A Small Vintage Cafe Hidden in Old Bangkok
Ha Tien Cafe is hidden near Maharat Road in the Tha Tien district, steps away from Wat Pho. This vintage-style cafe occupies a century-old shophouse transformed into a three-storey space filled with antique furniture, taxidermied animals, and vintage collectables.
The Name and Its Origins
The cafe takes its name from a Vietnamese port city called Ha Tien (also known as Bantay Mas or Phutthaimas in Thai). During the early Rattanakosin period, Vietnamese refugees fleeing conflict in Hue settled in this Bangkok neighbourhood. They named their new community Ha Tien after their homeland because the landscape reminded them of the port city at the mouth of the Mekong River. Over time, locals altered the pronunciation to “Tha Tien”.
Design and Atmosphere
Owner Ekkaphop Komolchat (known as “Bird”) and his partners spent over ten years collecting the antique pieces that fill the cafe. The ground floor features Oriental-style decor with Chinese influences, displaying vintage items like old suitcases and frames. An espresso bar and bakery counter occupy this level.
The second floor shifts to a more European style. Exposed original plaster and timber walls from the century-old building create a backdrop for gilt-framed photographs, taxidermied deer heads, and stuffed birds. A white peacock and dark green walls mark the signature corner where most visitors photograph their drinks. The iron spiral staircase connecting the second and third floors has become another popular photo spot. The third floor was converted into a glasshouse with plants, but it was not open on the day we visited.
What to Eat and Drink
The cafe serves coffee drinks, teas, and homemade cakes. Signature beverages include Matoom Coffee (coffee with homemade bael fruit syrup), Yuzu Espresso (americano with yuzu citrus), Rose Coffee Latte, and Butterfly Pea Coffee.
Popular cakes include Black Beer Cake (chocolate cake with dark beer and cream cheese, topped with fresh berries), Carrot Cake (with cinnamon and honey-lemon cream cheese), and Blueberry Cheese Pie (cream cheese with blueberry jam). Cake prices range from 175 to 190 Baht.
Ha Tien Cafe Photos
Ha Tien Cafe Info
Location: Bangkok Old Town
Address: 4 Maha Rat Rd, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200
Hours: 10 am – 6 pm
Phone: 082 465 5549
Website: Click here
Ha Tien Cafe Map
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