01 MAE HONG SON

Before Sunset

Behind Phra That Doi Gongmu, Muang, Mae Hong Son. Open daily 7am-6pm.
On our last visit to Mae Hong Son, we couldn’t believe our luck stumbling upon this charming cafe with a beautiful view hidden just behind the religious landmark Phra That Doi Gongmu. The perfect combination of a cozy terrace, colorful Lanna umbrellas and a jaw-dropping view of the valley have earned the place a spot in many films, blogs and TV programs. The coffee is not the best, but the ambiance (and photo opportunities) will have you dreaming of a return visit.

02 CHIANG MAI

Doppio Ristr8to

15/3 Nimmanhaemin Rd. front of Soi 3, 053-215-278. Open daily 08:08am-11:08pm.
Ristr8to’s initial claim to fame was the mini celeb status of owner/barista Arnon “Tong” Thitiprasert, but once you try one of his hot lattes you’ll need not remember he’s one of TV show Toey Tiew Thai’s hot vendors. Ranked 6th at the 2011 World Latte Art Championship, this Trang-born barista spent six years making coffee in Sydney before deciding to relocate to Chiang Mai to open Ristr8to in 2011. Grab a seat at the counter and watch the master serve up steaming cups of art by pouring milk over your espresso shot.

03 CHIANG RAI

Chivit Thamma Da Coffee House

Soi Baan Rong Suae Ten 3, Muang, Chiang Rai, 053-166-622. Open daily 9am-8pm. www.chivitthammada.com
After years of traveling abroad, Nattamon Holmberg decided to settle down with her husband in her hometown. Following their dream of owning a small, cozy cafe, they turned a small space by the Kok River into an English-country-style space filled with wood furnishings and floral motifs. Summers can be spent in the air-con glasshouse; while in winter, kick back in the riverside garden and enjoy the selection of coffee and tea. Nattamon serves up food, too, with the menu changing daily. And next door is Chivit Thamma Da Day Spa, if you really want to relax.

04 KHON KAEN

Coffee der La

Theparak Rd., Khaon Kaen, 081-820-2201. Open daily 10am-8pm.
Owned by the sister of Thanaruek
Laoraowirodge (see sidebar), the man behind Somtam Der and Supanniga Eating Room, this cafe successfully blends a homey ambience (think Joma in Luang Prabang) and minimal wood furnishings (think Baan Ying in Bangkok).

05 SAMUI

Bakubung

145/5 Moo 1, Bophut Beach, 084-636-9090. Open daily 10am-8:30pm.
Most people with a sizeable beachfront chunk of land in Samui would probably build a hotel. But the owners of Bakubung (meaning “people of the hippo” in Sotho-Tswana) decided to create a small cafe instead. There, you can enjoy a glass of their signature iced lemon tea (B85) on the lawn, while overlooking the sea. The best moment to visit is around sunset, of course. And it’s also an ideal spot to relax before boarding a flight, as it’s close to the airport. 

06 SANGKLABURI

Graph Cafe

Sri Suwan Khiri Rd., opposite the entrance of P Guesthouse, 081-751-2365. Open daily 7am-9pm.
Sat in a welcoming lawn space, this minimal cafe is where you rub shoulders with the international NGO volunteers who regularly frequent Sangklaburi. Apart from the iced coffee, you can also shop for locally-made merchandise like postcards and hand-painted bags, where some of the proceeds go to charity. Hidden behind the cafe is Haiku Guesthouse, housing four rooms in a traditional Japanese setting inspired by Haiku poetry and Japanese Zen.

07 NAN

Baan Khun Luang

Pha Kong Rd., Nai Vieng, Muang, Nan, 081-998-1127, 081-166-1715. Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat-Sun 7am-5pm.
The only coffee shop in Nan where you can sit back, sip freshly-brewed coffee, and enjoy the view of Wat Phumin, Nan’s most revered Buddhist temple, home to the famous Pu-Man-Ya-Man fresco. This teak house once belonged to a government-executive-turned-tobacco-merchant—and it’s his descendants who have turned it into one of the most visited cafés in the province.

08 NAKHON RATCHASIMA

Slow Life Coffee & More

Route 304 KM.61, Wang Nam Keao, Nakhon Ratchasima, 085-438-9898. Open daily 8am-6pm.
Recommended by our friends at Lonely Planet Magazine Thailand, this small cafe is set in a bungalow-like house done up with raw cement and vintage wood panels, overlooking Wang Nam Keao’s pristine, forested valley. Along with Arabica coffee beans handpicked from smaller producers, the venue also offers comfort food choices ranging from Japanese curry rice to spaghetti. Grab a seat by the canal and watch the world slowly go by.

09 HUA HIN

Le Chapon

31 Diskul House, Naeb Khehat Rd., 032-531-146. Open daily Thu-Tue 11am-9pm.
Probably the poshest eatery on Hua Hin’s beach strip, Le Chapon is part of the boutique resort The Hen on the main Naeb Khehat Road. The open-air space is decorated in a black-and-white theme that gives it a French flair. Le Chapon serves up French and international cuisine with a specific focus on seafood, of course. We suggest, however, that you go there during late afternoon for high tea (B1,399), served in a sophisticated porcelain set with a selection of snacks and pastries. Sea views included.

10 SONGKHLA

The Secret Garden

87 Raman Rd., Muang, Songkhla, 086-965-4998. Open Wed-Mon 10am-9pm.
Design graduate Tok Anantapan and his partner were inspired by the cover of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s novel Secret Garden, which shows a cozy backyard hidden behind a wall, to create this café which is only accessible through a small orange door. The one-year-old café is set in an 80s-style house, complete with warm colors and a small garden on Raman Road (aka Nang Ngam Road), Songkla’s up-and-coming strip for local creatives.

11 PHUKET

Mac-chiato

48 Thalang Rd., Muang, 076-215-701. Open daily 9am-9pm
Phuket town may be dominated by charming old shophouses, but Mac-chiato House is a nice blend of the old and new. Set in one of those long and narrow old shophouses that are 20-30 meters deep, Mac-chiato is separated into two sections: the front air-con section where you can enjoy their homemade coffee and cakes while reading your favorite book; and an open-air courtyard out the back that lets you laugh a little louder with friends. If you didn’t bring any reading material, you can borrow books and magazines from the bookcase that stretches along one wall.