Written January 2021

“Love is in the air and it smells like coffee” – unknown

I see coffee as an universal language. Let’s be honest there is no better way to start your day with good cup of coffee but I get it some people prefer tea or some people don’t enjoy it all, that is okay too.

Coffee is part of who I am. I love to start my day with coffee. I think its a beverage that is enjoyed world wide.

Have you ever wondered where coffee is actually coming from?

Coffee originated in Africa from a country called Ethiopia but today the top coffee leaders when it comes to growing and producing coffee are Brazil, Vietnam, Colombia, Indonesia, and Ethiopia.

There are many stories where coffee came from but the most popular is an Ethiopian tale from the ninth century about a goat herder named Kaldi. He noticed his goats became so energetic after eating berries from the coffee tree that they wouldn’t sleep.

Kaldi tried the berries himself and felt the same energizing effects. Then he brought his findings to a local monastery and the monks experienced it, too. Word of coffee’s stimulant effects began to spread.

Where does the word ‘coffee’ come from?

Coffee in a lot of languages are the same. Koffie (Afrikaans), coffee (English), café (French), kaffee (German), kopi (Indonesian). The word “coffee” entered the English language in 1582 through the Dutch/Afrikaans word “koffie” and that is borrowed from the Ottoman Turkish kahve. Well that is a short summary. Coffee is one of the simple pleasures in life that I enjoy.

If you think about all the cafe’s you have ever been to, what do you think makes a good cup of coffee?

Personally I think good quality, location (so something with a view or somewhere unique) and then of course service or if you had a cup at home and it was made with love, that is good enough too. My mum used to make rusks and so that was just a bonus. If you don’t know what rusks are you definitely should try it.

For 13 years I’ve worked in hospitality so I have a pretty good knowledge about service and here is a video that touched my heart. Please have a look at it. It reminded of one of my favorite quotes: “It’s not what happens to you but how you react to it that matters” Epictectus

The Simple Secret To Happiness | Ryan Estis Inspirational Video | Goalcast – YouTube

I always enjoyed having a good cup of coffee and the last few years I’ve discovered a few great cafe’s in Bangkok, Thailand so if you are ever in Bangkok and you feel like a break or just want to experience a new café, here are my recommendations:

Floral Cafe at Napasorn

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Address: 67 Chakkraphet Rd, Wang Burapha Phirom, Phra Nakhon, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10200, Thailand

B-story

B-story is a quaint and charming café in the middle of Bangkok’s madness. You step out of a busy city and you enter the ‘countryside’ of flowers, painted glass windows and old wooden doors. It has a very homey ambience to it. It felt I was in the countryside of England. I know its not exactly the same but you can always visualize right? It is located literally a 1 minute walk from Rachathewi bts (sky train).

If you are a café lover this is definitely the place for you.

Adress: 89, 70 Phayathai Rd, Khwaeng Thanon Phetchaburi, Khet Ratchathewi, Bangkok 1040

Tiny cup café

This place was something really special. It’s called Tiny Cup café. It is a bit pricy compared to other local places but its definitely worth it. I would say its a great spot for breakfast or even brunch. The staff are extremely helpful and welcoming. The cafe reminded me of a vintage tea room that you’ll perhaps find in the countryside of England decorated with tea cups, vintage chairs and with soothing music at the background. What I loved the most is the coffee served in a green cup – it was really superb.

If you ever get a chance you really should experience it yourself.

Opening hours: 7am – 6pm

Adress: Thonglor Rd, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110

Café la rose

I love flowers. I think flowers has their own language and flowers is my little happiness. Cafe la rose was actually a recommendation of a friend so I went to this café with her.

You’ll definitely feel like a queen in a garden. They mainly serve tea/coffees and desserts but then you even have infused rose tea. It was definitely an unique experience.

Open hours: 11:00 – 10 pm

Address: 205 Pradit Manutham Road, Lat Phrao, Bangkok 10230

Unicorn café

Be a Unicorn in a Field Full of Horses” – unknown.

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To be honest I didn’t know this café actually existed but I’ve met up with a friend and she suggested this place. I felt my ‘inner child’ came out. It is called “unicorn café“. It is tiny but who wouldn’t want to have a ‘magical’ experience surrounded by unicorns and eat a rainbow colored cake in the heart of a noisy city? Of course just keep in mind when you go to these ‘themed’ cafes its more about the theme than what they serve so don’t expect variety but you can enjoy some cake/macaroons and hot/cold drinks.

I loved every moment of it and of course it is for kids and adults. If you do go just embrace it.

Open hours: noon but not sure what time it closes.

Adress:  44/1 Soi Sathon 8, Silom, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500

Jade cafe

I always loved the name “Jade”. Jade is a gem stone that symbolizes nourishment and gentleness. I am not exactly sure they called this café “Jade” but this was a coffee I will never forget. I remember I’ve at a hotel nearby on the last day of 2020 and I went for a walk and that is when I’ve discovered this tiny café and had the best cinnamon latte that I’ve ever had.

There is not much information on the internet about this café but its only a 2 min walk from the Golden Buddha and its located in Old Bangkok town but I highly recommend this spot.

Adress: 86 Rama IV Rd, Tarad noi, Samphanthawong, Bangkok 10110

Tales Khaosan

There is something magical and unique about having a coffee at a train station. I was working on a train about 12 years ago which was hard work but the best part is to see all the scenery and falling asleep on a moving train, its quite a feeling that I can’t describe. Tales Khaosan is located just a few steps from Khaosan road in an alley. This is not a train station but it has the feel of it.

The front of the hostel is distinguished by a design designed to resemble a silver locomotive. They have unique red doors which caught my attention for sure and the train theme is reinforced in all the areas on the inside.

They have single accommodation available or dormitory rooms and shared bathroom facilities but if you don’t want to stay over just enjoy a cup of coffee in a ‘train station’.  Why not? And if you do please let me know about your experience.

Adress: 88 Chakrabongse Rd, Talat Yot, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200

Mother Roaster

I went on a walking tour in Bangkok a few months ago and this was the gem they took us to. I didn’t know even it existed before. It is called “mother roaster”. It is located around Yaowarat and Charoenkrung Road and is also home to a big Thai-Chinese community with old-school restaurants and unique cafes hidden at every corner. I am a coffee lover and I enjoy a good cup of coffee. The owner, Aunt Pim Plearnpit Rienmek opened this café with the idea of to slow down and enjoy a cup of coffee and just be in present moment. I’ve briefly met her and you can see she has a passion for it.

All drinks are served in a glass so it is almost having a latte on the rocks and interestingly enough they don’t serve hot beverages. I do prefer hot beverages but it was an unforgettable experience. It is also unique in its own way as they don’t have coffee machines. At first I thought by myself what kind of café don’t have any coffee machines? Bizarre right but the reason being is coffee beans are grinded by hand. I loved the coziness and a feeling of ‘home’. It can be a little crowded though especially over weekends but definitely an amazing place to relax. Tourist companies usually don’t tell you about these ‘hidden gems’ that is why I usually try to get the most authentic experiences wherever I go, that is the best and the only way to find out about this to talk to locals and even if you get lost, don’t let that ‘fear’ stand in your way.

Embrace authentic moments. Life is full of beauty.

Adress: 1172, 8 ตรอก San Chao Rong Kueak, Talat Noi, Samphanthawong, Bangkok 10100

“Good ideas start with brainstorming. Great ideas starts with coffee”.

Hope you have enjoyed reading this. If you have recommendations of your favorite cafes in your city or Bangkok please comment below or if you would like to share your favorite memory at a café I would love to hear from you.

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