April 18th, 2012
In the years since it opened back in 1996, KuppA has garnered an enviable status with its long established presence on the Bangkok restaurant and cafe scene. KuppA was one of the pioneers in Bangkok of the concept for a chic yet cozy, informal cafe, serving high quality Western and Asian comfort foods from an all-day dining menu – a culinary format now very much in vogue in Bangkok and other Asian metropolises. From its inception, KuppA was an exceptional combination of cafe and restaurant, dedicated coffee house with in-house roasting, tea and coffee trading house, art gallery, and later a spa.
Occupying a large restored industrial warehouse compound in the upmarket residential Sukhumvit area of central Bangkok, KuppA created an interior design based around the “industrial chic” ethos- cleverly utilising the large spaces to create the different zones that blend together harmoniously under the one large roof. Today, KuppA remains popular with a knowledgeable and discerning clientele of both local residents, long term expats and “in the know” tourists. Its location well inside an essentially residential street means that it does not attract a large passing trade. Regardless, it continues to thrive, thanks to the continued patronage of its many regular customers. In essence- KuppA is quality comfort dining at its most relaxed.
Street view of KuppA – the main cafe and restaurant building
Entrance to the main cafe area
The interiors of KuppA are suffused with the industrial heritage of the warehouse building, with many of the original structural elements now a feature of the contemporary “industrial chic” design. Exposed steel girders that support the mezzanine level in the main cafe space, raw brickwork walls, the pitched corrugated metal roof, and cement screed flooring, all reminders of the building’s industrial past. The interior space has been transformed with the entire front and side wall now comprised of floor to ceiling glass- creating the sense of bright, airy spaciousness.
The front section of the building occupies the largest space and houses the cafe, service counters, the functional coffee roaster in one corner, and a mezzanine level that functions as a space for private or corporate functions, and gallery space. The furnishings in the cafe are an eclectic combination of traditional teak furniture, comfortable sofas, and more contemporary dining tables and chairs. Large hessian sacks of raw coffee beans randomly stacked between tables, and the prominent coffee roaster- partly encircled with a glass topped counter- evoke the in-house coffee credentials of KuppA. Chalk boards list the special coffee blends currently available.
Front section of the cafe- with sofas and dining tables and the full height timber-slatted blinds across the glass frontage
The central “island” service counter, with mezzanine level above
Traditional style teak furniture on the mezzanine level
The coffee roaster viewed from mezzanine level
On the other side of the main entrance, towards the rear section of the building, is the restaurant area. Here the design is more sleek and contemporary, with white table clothes on the tables and dark woven rattan chairs. The restaurant is popular in the evenings for refined bistro dining in a stylish setting. Outside through glass doors, an open-air timber decked terrace “floats” above ponds with a small number of tables overlooking the internal courtyard.
The restaurant dining room – located in separate space adjacent to the front cafe
The restaurant dining room and bar, with kitchen at rear
Outdoor terrace settings at the side of the main building
Terrace Bar on upper level adjacent to the KuppA Spa building- looking back towards the main cafe
A further series of buildings are sited across the rear of the large property- housing the Kuppa Spa and Salon on the ground level, and the KuppA Polo Lounge on the upper level of the spa. The KuppA Polo Lounge serves as a VIP private function room- full self-contained with a large circular dining table, serving bar, lounge seating and open-air terrace. A further bar is located at the other end of the building- an open terrace area , with its own dedicated bar, and also suitable for private parties and functions.
KuppA Polo Lounge Room- VIP function room above the KuppA Spa
Entrance to the Kuppa Spa at the rear of the compound
The food served at KuppA is an assemblage of International comfort food dishes, complimented with a selection of local Thai cuisine. The concept is to serve high quality fresh produce, cooked in a modern, but uncomplicated style- simple, robust and full of flavor. Weekly specials are highlighted on large blackboards. The menu features an All Day Breakfast selection- popular choices include Eggs Benedict; and Kuppa Breakfast – 2 eggs any style, grilled tomatoes, mushrooms with choice of bacon, virginia ham or sausage, toast & fresh orange juice included. The International dishes include Starters & Salads- Soft Shell Crab- crisp salted chili batter on carrot & papaya salad & Asian salsa verde; P.C.S. Plate- Parma Ham, Chorizo & Salami with Pizza Bread Basket; and Chili Spiced Tuna Salad- Flaked Tuna chili dressing, lettuce, anchovy, olives & onions. Selections of Sandwiches, Pot Pies, Quiches are available until 6 pm.
The Thai Specialties include- Papaya Pok-Pok- Traditional Thai hot, sour and sweet julienne papaya salad with warm sticky rice; and Kra Prao Kai- Chili & basil stir fry chicken & fried egg with choice of jasmine rice or mash.
Selections of Pizza, Pasta and Risotto are popular- including Hoisin Crispy Duck Pizza; and Semi Dried Tomato, Virginia Ham, Mozzarella & Pesto Pizza.
Main courses include Crispy Pork Leg- spiced red cabbage & creamy mash; Lamb Cutlets- on basil polenta with ratatouille & mint yoghurt; prime cuts of Australian beef- ribeye, sirloin and tenderloin. And Fish dishes include- Miso Crusted Salmon- on braised fennel, green tea noodle & nori; and Fish & Chips- with fresh lime & tartar, grilled or beer battered.
KuppA are also famous for their sumptuous desserts and cakes- attractively showcased at the central serving counter.
Eggs Benedict- All Day Breakfast Menu
Pan Seared Foie Gras with caramelised peach & mango
Japanese Salad- Iceberg lettuce , Avocado & Crab Stick with Wasabi Dressing
Lychee & Mint – fresh fruit mocktail
KuppA was Bangkok’s original coffee house, and continues to serve the finest in-house roasted coffee. KuppA are also the fresh roasted coffee supplier of choice for leading restaurants and hotels in Bangkok, Phuket, Samui and Singapore. The house roast served in the cafe is Kuppa Hand Roast Coffee 100% Arabica. The range of coffees supplied by KuppA include Espresso & Signature Blends; and a variety of single origin coffees sourced globally from growers in Brazil, Guatemala, New Guinea, Kenya, Colombia, and India.
Flat white coffee
French Press coffee
Cappuccino
KuppA Cafe / Restaurant
Address: 39 Sukhumvit Soi 16, Bangkok. 10110 Thailand
BTS Station: Asoke & MRT Station– Sukhumvit
Reservations: +66. 2 . 663 0450
Restaurant website: www.kuppa.co.th/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/kuppathailand
Opening Hours: Daily 10:00 am ~ 11:30 pm
Kuppa Spa: www.kuppaspa.com/
