Coffee in Lampang, in short, is thriving.
It’s something of a big business here, more so than anywhere else I visited in Thailand. With coffee fields in the surrounding countryside and roasteries throughout the city, it’s easy to see why.
While Lampang isn’t as well-known as Chiang Mai, which is often dubbed Thailand’s coffee capital, the city has a strong love for its cafes. Coffee events are constantly going on, there’s a passionate crowd in the roasting scene, and if you type in cafe to any online maps, you’ll get hundreds of places to choose from.
So, for coffee lovers, it feels like a bit of a non-secret hidden gem.
Here’s a short Lampang coffee guide for those looking for a good cup of joe or simply want a beautiful cafe to lounge around in. These are my favorite cafes in Lampang, Thailand.
At the end of the article, I also share a few honorable mentions.
Papacraft
In terms of aesthetics, Papacraft tops my list of coolest cafes in Lampang. It’s one part handmade craft shop, one part cafe, and one part art studio. With all meshing together in perfect harmony.
I spent far too long here, spending time relaxing in the riverfront garden and going through all the interesting handicrafts. If you’re interested in what arts & crafts they sell at their store, you can have a look at the Papacraft website.
Oh, and I also had a great cup of coffee!
I probably should have started with that, this being an article about coffee and all.
Like most Lampang cafes and roasteries, they offer a few different coffee roasts to choose from.
The one I had was a lovely medium-roast iced Americano that came served in a gorgeous ceramic cup. It had a nice zingy, acidic taste that came from citrus notes that turned really smooth as the ice started to melt.
All of the drinks here look like they are made by an artist, which is probably true after seeing the Papacraft shop. They also come with a tiny side cracker, but if you want to treat yourself, you can enjoy a homemade dessert.
Opening Hours | 9 am – 5 pm on weekdays, 9 am – 6:30 pm on weekends, closed on Wednesdays
Work-Friendly | It’s one of the best cafes in Lampang for working, although the wi-fi isn’t the best near the river.
Location (maps) | On the same street as the weekend night market (Talad Gao Rd).
Wooden House Cafe
On the opposite end of Talad Gao Rd from Papacraft, next to the Ratsada Phisek Bridge, the Wooden House Cafe offers another way to experience a riverside coffee.
When it comes to atmosphere, this is easily one of my favorite cafes in Lampang. Set in a well-preserved, old wooden Thai Lanna house, it’s decorated beautifully and boasts a calm outdoor courtyard that offers views of the Wang River.
You’ll also find two adorable cats lounging or sunbathing around the property.
The coffee here is good, but a bit pricier than many of the other places I mentioned. It feels like you pay for the ambience and views, which seems reasonable.
They also have a well-rounded food menu, with some Western dishes you’re unlikely to find elsewhere in Lampang. For example, it was the first place I saw that served proper fish & chips.
As with other spots around town, they offer a few different types of roasts to choose from. If you exit the property from the garden entrance, make sure to check out the cool street art along the exterior wall.
Opening Hours | Everyday from 8 am to 11 pm
Work-Friendly | Yes, a handful of people were on their laptops in the garden during the day.
Location (maps) | Near Ratsada Phisek Bridge on the main road.
Chewin Coffee and Roaster
Tucked away in a small alleyway in the Old Town, Chewin Coffee and Roaster sits in an unassuming old building and has some of the best coffee in Lampang. It was right around the corner from my accommodation, and I’m happy for that, because I don’t think I would have stumbled upon it otherwise.
This is a “farm-to-cup” cafe, meaning they produce their own beans and go through every phase of the coffee-making process to produce their product. This also means you can purchase beans directly at the shop.
The owner is very knowledgeable and will have no problems talking about Lampang coffee if you’re up for it. If you’re picky about taste or simply want some recommendations, feel free to ask any questions.
You’ll find some Northern Thai favorites on the menu here, like an orange americano and a honey americano.
But they also have some espresso-based drinks I haven’t seen much outside of Europe and Australia. For instance, they serve an affogato and a personal favorite of mine, a piccolo latte.
The café itself is simply designed, but very clean and cozy, with gorgeous tile floors and a nice hand-painted wall showing the coffee process.
Opening Hours | Everyday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Work-Friendly | Yes, it has a calm atmosphere and good wi-fi.
Location (maps) | On Trok Rat Uthit Alley near the beginning of Talad Gao Rd.
Yasumi Cafe
This small, trendy cafe serves quality coffee in a beautifully designed shop.
The mood in the air always seems to be happy, and I think that’s mostly due to the wonderful staff, good drinks, and exceptional food.
While I didn’t have any food myself, I was told by one of the Wild Flowers Bakery staff at a local coffee event that they serve some of the best food in town. And, I believe it. Everything looked delicious and impeccably done.
Visually, it reminds me of the local coffee shops I came across in Japan. Which I realize now is very much intentional, and should come as no surprise, considering the name Yasumi is the Japanese word for rest.
Keeping on that theme, they have some lovely matcha and hojicha treats. They also offer a few vegan-friendly sweets, which aren’t always the easiest to find in smaller Thai cities.
Opening Hours | Mon – Fri from 7:30 am to 5 pm, Sat – Sun from 8 am to 5 pm
Work-Friendly | It depends; it gets busy, so I wouldn’t recommend it during those times.
Location (maps) | On Bunyawat Rd near the Clock Tower Intersection.
Cafe Amai
Across the street from Yasumi Cafe, inside an inviting building with a bright mint green facade, you’ll find Cafe Amai. I came across the coffee shop on a rainy day, and instead of rushing back to our hotel, my partner and I stopped to wait out the showers.
This place holds a spot in my heart, and not just because of the exquisite coffee and banoffee pie I had. A flier they hung up promoted the Lampang Slowbar & Roastery event I attended a few days later. This is what showed me how much Lampang and coffee go hand in hand, and was a huge reason I wrote this article.
Cafe Amai is a spacious place with a relaxed atmosphere and friendly workers.
The medium roast americano I sipped on was smooth, and they have a really unique drinks menu with specialty lattes, teas, sodas, and fresh juices. They also serve top-notch brunch dishes all day and have wonderful homemade desserts and muffins.
Opening Hours | Every day from 7 am to 5 pm
Work-Friendly | Yes, they have good wifi, and multiple people were on their laptops.
Location (maps) | Across the street and a few doors down from Yasumi cafe.
DRiP.d Café
This spacious, modern coffee shop is hidden away in an old tennis court complex and offers quality cups of coffee.
Their menu revolves around coffee, matcha, soda, and tea. You’ll find some unique drinks on it, too, for those looking to be adventurous with their order. Fruity mixtures involving yuzu, lemon, and coconut are available, and it was the only place I saw a coconut flower americano at.
Overall, the prices are reasonable. Specialty coffees are more expensive, but everything else is pretty standard for Lampang.
The cafe itself has vintage vibes and good music, with plenty of space to sit. You can even head to the “grandstand” outside, where seating for the old tennis court was. This is what made DRIP.d the ideal location for the 2025 Lampang Slowbar & Roastery event, which I mentioned a bit more about underneath.
In the evening, the cafe turns into a chic bar.
LAMPANG COFFEE EVENTS
After attending the Lampang Slowbar & Roastery event at DRIP.d Cafe, I did some snooping around to see if this was a yearly or one-off event. While I couldn’t confirm if it runs annually, I do know that it was promoted by Lampang Coffee Fest.
This group has yearly events showcasing Thai roasteries through Aeropress and latte art competitions, coffee shop gatherings, and multi-day events!
It’s worth checking the page I linked above when you’re in Lampang to see what’s going on. I really enjoyed sipping on coffee, watching the Aeropress smackdown, and talking to some of the brewmasters at the DRIP.d festival. Also, keep an eye out for Lampang coffee event posters at cafes.
Opening Hours | Every day from 8 am to 5 pm.
Work-Friendly | Maybe. There was plenty of space and decent Wi-Fi, but I was there during the coffee festival, so it was much too crowded to get any work done.
Location (maps) | Sort of hidden in an open plot of land off Thanon Surane Street, about halfway between the train station and the touristy part of town.
Ily Kafe & Local Eatery
My personal pick if you want to have both a coffee and a delicious khao soi.
Whilst the drinks menu won’t blow you away, there is something about this eatery that just makes it feel like a hidden gem. Maybe it’s the friendly owner, or the warm ambience, or just everything combined.
The music is also very tasteful, and it’s apparent the owner is a bit of an enthusiast, by the dozens of records lining one of the walls.
I had a nice, strong iced americano and some awesome food. Definitely try the dry khao soi. It’s not common to find the dish served as a stir-fry instead of as a curry, so it’s something of a specialty.
They only have a few tables inside, but it never gets too crowded.
Opening Hours | 10:30 am to 8 pm from Tuesday to Sunday. Closed on Monday.
Work-Friendly | Yes, chilled out vibes and good wi-fi. Just be aware that it doubles as a restaurant.
Location (maps) | To the north across the river on Tanon Charoenprathet Street.
Full Flavor Coffee Bar
The coffee mixology menu is really what makes Full Flavor Coffee Bar stand out.
With around a dozen espresso combinations, there’s a lot of fun experimentation going on. A few of which seemed unique just to their cafe. Some drinks that stood out to me were:
- V Day | A blend of espresso, rose, and lemon soda
- Summertime | A mix of espresso, lychee, and bubble juice
- The Passion | One part espresso, one part passionfruit
- White Orange | Ristretto with milk and orange sauce
Along with the unique drink mixes, there is a nice collection of cakes and desserts. I once again had a lovely banoffee pie, plus a taste of my partner’s coconut cake.
The cafe itself is simple, with modern aesthetics and an open layout. There are only a handful of seats, but it never felt too busy on my multiple visits. They also have a small selection of beans for purchase and friendly baristas.
Opening Hours | Every day from 8 am to 5 pm.
Work-Friendly | Yes, strong wi-fi and a calm atmosphere, although a little small.
Location (maps) | On Suandok Road, a block away from Aroy One Baht.
BEST OF THE REST
Pangsuree Art Home (maps) | As the name suggests, this coffee shop is both artsy and homely. It’s located on the main road in a beautiful home near some really excellent street art. The food is good, the environment is relaxing, and there’s plenty of space for working. It doubles as a homestay, too. For stays at Pangsuree Art Home.
Ku Chang Heng (maps) | The local tea/coffee spot is set in a gorgeous historic building near Kao Chao Market. It’s a very inviting place, with a friendly owner and Chinese-style decorations.
Khelang Brew (maps) | Their motto is morning coffee and evening vibes, which definitely fits. It’s calm in the a.m. with an easygoing atmosphere that makes working a possibility. At night, it turns into a bar and offers decent food and occasionally has live music.
Go Cafe Lampang (maps) | A mainstay in the Lampang coffee scene. It’s a stunning cafe with beautiful indoor and outdoor seating spaces. They get beans from the local Preda Roasting House, which was at the Lampang Coffee Festival.
Memmoth Cafe & Hostel (maps) | This cafe is part of Lampang’s most popular hostel. They do nice breakfasts, have good coffee, and are located in a historic neighborhood. It’s close to multiple markets and the train station, so worth a pitstop if you’re in the area. For stays at Memmoth Cafe & Hostel.
1% Roaster (maps) | A stylish, modern shop located just across the river. They do their roasting in-house and know plenty about the coffee they produce. You can purchase beans directly from their shop.
