🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Nonthaburi's riverside cafes split into two main zones with very different moods. The first is Koh Kret, an island in the middle of the river that you reach by cross-river ferry — an old community vibe with wooden houses, Mon pottery shops, and quiet cafes where you watch boats drift past. The second is the Pak Kret and Tha Nam Non side, which you can simply drive to and park, with a mix of old Thai-style houses and newer cafes. Pick based on how you'd rather travel.
The upside of the Nonthaburi side is that it's still less crowded than the Bangkok stretch. Most drinks run around 70–130 THB, and if you add food it works out to roughly 150–300 THB a head. The nicest time to sit is late afternoon before sunset, when the breeze comes off the river and the evening sky along the Chao Phraya really is lovely.
Our 8 picks for riverside cafes
Rongsi Studio
A cafe and stay set inside a 100-plus-year-old rice mill on Koh Kret, renovated into an industrial-meets-contemporary space with the original timber frame still in place. There's a riverside section where you can watch the boats go by, plus a full menu of food, drinks, and bakery, with chill live music on some days. It's the most talked-about spot on Koh Kret.
Baan Tha Nam Non (Chaopraya Antique Café)
An old wooden Thai house right on the Chao Phraya, decorated vintage and packed with antiques, with seating that sits right at the water's edge with nothing in the way. The draw here is traditional Thai drinks and Thai sweets, plus an evening set with mu kratha and refillable Thai desserts. Seating is limited to about 10 tables, so book ahead.
Hinghoy Harmony
A conservation-minded cafe and restaurant on the Chao Phraya near Pak Kret, run together with Kasetsart University. The highlight is a firefly-watching spot after dark, with a wide menu of both Thai and Western dishes and late hours — good for an early dinner followed by coffee and a nighttime river view.
Rangnok Café & Bar
A Bali-style cafe on Koh Kret with a big footprint split into a cafe zone, a riverside zone, and a bar zone, so it handles a crowd. The vibe is cozy and works for a chill daytime sit or a long evening one — it stays open the latest in the area.
Sainam Café
A riverside cafe on Koh Kret with both an indoor zone and a waterside zone set up with good photo corners. The menu covers coffee, desserts, and mains, making it a handy break while you're walking around the island — cycle the loop, then stop in to rest.
Kalanan Riverside
A resort on the Chao Phraya near Pak Kret with a cafe and riverside restaurant zone. The setting is shady and green with plenty of trees, good for a quiet, restful sit — even if you're not staying the night, you can drop in for coffee and a view. It's less packed than the Koh Kret side.
Riverine Place (riverside zone)
A hotel on the Chao Phraya on the Nonthaburi side with a seating area and riverside venue that opens onto a wide view, the river filling your whole field of vision. It suits anyone who wants a tidier feel than Koh Kret — sit in the breeze, sip coffee, and watch the boats pass. It's close to the Purple Line.
Cafes around Tha Nam Non pier and the old market
Around Tha Nam Non pier and the old market you'll find small cafes and coffee shops tucked into old buildings, scattered across several spots. Some have a balcony or a corner with a river view. The plus is you can walk straight from the pier — easy to drop in before or after taking the ferry across to Koh Kret.
Tip
Cafes on Koh Kret require a cross-river ferry to reach (the fare is just tens of baht). Most people park at the temple on the Pak Kret side and cross by boat. If you'd rather not deal with the ferry, pick the Pak Kret–Tha Nam Non side, which you can drive straight to — much simpler.
Want to taste deeper? Try a Nonthaburi food tour or cooking class
Half a day with a local who knows the lanes — or cooking a dish yourself — teaches you more than just eating. Book ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide.
How to pick the right cafe for your day
- Want an old-community feel with sightseeing too — head to Koh Kret, sit at Rongsi Studio or Rangnok, then walk the island's Mon pottery shops.
- Bringing older relatives, want a Thai house and Thai sweets — Baan Tha Nam Non nails the classic atmosphere, but book ahead.
- Want to stay late and catch a night view — Hinghoy Harmony or Rangnok, both open late with pretty riverside lights.
- Don't want to take a boat, want to drive straight there — the Pak Kret–Tha Nam Non side, like Kalanan, Riverine Place, and the cafes around Tha Nam Non pier.
Getting there
Coming from Bangkok, take the Purple Line and get off at a station around Mueang Nonthaburi or Pak Kret, then continue by car. For Koh Kret, head to the pier on the Pak Kret side and take the cross-river ferry onto the island — the fare is just tens of baht. The other option is the Chao Phraya Express Boat to Tha Nam Non, which is the main line's final pier, then continue by car or just walk and explore the old market right there.
Best time to go
The Chao Phraya is most comfortable from late afternoon into the evening, once the breeze picks up and the sun softens. Weekdays are far quieter than weekends, especially on Koh Kret, which gets crowded on days off.
Plan a full day of riverside eating in Nonthaburi
See the Nonthaburi travel guide →