Escape to Thonglor oasis serving tasty apple crumble, German rolls, more

A sample of Glück’s signature apple crumble from a recipe handed down by owner Christina Grawe’s grandmother.
A sample of Glück’s signature apple crumble from a recipe handed down by owner Christina Grawe’s grandmother.

A German TV journalist’s dream came true when she opened a cafe with everything that makes her happy – quality coffee alongside healthy food and desserts – plus a place for parents to park their little ones while having a cuppa.

After months spent renovating a deserted office floor, Christina Grawe last month opened Glück (happiness, luck and joy in German), a day-time, European-style cafe tucked behind Panjit Tower on Soi Sukhumvit 55. 

The cafe highlights Grawe’s family recipes, locally sourced coffee and healthy dishes – many which are organic and homemade, with zero artificials or preservatives. Vegan options are on the offer too.

“You won’t find pork knuckles here,” said Grawe, a native of Trier, Germany, who’s lived in Thailand for 16 years and produces television and films at her firm Mediawok.

Behind her is a “kid’s corner” where babies and toddlers can play baby barista at a mini coffee counter. A children’s “babyccino” drink is on the house for them.

Walk from the street through the Roman gate and past Makai Cafe to find a simply decorated space with white walls and wooden floors and a few frames holding recipes doodled by Grawe’s grandma nearly five decades ago.

Sitting outside on the balcony or sitting at a wooden counter with a lush view of trees and a leaf-covered pond is what makes the cafe a gem for Thonglor folks in need of a break. As Grawe describes it, her cafe is a “happy place” to relax and enjoy.

Arabica coffee beans from the Thai north are used to pour the classics (espresso is THB80, latte or cappuccino are THB100). Customers who want a change can get a simple, refreshing Apfelschorle, or German apple juice spritzer, for THB80. The apple is organic and no sugar is added, according to Grawe. 

Apfelschorle (THB80)
Apfelschorle (THB80)

For pastries, try the comforting and crunchy Apple Crumble (THB100) that’s made straight outta grandma’s recipe. German bread rolls Brötchen from Austrian bakery Landhaus are available at a reasonable THB200 and come in three types: sourdough, sesame or ciabatta. Patrons can pick three toppings of their preference (such as peanut butter, Thai goat cheese, liver spread, vegan cheddar cheese and smoked salmon.)

Open-face, bite-sized Schnittchen is available under city names such as Melbourne (avocado, pomegranate, tomato, nut, chives, sourdough bread for THB150), Beirut (homemade hummus beetroot, cashew cheese sprinkles and sourdough bread for THB150) and Berlin (butter, ham, pickled cucumber, fried egg and sourdough bread for THB200. The bustling quarter gets its own sandwich: the Thonglor is a Thai-style grilled chicken breast, chili jam, coriander, salad and baguette for THB160.

Glück is open 8am to 5pm every day except Sunday. It is located behind Panjit Tower, between sois Thonglor 5 and 7, about a 15-minute walk or short ride from BTS Thong Lo. 

Christina Grawe
Christina Grawe
Tofu Steak (THB100)
Tofu Steak (THB100)

FIND IT:

Glück – Artisan Food and Coffee
Panjit Tower, Soi Sukhumvit 55 (Thonglor)
Open 8am – 5pm every day, except Sunday
Phone: 086-000-7114
BTS: Thong Lo

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