Once prime farming area, Silom is now the bustling financial heart of the energetic Thai capital of Bangkok. Gleaming skyscrapers tower above tiny streets and the area is a hive of activity both by day and by night. Need to take the load off and rest your weary feet? Here are some of Silom’s best cafes and coffee shops, perfect for relaxing and recharging as you watch the world go by.
A top place for brunch or lunch in Silom, Rocket Coffeebar S.12 can be found just a short stroll from Chong Nonsi BTS station. If the smells of freshly baked goods aren’t enough to tempt you, the sight of other diners’ plates is sure to give you food envy. With dishes like truffle carbonara, pan-seared mackerel, Swedish meatballs, and Nordic roast pork, there’s no reason to leave feeling hungry. Want something lighter? There’s a selection of salads, topped bagels, toasties, waffles, and egg dishes too. Artisan coffees are a speciality here, with beans from all across the globe.
Close to Assumption Cathedral and the famous Sky Bar at Lebua, Hobbyist Cafe provides the perfect respite from the hustle and bustle outside. Flick through one of the specialist books, check out the quirky wooden ornaments, or settle into one of the semi-secluded seating areas for a board-game bonanza. Visitors are encouraged to relax and linger and there’s a wide choice of food and drinks. Hot and iced coffees are available, along with juices and other soft drinks. Sweet treats include cakes, cookies, and waffles, while dishes like pasta and curry with rice offer something a bit more substantial.
A great Silom cafe for non-meat-eaters, the tasty and healthy vegan-friendly fare at Bonita Cafe and Social Club is also a pleasant change for meat fans too. The interior is charming with a somewhat olde-world vibe, with robust wooden furniture, floral table covers, ornamental oil lamps, and vintage pictures on the walls. The resident felines ramp up the cuteness factor. Salads, soups, burgers, pizzas, curries, and pasta dishes, all suitable for vegans, are just a few choices you’ll find on the menu. Satisfy your sweet tooth with vegan goodies like pancakes, chocolate mousse, and cheesecake. Juices, smoothies, shakes, and various hot and cold coffees are served, and you’ll also find wine, beer, and cocktails on the drinks menu too.
Steps from Sam Yan metro station and the impressive Wat Hua Lam Phong, Baan Samyan is a cosy and intimate cafe in Silom. The friendly members of staff offer a warm welcome to customers and the cafe is a nice place to relax over a cup of coffee or another soft drink. Seating is available both inside and outdoors in the leafy garden. There’s a wide choice of meals as well if hunger strikes and prices are reasonable. Dishes include typical Thai fare, such as curries and fried rice, and Western favourites, like baguettes, pasta, and salads.
A cafe by day and a bar by night, Dexter Café & Bar is a stylish yet casual Silom establishment. The international menu is sure to appeal to even the pickiest of eaters, with items such as fish and chips, pulled pork burger, nachos, Jamaican jerk chicken, roast duck salad, pizzas, and pasta dishes. There’s a selection of Thai meals too, including pad Thai, massaman curry, and the spicy tom yum soup. When it comes to drinks, even the most discerning of coffee aficionados will find it difficult not to be impressed with the variety of beans and blends from around the world, and cups inspired by popular drinks from far-flung places like Morocco, Austria, Brazil, and India.
Friendly, cosy, and welcoming, Full Moon Bakery and Coffee Shop specialises in home-baked cakes and cookies. A fantastic cafe in Silom for anyone with a sugar craving, you can even buy a selection of fresh and home-made goodies to take away with you as well. Fruit tarts, cheesecakes, macaroons, and butter cookies are just a few things waiting to tempt you. Of course, there’s a great selection of hot and cold drinks too. Relax in the quaint cafe and enjoy top-notch service as ambient music fills the air.
(Not Just) Another Cup is a laid-back and almost hipster-style cafe in Silom. Light and bright, it’s quickly becoming a popular brunch spot as well as a place where you can enjoy a good cup of freshly pressed coffee or a tangy fruit smoothie. There are fancy drinks too, like sea salt caramel latte and banana and avocado in thick chocolate. Beer and wine are also served. Bold prints cover the textiles and there’s plenty of woodwork to add to the visual appeal. It’s easy to get comfy in the soft seats. The imaginative and extensive menu has an array of hearty comfort foods as well as healthier bites, and everything is beautifully presented. Try the mango, avocado, and quinoa salad, salmon with potato rosti, tomato and egg, Moroccan eggs, grilled vegetable panini, and more.
With meals artfully presented on wooden chopping boards, desserts served in jam jars, individual teapots, and drip filters over cups, you’ll be able to fill your Instagram feed with cool shots after (or during) a visit to Luka Bangkok. The renovated 1950s shop house setting adds to the hip vibe. All meals are freshly made using sustainable produce, coffee beans are sourced from around the world and brewed to perfection, and the different teas are also made with passion. Luka Bangkok is definitely one of the trendiest cafes in Silom.
Part of the large Australian chain, The Coffee Club has several branches around Thailand. The Silom cafe offers a quiet oasis in one of Bangkok’s busiest areas. Step into the air-conditioned comfort and leave the hustle and bustle at the door. A great place for breakfast, lunch, a snack, or just a drink, all the vibrancy of Australia’s cafe culture can be found right in the middle of the Thai capital. The drinks menu may be fairly basic, but you’ll still find all your favourite coffee types, including espresso, latte, cappuccino, and mocha. Try the chai latte or iced Thai tea if you’re after something with a local taste.
Cafe Mozu is located within the soaring State Tower, the same building that houses the famous Sky Bar that featured in the movie The Hangover Part II. Within the high-class Lebua hotel, Cafe Mozu is more of a fine-dining restaurant than a true cafe. Its glorious decor and swanky atmosphere, however, made it worthy of a place on this list. Sensual patterns and colours from Morocco adorn the pillars and ceiling hanging, and there are flashes of Arabia in the candles, lamps, and fabrics. The menu is truly international, with sumptuous meals from India, Japan, and China in addition to traditional Thai meals, European cuisine, and American favourites. The drinks menu is also extensive. Reservations are strongly recommended.
