This Ekkamai counter aims to make serious tea drinking more accessible. The open shop makes easy for passersby to stop and take a look at the offerings and also encourages people to try some tea without the pressure of having to sit down or necessarily even buy. Its owner, entrepreneur-slash-tea connoisseur Han Mei, uses products from his family’s brand in London, China Life. Priced at B150-180 per pot with free water refill, the loose-leaf tea selection covers it all, from hand-picked white and green teas to pu-erhs and matcha, sourced from China, Taiwan and Japan. Easy options like iced tea (made in-house with fresh fruits) and unsweetened milk teas are available at B90-B95, while Mei also plays around with funkier creations like the matcha, raspberry and lime shot (B80) and fresh avocado soya milk (B95).

 

 

The location tucked down Sukhumvit Soi 59 affords lawns on all sides of the little tea house while the teas are carefully brewed in state-of-the art glassware with your own three-minute sandglass. Serious connoisseurs will order zhu lang xiang, a fermented green tea from Wu Dong Mountain (B360) which has lychee notes ending on a sweet and sour taste; but easy-drinking lattes and iced teas start from B130. Cha Panya is also attached to connecting Chinese tea and mindfulness, hosting players of the Chinese game of go and meditation sessions in a dedicated room.

 

Considered one of the world’s oldest tea houses, the German brand is known for using high quality tea leaves sourced from around the world and prepared using traditional methods. Their renowned tea collections include the White Collection and Tea Couture, while the new branch serves exclusive highlights like the Gaysorn Blend (oolong tea with pineapple and papaya, starting at B288) and Bangkok Blend (light, flowery pui mu tan white tea from China with tropical flavors of ripe mango and citrus, starting at B288).

 

Influenced by contemporary London tea rooms, this marble space from the Signor Sassi group serves up Chiang Rai organic tea in 36 flavors, including Victoria Pick (oolong tea with jasmine blossom and rose, B200) and Golden Truffle (chocolate-scented black tea, B180). Afternoon tea sets are priced at B550 and served all day. In addition to the tea, you can also find recreated Western comfort food by chef Soradit Maturatrai (formerly of Anantara Siam) like duck and waffle (with whole grain mustard maple syrup, B395) and Nova carbonara (with deep-fried soft-boiled egg, B320). They’ve also just added Italian dishes from Signor Sassi including paccheri pasta with bolognese salciccia (tuscan pork sausage and ragout of veal and beef, B440)

 

At the very center of The House on Sathorn, the beautifully restored mansion next to W Hotel, you’ll find this open-air courtyard, prettily decked out with chic furniture that sticks to the overall vintage tone. The much-hyped afternoon tea set (B1,150) lets you go crazy with refreshing sorbet, scones, sandwiches and other delicacies with a choice of TWG tea from the House collection, under the shade of patio umbrellas. Available from 2:30-5:30pm daily.

 

---

See also: Bangkok’s best cafes, coffee shops and tea-houses