The buzz: While it’s been possible to sample Sarnies’ perfectionist roast profiles at their Kram garden offshoot, A Stimulant by Sarnies, for a while, the hip Singapore coffee chain has only just opened its first fully-fledged Bangkok branch—a charming spot just five minutes’ walk from BTS Saphan Taksin.

The decor: The coffee is not the only thing that stands out here. The spacious cafe takes over a 150-year-old corner shop-house that once was a boat repair shop with brushed concrete, distressed brickwork and leafy plants. A few happy accidents remain. That big black stain on one of the walls? The result of an oil splash back in the day. Take a seat right by the big window and watch the old-school Charoenkrung neighborhood pass by or head up the narrow staircase for a more peaceful nook on the second floor.

The drinks: House-blend coffee starts from B70 for basic things like Americano or macchiato; a cappuccino will set you back B90. The beans, sourced from all over, from Chile to El Salvador to northern Thailand, all pass through Sarnies’ Phom Phong roastery before going into your cup. Non-purists will find much to like in the iced Cafe-Tonic (B120), which is basically tonic water topped with a shot of espresso—very refreshing!—or the iced coconut long black (B140) made with fresh coconut water and topped with coconut flesh. If you’re not a big coffee drinker, their lemonade basil (B120) will hit the right spot.

The food: Substantial bites come in the form of the Grain Bowl (B350), a mix of quinoa, hummus, sun-dried tomatoes, sauteed mushrooms, pickled vegetables and other healthy odds and ends that comes together deliciously. For something more sinful, indulge in one of the very fudgy brownies (B140) or the chunkiest choc-chip cookie you’ve ever seen (B100). Hangovers meet their match in the homemade bacon and egg sandwich (B320), which comes in a huge portion that you could easily split between two people.

The crowd: Weekends are busy with a mix of tourists, passersby and regulars. In the middle of the week you will find the vibe a bit quieter, with digital nomads tapping away on their laptops.

Why we’d come back: The cafe strikes a really gorgeous balance between modern comfort and the original look of the old building. The coffee is great, of course, and reasonably priced. They soon plan to open in the evening for dinner and (boozy) drinks. Choltanutkun Tun-atiruj