Tired of your usual takeaways? Us too. Now that the city is easing its restrictions, here’s a list of newly opened spots for you to explore. From cozy cafés to juicy burger joints, these are the places you should look forward to visiting once you’re comfortable stepping outside the house.
Citizen Tea Canteen of Nowhere
Opened September 25
Originally a showroom for upcycled textiles, Citizen Tea Canteen of Nowhere in the Talad Noi neighborhood is now also an Instagram-friendly tea shop that’s bound to draw in art lovers and café hoppers alike. The place serves traditional Thai tea and Kopi and is run by the team behind 56th Studio. With that said, a visit here means tea time with a side of art: the aim is to raise awareness of Thai artisans by providing a space to showcase sustainable arts and crafts done by local communities. Guests are welcomed every day from 10 AM to 6 PM; tea sessions are reserved for Saturdays only.
Mil Toast House
Opened September 18
You’ll smell Mil Toast House before you see it. Inviting passersby in with the irresistible scent of freshly baked dough, this famous bakery from Seoul landed in Siam Square Soi 3 earlier this month. Despite being nestled in Bangkok’s most bustling district, Mil Toast House offers a calm and cozy spot for customers to come in and unwind from a busy day — at least when it’s not teeming with foodies! Much like its warm and minimal interior, the menu is simple and unpretentious, focusing on premium ingredients imported from Mil Toast House’s home country. Order the classic steamed brioche buns with homemade cream butter to pair with the banana-flavored milk that’s exclusively available at the Thai branch.
OKONOMI
Soft opening October 1
Designed to be a neighborhood spot, OKONOMI in Soi Sukhumvit 38 serves all-day Japanese comfort food for dine-in and grab-and-go. The restaurant’s minimalist and spacious interior creates an inviting atmosphere that will make you want to press pause, sit back, savor the food and stay the day. Much like the design of the space, the menu, too, is simple but tastefully done. Their signature dish, Ichiju Sansai, is a “breakfast” platter made up of one soup and three dishes — a showcase of the balanced nature of Japanese cuisine. Those looking to spend the entire day here will be thrilled to know that there are plenty of outlets and free wifi.
Smizzle Burger
Opened August 17
Located in Bambina Villa, Smizzle Burger — a portmanteau of smash and sizzle — is a new retro-diner-esque smash burger joint serving up juicy grass-fed Charolais beef and pork patties in toasted milk and butter buns. If you’re overwhelmed by their wide selection of house specials and sides, we recommend their bestseller “the Oklahoma” — smothered with cheese slices, onions, and garlic and onion sauce. This flashy spot also caters to a variety of appetites: Fancy a snack? Go “Lite” with one patty. Feeling famished after hitting the gym? Get your protein fix with the “Loaded” option, which comes stacked with three patties.
PAK Local Tapas
Opened July 31
What do tapas and Thai food have in common? They’re social, fun to eat and equally delicious. At PAK Local Tapas, Chef Park Pattarawit brings together exciting flavors inspired by street food scenes from around the world, and serves them tapas-style. Choosing to use only sustainably-sourced ingredients from Thai farmers and producers, Chef Pattarawit prepares the menu with innovative cooking methods and presents the food in a striking fashion. Order their eccentric menus — from Natural Thai Fish Spicy Coconut Ceviche to Lemongrass Panna Cotta — to enjoy on a breezy afternoon at theCOMMONS Thonglor.
RISE COFFEE
Opened July 17
Bored of your daily espresso? RISE COFFEE can help spruce up your morning — or afternoon — pick-me-up. This roastery means business when it comes to coffee. At the back of the café sits Rise Lab, a space dedicated to coffee research where the group experiments on new “inventions” you won’t find anywhere else. The Black Fizz, a unique creation of theirs, brings together cold-brew coffee, cola, lychee purée, cherry and rosemary. If you’re looking for a snack to munch on with your coffee, look no further than the Corn-fused cookies: with crunchy textures on the outside and an ooey-gooey cereal milk sauce filling, these cookies will get you sugar high.
Flints Kraft & Kafe
Opened September 24
From the owners of Rock Me Jewelry comes this contemporary, stone-inspired café. This hidden gem (pun-intended, hehe) is just a few minutes walk from the Democracy Monument on Dinsor Road in Sao Chingcha. Flints Kraft & Kafe‘s unassuming white walls and minimal decoration make for a comfortable afternoon spot for quiet chitchats and work. Once you place your order — we highly recommend the Apple Crumble Macchiato and Stone Macarons — head up to the second floor to browse their shop-in-shop jewelry store, showcasing handmade gemstone accessories.
Writers: Raveewan Bencharit & Teerapat Hasthanasombat
