The Uruea Café in Bangkok's Thonburi district has gone viral thanks to its unique view of Bangkok's Big Buddha at Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen. Located right on the canal in a former shipyard, it's reached via a short walk through narrow alleyways that reveal a completely different side of Bangkok. I personally enjoy the 10-minute walk from the nearest metro station (MRT Tha Phra). From the café, it's a 12-minute walk to the Big Buddha temple. Therefore, a visit to the café for a first, postcard-perfect view of the Buddha, the canal, and the longtail boats before heading to the temple itself is, in my opinion, a great way to discover Bangkok's giant Buddha. The café itself isn't particularly charming and is very touristy, catering mainly to Chinese visitors, which is a bit of a shame. But most people come here primarily for the photos. And for that alone, it's worth the visit. The café has an air-conditioned dining area and a covered outdoor terrace. Here you'll find classic drinks, specialty coffees, Thai teas, smoothies, as well as desserts and snacks at prices reasonable for a tourist spot. The best time to visit, though usually the busiest, is late afternoon when the light is softer and more pleasant for photos just before sunset.

Open daily from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Admission: 20 THB (credited towards the purchase of a drink in the café). The Uruea Café also offers short boat tours on Bangkok's canals (the klongs). In my opinion, 30 minutes is a bit too short, especially in this area, to explore Bangkok's klongs in a single tour.

The Uruea Café is a 12-minute walk from the Big Buddha, but I recommend taking the MRT. From Tha Phra station, it's a 10-minute walk through small, village-like alleyways. From there, it's a short walk to the temple.

How to get there

How do I get to Uruea Café? Uruea Café is a 12-minute walk from the Big Buddha, but I recommend taking the MRT. From Tha Phra station, it's a 10-minute walk through small, village-like alleyways. From there, it's a short walk to the temple.