The buzz: Australian coffee chain The Coffee Club recently opened up its first Bangkok branch. A ubiquitous sight down under, especially in their home state of Queensland, all branches serve up the same specially blended, UTZ-certified coffee from three origins—Colombia, Brazil and India. Food-wise, expect everything from sandwiches to steaks, with some Thai dishes thrown in.
The décor: Bold and unfussy. The café vibe, accentuated by dark furnishings and a high-ceiling, make it a comfortable spot to make the most of the free Wi-Fi.
The food: Standard Western fare. The thick menu contains all-day dining dishes like the popular Lifestyle Breakfast (toast topped with avocado, lean ham, poached eggs and mozzarella, B295), granola muesli served with yoghurt, skim milk and honey (B175) and various wraps (B165-200) and salads (B150-170). For something heavier, opt for the petite mignon with prawns and garlic (B590) or fettucine with spicy bacon and basil, or roasted vegetables and chili (both B175). The Thai dishes were created by Iron Chef Chumpol Jangprai of Anantara Bangkok Riverside; try the barramundi mango salad (B490) and beef masamun curry (B590).
The drinks: As you’d expect, coffee is the main draw here. Enjoy a flat white (essentially a latte with less milk and foam, B95) or branch out slightly with the chai latte (coffee blended with spices, milk and cinnamon, B125). Liquer coffee (B165), beer (Singha, Tiger and Heineken, B90) and house wines (B190) are also available.
The crowd: Expats and office workers dropping by for lunch and some families on weekend outings. Pieng-or Mongkolkumnuankhet
