The best Bangkok cafes for brunch, coffee and meals under $20

One of the best things about Bangkok is that you don’t have to spend much to eat well. And while street food is the obvious answer when you’re looking for a cheap meal, the city’s café scene can be surprisingly affordable too.

We’re talking eggs Benedict for around S$12, full breakfast sets for just over $6 and coffee and cake dates that won’t even come close to the $20 mark. Whether you’re after a proper brunch, somewhere pretty to escape Bangkok’s heat or simply a good cup of coffee between shopping stops, here are eight cafés to add to your list.

Factory Coffee

Coffee lovers may already recognise Factory Coffee. The industrial-style specialty coffee spot has picked up numerous accolades over the years and is particularly known for putting a creative spin on the usual café order.

Its signature drinks include creations such as the Supreme and Phayathai, making this less of a grab-and-go coffee stop and more somewhere to sit down and try something different. Drinks generally cost around $4 to $7, while pastries start from approximately 100 to 200 baht ($4 to $8), so even a coffee-and-pastry combination should comfortably come in below $20.

Location: 49 Phaya Thai Rd, Thanon Phaya Thai, Ratchathewi, Bangkok
Opening hours: 8am to 4pm daily

B-Story Cafe

If your café choices are partly determined by how pretty the place is, B-Story Cafe delivers. Decked out like a whimsical European cottage, the café is filled with flowers, vintage-inspired details and plenty of photo-worthy corners.

The menu is just as substantial, with comfort food, desserts and crafted drinks on offer. Budget around $10 to $18 for a main and drink, depending on what you order, making this an easy option when you want a sit-down meal without spending too much.

Location: 89/70 Phaya Thai Rd, Ratchathewi, Bangkok
Opening hours: 10am to 9.30pm daily

Piccolo Vicolo Café

Hidden down an alley in Ratchathewi, Piccolo Vicolo Café is the sort of place you might completely miss if you didn’t know it was there. The café sits within a creative space surrounded by greenery, vintage shops and galleries, giving you plenty to explore before or after your coffee.

It’s a particularly nice escape if you’ve spent the day navigating Bangkok’s busier streets. Menu items generally range from around $4 to $9 each, so you can easily order something to eat and drink while keeping the bill under $20.

Location: 535/32 Wat Phraya Yang Alley, Thanon Phetchaburi, Ratchathewi, Bangkok
Opening hours: 9am to 5pm, closed Tuesdays

Wallflowers Cafe

Part café, part floral wonderland, Wallflowers Cafe is tucked away in Bangkok’s Chinatown and has become known for its eclectic interiors, abundance of greenery and beautifully presented cakes.

It’s an especially good pick for an afternoon break rather than a full meal. A slice of cake paired with a drink will typically set you back around $8 to $15, leaving you with change from $20. And if you happen to stay into the evening, the rooftop makes for a completely different experience once the sun goes down.

Location: 31-33 Soi Nana, Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Bangkok
Opening hours: 10am to midnight daily

Panna Sourdough Craft Cafe

Come here hungry. Panna Sourdough Craft Cafe specialises in freshly baked sourdough and brunch plates built around it, with the bakery helmed by a former Iron Chef Thailand competitor.

Its Bacon Eggs Benedict comes in at around 320 baht (approximately $12.50), while avocado toast is another popular option if you’re after something lighter. Either way, you can have a proper café brunch here and still stay well within our $20 budget.

Location: 36/4 Pan Rd, Silom, Bang Rak, Bangkok
Opening hours: 8am to 6pm, closed Mondays

White Dragon Cafe and Bistro

Need a break from the heat while exploring Yaowarat? White Dragon Cafe and Bistro sits within the historic Luen Rit Community in Chinatown and offers an air-conditioned retreat from the busy streets outside.

The menu leans towards familiar Western brunch favourites, with vegan and gluten-free options available too. Dishes such as its fluffy Sunrise Pancakes and avocado and eggs Benedict start from around 199 to 250 baht (approximately $7.80 to $9.80), making it one of the more affordable brunch stops on this list.

Location: 202, 204 Yaowarat Rd, Samphanthawong, Bangkok
Opening hours: 8am to 5pm daily

The Island Bangkok

If you’re staying around Khaosan Road, save this one for breakfast. The Island Bangkok is a three-storey tropical-style restaurant and café serving both Thai dishes and Western breakfast staples.

The prices are particularly wallet-friendly. Its full breakfast sets, which come with eggs, toast, butter, jam, juice and coffee, cost around 150 to 160 baht (approximately $5.90 to $6.30). At that price, you could have a full breakfast and still have plenty of your $20 budget left for another coffee later.

Location: 49 Samsen 4 Alley, Ban Phan Thom, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok
Opening hours: 7am to 2am daily

Breakfast Story

Sometimes you don’t want an elaborate café creation. You just want eggs, pancakes and a very big breakfast.

Breakfast Story takes inspiration from the classic American diner, serving generous portions of familiar breakfast comfort food throughout the day. Expect dishes such as classic eggs Benedict for around 300 baht (approximately $11.75), while a two-egg breakfast with sides costs around 250 baht (approximately $9.80).

There are several Breakfast Story outlets around Bangkok, but its Asok branch is particularly convenient if you’re exploring the Sukhumvit area, sitting just a short walk from BTS Asok.

Location: 392/9 Sukhumvit Rd, Khlong Toei, Bangkok
Opening hours: 7am to 11pm daily

Bangkok might be famous for its inexpensive street eats, but these cafés prove you don’t have to give up your brunch plans to stick to a budget. With everything from specialty coffee and sourdough to full breakfasts available for under $20, the bigger problem might be deciding which one to visit first.