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Header image courtesy of @kobiiiiii (via Instagram)
Most people say that the world is obsessed with Australian coffee culture, but Hong Kong comfortably holds its own with a roster of outstanding cafés. Small as the city may be, our neighbourhoods are brimming with boutique coffee shops, and new openings are popping up across Hong Kong every week. Join us as we follow the irresistible waft of freshly ground coffee beans to the latest and greatest café and coffee shop openings in Hong Kong.
With spring in full swing, there’s no better way to embrace the season’s blooming aura than with a visit to Laffee Coffee, a fresh, floral-themed café in Hung Hom. Dressed in a dreamy beige colour palette and floor-to-ceiling windows that allow for an abundance of natural light, the picture-perfect setting is bound to have you smitten.
Relish the airy atmosphere and treat yourself to a refreshing espresso tonic ($45) alongside a light lunch from a mouthwatering menu of pasta, bagels, toasts, and salads. For dessert, opt for the oolong tea roll cake ($45), or the chocolate and caramelised banana waffles ($118) if you are feeling extra indulgent.
Laffee Coffee, 111 Wuhu Street, Hung Hom
In case Neko Bear’s far-flung location in Sai Kung does not feel far away enough from the hustle and bustle of the city, its thoughtfully curated interiors can transport you all the way back to the Edo era in Japan. Steeped in period charm, this quaint, ocean-fronting café utilises rustic wood, tatami mats, and Japanese garden décor to create a Zen atmosphere.
Adding to the tranquil vibe, there’s even an outdoor balcony where you can admire the sea views as you fill up on the housemade udon noodles and pancakes. Pair with a creamy genmaicha latte ($36) for the perfect afternoon pick-me-up.
Neko Bear Café, Shop B, G/F, 2 Hoi Pong Street, Sai Kung
Yau Ma Tei has recently welcomed an exciting cha-chaan-teng-turned-coffee-shop crossover! Once an old-school Hong Kong-style café with over half a century of history, Tai On has received a modern revamp and transformed into a hybrid concept selling speciality coffee alongside a creative range of cha chaan teng-inspired desserts.
Dive into scrumptious baked goods like the caramel egg tart ($36), condensed milk and peanut butter bagel ($28), or the pineapple puff ($38), any of which would go well with their signature Horlicks coffee ($44). Aside from food, the thoughtful décor equally pays homage to the shop’s former identity, with much of the original layout and design elements left intact to inject an added dose of nostalgia.
Tai On Coffee and Tea Shop, 830 Canton Road, Yau Ma Tei
Fancy a lazy brunch by the lake? Escape the urban jungle and make a trip out to The Hideout in Mui Wo, a newly opened container-house-café-slash-farm still in its soft opening stage. Blending seamlessly into its verdant surrounds, this lakeside getaway spot is tastefully done up in wooden panels, cream colours, and botanical touches. Outside the shipping container is a large, semi-covered area for customers to dine alfresco.
At the moment, the menu is largely dominated by open-faced sandwiches, pastries, and coffee, but we hear that a shift towards a farm-to-table ethos is on its way once the farm area opens in July. Stay tuned and check back often for more information!
The Hideout, Ngan Kwong Wan Road, Mui Wo, Lantau Island
Hidden down a narrow alley and decked out in a rustic, all-black aesthetic, this petite coffee shop in Yuen Long may not look like much at first glance, but it sure knows its way around good coffee. Settle in for relaxed conversations over its expertly brewed fruity house blend from local roaster ETA or single-origin options from Coffee Slave.
On the dining front, expect a solid variety of hearty all-day breakfasts, burgers, pasta, build-your-own toasts, and sweet treats. Order the irresistible vanilla mochi croffle ($68), a texturally satisfying dessert featuring chewy mochi wrapped inside a crispy croffle, and topped with ice cream, chocolate sauce, nuts, and fresh fruit.
The Way Coffee, Shop H, G/F, Kei Yip Building, 9–15 Hok Yik Road, Yuen Long
Just one word off and a little more than a few blocks away, Find The Way is another new café that has recently opened its doors in Yuen Long. There is no chalking up the similarities to anything but pure coincidence, seeing that Find The Way presents itself as a distinctly unique Japanese-style café. Channelling a wabi-sabi aesthetic, the café’s interior is replete with wooden fittings and domestic touches like hangers, a wall mirror, and window curtains, recreating the feel of a cosy Japanese home.
Its menu is succinct but thoughtfully put together, offering mostly coffee, teas, and desserts, as well as a soffritto soup and drink set ($60) for a savoury option. Don’t leave without trying the oh-so-Instagrammable Japanese hotcake (starting from $45)—the thick and fluffy pancake is served piping hot with butter and maple syrup on the side.
Find The Way, Shop P3, G/F, Tung Fat Building, 9 Ping Wui Street, Yuen Long
A wanderer, chronic overthinker, and baking enthusiast, Beverly spent much of her childhood in the United States before moving to Hong Kong at age 11 and making the sparkling city her home. In her natural habitat, she can be found baking up a storm in her kitchen, journalling at a café, or scrolling through OpenRice deciding on her next meal.
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