Bangkok’s specialty coffee scene is booming. While tourists put the social media spotlight on stylish cafés, I’ve been savouring the floral bouquets, rich liquor notes, and smooth drinking that is Thai coffee – primarily from the northern highlands of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai – and wondering: why hasn’t Thai specialty coffee taken the world by storm yet?
As it turns out, Thailand has the second-highest tariffs (45%) on imported coffee. That, plus the fact that it consumes more coffee than it produces, means very little Thai specialty coffee makes it out of the country – although that’s hopefully changing. In the meantime, when in Thailand, make sure to check out some of the best coffee shops in Bangkok, according to us (and our barista friends).
1. Earthy Roaster: overall best coffee in Bangkok
Don’t let the shop’s, uh, questionable front confuse you. Earthy Roaster is also known as Earthy Dispensary (aka. a weed/cannabis store), and one of the first things you’ll see at the counter is a selection of buds on display. Rest assured though – the coffee hasn’t been infused in any way!
James found Earthy Roaster by pure chance while we were wandering around the Pratu Nam area, and this coffee shop’s homey vibe was perfect for waiting out an evening thunderstorm with a few cups of coffee.
The coffee: Signature Blend (Thai x Brazil), Rose TKTK (espresso-based)
The staff were incredibly friendly and willing to chat with us since it was a quiet night, and their signature blend was amazing: with its dark chocolate opening and rich cherry finish, I felt like I was drinking a liquid Black Forest cake. We also took home a bag of the Rose TKTK, which had lovely floral notes as an espresso.
2. Brave Roasters: most unique view
It might take a while to find this coffee spot, recommended by coffee aficionados in Singapore. Brave Roasters is located at the 3rd floor (top floor) of Siam Discovery mall, nestled within the Objects of Desire Store (ODS). If you like street photography, get a seat at the window for cool views of double-level BTS Skytrain tracks.
The coffee: Chiang Rai Sirinya (filter, on ice)
I’m glad I strayed from my usual and got an iced coffee; the Sirinya was light, fruity, and refreshing. Unfortunately, my dream of a perfect afternoon treat was not to be; the pistachio berry escargot I ordered with my coffee was hard and oily, perhaps because it’d been reheated, and I had to saw into it with a knife.
3. Factory Coffee: best filter coffee
Our expedition to Factory Coffee pretty much convinced me that taking public transport in Bangkok beats Grab and Gojek, cheap as they are in the Thai capital. Our ride was snarled in traffic for so long that by the time we arrived, this top-rated Bangkok specialty coffee spot was already closing.
The staff were apologetic, but we only had bottles of cold brew left to choose from. That said, while the café’s airy industrial interior looks impressive, it also looks like it would be quite noisy.
The coffee: Factory Blend (cold brew)
Well, I enjoyed the Factory Blend so much that I savoured it over two days – keeping it in the fridge overnight, of course. The sweet rose notes in this coffee are a panacea for Bangkok’s sweltering heat. We also bought a bag of the Factory Blend and it’s great for daily drinking on the espresso machine.
4. La Cabra Bangkok: best aesthetic
Renowned Danish roastery La Cabra’s Bangkok outpost is an oasis of calm amid the industrial sights and sounds of Bangkok’s Samphanthawong District (Chinatown). If you’re on the way to explore the mural-plastered alleys of Talat Noi or simply a fellow coffee devotee, make sure to stop by.
We tried: Costa Rica Altos – anaerobic fermentation
Of course, you’d expect La Cabra to taste as good as it looks, and I wasn’t disappointed. I love me some funky intensity and this coffee was bold yet balanced, making it a pleasant way to start the day.
5. PAGA Microroastery: best for coffee nerds
PAGA Microroastery was another recommendation from our barista friends, and it’s clear why it made the list. This futuristic lab-like space is perfect for the more adventurous palate, though the whitewashed stairs and walls also suggest some Aegean influence.
The coffee: Colombia – anaerobic fermentation
The coffee we tried wasn’t listed on the menu but the staff was happy to let us try it. Colombian coffee ranks among my favourites and this one had some delightfully intense liqueur notes. Coming here does require a bit of an expedition, though, since it’s off the tourist route.
Other cafes to explore
As always, these coffee posts come with my reminder that specialty coffee is a tricky thing to evaluate. Cafés have good days and bad days; I’m not attending cuppings or even ordering the same coffee in the same brewing method. So, if you’d like to hunt down more of the best specialty coffee in Bangkok, here are some more places to consider.
Casa Lapin Specialty Coffee
Casa Lapin makes specialty coffee more casual and approachable with its chain of stylish stores scattered across Bangkok. The espresso-based house blend is a good starting point, but if you’d like to learn more, try venturing to outlets that aren’t in the central Pathum Wan district.
Mother Roaster Talad Noi
This popular hipster joint is known for its unique location above an old workshop and its abundance of resident cats. The coffee, however, is hit-or-miss. There’s no espresso machine here so espresso-style drinks are pulled with manual espresso makers. There’s also a wide selection of local and international beans for sale.
Rolling Roasters
Rolling Roasters at Ekamai was another chance encounter while roaming around the posh Bangkok neighbourhood, and I’ll admit the chic branding and interiors drew me in. I tried a cup of their Colombia Puma Castillo, and it was pretty decent.
FAQs: specialty coffee in Bangkok
What’s the price of specialty coffee in Bangkok?
Most espresso-based coffees cost around THB 120, while filters and cold brews cost around THB 160. Be prepared to pay a premium (around THB 390!) for foreign single origins.
What Thai specialty coffee beans should I get?
We managed to get our hands on some excellent roasts from Thai roasters and recommend the following: Earthy Roaster, Sila Roasters, and Fika & Co.
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