We are blessed with jobs that give us the freedom to work from wherever we want, so when we’re not at work at our home office, we frequently hit up some work-friendly cafes in Bangkok to flip open our laptops. Over the years, we’ve worked at tens of different spots around the city – some great, some not so.
The list below consists of our favorites, the ones that never fail to please and tick all of the following boxes:
- Good coffee at reasonable prices
- Reliable, fast wifi
- Desk-like, spacious tables to work from, ideally with a power plug within easy reach.
- Not too busy (but not too quiet, either)
- No ‘pushy’ staff, we feel comfortable ordering a coffee and working 2 or 3 hours without feeling the pressure of having to buy another one.
Wonderwall The Kaffebar
Our neighborhood favorite. This cozy cafe on Sukhumvit soi 31 attracts a mix of expats, local businessmen, and cafe-hopping Thai youngsters and is always buzzing with life. Coffee is great (we usually order a latte, 100 THB), wifi is fast and there are plenty of spaces to work from. On those rare days that the weather is not scorching hot, the patio in front of the cafe is a pretty nice place to flip open your laptop, too.
Adress:
28 Sukhumvit soi 31, Bangkok (BTS Phrom Phong)
Google Maps
Hello Strangers Cafe
Sharing its space with a creative agency and illustrator’s studio, Hello Strangers on Sukhumvit soi 26 is quite easily the most Instagram-worthy spot on this list. Expect exposed brick walls, a lofty vibe, and loads of cool artworks scattered throughout. If you’re after something quirky – order the Monkey Brain Latte (100 THB).
Adress:
45/39 Sukhumvit soi 26, Bangkok (BTS Phrom Phong)
Google Maps
Storyline
With more than 10 spacious working desks at the mezzanine, this cafe is designed to please those who want to get some work done on-the-go. Strangely enough, the place hasn’t been discovered by the masses, so you’re likely to have the co-working area almost entirely to yourself. The restaurant serves up dishes from around the world, but we’d recommend sticking to their coffee and cake menu.
Adress:
3 Sukhumvit soi 39, soi Promsri 1, Bangkok (BTS Phrom Phong)
Google Maps
Casa Lapin – GMM Studio
You can find a Casa Lapin cafe at different spots around town, but the one at GMM Studio, adjacent to the Srinakharinwirot University in Asok is our absolute favorite. Not as dolled up as the other Casa Lapins, but the friendly staff and spacious tables make this a great place to get some work done. Avoid the groups of expat-mommies on their coffee date by finding a quiet spot on the second floor, and grab their early-bird special breakfast or 50 THB coffee deal if you order before 10 AM – score!
⚠️ Note that as of April 2018 – this cafe operates as an Amazon Coffee. Still good, just not as nice.
Adress:
59 Sukhumvit soi 23, Bangkok (BTS Asok)
Google Maps
Artís
Coffee is a serious matter at Artís, a coffee brand and cafe hailing all the way from California: beans are roasted on-site every day, and the variety of coffees is simply incredible. Thanks to its proximity to the Asok BTS station, it’s a popular venue for remote workers in this part of town. If you want to grab a good spot, make sure you visit at off-peak hours or in the evening – they’re open until 11 PM!
Adress:
2/4 Sukhumvit soi 18, Bangkok (BTS Asok)
Google Maps
Case Study Asoke
Tucked away in a quiet dead-end alley off Asoke road, this tiny cafe has everything you need for a few hours of full-on productivity: fast wifi, plenty of desk space and a big selection of coffee and comfort food. Try the large co-working desk upstairs if the ground floor gets crowded during lunchtime.
Adress:
235 Sukhumvit soi 21, Bangkok (BTS Asok)
Google Maps
Luka Moto
As the second outpost of Sathorn’s favourite brunch spot Luka (more on that below), Luka Moto offers spacious seats, plenty of power plugs and shiny BMW motorbikes to ogle at (it’s a collaborative project with a Thai BMW dealer, hence the name). Coffee here is excellent, as are the brunch dishes that range from hearty breakfast burritos to berry-laden fluffy pancakes. There are a few large tables and a snug balcony on the second floor – perfect if the downstairs area is too crowded.
Adress:
235 Thonglor Soi 11, Bangkok (BTS Thonglor)
Google Maps
FabCafe
Ari is dotted with quirky cafes, but only a few are actually laptop-friendly. FabCafe is one of them, and this cafe consists of two spaces: one for the ‘regular’ customers that simply want to enjoy a cup of coffee (in the front), and one for the ‘digital nomads’ that come here to work (in the back). The working area is popular with the local expat folks, so if you want to claim your workspace for the day, come early.
Adress:
77 Ari soi 1, Bangkok (BTS Ari)
Google Maps
Luka
Located at the beginning of leafy Thanon Pan in Bangkok’s Central Business District, this cozy lunch spot is undoubtedly one of the most stylish options in this part of town. A mix of vintage and industrial furnishings provide a very Instagram-friendly backdrop for some hours of productivity. The coffee is awesome and prepared with utmost care, and the lunch menu is not to be sniffed at, either.
Adress:
64/3 Thanon Pan, Bangkok (BTS Chong Nonsi)
Google Maps
Wanderlust Cafe
This Melbourne-style brunch spot is located in a very unlikely place: Bangkok’s buzzing Chinatown. On weekdays, the cafe is practically empty, apart from the occasional guest from the hostel upstairs. The bright interior and spacious tables with plenty of power plugs make this a pretty great place to get some work done. The coffee menu is extensive, and if you’re feeling adventurous, try some of their special coffee-based concoctions like The Metro (120 THB), a tasty combination of espresso, tonic and orange juice.
Adress:
149 – 151 Rama 4 Rd, Bangkok (MRT Hua Lamphong)
Google Maps
Ink & Lion Cafe
With its white brick walls, bare lightbulbs and rustic wood furniture, Ink & Lion on Ekkamai soi 2 ticks every box of the Bangkok-coffeeshop-interior-checklist. The coffee is outstanding, as are the sweet treats available. The tables in the front are a bit cramped, and more suitable for those who prefer to enjoy their coffee without a laptop, but the communal table in the back of the cafe is pretty perfect.
Adress:
Sukhumvit soi 63/2, Bangkok (BTS Ekamai)
Google Maps
Li-bra-ry at Candide (Jam Factory)
Housed in the industrial-chic creative space The Jam Factory, right across the river from River City, li-bra-ry does take some effort to get to. However, you’re rewarded with spacious tables, fast wifi and plenty of power plugs in a very pretty setting. After work (or during a break), browse the adjoining bookshop and lifestyle store for some very special gifts.
Adress:
41/1 Charoen Nakhon Rd, Bangkok (BTS Saphan Taksin)
Google Maps
There is no strict etiquette when it comes to working from cafes, but simply put: don’t be a dick. It should be pretty self-explanatory, but during our years of working from Bangkok’s cafes, we’ve seen some tragic cases. So: don’t hog a table for 4 if you’re working alone, order at least something every few hours, don’t have loud conference calls, don’t leave your stuff unattended and have lunch outside, and do take the hint if the staff wants you to move.
Now get to work!
🔥 Visiting Bangkok? Check out our guide to best areas (and boutique hotels) to stay in Bangkok.
