Ari has earned its title as Bangkok’s café district; here are some of the coffee shops that prove the point

Cover photo courtesy of Oh Vacoda Café.

There are many reasons we seek out cafés. Maybe you’re a caffeine addict searching for new spots with good roasts and accompanying eats. Maybe you’re looking for a spot with good vibes for a catch-up with friends, a laidback date, or for quality me-time. Whatever it is you’re looking for, you can surely find it in Ari, Bangkok’s self-made café district. Here are five quirky cafés from the area to check out on your next café hop. 

1/5 Bar Storia del Caffè

Featuring vintage-style interiors, an array of drinks, and just the right amount of natural light during the day, Bar Storia del Caffè is practically begging us to drop by with our favourite book there. The café is filled with custom-made wooden furniture and alternating colour tiled floors, while the outside is framed with trees and hanging plants. Many visitors say it’s like being back in Europe again.

One of the highlights of the Bar Storia is its all-day dining. If you’re craving for the oven-baked egg at 10pm, they’ll whip one up for you. Have high expectations for the drinks as well. In addition to a range of coffees and teas, Bar Storia also serves wine, cocktails, and craft beer. And, as it’s open until late, the venue is ideal for nighttime hangouts. 

Soi Ari 4 (North)
Open Sunday-Thursday 9am-11pm
Friday-Saturday 9am-midnight
fb.com/barstoriadelcaffe, @barstoriadelcaffe, 082-581-9026

2/5 Oh Vacoda Café

Photo courtesy of Oh Vacoda Café

We all have that friend who’s obsessed with avocados. Take her to this little café, and you might just fall in love with them too! Almost everything they have to offer has avocado in it, from pancakes to ice cream, bundt cakes, and even krapao on rice. In fact, the avocado honey lemon cake is the must-try for avo lovers.

Another reason to go is for the café’s photogenic 1970s California theme.

1 Ari Samphan 4 Alley
Open Monday-Thursday 11am-10pm
Friday-Sunday 11am-midnight
fb.com/ohvacodabkk, @ohvacoda, 080-569-7892

3/5 Camp Café Ari

Photo courtesy of Camp Café Ari

As the name might suggest, this café is centred around the theme of camping.  Counters are minimal in decoration, while the tables and photo areas are decorated with flora, fauna, and camping items. Post a photo on your Instagram and wait for the “did you take a vacation?” under the comments.

The food and drink options here are solid, too. You can find an array of croissants, cakes, and other pastries to accompany your coffee or tea. 

Ari Soi 4 (North)
Open daily 10am-6pm
fb.com/campcafe.ari, @campcafe.ari, 063-232-2424

4/5 Wraptor

If filling comfort food is you what you require from a café, look no further. Wraptor features a range of Mexican cuisine, along with quality coffee and tea. The must-have is the fajita, as they are really generous when it comes to protein and seasoning. Be it in a wrap or tucked in a corn taco, Wraptor won’t leave you disappointed. To top it off, the Ari location is just beautiful. If you visit during the afternoon, their neon lights will surely amplify your Instagram game.

Soi Ari Samphan 2
Open daily 11:30am-10pm
fb.com/wraptor2018, @wraptorbkk, 02-271-1735

5/5 MTCH

Photo couresy of MTCH

MTCH café serves green tea. That’s it, but they do it so, so well. Import many different kinds of matcha from Japan, MTCH’s menu consists of tea, milk tea, cakes, ice cream, and even panna cottas—all made with matcha, of course. Continuing the Japanese theme, the setting embraces a modern minimalism that’ll transport you to contemporary art galleries in Tokyo. 

65 Phahon Yothin Soi 5
Open Wednesday-Monday 9am-6pm
fb.com/mtch.bkk, @mtch.bkk, 065-691-3584