11 new cafes and restaurants to check out this July
A world renowned coffee specialist, creative health-conscious openings, and a new breed of delivery-only joints.
4 years ago
Arabica
After a year of teasers, Kyoto's specialty coffee meister has finally made its Thailand debut at Charoen Nakhon’s glitzy Iconsiam megamall. Choose between the nutty and floral % Arabica blend or the fresh and fruity Single Origin blend. Both are available in everything from espresso-based coffee (espresso, macchiato, Americano, latte, Spanish latte) to filter coffee brewed with Chemex. For those new to the hype, we recommend the caffe latte (from B130 house blend/B145 single origin) and the unique Spanish latte (B150-180 hot/B180 iced), which incorporates rich condensed milk. Not keen on coffee but still want to see what all the fuss is about? Opt for the matcha latte (B150-170 hot/B180 iced) and lemonade (B150 still/B170 sparkling).
1/F, Iconsiam, 299 Charoen Nakhon Rd.
Basic
From the same people behind nitro coffee specialists Eureka comes Saphan Kwai’s newest slow bar. The cafe features a small menu of coffee drinks, ranging from americanos and espressos to lattes and flat whites. Prices start from B60 for the house blend and increase to B80 for specialty blends, like Jorn Thong, and B150 for rare roasts, including the red honey process Costa Rican Canet Musician Series Mozart. There are also a handful of teas, from matcha no. 9 (B70) and hojicha (B70) to matcha no. 22 (B100), that you can enjoy in the spare, Scandinavian-inspired first floor or more private second floor space, which features a brick wall splash, some leather chairs and one long, light wood table. You can also order a selection of baked goods like croissants (B45) and fancier croissant sandwiches, filled with goods like ham, cheese and truffle (B90), as well as sweets like hearty brownies served with a scoop of Madagascar vanilla bean ice cream (B140).
14-16 Phahon Yothin Rd., 080 957 9592.
Berlin's Doner Kebab
Anyone who’s visited Berlin will know that they take their doner kebabs seriously—some even claim that the classic was created there—which is why we’re excited that this spot has landed in Bangkok. Sample the rotisserie meat served in house-made flatbread with the original Australian beef and lamb doner set (B330), which comes with fries and a soft drink, or keep things lean with the falafel durum doner wrap set (B280)—for a flavor boost, add some homemade feta and tzatziki (B30 each). They also serve doner lahmacun (B300), a type of “wrap pizza.” Delivery is available via Foodpanda and Lineman.
Sukhumvit Soi 22 Order via Foodpanda and Lineman
Cacao and Love
After two years of running a successful, health-conscious online bakery, self-taught baker Anisha Sinchawla continues her mission to make alternative treats for people of all dietary needs—ketogenic, vegan or paleo, you name it—with her first cafe. Located at Pridi Banomyong’s low-rise apartment The Contemp, the minimal-meets-tropical spot busts out crowd-pleasing flourless biscottis coated with chocolate and almonds, chocolate and pistachio nuts, and chocolate and coconut (B120/pc; B850/12 pcs.); vegan cacao banana bread (B120/pc); and vegan healthy bowls, like the peanut butter and jelly bowl topped with fresh berries, bananas, dried goji berries and granola, or the tropical bowl topped with pistachios, pumpkin seeds, pineapple, mango, passion fruit and grated coconut (both B350). Wash it down with refreshing earl grey lemon fizz sodas (B160), hot turmeric lattes (B120) and smoothies like the maca (Peruvian ginseng), almond butter and ginger blend (B220). Some items are also available for delivery, which you can order via their website and Instagram.
The Contemp, 292 Pridi Banomyong Soi 13, 098-479-4979
Cadence
Chef Dan Bark moves his Michelin-starred baby down the road, turning a spacious townhouse off Sukhumvit Soi 71 into not one but two restaurants—plus a bar. If you dined at Upstairs, you’ll be familiar with Bark’s progressive American bent. At Cadence, he’s swapped “progressive” for “personal” across a 15-course menu (B4,300) that features memory-driven dishes like Ocean, a starter of oyster, salmon and a palate-awakening, pina colada-filled orb resting on an ethereally glowing bowl of marbles. Other standouts on the detail-oriented menu include Pea, a spring-like bite featuring prosciutto, cantaloupe and a vibrant pea sauce, and the outrageously good Beef, which draws on Bark’s Korean heritage with a cut of New Zealand wagyu balanced with soju-pickled plum and homemade ssam jang. Opt for the clever (and dangerous) cocktail pairing (B1,800) or a wonderful wine pairing (B2,500) that features a refreshing selection of Old and New World labels.
Cadence by Dan Bark, 225 Pridi Banomyong 25, 091-713-9034. Open Tue-Sat, seatings at 5pm and 7:30pm.
Giglio Trattoria Fiorentina
Chefs Manuelo Pintore (La Bottega di Luca, Peppina) and Paolo Vitaletti (Appia, Peppina) join forces to serve up traditional dishes of the Tuscan hills in this classic-looking Italian trattoria. Stellar dishes include the pici al ragu di salsiccia (hand-rolled strands of pasta tossed in sausage and porcini ragu B360), and the timeless panzanella (B250), a refreshing salad of tomato, cucumber, celery and toasted Tuscan bread. For something truly soul-soothing, go for la ribollita (B220), a hearty soup of beans, black kale, vegetables and Tuscan bread, or try the arista (B380), a roasted pork rack served with aromatic rosemary potatoes. The wine list comes exclusively from Tuscany, too—try the crisp Sauvignon Vioner il Blanco 2018 (B255/glass).
149 Sathorn Soi 12 (Silom), 088 923 0961
Labyrinth
Tucked below experimental public art space The Shophouse 1527, this achingly hip cafe serves inventive slow bar brews, like the sweet and softly fruity Black Magic (B90) featuring coffee, lychee and milk foam, as well as the chocolatey Koko Yen for those who don’t drink coffee (B80). Lined with short wooden stools, the narrow bar is surrounded by raw concrete walls and contemporary artwork, while gravel flooring creates an outdoor vibe that clashes with the bunker-like space. Natural light pours down the staircase leading to the comparatively bright second floor, where you can often catch art installations, though the crumbling shop-house with its huge windows and circular mirrors is photogenic even during downtime. Check the cafe’s Facebook for updates on exhibitions.
1527 Rama 4 Rd., 099-145-9563
Nusara
Named after their late grandmother, this chef’s table by Le Du’s chef Thitid “Ton” Tassanakajohn and his two brothers comes from the heart. Located above chef Ton’s most recent opening, Mayrai Padthai, the restaurant enjoys the same prime view of Wat Pho. Small, creative Thai bites fill the 12-course tasting menu (soft opening price: B1,990), like thinly sliced squid with lemongrass and chili; earthy lump crab curry served over a crisp betel leaf and topped with local caviar; tender pork jowl served with a fresh chili paste; and Nusara’s signature dish of lingeringly spicy wagyu pad kaprao. The restaurant accepts just one seating per night for six-to-10 people, starting at 5:30pm.
2/F, 22 Maharaj Rd., 081-432-4050
Pimp My Salad
From the team behind beloved Singapore brunch import Sarnies, this salad bar's mission is simple: to prove that healthy doesn't have to equal boring. Modish grey concrete, blond-wood furnishings and brick flooring create a courtyard feel. Order hearty bowls like the Cool Gai (B225), packed with coconut chicken, kaffir lime, chickpea larb, sauteed mushrooms, brown rice and nam jim jaew mayo, or the poke-style Hula Hula Tuna (B360) with avocado, edamame, pickled daikon and carrot, kimchi, brown rice and furikake. You can also build your own breakfast, with items like grilled seeded rye sourdough (B35), smashed avocado (B105), smoked bacon (B90) and more. Familiar signature coffees from Sarnies, like the iced coconut long black (B135), are also available, alongside fresh juice (B135).
56 Soi 8 (Sathorn), 02-550-7623
Pollo by Appia DELIVERY ONLY
From the owners of Appia and Peppina, Pollo is all about free range chicken, sourced from Klong Phai Farms. Available for delivery and takeaway only, the new concept serves heartwarming, family-friendly meals straight out of Appia’s kitchen, including juicy rotisserie chicken served with chicken jus, aioli and chimichurri sauce (half B450/whole B850) and equally delicious sides like roast potatoes, creamed spinach, broccolini with chili garlic and more (B150 each). Other comforting mains include a classic, all-American chicken parm sandwich (B290)—deep-fried chicken cutlets slathered in tomato sauce, melted mozzarella and parmesan, all sandwiched in a toasted baguette—and creamy mac ‘n’ cheese (B350) topped with crispy breadcrumbs. Balance out all those carbs with the Carbonara Caesar salad (B275) or go all in by following your meal up with Appia’s tiramisu (B300).
Available for delivery and takeaway only from 11am-9:30pm daily, 02-261-2056, Line (@pollobyappia); also available on Grab and Foodpanda
South Philly DELIVERY ONLY
Available Fri-Sun only for now, South Philly is spreading the gospel of Philadelphia’s finest comfort food: cheesesteak. Spearheaded by Chandler Schultz, formerly of Le Cochon Blanc, the delivery-only restaurant uses homemade hoagie rolls and top-grade ingredients, like Australian Angus ribeye and real Wisconsin cheddar, to produce classic cheesesteaks (B220). The limited menu also features eggplant parmesan (fried eggplant, mozzarella, marinara and fresh basil on a hoagie roll, B190) and sides like fresh coleslaw (B75), French fries (B90) and mini key lime pies (B90), made with all-butter pie crusts and topped with toasted Swiss meringue. According to the team, you can expect more sandwich shop favorites on the menu in the near future, too.
Available for delivery and takeaway Fri-Sun, 11:30am-9pm. 083-469-4029, Line or Facebook (southphillybkk)
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