Taking over a crumbling Sino-Thai shophouse along a quiet canal in the Nang Loeng district, this neon-lit jazz bar is a favourite among in-the-know jazz-heads. During the daytime, it's an excellent coffee shop and Italian lunch spot, too.

A street food icon, the chef's creations are simply the best. We recommend her signature crispy, golden-brown crab omelettes. Bring cash as it is cash-only! 

With its marble tables, sepia-toned portraits, and tea served in tiny Chinese cups, Hia Tai Kee, Bangkok’s original breakfast spot since 1953, looks straight out of a vintage flick. The menu spans from runny eggs to porridge and fried rice, but you'll want to order the signature kai kata, with fried eggs, Chinese sausage, peas and buttered toast. The old- school Thai coffee comes bullet-strong, and is served on a metal tray with sugar and condensed milk. 

Bangkok's Old Town has more pretty cafes than you can shake a stick at, but if you're serious about your beans, seek out Mother Roaster's Pratu Phi outpost. On the menu, you'll find beans from Thailand's northern highlands and far beyond (Bolivia, Congo, Nepal – you name it), which the team of expert baristas can brew as a slow-drip, AeroPress, or pour-over.