Whether you’re a bike enthusiast or not, these fixie-focused cafés are well worth a pit-stop.

Velayenn

808/15 Soi Thararom 2, Sukhumvit Soi 55, Bangkok, 080-900-2610. Open Tue-Sun 12-10pm
Owned by a group of friends who love their bikes, Velayenn is a hip cycle café that puts a precedence on vintage bikes. Stop in to peruse a few books about fixies, and enjoy a drinks list (developed at the now-closed Sugar Lust Cafe & Bistro) that includes Italian soda (B50) and some coffee (from B50). As for pastries, the owners say they want the super-friendly vibe to extend to food being shared among friends; as such, the main snacks are toast (B20) and homemade donuts (B50).

Aran Bicicletta

18 Soi Aree 4 (North), Paholyothin Soi 7, Bangkok, 081-821-9603. Open Tue-Sun 1-10pm
With Aran Bicicletta, the owner found the perfect way to marry his love for fixies (both vintage and modern) with his family’s coffee business. Coffees start at B50, best enjoyed with cakes like dark beer Horlicks (B90) and their brownies (B95). There’s free Wi-Fi so bring along your notebook. This retro house is the ideal space to get some work done—you’ll feel like you’re sitting in a library nook and there’s also a cute beagle to keep you company.

Sealee Urban

33/306 Chokchai 4, Ladprao 53, Bangkok, 083-808-9061. sealeeurban.com. Open Tue-Sun 11am-8pm
Sure, you can stop by Sealee Urban to buy a fixed gear bicycle (or to pick up some spare parts), but we’d rather drop in for their recommended homemade yogurt (with toppings like strawberry, blueberry and cereal, B30-80). In fact, the owners started out selling yoghurt before falling in love with the fixie culture and expanding to become one of the most popular spots in town for cyclists. Reward yourself after a hard ride with a choc lava cake (B100), while coffees start at B35.

Sweet Pista

235/21 Sukhumvit Soi 31, Bangkok, 02-662-2866. Open Tue-Sun 11am-10pm
The baby of two owners, one who likes desserts and one obsessed with fixed-gear bicycles, this little café is decorated, rather aptly, with fixies (some are for sale too) and serves sweets such as young coconut cake (B110) and chocolate dark beer cake (B95). Those famished after a punishing ride can order from the brief selection of savory dishes, which includes the popular khao mah kai dao (shredded pork with garlic and rice served with fried egg, B85), spare ribs (B150) and avocado cheeseburger served with salad (B250). Wash it all down with Japanese tea brand, Lupicia, in flavors like strawberry and vanilla, and grapefruit (B125 a pot) or bring your own bottle—there’s no corkage charge so you can sit and sip to your heart’s content in this homey Japanese café-like spot.

Café Velodome

Thammasat University (Thaprachan Campus), 2 Prachan Rd., Bangkok, 02-623-6349. www.facebook.com/CafeVelodome. Open daily 8am-8pm
Conceived of as a way to spread bike culture (and green living) in a city where the car is king, the stripped-down, glass-walled Café Velodome has already become a hub for Bangkok’s cycling community. Apart from providing bike racks and pumps, the staff are happy to share their knowledge on the best bike routes, local cycling groups and everything else bicycle-related. Located on the eastern edge of Thammasat University, the café sits facing Sanam Luang, on the corner of Prachan and Na Phra That roads. Drop in for a Choco Velodome (frappe, B90) or espresso affogato (coffee shot over a scoop of ice cream, B65) and a slice of cake (Thai tea and chocolate mousse are popular, B65-90).

Advertisement

Leave a Comment