Let Them Eat Cake

This café has had a buzz about it for a little while now, so could make for an exciting Mother’s Day stop-off.  Run by the same people as W by Wanlamun, a Chiang Mai dessert eatery, Let Them Eat Cake serves up homemade pastries and sweets that wouldn’t be too out of place in a French patisserie. Spoil your mom with top of the line treats like the St. Honore Rose-Framboise (B175) and dôme au chocolat (B145). The first venue has outdoor seating or you can drop by another branch at Siam Center after a spot of shopping.
G/F, Mille-Malle, Sukhumvit Soi 20, Bangkok, 02-663-4667. Open daily Sun-Thu 10am-11pm; Fri-Sat 10am-midnight

Café Cha

With its old town location, sophisticated design courtesy of architect Bill Bensley and antique collection belonging to one of the owners, Krissada Sukosol Clapp, your mom is sure to love Café Cha and its charming vibe. Drop by the newly opened café and try its afternoon tea sets (2-6pm, B750 per person or B1,350 for two) which involves liberal servings of scones, brioche rolls and spinach-parmesan quiche. And why not make mom extra happy by plying her with 2010 Moet & Chandon Grand Vintage Brut (B1,450 per person/B2,650 for two). Free shuttle boat from Taksin Pier (see website for schedule).
The Siam, 3/2 Khao Rd., 02-206-6999. www.thesiamhotel.com. Open daily 8am-6pm

Café de Norasingha

If your mom is still into Khun Chai soap operas, surprise her with a trip to this café. Located in the Phyathai Palace, this colonial-style venue is said to be an homage to the very first Thai café dating back to the reign of Rama VI. The grand atmosphere is sure to be something she brings up in chitchat with her friends later. Coffee here starts at B40 and snacks include the old-school moo kem prik khing (bread served with pork and deep-fried catfish with chili, B130)—perfect if your mom is not much of a cake person.
Phyathai Palace, 315 Ratchawithi Rd., 02-354-8376. Open Mon-Fri 8:30am-7pm; Sat-Sun 10:30am-7pm

Patisserie Mori Osaka

Patisserie Mori Osaka serves authentic Japanese sweets drawing on the chef’s many years of dessert-making experience in Osaka. Along with the cute origami-inspired decorations, it’s a great place to have a one-on-one talk with your mom while tasting the sweet delights like strawberry shortcake (B110), green tea mousse (B90) and gateau chocolate (B100) with a pot of Gryphon tea (B120).
RCA, Block C, Rama 9 Rd., 02-641-5770. Open daily 9am-9pm

Vieng Joom On

This famous café from Chiang Mai settled in Bangkok a year ago, featuring the same Moroccan style as its Northern sister. Trust us, the mood and tone cannot get more girly than this. Here, they serve up different mixes of teas from around the world. Try the signature, Vieng Joom On Tea, a wonderfully fragrant mix of black tea, rose petals, white tea, clover, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, black pepper and plum (B150/pot; B390 with scones, B650 as a high tea set) or Madam Butterfly (green tea, sunflowers and peach, B150/pot).
93/332, The Emporio Place, Sukhumvit Soi 24, 02-160-4342. www.vjoteahouse.com. Open daily 11am-8pm

TWG

The shiny décor here is perfect for moms of the khun-ying variety but, really, TWG is only really worth a visit for its tea. (Perfect if mom’s on a diet.) Bordered by monogrammed glass, TWG’s trademark look of European elegance is completed by a dark marble floor, wood paneling trimmed with gold and shelves lined with their signature yellow tins. With a dizzying selection of over 450 types of tea, you might want to ask staff for a recommendation. Served by the pot (B250 for most), signature varieties include the delicately floral white earl grey (B470) and the 1837 black tea (B250).
M/F, Siam Paragon, Rama 1 Rd., 02-610-9527. Open daily 10am-10pm