8 new dessert cafes that prove life is sweet in Bangkok
Go on, indulge your sweet tooth.
Thonglor’s new dessert cafe doubles as a bar at night. Specializing in ice-cream-based desserts, Mocking Tales rolls out a long list of funky-looking treats, inspired by fairy tales and classic fiction. Try the Lord of the Rings-inspired Inferno Mountain (B380) which comprises three scoops of ice cream topped with brownies and rice krispies inside a chocolate upside-down cone, served topped with raspberry sauce and flamed with orange liqueur. We also like the fashionably presented baked apple served with apple sorbet, homemade caramel and crumble, dubbed Poisoned Apple (B260). Signature cocktails are no less fancy. Junker and Bar’s owner-bartender Passapong "Bard" Phetpradit helped to create gin-based drinks. Coffee starts at B95.
Maze Thonglor, Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Thonglor), 083-386-6992
One of this city’s first brunch institutions, Asoke’s Chu, has finally expanded to rising Sathorn. The second branch sees a warm space tucked inside Trinity Complex, a short walk from BTS Chong Nonsi. Starting off as a dessert shop specializing in churros (B100) and hot chocolate (B120-140), Chu has long since established itself as an all-day dining spot. Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef/owner Chirayu Na Ranong whips up breakfast favorites like eggs Benedict (B250-290), as well as crab linguine (B280), chicken pesto salad (B220), tuna melt sandwich (B170) and barbecue pulled pork burger (B320), using artisanal products from baker Maison Jean Philippe and butcher Sloane's. Beyond the churros, don’t miss the signature chocolate lava (B220) or its peanut butter variation (B240). To drink, choose from the signature hot chocolate (B120-140) or coffee from Roots (starting at B80).
Trinity Complex, Narathiwas Soi 3, 02-636-8685
Le Cordon Bleu grad owner Songpon Wongpaisan specializes in overnight yeast-raised waffles.The result: a crispier crust, lighter interior, and little trace of yeasty flavor. The plain waffle at B120 is just a starting off point for you to add ice cream (B55/scoop), fresh fruit (B20-50) and sauces (B40-60). Or go for one of their pre-prepared treats like the Lady in Red (original waffle with fresh strawberries, blueberries, yogurt honey, berry sauce and strawberry ice cream, B230) and the blueberry cheese pie-inspired Blue Angel (chocolate waffle topped with blueberries, cream cheese sauce and raspberry jam, B220). The drinks list features soda (B120), iced tea (B100) and virgin sangria as well as coffee from Roots (starting at B80). The unfiltered apple cider sangria (B195) comes well recommended.
2/F, The Commons, Thonglor Soi 17, 02-185-2472
111/1 Thonglor Soi 5, 095-962-0324
All-day breakfast spot Slappy Cakes adds more fun to your average eggs Benedict (B250-280) and sandwiches (B230-280) by letting you whip up your own DIY pancakes on the built-in griddle at your table. Originally from Portland, Oregon, this chain has since expanded to Japan, the Philippines, Singapore and Malaysia before finally arriving in Thailand. First they'll give you handy squeezers filled with pancake batter in flavors buttermilk, chocolate or peanut butter (B150 each), to which you can add toppings like mangoes, banana, pineapples (B50 each), cheddar cheese, chopped bacon (B45 each), chocolate chips, walnuts and almonds (B50 each), as well as spreads like peanut butter, raspberry jam and lemon curd (B45).
1/10-11 Sukhumvit Soi 39, Tel. 02-662-4887
This little cafe serves up Thai-themed desserts and drinks in a contemporary setting that's hard to believe is in Chatuchak Market. The highlight here has to be the black Nila cake (see our story on Bangkok's best new desserts, B95), the owner's take on coconut cake that incorporates jasberry rice and carbon powder, as inspired by khao niao tuadam (a sticky rice dessert)—fluffy, sponge-y and fragrant. Another pick is the pandan custard Kaya tart (B120), a crossover between kanom bueang (Thai crepe) and pandan custard bread. To go with the theme, they serve Pimpilalai (Thai herbal drink with brown sugar syrup and soda) and San Tri Petch (iced watermelon Earl Grey tea, both B95).
Chatuchak Weekend Market, Section 26 Soi 1/4, 088-885-7751
After debuting on After You's menu last year, the much-hyped icey treat kakigori now has its own separate shop. Maygori provides even more choices of toppings for your delicately shaved ice, including ume (Japanese plum, B185), yuzu yogurt panna cotta (yuzu sauce, yogurt cream, panna cotta, B185), Milo/Jamba (chocolate malt, pink milk, B185/B175), hojicha (hojicha, tapioca pearl, shiratama dango, B225) and mont blanc (chestnut cream and roasted chestnut, B245). Like at After You, you have to pay for your order at the counter before sitting.
The Commons, Thonglor Soi 17, 02-185-2519
The Tenyuu empire has opened a new cafe right next to its flagship sushi restaurant in Sathorn. The crisp, white Matcha Ten serves desserts from all the group's Japanese outlets alongside all-day breakfast items. Led by chef Sasitorn Charoensuk (previously of Let Them Eat Cake), the kitchen rolls out dishes like egg skillet (duck eggs with chorizo, salami, mushrooms and cherry tomato, B185) and waffle with grilled bacon and eggs (B125) as well as healthier choices like granola chia yogurt (B160). The cafe actually acts as Tenyuu Grand’s dessert kitchen, whipping up most treats in-house including ice cream (B85/scoop), which can be served with pancake souffle (B240), and shaved mineral-water kakigori (B240), which comes with a delicious chestnut cream. To drink, try the elderflower Italian soda (B85).
66 Sathorn Soi 6, 02-632-2559
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