Description
The Art Hopper is a lovely, new coffeehouse in downtown Sakon Nakhon, within easy walking distance (500m) from Wat Phra That Choeng Chum. As you can tell by the name, the Art Hopper has an interest in promoting the Sakon Nakhon arts community. On entering the shop, which is on the ground floor of the charming guesthouse Baan Sa Ngiam-Manee (บ้านเสงี่ยม-มณี), we noticed free flyers for the recent Sakon Junction arts festival, which hopefully will become a yearly event.
The Art Hopper has for sale an eclectic mix of locally made products, including shirts, scarves, colored drawings, mao berry juice, natural rice shampoo and conditioner, hand-made jewelry, and more. Beautiful hard wood floors, walls, and beams make for a cozy and comfortable atmosphere, and the background music of traditional Thai folks songs takes you back to that old Siam feeling of years gone by.
The drink offerings — from hot espresso and cappuccino to iced honey latte and lemon tea — are all delicious and inexpensive. There is also a nice little library, including some books with beautiful photos and a few in English, which you can browse while meditating on the easy-going Sakon Nakhon lifestyle. It's also a place where there is an increased chance of running into a local who speaks English and you can have a chat with.
No food is served at the Art Hopper (at least as of yet), so if you are feeling hungry, we would recommend heading down the road for 300 meters (in the opposite direction of Wat Phra That Choeng Chum) to Ban Fa Prong for their excellent menu of Issan, Thai, and Western dishes, in an equally lovely atmosphere.
