Café
Kopitiam by Wilai
A Thalang Road coffee shop styled like an old Chinese kopitiam, serving Phuket-style Hokkien noodles, pad thai and drinks at modest prices.
Dou Brew Coffee & Craft
A specialty coffee bar on Soi Romanee that roasts Thai arabica on site, is known for nitro cold brew and makes bean-to-bar chocolate from Thai cacao.
At a glance
- Type
- Specialty coffee roaster and craft chocolate
- Area
- Phuket Old Town, Phuket, Thailand
- Price
- $$ · Mid-range
- Opening
- Open daily
Good to know
- On-site roasting
- Nitro cold brew
- Bean-to-bar chocolate
- Free Wi-Fi
Why we recommend it
Dou Brew Coffee & Craft is a specialty coffee bar on Soi Romanee, the short, pastel-painted lane off Thalang Road that is the most photographed street in Old Phuket Town. Behind the shophouse front, the café roasts its own beans at the back of the shop, mostly Thai arabica from the north of the country, and it also makes bean-to-bar chocolate from Thai cacao, which sets it apart from the many other coffee shops in the old town.
The coffee menu covers espresso drinks, drip, AeroPress and cold brew, but the house speciality is nitro cold brew. There is also a nitro cold brew tea called The Burgundy for those who prefer something without coffee. The chocolate is sold as bars, bonbons and pralines and served as a rich chocolate drink, which comes in a double dark version for serious chocolate lovers. Cakes and pastries are available, but there are no full meals, so treat it as a coffee and snack stop rather than a lunch venue.
Inside, the room is long and narrow, with bare plaster and concrete walls, framed black-and-white photographs, mid-century armchairs, wooden tables towards the back and a teak counter. There are also stools and a bench on the pavement under the arcade, a good spot for watching the lane. Free Wi-Fi makes it suitable for a short work session outside the busiest hours.
Dou Brew opens at 08:00 every day, closing at 18:00 on weekdays and 19:00 at weekends. Early morning is the best time to come: Soi Romanee is at its quietest and the light on the façades is soft for photographs. Prices are in line with other specialty cafés in the old town. It suits coffee enthusiasts, chocolate lovers and anyone exploring the old town on foot who needs a break from the heat.
Soi Romanee links Thalang Road with Dibuk Road, so the café is right in the middle of the old town walk. The Thai Hua Museum, Kopitiam by Wilai and the Shrine of the Serene Light are all a few minutes away, and on Sundays the walking street market on Thalang Road starts just around the corner. A bar of the café's chocolate also makes a good small gift to take home.
Dou Brew Coffee & Craft FAQs
Where is Dou Brew?
At 15 Soi Romanee, the lane between Thalang Road and Dibuk Road in Old Phuket Town.
What are the opening hours?
Daily from 08:00, closing at 18:00 Monday to Friday and 19:00 at weekends.
What is the house speciality?
Nitro cold brew coffee.
Do they roast their own coffee?
Yes, beans are roasted on site, mostly Thai arabica from the north.
Do they make chocolate?
Yes, bean-to-bar chocolate from Thai cacao, sold as bars, bonbons, pralines and drinks.
Is food served?
Cakes and pastries only, no full meals.
Is there Wi-Fi?
Yes, Wi-Fi is free.
When is the best time to visit?
Early morning, when Soi Romanee is quiet and good for photographs.