This city is no stranger to Thai-Western hybrids, or cafes for that matter, but the recently opened Sips Cafe & Bar (found in the Sathorn Nakhon building just a few steps away from Chong Nonsi BTS) is looking to bring something new to downtown Bangkok with a combination of Western favourites with a Thai twist, premium Singaporean teas, and happy hour specials that punch above their weight. 

The new venue is the brainchild of Nicholas Chong, a Culinary Institute of America-trained chef and former GM at Sarnies Bangkok, which has exploded in popularity in the past few years. The menu design isn’t just an attempt to placate both Thai and Western palates — it’s actually a bridge of cultures very close to home for Nicholas. He grew up in Singapore with a Thai mother and Macanese father, who lined their dinner table with a combination of rich Western comfort food and pungent Southeast Asian flavors.

With Sips, he brings that personal touch to the menu, weaving Southeast Asian flavors into classic Western comfort dishes. The result? Familiar dishes reimagined with unexpected yet harmonious twists. You can see this in the “Bangkok Cheese Steak Sandwich” (B390), a clever take on the Philly cheesesteak that swaps out traditional seasoning for a spicy Thai Krapow sauce. The result is a flavorful contrast between the heat of basil-infused ribeye and the richness of caramelized onions and melted cheese. Another highlight is the “Nam Jim Jaew Eggs Benedict” (B350), which replaces the classic hollandaise with the ubiquitous smoky, tangy nam jim dipping sauce—adding a power-packed punch that helps to cut through the richness of a classic Benedict. 

On the whole, the all-day menu leverages the bolder flavors of Thai food with traditionally rich Western food, like the “Creamy Tom Yum Seafood Alfredo” (B420), a fusion of Italian-American alfredo sauce with the citrusy, spicy notes of tom yum, and bursting with sauteed shrimp, mussels, and calamari. On the sweet-tooth side, the "Salted Tamarind Caramel Banana Pancakes" (280THB) is a must-try. Soaked in Thai iced coffee custard before being caramelized, it’s served with vanilla ice cream and a sauce made of Thai coffee, making for a deep, indulgent dessert. 

The venue itself is bathed in what you might call “industrial-chic”, accented by warm lighting and natural wood tones. There’s a mix of communal tables and cozy corners, making it a good spot for a coffee or on-the-go work sesh, or a place to grab a drink after work (the coming happy hour special that includes beer, wine, and highballs). 

The venue also features a collaboration with A.muse Tea & Co, a premium Singaporean tea brand found in Michelin-starred restaurants like Odette and Cloudstreet. One of the big daytime uses of the venue for the Sathorn office worker crowd is as a cafe, and on top of the cool imported teas you can get a decent selection of locally sourced Thai beans. 

And as mentioned, if you are looking for something stiffer, For those looking for something stronger, the cocktail menu leans into classics with subtle Southeast Asian influences, and there is also a selection of beer and wine. 

17, Naradhiwas Soi 3, Sathorn Nakorn Tower, BTS Chong Nonsi, 095-372-5884. Open daily 8am-11pm.

Editor's Note: A previous version of this article stated that Nicholas Chong was a co-founder of Sarnies rather than the GM. This has been amended.