How do I avoid long queues at Lhong Tou Cafe?

Use the QueQ app to make a reservation before arriving. Visit on weekday afternoons (3-5 PM) when crowds are lighter. Rainy days are also quieter. Peak times (weekends 11 AM - 2 PM) can have 30-minute to 2-hour waits.

Can I sit on the upper level if I have mobility issues?

The upper tiered seating requires climbing steep, narrow stairs and is not suitable for those with mobility limitations. Request ground-level cubby seating when queuing. For better accessibility, visit The Market Bangkok branch instead.

Is this a specialty coffee café?

No, Lhong Tou is primarily a dim sum café that serves standard coffee and beverages. The Thai Milk Tea with peanut candy bits is the signature drink. For specialty coffee, consider Roots, Nana Coffee Roasters, or Factory Coffee instead.

What are the must-order items?

The Chinese Breakfast Set (congee with 8 savory sides, 129 baht), Egg Lava Bun (salted egg custard, 29 baht), and Lhong Tou Shumai dumplings (69 baht) are signature dishes. Thai Milk Tea with peanut candy (75 baht) is the signature drink.

Is there a second location?

Yes, The Market Bangkok branch (G Floor, 111 Ratchadamri Rd) opened in 2019. It's larger (60 seats), has free parking for 500+ vehicles, and better accessibility via BTS Chidlom skywalk. Hours are 10 AM - 10 PM daily.

Lhong Tou Cafe - Things to Do During Recovery in Thailand

Dragon’s Head: Where Dim Sum Meets Instagram

Lhong Tou Cafe (ล่งโต๊ว คาเฟ่ / 龙头, “long toh” — meaning “Dragon’s Head” in Teochew) is one of Bangkok’s most photographed cafés, famous for its distinctive double-decker tiered seating and modern Chinese dim sum. Hidden in the heart of Yaowarat (Chinatown) since July 2018, this compact café packs diners onto a wooden “climbing frame” structure where some guests perch above others, creating a unique social dining experience.

For medical tourists exploring Bangkok during recovery, Lhong Tou offers a cultural immersion into Chinatown’s heritage combined with comfort food and air-conditioning — just steps from the MRT Wat Mangkon station. The ground-level “cubby” seating provides accessible options for those who cannot climb to the upper tier.

What makes it special: Created by two interior designers and a Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef (Itthi Voranate, formerly of 3-Michelin-star The Waterside Inn in the UK), Lhong Tou reimagines classic Chinatown dim sum for the Instagram generation. The café became an internet sensation for its inventive space-maximizing design — a response to the narrow Yaowarat shophouse constraints.

Quick Facts

Detail	Information
Location	538 Yaowarat Road, Samphanthawong (Chinatown)
Zone	Chinatown / Yaowarat
Price Level	Mid-Range (฿฿)
Hours	Daily 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Nearest Station	MRT Wat Mangkon (Blue Line) — Exit 3, 6-minute walk
Style	Chinese Heritage Dim Sum Café
Reservations	QueQ app or walk-in with queue

Lhong Tou is not a specialty coffee café — it’s a modern Chinese dim sum restaurant that happens to serve coffee. The kitchen is led by chef Itthi Voranate, Le Cordon Bleu-trained and formerly of The Waterside Inn’s 3-Michelin-star kitchen.

Signature Dishes

Sets & Combos

Chinese Breakfast Set (฿129) — Rice porridge/congee with 8 savory sides and condiments sourced from Chinatown vendors. The must-order signature.
Emperor Porridge Set (฿269) — Premium porridge experience
Dim Sum Collection (฿199-299) — Assorted dim sum platter

Dim Sum (฿29-89)

Egg Lava Bun (฿29) — Salted egg yolk custard bun, bestseller
Mini BBQ Pork Bun (5 pcs, ฿49) — Classic char siu bao
Lhong Tou Shumai (3 pcs, ฿69) — Signature pork dumplings
Prawn Spring Rolls (฿59)
Wonton Soup (฿59)
Mala Fried Chicken (฿70-79)
Shiitake Mushroom Bun — Unique vegetarian option
Thai Tea Bun — Fusion dessert bun

Rice Dishes

Claypot Rice (฿149-179) — Pork, duck, or egg with Chinese sausage

Desserts

Mandarin Orange Cake (฿80)
Chestnut Tart (฿135)

Prices subject to change; verify with venue. Ingredients sourced from established Chinatown vendors. Inform staff of any food allergies or dietary restrictions.

Beverages

Signature Drinks

Thai Milk Tea (฿75) — Served with peanut candy bits on top; the signature drink
Butterfly Pea Latte (฿85) — Instagram-worthy color-changing drink
Chinese Lychee Wine (฿240) — Cocktail option

Coffee (฿70-100)

Dirty Coffee (espresso + milk, ฿85)
Americano (฿70-80)
Latte / Cappuccino (฿80-100)
Mocha (฿90-100)

Tea (฿120-180)

Rose Tea Pot (฿180)
Oolong Tea (฿120-150)
Jasmine / Chrysanthemum / Green Tea (฿120-150)

Non-Caffeinated Options

Fruit Smoothies (฿130) — Pineapple-Orange, Mango-Passion Fruit, Strawberry-Lychee
Plum Soda (฿80-95)
Lemon Iced Tea (฿80-95)
Iced Chocolate (฿80-95)
Soft drinks (฿25-30)
Imported craft beers available

Caffeine Advisory: Medical tourists should consult their medical team about caffeine intake post-surgery or procedure. Fruit smoothies, plum soda, and Chinese herbal teas offer non-caffeinated alternatives.

Prices subject to change; verify with venue.

The Space — Double-Decker Design

Lhong Tou’s interior is its main attraction: a double-decker wooden structure born from space constraints in the narrow Yaowarat shophouse.

Design Elements

Tiered seating arrangement — Wooden panels and metal pipes form a “climbing frame” structure
Upper tier — Elevated seating accessed by steep stairs
Ground-level cubbies — Enclosed seating nooks at ground level
Large glass panels — Painted with willow trees and animals, Chinese aesthetic
Neon signage — Red “龙头” (Dragon’s Head) + green “Lhong Tou” at entrance
Lush greenery accents — Botanical touches throughout
Minimalist Chinese aesthetics — Warm wood tones with modern presentation

Atmosphere

Vibe: Instagrammable Chinese heritage with modern twist
Noise Level: Moderate to lively (popular café, compact space)
Seating: ~10 tables (Yaowarat); 60+ diners at The Market branch
Comfort: Wooden stools and benches — functional but not cushioned
Air-Conditioning: Yes (indoor areas)

Instagram Highlights

Double-decker tiered seating structure
Neon Chinese signage at entrance
Giant dim sum presentation trays
Willow-painted glass panels
Egg Lava Bun presentation
Thai Milk Tea with peanut candy

Co-Working Suitability

Not recommended. Lhong Tou is a dining destination with compact tables, queue pressure during peak times, and a social atmosphere. WiFi availability unconfirmed. For co-working cafés, try Roots, Factory Coffee, or Kaizen Coffee instead.

Getting There

Primary Location: Yaowarat (Chinatown)

Address: 538 Yaowarat Rd, Khwaeng Samphanthawong, Samphanthawong, Bangkok 10100

From MRT Wat Mangkon (Blue Line):

Exit 3, walk south along Yaowarat Road
6-minute walk (~400m)
Look for red neon “龙头” sign on right side
Near Chaloem Buri Police Box intersection

Thai address for taxi: “538 ถนนเยาวราช แขวงสัมพันธวงศ์ เขตสัมพันธวงศ์ กรุงเทพฯ 10100”

Parking: No car parking available. Sidewalk motorcycle parking only. Consider taxi/Grab from MRT.

Second Branch: The Market Bangkok

Address: The Market Bangkok, 111 Ratchadamri Rd, G Floor, Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330

Why visit this branch:

Larger space (60 diners + outdoor terrace)
Free parking for 500+ vehicles
Better wheelchair accessibility (mall setting)
No queue (typically)
Direct skywalk from BTS Chidlom

From BTS Chidlom (Sukhumvit Line):

Use skywalk directly to The Market Bangkok
Café on Ground Floor
Hours: Daily 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM

From Major Areas

From Silom/Sathorn: 20-30 min by taxi to Yaowarat
From Suvarnabhumi Airport: Airport Rail Link to Makkasan → MRT Blue Line to Wat Mangkon (~60-75 min)
From Don Mueang Airport: Bus A1/A2 to BTS Mo Chit → MRT via Chatuchak Park → Wat Mangkon (~60-80 min)

For Medical Tourists — Assessment

Lhong Tou Cafe offers a unique cultural experience in Chinatown, but with accessibility limitations that medical tourists should consider.

Physical Demands

Low to Moderate. Ground-level seating requires minimal physical exertion. However, upper-tier seating requires climbing steep, narrow stairs — not suitable for mobility-limited visitors.

Comfort & Accessibility

Factor	Assessment
Air-Conditioning	Yes (indoor)
Seating Comfort	Moderate — wooden stools/benches, not cushioned
Wheelchair Access	Partial — ground-level cubbies only; steep stairs to upper tier
Elevator	No (Yaowarat); Yes at The Market branch (mall)
Restrooms	Available
Quiet Space	No — moderate noise, compact space
Rest-Friendly	Moderate — best for shorter visits (45-90 min)

Post-Procedure Suitability

Day Procedures: Suitable for ground-level seating — air-conditioned, close to MRT, interesting cultural experience
Moderate Recovery: Recommend The Market branch for easier access and more comfortable seating; avoid peak hours at Yaowarat
Major Recovery: Limited suitability — queues, hard seating, compact spaces; consider only for short visits with ground-level seating

Nearest Hospitals

Samitivej Chinatown Hospital

624 Yaowarat Road (same road as café)
~500m walk
JCI-accredited, part of BDMS network

Bumrungrad International Hospital

~7-8 km from Yaowarat
20-30 minutes by taxi (traffic-dependent)

BNH Hospital

~5 km from Yaowarat
15-20 minutes by taxi

Recommended Visit Duration

45-90 minutes — Allow time for queuing (if peak hours), dining, and photos. The compact space and hard seating make this better suited for shorter recovery outings.

Comfort Tips for Recovery Patients

Request ground-level cubby seating if unable to climb stairs
Use QueQ app to reserve ahead and avoid standing in queue
Visit weekday afternoons (3-5 PM) to minimize wait times
Consider The Market branch for better accessibility and free parking
Bring a small cushion if sensitive to hard wooden seating
Try non-caffeinated options — fruit smoothies, plum soda, Chinese herbal teas
Combine with short Chinatown walk if energy permits — Wat Mangkon temple is 3 minutes away

Best Times to Visit

Weekday afternoons (3:00-5:00 PM): Shortest queues
Rainy days: Fewer visitors
Avoid: Weekends 11 AM - 2 PM (peak queue times)

Queue System

Lhong Tou uses QueQ app for reservations:

Download QueQ from App Store/Google Play
Reserve ahead to avoid walk-in queue
Specify seating preference (upstairs or ground-level) when booking
Automated queuing machine at entrance for walk-ins
Wait time notifications sent to your phone

Typical Wait Times:

Off-peak: 15-30 minutes
Peak weekends: 1-2+ hours

Sustainability & Community

Lhong Tou is not a social enterprise café, but supports the local community:

Chinatown vendor sourcing: Condiments and ingredients from established Yaowarat merchants
Local employment: Staff from Chinatown neighborhood
Cultural preservation: Modern interpretation of traditional Chinese tea house culture

For social enterprise cafés supporting Thai coffee farmers, consider Akha Ama Coffee (Chiang Mai) or Gallery Drip Coffee (BACC, Bangkok).

Other Branches

The Market Bangkok Branch

Address: G Floor, 111 Ratchadamri Rd, Pathum Wan
Hours: Daily 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Access: BTS Chidlom (direct skywalk)
Parking: 500+ vehicles, free
Capacity: 60 diners + outdoor terrace
Best for: Accessibility, parking, avoiding queues
Opened: 2019

Nearby Destinations

Other Cafés (Chinatown Area)

Mother Roaster — Sam Yot MRT, filter-only specialist (10 min walk)
Craftsman Roastery — Yaowarat specialty roaster (5 min walk)
Hong Sieng Kong — Heritage Chinese café (5 min walk)
Ba Hao — Soi Nana creative café (10 min walk)

Nearby Attractions

Wat Mangkon Kamalawat — Dragon Lotus Temple (3 min walk)
Wat Traimit — Temple of the Golden Buddha (10 min walk)
Yaowarat Road street food — Immediate (same street)
Talat Noi street art — Creative district (15 min walk)
Sampeng Lane — Wholesale market (5 min walk)

Nearby Dining

T&K Seafood — Famous Chinatown seafood
Nai Ek Roll Noodle — Traditional noodles
Lek & Rut Seafood — Local favorite

Nearby Hospitals

Samitivej Chinatown Hospital — 500m walk
Hua Chiew Hospital — 1.5 km

FAQ

What are Lhong Tou Cafe's opening hours?

Yaowarat branch: Daily 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM. The Market branch: Daily 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM. Verify current hours on Google Business or Facebook (@Lhongtou) before visiting, as hours may change.

How do I get to Lhong Tou Cafe from the MRT?

Take MRT Blue Line to Wat Mangkon station, Exit 3. Walk south along Yaowarat Road for 6 minutes (~400m). Look for the red neon '龙头' (Dragon's Head) sign on the right side, near Chaloem Buri Police Box intersection.

Is Lhong Tou Cafe good for medical tourists?

Moderately suitable. Ground-level seating is air-conditioned and close to MRT, but upper-tier seating requires steep stairs (not accessible). Wooden seating is not cushioned. Queues can be long at peak times. The Market Bangkok branch offers better accessibility with elevator access and free parking. Visit weekday afternoons to avoid crowds.

What is the signature dish at Lhong Tou?

The Chinese Breakfast Set (฿129) with congee and 8 savory sides is the must-order item. The Egg Lava Bun (฿29) with salted egg custard is the bestselling dim sum. For drinks, try the Thai Milk Tea (฿75) with peanut candy bits on top.

Do I need a reservation?

Not required but highly recommended. Use the QueQ app to reserve ahead and avoid long walk-in queues (30 min to 2+ hours at peak times). You can specify upstairs or ground-level seating preference when booking.

Is Lhong Tou wheelchair accessible?

Partially. Ground-level cubby seating is accessible, but upper-tier seating requires climbing steep, narrow stairs. The narrow Yaowarat branch interior may be challenging. For better wheelchair accessibility, visit The Market Bangkok branch, which has mall elevator access.

Can I avoid caffeine at Lhong Tou?

Yes. Non-caffeinated options include fruit smoothies (฿130), plum soda (฿80-95), iced chocolate (฿80-95), Chinese herbal teas (chrysanthemum, jasmine), and soft drinks. Medical tourists should consult their medical team about caffeine intake post-procedure.

What payment methods are accepted?

Cash (Thai Baht), credit cards, and QR code payments (PromptPay) are typically accepted. Verify with venue before visiting.

Is there parking at Lhong Tou?

No car parking at the Yaowarat branch (sidewalk motorcycle parking only). The Market Bangkok branch has free parking for 500+ vehicles. For Yaowarat, take taxi/Grab from MRT Wat Mangkon.

What makes the tiered seating special?

The double-decker 'climbing frame' design was created by interior designer Wannayos Boonperm to maximize space in the narrow Yaowarat shophouse. Diners sit on two levels—ground-level cubbies and elevated upper tier—creating an Instagram-famous, unique dining experience.

Who founded Lhong Tou Cafe?

Lhong Tou was founded in July 2018 by Wannayos Boonperm (interior design) and the Voranate brothers (Nithi and Itthi), who also own Meat Bar 31. Chef Itthi Voranate is Le Cordon Bleu-trained and formerly worked at The Waterside Inn's 3-Michelin-star kitchen under Chef Alain Roux.

What does 'Lhong Tou' mean?

Lhong Tou (龙头) means 'Dragon's Head' in Teochew (a Chinese dialect common in Thailand's Chinese community). It carries auspicious meaning in Chinese culture, symbolizing leadership and fortune.

Lhong Tou Cafe offers a distinctive Chinatown experience where modern Instagram aesthetics meet traditional dim sum culture. While not ideal for those with mobility limitations (steep stairs to upper tier), the ground-level seating and air-conditioning make it accessible for most medical tourists seeking a unique cultural outing during recovery.

Contact: +66 64 935 6499 | Facebook: @Lhongtou | Instagram: @lhongtoucafe_official

Café visits are leisure activities complementing your medical treatment. Consult your medical team for post-procedure activity guidance. Prices subject to change; verify with venue. All information verified against official sources as of February 2026.

Lhong Tou Cafe