Coffee Mania at Patong, Phuket
I was introduced to Coffee Mania at Patong, Phuket by a Barista friend, RN. I had asked friends for recommendations because I had pretty bad coffee on previous trips and was suffering the same misfortune during the first few days of my visit to Phuket. This post is for fellow caffeine addicts who are planning a trip to Phuket, Thailand or are already there and are looking for a decent coffee fix.
Latte @ THB 70 (about USD 2.20)
Coffee Mania roasts their own beans. The silky smooth microfoam on the Latte was a good sign that the Barista was adept at steaming milk to its optimal point. The coffee wasn't disappointing either. Although the roast was just a little darker than I'd become accustomed to, it was nonetheless a well-balanced cup of coffee. After 4 days of bad coffee, even at joints with fancy machines and that use Illy coffee beans, this was like sunshine after the rain. Definitely a Must-Try if you're a coffee fiend in Phuket!
If you're looking for a Starbucks-like experience (eg. frappes and flavoured coffee) or alternatives to coffee, you'd be pleased to know that Coffee Mania offers a wide range of drinks to suit just about every palate.
Ham & Cheese Croissant @ THB 130 (about USD 4.08)
The Ham & Cheese Croissant seemed like a good idea for breakfast except it was too greasy and was slightly rubbery. To date, I have yet to have a croissant in Asia that beats the one I savoured at Blue Pumpkin, Siem Reap six years ago.
We had a hard time looking for the other branch, Coffee Mania House as we kept getting wrong directions (do ask your concierge for help before leaving the hotel). We diverted to the Patong Beach branch only to find that it was closed as the folks running the place were on vacation. When we finally made it down to Coffee Mania Patong Beach, it was our last day in Phuket and we had a flight to catch later that day. The service staff seemed pretty sullen and so we didn't ask them for their operating hours. Try visiting in the late morning or early afternoon to avoid disappointment.
Coffee Mania at Patong Beach 69/1 Prachanukrao Road, Patong, Phuket 83150 Thailand Phone: +66 76 292 341 Coffee Mania House 171 Nanai Road, T. Pato, A. Kathu, Phuket 83150 Thailand Phone: +66 76 512 380