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A Twist in Bangkok
Bangkok
Not your usual Bangkok itinerary. Actually, not mine either! 😁 What do you think when you hear Bangkok? A shopping paradise, beautiful temples, great food? What if I told you Bangkok has been recognized by UNESCO as the World's Book Capital? 🤩 Yes, you read it right, my fellow bookworms! And while 📚 + ☕ are a match made in heaven, head to Bangkok and take it to a whole new level.
Updated 3 years ago
5
How would you like to start your day sipping your morning coffee and soaking in the nature vibes while relaxing in a gorgeous patio? I know I'd love it. At home mornings are always a rush, and while travelling that 5 am alarm means grab-and-go is the norm for the first meal of my day. A leisurely breakfast is the epitome of luxury for me (bonus points because it's served anytime-anywhere style). And I have just the right catch-up reading to enjoy it to the fullest. Breakfast is not the only place to unwind at Ad Lib. The rooms are so stylish, with much attention shown to the choice of a subtle colour palette and natural finishings to make them as comfortable as eye-pleasing. Sitting by the poolside in the evening? A must!
- +66 2 205 7600
Ad Lib Bangkok, 230/5 Soi Sukhumvit 1/1, Khwaeng Khlong Toei Nuea, Khet Watthana, Bangkok, Thailand
- https://adlibbangkok.com/
3
I've always found something heavenly about stepping into a store brimming with books, the vanilla scent of old pages wafting through the air. 15 years ago the owners of Dasa Book Cafe decided to create a book paradise right in the middle of Bangkok. Boasting a collection of over 20'000 books, what is there not to love about this book café? Browse to your heart's content through 3 stories of endless shelves of second-hand books, and then take a rest in their cozy coffee corner munching on a homemade dessert. The collection features so many English books (and other languages too, including French and German!), you'll definitely find some hidden gems here! Just glancing at some of their titles makes me want to dive into a binge-reading session. You can browse through the whole collection from their website, but why take away from the fun of getting lost within the shelves? Need some bonus points? You can trade-in your book once you're done reading it!
- +66 2 661 2993
714, 4 Sukhumvit Rd, Khwaeng Khlong Tan, Khet Khlong Toei, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10110, Thailand
3
How best to spend your afternoon than by browsing books while sipping from a delicious selection of Thai iced teas? The soft-spoken owner (who is also a travel writer) decided to focus the collection on books related to travel and Southeast Asian art. Fiction and the odd thought-provoking titles are also included, catering to a wide variety of tastes. A large portion of the English collection also focuses on Thai and Asian studies, and you can get your hand on any number of Eng-Thai phrasebooks here. Fancy trying out your Thai skills? The cozy atmosphere of Passport Bookshop is a welcome refuge from the hustle and bustle of Bangkok streets. Since it's opening in 2001, this cute book cafe has been offering quiet afternoons to bookworms and travel-lovers alike. Fun fact. Did you know that passport in Thai literally translates as "travel book"?
- +66 2 629 0694
ถนนพระสุเมรุ บวรนิเวศ พระนคร Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10200, Thailand
4
It's 10 pm on a Saturday night in Bangkok's party strip. What do you do? Hit the pubs & clubs? Wrong! We go to a book cafe! If you have ever wished your go-to cafe didn't kick you out around dinner time, well, look no further. The owner of Zombie Books (also a writer and publisher) made many a reader happy when he decided to keep his store open until midnight every night of the week. (And no worries, the collection sports more than horror books). Head up to the second floor with your read of choice, and settle into the eclectic vibes of the working cum exhibition space. And if you get hooked, you'll need that delicious cup of coffee to keep you going. Just one more chapter, I swear! lied every reader ever.
- +66 84 654 3954
21/118 อาคาร รอยัล ซิตี้ อ เว นิ ว ซอย ศูนย์วิจัย พระราม 9, แขวง บางกะปิ แขวง บางกะปิ เขต ห้วยขวาง กรุงเทพมหานคร, แขวง บางกะปิ เขตห้วยขวาง กรุงเทพมหานคร 10310, Thailand
3
Bookstore? Organic coffee shop? Natural product shop? World Cafe & Books blends it all seamelessly in one. Get cozy in the heart of Bangkok's historic district, and enjoy your reading with a coffee or a yummy lunch. Looking to become a more conscious traveller? This is the place to go. The collection focuses on environmentally sustainable living and social responsibility, offering a variety of titles about globalisation, the environment and social movements, just to name a few topics.
71 Ratchabophit Rd, Khwaeng Wat Ratchabophit, Khet Phra Nakhon, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10200, Thailand
4
For the avid reader, Neilson Hays Library dates back to 1896 and boasts the oldest and biggest English collection in Bangkok, including rare books galore. The neoclassical British-style mansion it's located in has been denominated a historical building, and is simply gorgeous. The interior offers plenty of reading nooks for adults and children alike and a rotating art exhibition. A connected glass building houses the Garden Cafe and Gallery, where you can enjoy coffee and snacks amidst a lush and quiet garden that will make you forget all about the hustle and bustle of the city.
- +66 2 233 1731
195 Thanon Surawong, Khwaeng Suriya Wong, Khet Bang Rak, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10500, Thailand
4
Though it only offers Thai titles, Candide is a book café worth checking out (I may be biased, since French satire novel Candide was one of my favourite reads in high school, but don't mind me). But just look at their gorgeous instatrendy interior, decked with comfy sofas and glass tables. Tell me it's not a great place to chill out with a book! Positioned in a hip riverside location with an art gallery offering interesting exhibits, the stylish interior is a great spot to enjoy a cup of highly recommended latte with a sweet snack such as their iconic pyramid waffle.
- +66 2 861 0967
41/1 Charoen Nakhon Rd, Khwaeng Khlong San, Khet Khlong San, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10600, Thailand
3
Start your day by upping your books&drinks game by swapping coffee for a fresh fruit smoothie, and chat up the friendly gramps running the shop as you browse around the second-hand collection of mali mali book cafe.
- +66 84 022 5605
Chapter one Modern dutch (Ratburana 33) Khwaeng Rat Burana, Khet Rat Burana, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10140, Thailand
3
A charming cozy store owned by an indy writer with loads of second-hand books, delicious homemade food, and 4 cats. What more can you ask for? How about beer and books, anyone?
Mit Pracha 49 Alley, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon, Pak Kret District, Nonthaburi 11120, Thailand
3No coffee is served here (fret not, there is a solution), but I felt this bookstore deserved a mention. Frequented and highly rated by the Japanese expat community, Japanese-owned Key Books is heaven for anyone on the search for second-hand Japanese comics and novels (I'm sure there are sooo many of you out there), though they do stock both English and Thai titles too. While I do enjoy browsing around Kinokuniya, here's your chance to get your hands on that manga volume you've been looking forward to read, at a fraction of the price. With a neat and organized interior, finding the book of your dreams will be a breeze. Now take your new purchase 2 buildings down the road to enjoy it at Ceresia Coffee Roasters.
- +66 2 662 1512
595/5 Sukhumvit 33/1 Alley, Khwaeng Khlong Tan Nuea, Khet Watthana, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10110, Thailand
5Found a good title over at Key Books and wondering where to go to get some reading done? 50m is all you have to walk. This family-run specialty café has been roasting beans and serving delicious seasonal single origin coffee since 2013. The simple wood and brick interior makes for a clean and comfortable ambience, great for relaxing and focusing on your reading. Their flat whites, carrot cakes and almond croissants come highly recommended. Diary-free options are available too. Their attention to coffee really shows through on their website, where you can browse their bean selection and find extensive information about the origin farms, aromas and production process. The knowledgeable staff will be happy to fill you in on the details. Fell in love with their coffee? Buy some to take home! Ceramic coffee cups and handcrafted bags made out of bean sacks are also available for purchase.
- +66 98 251 4327
593, 29-41 Sukhumvit Rd, Klongton Nua, Khet Watthana, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10110, Thailand
4
Ok, ok, I know this is not a book cafe. It's technically a ... coffee shop ... hostel ... flower shop ... place (with 5 branches spread around Bangkok). But just look at their gorgeous instaworthy interior, and tell me it's not a great place to chill out with a book! I can totally see myself kick back and delve into some delicious reading. Bonus points for being able to feel all hipster while doing it.
- +66 2 000 5546
51 Sukhumvit 26 Alley, Khwaeng Khlong Tan, Khet Khlong Toei, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10110, Thailand
3
What's your guess on the percentage of bookworms who are also flower lovers? I'd say, quite high (if I'm being delusional, please just leave me be). So anyway, how about coffee & books in a magical garden café hidden away in Bangkok's old town flower market? With an interior made for stuns, brimming with plants and flowers, crystals and ceramics, it definitely has a dream-like quality to it. Tuck away with a book, sipping on floral teas , nibbling on the homemade treats and flower desserts. Both the decorations and the menu change with the seasons, offering a new experience at every visit.
- +66 2 222 6895
67 Chakkraphet Rd, Khwaeng Wang Burapha Phirom, Khet Phra Nakhon, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10200, Thailand
5Talking of flower lovers, here is another lush garden café to take your favourite book to. Order their high-tea, to get the full fancy vibe of their very instagenic floral interior. Their Carbonara and Wagyu burgers also come highly recommendeded.
- +66 2 063 5508
8 ทองหล่อ 88/1 Thong Lo 8 Alley, Khwaeng Khlong Tan Nuea, Khet Watthana, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10110, Thailand
2Not a book café, but I'm sure you won't have much trouble finding both books and coffee (or some famous Thai iced tea) at one of the 10'000 stalls of the world's largest weekend market 😎.
- +66 2 272 4813
Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road, Khwaeng Chatuchak, Khet Chatuchak, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon, Thailand
ถนน กำแพงเพชร 2 แขวง จตุจักร เขต จตุจักร กรุงเทพมหานคร 10900- https://www.chatuchakmarket.org/
2
You have heard it before: power down your gadgets, reading before bed promotes a good sleep. How about napping in between chapters? All is possible in Bangkok's Nap Lab co-working space, which comes equipped with napping corners (pillow provided), showers, fitness centre and of course a café for all your nibbling and coffee needs. Open 24h.
- +66 95 951 9523
759 ซอย จุฬาฯ 6 Khwaeng Wang Mai, Khet Pathum Wan, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10330, Thailand
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