Roots Coffee: A Hidden Gem in Bangkok’s Café Scene

Well, the truth is I am not the biggest fan of coffee like many of you are. I always avoid drinking coffee. I never use coffee to wake me up on Monday mornings or Friday afternoons, but all of my friends love it a lot—no, they are addicted to it. They always turn into Sleepy Bears in the morning without a shot of coffee. Yeah, Sleepy Bears.

However, because of accompanying my friends to the coffee shop—even if hot milk is the only menu item for me—I found that a bit of the smell of good coffee could make my day different. Yes, I am not addicted to coffee itself. I am addicted to the smell of freshly brewed coffee and the environment inside the coffee shop. Maybe because I am too sensitive to coffee, only the smell of it can wake me up.

HOW I DISCOVERED THIS PLACE?

Honestly, I am not the one who discovered this place. My friend did. Shame on me, he is a foreigner who has been on and off in Thailand for 2 years. He is the one who took me on a tour of Bangkok during the New Year 2015 holiday, instead of me, being the local.

WHERE IS IT?

ROOTS COFFEE, Bangkok

Roots Coffee is a micro-roaster located in Ekkamai, Bangkok. There is no big sign for the shop, and if you see it from the outside, you have no idea what it is. But you will see both Thais and foreigners walking in and out a couple of times, and you will also smell good coffee every time the door is opened. I give my heart to this place because of the atmosphere and the way they roast. They roast each batch with ultimate knowledge, focus, and care—which makes the smell and the taste of it pleasing to everyone.

You have to be brave enough to walk in and sit with strangers inside the café as the seats are always full and it’s rare to get a private seat. After you’ve got your seat, you have to pick the espresso and brewing method that most satisfies your day, with a homemade bakery as a compliment. For me? I always pick a cup of hot milk (at first).

Seriously! Hot Milk here is very tasty. If you have a chance to visit and start your day with a cup of coffee, please try the Hot Milk once before you leave. You will love it! They boil it at 60 degrees Celsius and always warm up the glass before pouring the milk. Plus, to maximize its taste, I recommend you drink it in a glass cup not a ceramic cup. If you like their coffee, you can also purchase the Ready to Drink Coffee back home or a pack of coffee beans.

After you’ve finished your cup, do not call to check. Just leave the table and walk to the door; you will see a small table with a glass jar filled with banknotes. Here is the place where you can check your bill by yourself. They also write a recommended price on the blackboard near the jar: 100THB (2.6€) for coffee and 50THB (1.3€) for bakery. Then you can pay whatever you like. Some pay more, and some pay less.

Sadly, this good brewing coffee is only open on the weekends, starting from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

Editor’s note :

“If you’re looking for a place to have good coffee or a place to meet up with friends for a couple of hours, Roots Coffee is recommended.”