A Taste of Chachoengsao’s Newest Riverside Spots: Beurre & Boulanger and One Hour From Bangkok

Over all the years of visiting my husband’s family hometown in Chachoengsao, the local food scene has generally had limited options when it came to anything “fancy.” But that has certainly begun to change!

On a recent trip, my husband’s uncle (who isn’t even a local resident himself) told us about a new “croissant place” located within walking distance of our family’s home along the Bang Pakong River waterfront. He and his wife had checked it out after a friend recommended it. Keeping that word-of-mouth tip in mind, we decided to drop by on a weekday when we returned to Chachoengsao for the Hungry Ghost Festival prayers.

It turns out the bakery, Beurre & Boulanger (เบิร์ค แอนด์ บูลองเช่)—which translates directly to Butter & Baker—is a French viennoiserie and croissant specialty shop. Viennoiserie refers to classic French baked goods made from enriched puff pastry or leavened doughs packed with butter, milk, and eggs.

Beurre & Boulanger shares ownership with the ultra-popular gelateria right next door, One Hour From Bangkok (วัน อาว-เอ้อร์ ฟรอม บางกอก). Both concepts are helmed by Chef Benz and Chef Peh, housed inside a beautifully restored, nearly 100-year-old wooden house on Phanit Road. Their culinary vision bridges their training in Thai cuisine and French pastry at Le Cordon Bleu with authentic Italian gelato-making techniques. After an initial soft opening, One Hour From Bangkok officially launched its storefront two months ago.

Beurre & Boulanger: French Pastries by the River

Always a bit skeptical of Instagrammable spots that rely heavily on aesthetics with photo-ready items, we decided to stick to the classic basics for our initial visit:

• Butter Croissant (85 THB)
• Cigarette Pastry with Chocolate & Hazelnut (110 THB): Rather than a classic crescent shape, this is rolled like a Pain Suisse cigar. Instead of folding a flat sheet of laminated croissant dough over a middle filling, the layered dough is rolled tightly into a cylindrical log.

The staff mentioned that their signature item is the Crème Brûlée Croissant (165 THB), but it looked a bit too indulgent for us (plus my husband isn’t a huge crème brûlée fan). Since we bought ours as a takeaway to enjoy the next morning, it wouldn’t be completely fair to pass a final verdict on fresh-out-of-the-oven texture—as freshness is everything with laminated pastries (goods made by repeatedly rolling and folding dough with layers of butter).

However, my husband noted that the texture was lovely—far denser and more buttery than commercial croissants that often taste predominantly of flour. I also really enjoyed it myself; even without reheating it the next day, the outer shell retained a satisfying crispness!

While Google reviews are a bit of a mixed bag, the bakery offers a charming ambiance, and diners can even bring their pastries over to enjoy inside the gelato space next door.

One Hour From Bangkok: Premium Italian Gelato

As we were leaving the bakery, staff mentioned the gelato shop next door was under the exact same owner. The front facade simply reads “One Hour,” which had already piqued our curiosity when we arrived. Although the brand ran a trial phase prior, their official storefront launched just two months ago and draws massive weekend crowds.

Before ordering, the staff offered a complimentary tasting session (limited to two flavors per group). The flavor labels at the counter were only in Thai—which makes it a little tricky for non-local visitors—with the exception of “Pistachio 100%”. We sampled:

• Pla Haeng Tangmo / Watermelon with Dried Fish Sorbet (ปลาแห้งแตงโม): A modern frozen twist on the royal Thai summer dish traditionally eaten during the Ayutthaya and Rattanakosin eras to cool the body. While this savory-sweet flavor profile isn’t entirely new in Bangkok, it’s a fun novelty for anyone trying it for the first time!
• Pistachio Gelato (180 THB per scoop): Rich, nutty, and distinctly 100% pistachio.

The staff highlighted that their pistachio is imported directly from Italy. In Italy, over 90% of pistachio production stems from Sicily—most notably the famed Pistacchio Verde di Bronte grown in the volcanic soil of Mount Etna, which carries prestigious European PDO status. Since Thailand’s tropical climate doesn’t support commercial pistachio farming (with imports usually coming from the US, Iran, Vietnam, China, or Italy), premium dessert spots rely on high-end imported pastes to deliver that authentic, deep flavor.

Gelato vs. Ice Cream: Decoding the Buzz & Pricing

With so much buzz around “ultra-smooth” frozen treats, understanding what sets these desserts apart helps put the pricing into perspective:

• Gelato: Churned slowly with low air incorporation (overrun), containing 4%–8% milkfat and typically no egg yolks. Served slightly warmer than ice cream to yield a dense, silky texture and intense flavor.
• Ice Cream: High milkfat (10%–20%) churned quickly to whip in up to 50% air, creating a light, fluffy texture served at very cold temperatures (-20°C).
• Soft Serve: Lower-fat base pumped with high air volume and dispensed directly from a machine without deep freezing.
• Sorbet: 100% dairy-free (0% fat) made from fruit puree, water, and sugar, producing a crisp, clean flavor profile.

Why is gelato more expensive? You are essentially paying for density and premium ingredients. Because less air is whipped into gelato during the slow-churning process, there is more actual product per volume. In Bangkok, gelato prices range anywhere from 60 THB up to 220 THB for standard single scoops, with ultra-premium signature flavors at viral artisanal spots ranging between 219 THB and 519 THB!

The Verdict & Alternatives

So, did I enjoy the 180 THB Pistachio gelato? Yes, absolutely. It easily ticks all the essential boxes of a good gelato: dense, silky, and packed with authentic, non-artificial nuttiness.

Will I splurge on it every time? Probably not, given the sheer explosion of dessert choices popping up in the market today. Unless you are a die-hard gelato connoisseur, it simply comes down to choosing a treat that fits your personal budget and cravings. If you do plan to visit, a weekday late afternoon before sunset is your best bet to enjoy the Bang Pakong River views without the weekend lines.

💡 Budget Alternative: If you are looking for classic ice cream at a more wallet-friendly price point in the same area, check out Mint’Cha Ice Cream for a simpler local stop!

As for the scones? My husband noticed me staring intently at the pastry displays in both shops. One Hour From Bangkok actually features an impressive spread of scones, ranging from a Classic Scone (85 THB) to a Roasted Pistachio Scone (180 THB). Having suffered through my fair share of mediocre scones in the past, I know a truly great one doesn’t need to be overly fancy. I decided to hold off this time, but they’re definitely on my watchlist for our next trip back!

📍 Details & Location

• Beurre & Boulanger (เบิร์ค แอนด์ บูลองเช่): French Bakery & Pastries | Facebook Page
• One Hour From Bangkok (วัน อาว-เอ้อร์ ฟรอม บางกอก): Artisanal Gelateria | Facebook Page
• Location: Phanit Road, along the Bang Pakong River waterfront, Mueang Chachoengsao District, Chachoengsao.