8 charming and brand new minimal white cafes in Bangkok

Over the years, cafes have transformed into a lifestyle. They have become a space for people to work and hang out at. Others go to get their daily dose of caffeine or are legit coffee lovers. And yes, there are even those who go to get their perfect Instagram shots.

The cafe scene in Bangkok has certainly boomed. They pop up as frequently as 7/11 outlets probably do.

Now, I am no coffee connoisseur. Not even a little bit. In fact, I very much prefer ice-teas, lemonade flavored sodas, or some hybrid concoctions.

Don’t kill me Cafephiles!

So, wait. Then how dare I even write a blog post about cafes? Well, then I ask you, whoever said cafes were just for coffee?

Personally, I go to appreciate the design and aesthetics. Of course, I’ll also take a few photos here and there. My favorite type of cafes is minimal white. Somehow, I’m always drawn to them.

So, while we are locked down from traveling to other provinces, I decided to check out as many white cafes in Bangkok.

Here are 8 that I visited within a month.

WWA

When it comes to marrying minimal-design cafes with superior coffee, WWA is arguably one of the best. These guys know what they are doing, which is why it’s becoming increasingly popular.

WWA feels like where all the science behind coffee-brewing takes place. They certainly make the place look like a lab with all kinds of coffee-brewing machines and minimal metallic interior design.

The menu itself is staggering and fairly overwhelming. I came in thinking they would have just a few options by the look of the cafe but boy was I wrong.

Each coffee type had several sub-options of beverages to choose from. First, you need to pick between Espresso, Americano, Latte, Cappuccino, or flat white. Then pick a drink that best suits your flavor palette.

After speaking to a barista for a bit, he suggested a latte – tropic coast. It had flavor notes of orange peel and dark chocolate with a medium roast. In hindsight, I should have gone for an Espresso or Americano. I don’t really like milky drinks.

For non-coffee drinkers, they have milk tea and cocoa beverages as well.

The menu also has a more expensive, single-origin filter category. Drinks on this list go up to 840 Baht!

Interesting fact: I live 2 minutes from this cafe and this was my first visit. Not sure why I never stepped foot inside all this time. I actually plan on setting it up as my new “work from coffee shop” spot.

Address: 27 Soi Sukhumvit 19, Bangkok 10110

F.I.X. Pradiphat Soi 17

After its success in Saladaeng Soi 1, F.I.X recently opened a newer branch near the trendy neighborhood of Ari. It is nestled at the mouth of Pradiphat soi 17, within a tiny community space known as Somewhere White.

white cafes in Bangkok - F.I.X Pradiphat

This cafe could not be any more minimal in design and aesthetic. A simple white concrete box, highlighted only by a few glass windows with wooden panels and doors.

While the design might seem basic, I find F.I.X Bangkok to be quite sophisticatedly unpretentious.

The food and drinks don’t lack in quality either. F.I.X has two types of coffee – their own Brazilian/Columbian blend (biscuit, toasted bread, raisin) and the Lanna blend (cocoa, spice, citrus fruit).

The menu is substantial for a place like this. They serve everything from hot and cold coffee to chocolate, tea, and fizzy drinks.

Feeling peckish? No worries, the menu comes with crossinis and toasted sandwiches. However, there is not much in the dessert corner with just S’more brownie and toasted banana bread on the list.

I ordered a black orange coffee, which was quite possibly the best one I’ve tasted yet.

I also had a pulled pork sandwich with a spicy Mexican sauce. It was unbelievably delicious – so crispy and succulent at the same time.

Right beside F.I.X is another tiny restaurant-cafe called 8sqm somewhere (basically an 8×8 m white structure) that serves Japanese nibbles such as Karage rice bowls and wraps.

Since I had already got my drink and sandwich from F.I.X, I did not try the food here. It did however have an Instagram-y spot to sit at while I enjoyed my orange coffee.

Address: 2/1 17 Soi Pradipat, Bangkok 10400

NOC Coffee

A brand new addition to the scene of white cafes in Bangkok is Hong Kong’s small coffee chain – NOC Coffee Co. This is where (as they say) coffee meets design, and I agree.

NOC’s (short for Not Only Coffee) Bangkok outlet is certainly a beautiful sight to behold with its minimal design. The cafe is located within a small community space called POWWOWWOW.

The cafe also focuses on sustainability, which is a huge plus.

As for their food, NOC highlights healthy and nutritious dishes with vegan options. The menu supposedly changes according to their ethos but that is to be seen here in Bangkok.

I had the smoked salmon on a sourdough toast with guacamole and dill. It was paired with a refreshing iced passion fruit tea.

Next time I want to try the Fizzpresso as it looks pretty aesthetic and yum.

Address: 10 Suk Chai Alley, Phra Khanong, Bangkok 10110

% ΔRΔBICΔ Central World

With 78 stores worldwide and 2 branches in Bangkok, Arabica is taking the world by storm. This cafe exudes minimal white design and quality coffee.

While I’m trying not to include any big chains in this list, I have to this one time. Whether it is the Icon Siam or Central World outlet, Arabica deserves to be a top contender of minimal white cafes in Bangkok.

So what makes it so worthy?

Apart from an incredible and recognizable branding, their coffee and beverages are exquisite. They grow, roast and brew their own coffee. You can actually see in the store.

The story of how % Arabica came to existence is also of humble origins, which is nice.

Speaking of which, do you know the concept behind the % logo? We thought it has to do with the coffee strength (in percentage) but the founder actually wanted a logo that was found on a keyboard.

The menu is as minimal as the store design, serving traditional hot and coffees. Their signature drink is the Spanish Latte, which pairs well with one of their limited but scrumptious croissants. Another popular drink is the Matcha Latte for those who aren’t big coffee drinkers.

Next, I definitely want to check out their Icon Siam branch – it looks amazing.

Address: Shop 103, Floor 1, Central World, Bangkok 10330

Rocketeer

Rocketeer is a charming little local cafe nestled away from the chaos of downtown Bangkok in Hua Mak, Bang Kapi district. It is owned by a young Thai guy (Tae Charkrit) who is actually an engineer by profession.

Tae and I had a nice long chat as I sipped on my drink. A nice lad who is both humble and approachable. He has been running Rocketeer for a few months with his girlfriend. He seems very knowledgeable about the business and the cafe market, putting the local community and customers at the center.

The cafe itself is quite minimal by design, which Tae says he did himself. He was inspired by Scandinavian architecture and design. However, he decided to add a bit of Asian influence as well. It’s definitely got that modern zen appeal to it.

The menu covers all the classic coffee options but is also experimenting with other flavors. Their cold brew peach lime is a popular signature drink that is quite refreshing. I paired it with a Yuzu croissant.

As for food, Rocketeer focuses on solely serving croissants, which are sourced from Blanc Patisserie. It’s a very interesting combination of contemporary and traditional styles.

While the cafe may be slightly far from downtown Bangkok, the quaint experience is certainly worth the visit.

Address: 244 Krung Thep Kritha Rd, Hua Mak, Bang Kapi, Bangkok 10240

Bittersmith

Another very recently opened white cafe in Bangkok is Bittersmith. Located deep inside Sukhumvit 53, parallel to Thonglor, this cafe is sort of a hidden gem of the area.

The cafe has two sections – indoor and outdoor/indoor glasshouse. Both look out to the street and buildings of the area.

The indoor section is decorated in white and off-white tones with a touch of light brown wooden furniture and plants.

The glasshouse has an even more minimalistic feel with sharp whites contrasting with black paneling and soft brown wooden chairs. I absolutely love this design. It has such a chill vibe. I can even imagine it being a little bar at night with a House DJ and delicious cocktails.

When it comes to the food and beverage, Bittersmith feels more like a bistro or restaurant. The menu covers 4-5 dishes in each of the appetizer, mains, and Thai sections.

You will find items such as shrimp with garlicky butter, spicy grilled beef, salmon with mango salsa, and even chicken or beef with basil. They also have a signature Bittersmith breakfast, complete with eggs, sausages, mushrooms, and toast.

Drinks-wise, obviously they have the classic coffee options, teas, and cocoa. But that is not all, there is an entire menu on refreshing signature mocktails such as mango passion paradise, Yuzu Blossom, and Try Me Peach.

A wonderful place for brunch, one that I would surely come back to with some friends.

Address: 88 Sukhumvit 53 Alley, Bangkok 10110

VAREN

Next up on the list of my favorite white cafes in Bangkok is Varen. It isn’t as new as the rest but still, a fantastic cafe.

This minimalistic white cafe in Bangkok is situated smack dab in the bustling area of Wang Burapha Phirom, not from Chinatown. The best way to get to this cafe is to take the MRT train to Sam Yot and walk west for about 300m.

Varen is another perfect spot for brunch as it serves a good variety of beverages and food.

The vibe of this cafe is usually quite relaxing but it can get a bit busy on the weekends as the owner explained to me. Weekdays are a good time to come hang out, have a bite or even sit down for some work.

Indeed, that is exactly what I did. I always like it when a cafe, restaurant, or bar is playing contemporary music that is not the usual elevator, classical, or pop genre.

I also found out that Varen encompasses multiple floors. However, I think they are only open for special or private events. A set of stairs behind the cafe, bar lead up to the 2nd and 3rd floor, both seemingly closed to the public.

If it wasn’t so far away from my home, I could see myself work here multiple times a week.

Address: 14 Tri Phet Rd, Wang Burapha Phirom, Bangkok 10200

Maysa

Maysa is a cafe that kind of stands out on this list. Not so much for its coffee but for its location and vibe.

Nestled away in a Lat Phrao neighborhood, a family has converted their home into a charming cafe, complete with a massive garden and patio.

The cafe is very spacious with both indoor and outdoor seating areas. It’s a very nice space to experience and hangout, especially in Bangkok where everything feels so tight and cramped.

The menu, while limited, has a few must-try signature drinks. Naturally, I had to try their version of Black Orange Coffee. Suffice it to say, it was superb. Probably because they use fresh orange juice.

Another drink I tried was their Rose’chy, which is a refreshing blend of black tea, rose tea leaves, lychee and lemon.

It may be slightly far from downtown Bangkok, but a visit is certainly worth the trip.

Address: 55/9 Sena Niwet Soi 112, Lat Phrao, Bangkok 10230

3 Comments

Meow June 23, 2021 at 10:33 am - Reply

Wow Shayan. Great list of cafes. I will visit some of them.
Arm December 20, 2021 at 3:32 am - Reply

Nice, but you should go check out PAGA in soi 31!
- S & K | Dose of Life February 17, 2022 at 3:02 pm - Reply
  
  Oh, thank you! I shall definitely check it out.