🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Roi Et isn't just the Ho Huad tower and a stroll around Bueng Phlan Chai — the town's cafe scene has been growing steadily, with several spots opening in the last couple of years. Some make the most of the lakeside view, some focus on roasting their own beans, and some lean into photo-worthy corners that pull in a steady stream of check-ins. The handy part is that almost all of them sit in town, just a few minutes by car or motorbike taxi from the lake.
We ranked these from real reviews by people who've actually sat down, plus how convenient they are if you're starting from Bueng Phlan Chai. The top spots are easy to reach, have a good view and get talked about a lot, while the ones lower down are backups for when the first choice is packed or you fancy a change of scene.
10 Roi Et cafes, from lakeside into town
SAO CAFE (Chao Cafe, lakeside)
A three-storey cafe right on Bueng Phlan Chai, with the top floor looking straight out at the Ho Huad tower. The menu is almost overwhelming — coffee, tea, dim sum, all the way to full mains — so it's the kind of place families settle in for a long sit. Lots of seating, but weekend evenings get fairly busy.
HER Studio
A bare-concrete loft-style spot on Bueng Phlan Chai with a raw, cool tone. The iced latte is the regular order, and the photo angle over the water is lovely from late afternoon into the evening. Better suited to quiet working than to big groups.
FENWAY Café
A minimalist cafe in town where the cakes are the draw — especially the Basque burnt cheesecake and a pudding that plenty of people pair with their coffee. The mood is calm and steady, made for quietly sipping coffee and eating cake. Not far from the lake, just a few minutes by car.
Hom Coffee
A small minimalist shop in the middle of town that focuses on carefully selected beans. The talked-about orders are the Dirty Coffee and the matcha latte. If you like a quiet, fuss-free spot, it's an easy short stop before or after walking the lake.
Acraft Coffee Roaster
Worth a stop if you're serious about coffee — this place roasts its own beans fresh every day, so it suits anyone who wants to try a pour-over or take beans home. It feels more like a roastery than a photo cafe, but you walk away with coffee that takes flavour seriously.
white house cafe & Studio
A crisp all-white cafe that comes with a photo studio inside. The white room and warm-light corners are where people come to get their shots. The menu runs to coffee, croissants, scones and cake — good for photo people who want clean, easy-to-tone images.
The Cottage 101
Tucked down a small lane in town, decorated like an English cottage — warm and friendly, with prices easier on the wallet than many spots. It's pet-friendly too, so you can bring your dog. Good for a long, unhurried sit.
Bonsai Cafe
A Japanese-toned cafe in town leaning on green tea and cake, with a calm mood and zen-ish photo corners at friendly prices. One thing to know: it's closed on Wednesdays, so if you're going midweek, check the day first.
Afternoon Bar & Bistro
A spot that works for daytime coffee and an evening bar mood, with a lawn area to relax on. The menu covers coffee, tea and bakery — good for a group of friends who want to carry on from afternoon into the evening.
RIMMM Coffee & Space
A riverside cafe built around a natural view and plenty of space, with a wide range of drinks. Good for escaping the busier in-town shops to sit quietly in the breeze. Easiest if you have your own transport.
Tip on timing your visit
Lakeside spots like SAO CAFE and HER Studio look their best from late afternoon into the evening, when you get soft light and the view over the water — but that's also when they're busiest. If you want a clear photo angle, try a weekday late morning instead.
Want to taste deeper? Try a Roi Et 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.
Pick a cafe by the vibe you're after
For the lakeside view
Want water and the Ho Huad tower as your backdrop? Go for SAO CAFE or HER Studio, both right on Bueng Phlan Chai and walkable from the lake.
For serious coffee
More about the coffee than the setting — head to Acraft Coffee Roaster, which roasts in-house, or Hom Coffee with its well-chosen beans.
For photos
Want clean, well-toned shots? Try the all-white white house cafe or the Japanese-style Bonsai Cafe — both fun for collecting angles.
For budget, long sits
Want to linger without spending much? The Cottage 101 and Bonsai Cafe have friendly prices and an easygoing mood.
Starting from Bueng Phlan Chai, which cafes are closest
The nice thing about Roi Et's cafes is that they cluster in town. Starting from Bueng Phlan Chai, lakeside spots like SAO CAFE and HER Studio are walkable or a few minutes by motorbike taxi, while in-town shops like FENWAY, Hom Coffee and white house are around a 5–10 minute drive away. That makes it easy to walk the lake in the morning and follow up with a cafe later on.
- Walkable / a few minutes by motorbike taxi — SAO CAFE, HER Studio (right on Bueng Phlan Chai)
- 5–10 minute drive — FENWAY Café, Hom Coffee, Acraft Coffee Roaster, white house cafe
- Easier with your own transport — RIMMM Coffee & Space, Afternoon Bar & Bistro (on the edge of town)
Straight talk
Several of these opened recently, so hours and menus can shift. If you're set on one particular spot, check its page before you head out to be sure — especially shops that close certain days, like Bonsai Cafe (closed Wednesdays).
Plan a full day in Roi Et — walk the lake, visit the temples, then a cafe to finish
See the Roi Et travel guide →