Ladkrabang neighborhood, way out in Bangkok's 'burbs, has welcomed a real hipster gathering space, Timber Cafe.

The decor of exposed walls and dark brown wood pulls in a crowd of KMITL cool kids, while the menu keeps things pretty predictable (pasta, pizza, salads with deep-fried protein, monstrous desserts) but affordable. Owner Wasin Pidej, a second-year engineering student, concocted the dishes himself, with highlights including the hot and spicy spaghetti with chicken meatballs and fried basil (B59) and crisp pizza topped with shrimps and hot chilli (B159).

As for dessert, the Timber Tower (B159), lives up to its name: three layers of buttery waffles with seven scoops of ice-cream and mixed berries--it serves at least four. Drinks range from hot chocolate (B40) to blended banoffee topped with whipped cream and sliced banana (B65).