Escape the heat in Bangkok with 10 curated cafés where coffee, tea and books come together in calm and characterful spaces made for lingering.

As Thailand slips into the height of the hot season, there is nothing more comforting than retreating into a specifically designed café, ordering a favourite drink and losing oneself in a good book.

Across the city a number of independent spaces have shaped this simple ritual into an experience of their own. These 10 cafés invite you to linger, to read and to reconnect with yourself.

Burapa Coffee

Tucked within the long-standing Burapasarn publishing house, Burapa Coffee feels like stepping into a living archive of Thai literary history. Shelves are lined with classic Thai and Chinese novels alongside contemporary titles from newer presses.

You may purchase a book and begin reading it immediately at one of the simple tables, ideally with a modestly priced drink and cake. The atmosphere is softened by views of the old town streets outside. It is the sort of place where hours can slip by unnoticed.

122 Charoen Krung Road, Wang Burapha Phirom, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok. Tel: +66 (0)2 222 7037. Open Monday to Saturday from 8.30am–5.30pm. Closed on Sunday.

House of Commons BookCafe & Space

Warm, informal and rooted in its neighbourhood, House of Commons began in Charoen Nakhon before finding a new home in Talat Noi. It was conceived as a communal living room, echoing the spirit of a provincial coffee house where conversation flows freely.

The ground floor is filled with books on history, politics, philosophy, psychology and literature, including works by independent writers. Beyond books, the space regularly hosts film screenings, discussions, live music and creative workshops. Visitors are welcome to browse at leisure. It is less a shop than a gathering place for curious minds.

1038/4 Charoen Krung Road, Talat Noi, Samphanthawong, Bangkok. Tel: +66 82 983 8099. Open daily from 9am–6pm.

Dasa Book Cafe

On Sukhumvit Road stands one of Bangkok’s most beloved second- hand bookshops. With more than 18,000 titles in English and several European languages, Dasa is a treasure trove for devoted readers.

Founded by Donald Gilliland and his partner after years in the music trade, the shop still carries a nostalgic analogue charm. Books are meticulously organised by the author, and rare finds occasionally appear at pleasing prices. Soft music hums in the background as the city rushes past outside.

714/4 Sukhumvit Road, Khlong Tan, Khlong Toei, Bangkok. Tel: +66 (0)2 661 2993. Open daily from 10am–8pm.

Fathom Bookspace

Hidden in a quiet lane off Sathorn, Fathom Bookspace combines the calm of a neighbourhood café with the curiosity of a thoughtfully curated bookshop. What makes it different is its rotating thematic selection, refreshed every couple of months, allowing both new and older titles to shine under a central idea.

There is a small mezzanine library upstairs and rotating exhibitions downstairs designed to spark gentle conversations between strangers. Coffee is carefully brewed, yet it is the warmth of shared ideas that stays longest.

572/3 Soi Sathorn 3, Thung Maha Mek, Sathorn, Bangkok. Tel: +66 96 935 3642. Open Friday to Monday from 10.30am–7pm. Closed Tuesday to Thursday.

Gimbocha

A short stroll from the art galleries near the National Stadium area leads to Gimbocha, a tea café with a gentle soul. Known for its Chinese teas and homemade desserts, it also offers a modest bookshelf where guests may read at leisure.

Pairing a fragrant pot of tea with a slice of chocolate tart proves surprisingly harmonious. The space is cosy and welcoming, and regulars often speak fondly of the café’s illustrated grandmother, a fictional character featured on the stickers affixed to each drink. As a thoughtful gimmick, the staff write your name on the sticker before serving, adding a quietly pleasing personal touch. It is an ideal stop after an afternoon of gallery wandering.

36 Kasem San 1 Alley, Wang Mai, Pathum Wan, Bangkok. Tel: +66 99 082 1691. Open Monday to Wednesday and Friday to Sunday from 11.30am–9pm. Closed on Thursday.

The Bookroom Yenakart

Set within a leafy house in Yen Akat, The Bookroom feels like visiting a friend who happens to own an enviable personal library. Natural light filters through the trees and the calm is almost tangible.

Books of varied genres line the shelves and visitors are encouraged to browse slowly. The drinks menu ranges from matcha to classic teas accompanied by comforting bakes. It is the sort of place where hours pass unnoticed especially on a quiet weekday morning.

52 Yen Akat 2, Yaek 4, Chong Nonsi, Yan Nawa, Bangkok. Tel: +66 93 924 2497. Open Wednesday to Sunday from 9am–5pm. Closed Monday and Tuesday.

A Book with No Name

In the old district of Sri Yan, this independent bookshop café draws inspiration from the song A Horse with No Name by the band America. Founded by art graduates with a love for literature, the shop combines carefully chosen titles with thoughtfully brewed filter coffee and single origin beans.

The interior is bright yet intimate, filled with art, plants and classic as well as contemporary works. There is no online shop, reflecting the owners’ belief that browsing in person is an irreplaceable pleasure.

721–723 Samsen 17 Alley, Thanon Nakhon Chai Si, Dusit, Bangkok. Tel: +66 80 238 4284. Open Tuesday to Friday from 12pm–7pm and Saturday to Sunday from 12pm–10.30pm. Closed on Monday.

Somewhere Bookshop & Home Café

Behind a striking red door in Phetkasem lies Somewhere Bookshop created by a writer who once dreamed of having a library of his own. The space is designed to feel safe and restorative, especially for those who have ever felt out of place elsewhere.

The collection often centres on relationships, identity and contemporary social themes. Warm lighting and wooden furnishings create a homely atmosphere. It is more than a shop; it is an invitation to share reflections sparked by reading.

158/7 Phet Kasem Road, Wat Tha Phra, Bangkok Yai, Bangkok. Tel: +66 89 528 1632. Open Thursday to Sunday from 11am–7pm. Closed Monday to Wednesday.

Something Blue Library

Marked by its vivid blue door in Charan Sanitwong, Something Blue Library is both a reading room and a conversational haven. Founded from a belief that books ease solitude, it encourages visitors to read quietly or join discussions.

The drinks are conceptualised, sometimes inspired by literary themes, and small book swap gatherings and reading clubs are regularly organised. The setting creates genuine dialogue, reminding us that stories connect strangers in unexpected ways.

Charan Sanit Wong Road, Bang Bumru, Bang Phlat, Bangkok. Open Wednesday to Sunday from 11am–7pm. Closed Monday and Tuesday.

Balzac

Located in Soi Charoen Krung, Balzac stands about 500 metres from the French Embassy. The cosy interior of the café is filled with framed illustrations, black-and-white photographs, old Parisian newspapers, Tintin comics, colourful bric-a-brac and editions of The Little Prince.

Balzac offers a variety of pastries and sandwiches. The croque de monsieur, a sandwich originating in fin-de-siècle France, is served hot and chock-full of cheese. The tartine, a sort of open-faced sandwich, is also an available option for those who like soft spread over crunchy bread. What could be a more perfect setting to read than this?

Soi Charoen Krung 43, Charoen Krung Road 357, Bang Rak, Bangkok. Tel: +66 81 696 4798. Open Tuesday from 2pm-6.30pm, and Wednesday to Sunday from 10am-18.30pm.