Why should you go there and how do you do it right?

Woodbrook is the café in Chinatown with a view of the river. It's located on the third floor above a hostel on Song Wat Road. The interior is a cool, minimalist loft with a blue bar, but the real reason to climb the stairs is the terrace: an open veranda with beanbag chairs and a direct view across the Chao Phraya River to the boats and the Thonburi waterfront. The drinks are house specialties: coffee and lemonade blends with names like Sky Latte and Pink Skies for around 140 to 150 baht, and regular coffee from about 120 baht.

It's more of a place to linger than a café, and that's exactly how it should be used. After a hot morning strolling through Song Wat and Talat Noi, an hour on the terrace offers a welcome respite that the area otherwise lacks.

It's open daily from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, and the late afternoon light on the river is the best time to visit. It's reached via three flights of stairs. Song Wat Coffee Roasters is just a few doors down the same street if you'd like a stronger coffee beforehand.