You have more reason to cross the Chao Phraya River to visit Iconsiam now that the new Starbucks store opens on the seventh floor since Chinese New Year Day. It should be more than worth your while for a Starbucks stan, since the Starbucks Reserve Chao Phraya Riverfront isn't just another branch. The extra suffixes in its name are justified for several highlights you can't find at your average Starbucks.
The 417th store in Thailand has the 12th Reserve Bar and takes the coffee culture to another level while marking a few firsts for the brand in Thailand. It's home to the first Teavana Bar, the first outlet to serve the Muan Jai Blend, which is sourced from coffee farmers in the north of Thailand and the first to serve alcoholic drinks on the menu. It's also the largest store in Thailand.
Its sheer spaciousness and size, 1,260m² spread across two floors, the outdoor section on the Napalai Terrace and the view of Chao Phraya River may put you in awe. The first level is designed for chillaxing with friends while the second floor is more for those who want some quietness while WFS. The spiral staircase between the two levels serves as a mini-museum with signages showing the coffee life cycle and places that are important in Starbucks' history. Opt for the stadium-like seating on the mezzanine level if you want a vast view of the Chao Phraya River.
Muan Jai Blend latte.
Peach mojito, Sunset and Lychee earl grey tea.
Decor-wise, Starbucks Reserve Chao Phraya Riverfront pays homage to its riverside setting and Thai culture. The first thing that catches your eyes upon arrival is a colourful artpiece on the wall by street artist Rukkit Kuanhawate, while the terrazzo flooring invites you in and is a nod to the river. The ceiling features crafted lanterns as a nod to Bangkok's Loy Krathong festival, providing quite a sight to behold when they're mirrored on the slanted glass wall at night. Suffice to say that you may come for the coffee but you linger because of the great ambience.
If exclusivity is what you're after, the Teavana Bar serves three signature and photogenic drinks namely Peach mojito, Lychee earl grey tea and Sunset (B170-180) while the Reserve Bar carries four rare beans for your special cup of joe that will be handcrafted before you via a variety of brewing method. Each brewing method comes with three price tiers, depending on size and bean rarity. The store is the first in Thailand to serve Muan Jai Blend, which was previously only available as packaged whole bean. For every cup of Muan Jai served in-store, Starbucks will donate B10 to northern Thai farming communities.
The store also features a proper food menu, ranging from pastries freshly baked in-store and signature desserts. You may not think of Starbucks as a wine-and-dine kind of place but this branch may change your mind. Open daily 10am-10pm.
Starbucks Reserve Chao Phraya Riverfront, 7th Floor, Iconsiam, Charoen Nakhon 5 / fb.com/StarbucksThailand.
