4 Cool Cafés to Check Out in Surin, Thailand

Unique from Bangkok or Chiang Mai, Surin has a vibrant specialty-coffee world of its own.

BY MICHAELA TOMCHEK
BARISTA MAGAZINE ONLINE

Photos by Michaela Tomchek unless otherwise noted

Just four hours away from the country’s capital, Bangkok, Surin is an exceptionally vibrant province located in northeastern Thailand. Also known as the City of Elephants, Surin has many qualities that make it a uniquely special region. Rice farming is common here, with an arid climate and alkaline soil yielding some of the highest-quality jasmine rice in the world. In Surin, there are also entire villages dedicated to silk weaving: a reflection of the region’s dedication to craftsmanship for hundreds, if not thousands, of years.

But apart from its agriculture and artistry, Surin is also home to an amazing group of specialty cafés, all of which offer something quite special compared to other parts of Thailand more commonly traversed by tourists. Today, I’m sharing four of my favorites.

361 THREE SIX ONE

With locations across Thailand and Cambodia, 361 THREE SIX ONE is an impressive collection of cafés launched in 2021 by Pimpawan “Pim” Wangamonmit. After studying art and design in the United Kingdom and returning home to Thailand, Pim decided to enter the coffee business, inspired by her observation that there wasn’t a developed specialty-coffee scene in her hometown compared to other countries in the world. In launching 361, Pim sought to offer coffee different from the dark-roasted coffee common in her country, while encouraging people from around the world to visit Surin.

After getting the initial inspiration for 361, Pim gathered her Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) Roasting and Barista certifications, and she now also holds Arabica Q and Processing certifications. She was also an observer at the Peru Cup of Excellence in 2024 and a judge at the Taiwan Cup of Excellence in 2025. In other words, she’s a well-educated coffee professional eager to make a difference.

“I think to make good coffee, a café owner must open their world with education,” says Pim. “Entering courses such as Q Grader in Arabica changed my world. For me, I educate backwards in the coffee value chain—from roasting all the way back to farming.”

Pim’s passion and dedication are reflected all throughout 361’s two Surin locations. The flagship location is situated just outside the main center of the town and is made up of a roastery, restaurant, and café. Pim also shares that she’s mirrored her cafés after traditional Thai rice mills—her family’s business in Thailand.

It also seems other shop owners have followed in Pim’s footsteps to develop Surin’s specialty-coffee scene. More coffee-centric events have begun gathering coffee-curious people in the region, and even more people have begun earning certifications to learn more about coffee. As the scene evolves, Pim emphasizes the importance of serving Thailand-grown coffee: “Thai people should be proud to serve Thai coffee in their shops,” she says.

Reflecting this belief, Pim has served as a coffee judge in Chiang Mai, assessing innovative coffee processing from producers throughout the country. She also clarifies that many producers in Thailand have been working to improve their education about processing and quality, and she thinks Thai coffee will soon be more widespread throughout the world. 

Should you visit one of 361’s locations, be sure to order one of their curated blends, or a single-origin espresso in an iced Americano. The shop also offers some great food options, so stay awhile and order a steak or one of their local dishes. An absolutely extraordinary experience, curated by one of my favorite people I have met during my coffee travels. 

Craft Café

After a morning visiting the nearby silk village, a sweet place to stop for some coffee and pastries is Craft Café. Around the shop, streets are bustling with motorbikes—but when turning the corner, you’ll see the white sign for this lovely coffee shop: a refuge from the busyness of the city. Upon entering, the shop will immediately greet you with its warm atmosphere marked by large, open windows and wooden furniture: a clean and sleek, yet cozy, ambience.

The menu offers an array of drinks, from espresso-based beverages to drip coffee, soda, and matcha. Some sweet treats are huddled in a display case, including croissants, cakes, cookies, and whatever else was baked that day. After ordering, you have the option to sit inside or within a secret side dining area outdoors, equipped with fans to keep you cool amid a jungle of plants.

Craft Café also roasts all of their own coffee, and you can purchase a bag to take home. There is a variety of Thai coffee to choose from, with many different processing methods.

SATI

A tiny but truly awesome space, SATI is located within a traditional-looking building decked out with plants. SATI started back in 2020 and was one of the first specialty shops in Surin. Once you enter, you’ll see coffee sacks lining the top shelves behind the bar, cozy seating, and a collection of unique antiques: the perfect place to enjoy a cup as you watch staff roast on the shop’s Mahlkonig, which roasts the coffees beautifully. The bags of coffee are also beautifully designed with bright colors and intricate graphics, revealing the tasting notes of the coffee inside.

Like many other specialty shops in Thailand, SATI offers a great selection of drinks ranging from your usual espresso and drip options to fresh juices carefully mixed with coffee to create balanced and refreshing beverages. Pick up a pastry, or perhaps order a waffle or pancake to snack on with your drink as you cool off in this chic space. 

Life Coffee at Home

A hidden gem in Surin, Life Coffee at Home is nestled in what looks like an old house surrounded by a forest of plants. This coffee shop first opened its doors in 2020 and is also a wonderful bakery offering cakes, pastries, cookies, and so much more. The ambience is lovely, with white brick walls, open windows, relaxed music, and artful statues adorning the shelves quickly making guests feel at ease.

If you wander outside, there are even more seating options amongst the climbing plants and cool breeze rustling through the trees. This is definitely a spot where you can get lost and stay a while, fueled by coffee and sweet treats.

Life Coffee at Home also roasts their own beans, which you can purchase and take home if you wish. The menu lists espresso-based drinks, pourovers, and specialty drinks with milk and matcha. Order, sit, sip, and relax here: a place where you may get so comfortable, you may forget you’re not at home.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michaela Tomchek finds coffee an important part of life and the world. She is an appreciator of the crop, the producer, and the many cafés throughout the world serving beautiful beverages. Currently, she writes about coffee, hoping to spread her joy across the globe. 

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