centralwOrld. This is a huge shopping mall that is located close to Chidlom BTS Station. It is located on the first level of centralwOrld.
Not many are aware but the very first ROAST cafe, aptly named ROAST coffee & eatery, is located on the 3rd floor of The COMMONS, a popular community mall in the upscale Thong Lor area. If you are looking for a place to spend a lazy afternoon then this is the ideal spot for you.
I am vegetarian and my default option is the Zucchini Pesto and their Grilled Corn. For those who dislike their vegetables, give the Zucchini Pesto a try. It is creamy and sweet at the same time with a very interesting zesty aftertaste. As for the Grilled Corn, there is a tangy salsa-like sauce that is used to glaze the corn. It is extremely sweet but not overly sweet that you would find it overpowering.
The menu is extensive and can be overwhelming for those visiting for the first time mainly because almost every item is a unique creation but I have narrowed it down to a few must-try items.
MUST TRY ITEMS:
Grilled Corn, Original Hand-cut Fries, Smashed Avocado, ROAST Breakfast, Zucchini Pesto, Pan-Roasted Scallops, Chocolate Profiteroles and Salted Caramel Shake.
Ok, I have conveniently taken photos of the menu for you. Here it is…
I like that diners will be served bread with butter before the mains arrive.
This is my staple at ROAST. While it may look weird to many, this is really tasty. The sauce is thick and creamy. The noodles are cooked al dente hence there is still some crunch to it.
The grilled corn is a must-order.
For some reason, the fries are just better at ROAST. I have no idea what goes into the fries.
This is just sinful…
ROAST locations:
- ROAST coffee & eatery
3rd Floor The COMMONS 335 Thong Lo 17 Alley, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
Mon – Sun, 8 am – 10 pm - Roast @EmQuartier
92 Bang Na-Trat Frontage Rd, Bang Na, Bangkok 10260
Mon – Sun, 10 am – 10 pm - Roast @Central World
1st floor, Central at Central World, Rama I Rd, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Mon – Sun, 10 am – 10 pm
Toby’s
There are 3 Toby’s. Namely Toby’s on Sukhumvit 38, Toby’s at Noble Play and Toby’s at Sala Daeng. I believe the last outlet may have seized operation. The ideal outlet would be Toby’s at Noble Play. This is located next to Ploenchit BTS Station. You get off the train and cross into Noble Play via the link bridge. Rain or shine or whether there is extreme heat, you can still get to Toby’s at Noble Play.
Oh, and the cafe has really high ceiling which makes it all so very inviting. This is the reason why I picked this outlet over the other two. You can see some patrons, during off-peak hours, spending time in the cafe on their laptops working. I took a photo of my friends on the first level waiting for their food. The grandiose of the extremely high ceiling just makes this a very enticing place to have brunch.
Brunch is when you should come to Toby’s. The food that they serve up is in my perspective, ideal for brunch. Generally toast, eggs, granola and smoothies.
The thing that stands out for me at Toby’s is the drinks. They look so pretty and taste so good.
Especially the smoothies…
Granola is my staple food so you can understand why Toby’s is such a popular place for me.
Smashed avocado is a must-try at Toby’s. The salsa that comes with it is the actual star of the dish.
Toby’s locations
- Toby’s on Sukhumvit 38
75 Sukhumvit 38 Alley, Khwaeng Phra Khanong, Khet Khlong Toei, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10110, Thailand
Mon – Sun, 9 am – 4.30 pm - Toby’s at Noble Play
Noble, 1035 Phloen Chit Rd, Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Mon – Sun, 8 am – 5 pm
Nana Coffee Roasters
There are four branches. Lad Phrao, Ari, Bangna and Central Westville (somewhat also at Lad Phrao). The best outlet to go to would be the one at Ari. Ari is an area that is littered with cafes. It is somewhat within walking distance from Ari BTS Station. If you have travelled via BTS to Chatuchak via Mo Chit BTS, you would have passed by Ari BTS Station en route to Mo Chit. Take a day to explore Ari. It is, in my opinion, a better cafe hotspot than Thonglor and Ekkamai.
This is the outlet at Ari.
Being a coffee roaster, they let customers sample the smell of their various roasts. You can smell your ground coffee before you make your decision.
Might I suggest all cafes put up images on their menu? It makes ordering so much easier…
The way the drinks are served… Possibly the prettiest drinks in Bangkok.
The desserts are sinful. But hey, you should be on holiday and perhaps you can disregard your daily caloric limits.
Food-wise, I do not think that Nana Coffee Roasters is better than ROAST. However, for coffee lovers, this place offers the best balance between great coffee and good food and dessert.
Nana Coffee Roasters locations:
- Nana Coffee Roasters Central Westville
999, Ratchaphruek Rd, Maha Sawat, Bang Kruai District, Nonthaburi 11130, Thailand - Nana Coffee Roasters Bangna92 Bang Na-Trat Frontage Rd, Bang Na, Bangkok 10260
Mon – Fri, 7 am – 5.30 pm
Sat – Sun, 8 am – 5.30 pm - NANA Coffee Roasters Niche3445/8 Pradit Manutham Road, Wang Thonglang, Bangkok 10310
Mon – Fri, 7 am – 5.30 pm
Sat – Sun, 8 am – 5.30 pm - NANA Coffee Roasters Ari
24/2 Ari 4 Alley, Samsen Nai, Phaya Thai, Bangkok 10400
Mon – Fri, 7 am – 6 pm
Sat – Sun, 8 am – 6 pm
These are my top 3 cafes in the whole of Bangkok.
If I am looking for the best food out of the 3, then I would visit ROAST.
If I am looking for something “healthy” (grains, granola and smoothies…) then I would visit Toby’s. (p.s. The options may be loaded with sugar but you get what I mean when I say “healthy”.
If I want to have coffee and a meal, then I would visit Nana Coffee Roasters.
There you go, these are the three cafes you need to visit in Bangkok.
Yours sincerely,
Daryl
