Emporium’s not exactly the first place that comes to mind when you’re looking for a cool new hangout. But tucked behind the mall’s third floor, past the Roller Dome skating rink and spread across two levels of what used to be a parking lot, something genuinely surprising is happening.

 

It’s called Friend Friend, a “life-friendly store”, and last month it transformed two raw concrete floors into a massive, beautifully air-conditioned industrial hideout of food, drinks, plants, furniture, and curated groceries. Somehow, it all works. Warehouse chic meets cozy living room. It’s stylish, bright, and oddly comforting, with great views of Benjakitti Park.

 

 

On the first level, you’ll find Sauce, a coffee bar turning out excellent brews, and Tyler, a smoothie shop slinging health-forward blends. Around them: plush sofas you probably can’t afford, vintage homewares, leafy potted plants, and a small but tasteful record stall with maybe 100 albums for your inner hipster. The vintage furniture section is curated by Blu Collectibles and Vintage Agent. 

 

Up a small ramp is Colorama, the in-house restaurant. The glass-wrapped dining area offers sweeping park views and seating for up to about 80 people, but still manages to feel intimate. The food is fresh, veg-forward, and Mediterranean-ish without trying too hard. Try mezze-style small plates like hummus, baba ganoush, and marinated mushrooms, or larger bowls topped with lemon-herb chicken, tofu, jerk salmon, or falafel. Prices hover around (B380–520), depending on how hungry you are. There are set lunch plates too, with sides like green beans, tahini eggplant, or cold cucumbers.

 

 

If you’re in more of a sandwich mood, the sourdough focaccia lineup is legit, especially the smoked salmon with ricotta, sauerkraut, cucumber dill, and chili oil (B420). It’s generous, zippy, and fresh.

 

The drinks menu goes big on natural wines (14 bottles, all surprisingly affordable) plus kombucha, fizzy teas, smoothies, and tiny “elixir” shots if you’re into that sort of thing. There’s also a sweets counter with treats like pistachio brookies, passionfruit coconut bundt cake, carrot and date loaf, and a chocolate tofu mousse (B90-200).

 

 

Beyond the food, Friend Friend functions as a kind of slow-living lifestyle zone. There's a curated grocery corner with niche items, Japanese vinegars, fancy oats, Marseille soaps, natural detergents, and hand-carved wooden spoons. You’ll spot French dishware, kitchen brushes, stationary, and a few cookbooks that are definitely more “aspirational” than practical. It’s less about filling a cart and more about finding that one perfect piece.

 

Staff are relaxed and friendly. The woman manning the coffee bar was happy to chat, and there’s a general air of calm throughout the whole space. It’s the perfect place where you could split a bottle of wine with a friend and chat for hours.

 

With M Quartier and M Sphere getting all the attention, it’s nice to see Emporium get something new, and something this cool. If you’re already at the Roller Dome with kids, it’s a no-brainer lunch stop. But even if you’re not, Friend Friend is worth seeking out. Just don’t expect to leave empty-handed.