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Header image courtesy of @lizeatery (via Instagram)
Most people say that the world is obsessed with Australian coffee culture, but we’d say that’s just because they have not yet set foot in one of Hong Kong’s 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.
As you’ve slogged your way through the week, there is no denying that today is long—but it does not have to be when you’ve got a decent cup of joe in hand. Say hello to Sai Ying Pun’s latest café opening, an Australian-inspired independent coffee shop that pays homage to Down Under and the Outback’s iconic Uluru in its warm colour palette of burnt orange and glowing sienna.
Separated into two menus—“Short Day” and “Long Day”—Today is Long specialises in bringing lesser-known Australian roasters to Hong Kong. For their opening, they have partnered with Small Batch from Melbourne and are highlighting its nutty Candyman espresso blend. Best of all, unlike other coffee shops in Hong Kong, the plant-based milk alternatives here come at no extra cost! Grab a treat from their light food menu of baked items, open sandwiches, toasties, cakes, and salad bowls, and leave some space for their signature Croffles, a sumptuous croissant and waffle amalgamation!
Today is Long, G/F, Kin Hing Building, 172 Queen’s Road West, Sai Ying Pun
Looking for a luxurious coffee experience that will speak to all of your indulgent senses? Check out Between, Jia Group’s first café concept, located within the chic confines of Tai Kwun. Led by the award-winning power duo of head barista Zac Wong and coffee roaster Lok Chan, Between makes full use of its 3,000 square feet to create a communal space where connoisseurs can meet and share their passion for the blessed bean, art, sustainability, and wellness, among others.
From turmeric lattes (starting from $48) to iced chocolates ($48) and a whole tasting menu dedicated to pour-overs (starting from $50), there’s a lot to love about Between’s dedication to coffee, but their food menu shares the spotlight, too. Taking inspiration from Japanese café fare, Between offers teishoku sets (starting from $158), split into five compartments and accompanied by a seaweed salad, savoury pickles, and Hokkaido Yumepirika rice. Other highlights include the chicken sando with cabbage & Wakame mayonnaise ($68), Japanese uni tagliatelle ($258), and the kale, Japanese egg, and broccolini salad with sesame dressing (starting from $68).
Between, 2/F, JC Contemporary, Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Road, Central
From the quiet community hub of Happy Valley to the bustling and frenetic streets of Tsim Sha Tsui, Reaction Coffee Roasters has crossed the harbour and opened a second location, trading in chill vibes for frenetic energy but keeping all of its rustic and inviting charms. Snag a seat at their floor-to-ceiling windows to soak in the sun and the pitter-patter of passers-by and fall in love with their spacious interiors, offering everything from intimate nooks to communal bench seating.
Take your pick from crowd-favourite bevvies like the espresso on rocks ($34), iced cappuccino ($46), and cold brew ($52) to quench your thirst. And if you’re feeling peckish, delight over their extensive menu of Western café fare—our favourites are the smoked salmon & avocado on sourdough ($84), the all-day breakfast ($110), and the teriyaki chicken burger ($93).
Reaction Coffee Roasters, G/F, 32–48 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
It’s hard not to love Ninetys—its food offerings are delectable, the coffees are robust, and its casual Australian café atmosphere makes it the perfect destination for all kinds of get-togethers and lazy weekend meals. Well, lunchers, brunchers, and coffee-drinkers in Causeway Bay—you’re finally getting your very own Ninetys outlet. Opening up in Lee Garden, this marks the café concept’s fifth branch. Perch yourself at their coffee bar, opt for a full sit-down affair, or pop in for a quick cuppa and enjoy the serenity of people-watching from the first floor.
If you loved the East-meets-West recipes that made Ninetys a firm favourite in our hearts, rest assured that they will be making a comeback at their Causeway Bay location, too. Popular choices like Piggy Piggy ($168), Holy Crab Benedict ($198), and Siu Wan Rice ($168) are returning staples, and new additions include the beef cheek ($288) and the pan-seared Spanish duck breast ($328). From the drinks menu, we recommend the black latte ($42) with charcoal and white latte ($42) with coconut, as well as the sweet and woody blueberry cupcake tea ($58)!
Ninetys, Shop 116, 1/F, Lee Garden Two, 28 Yun Ping Road, Causeway Bay
Taking over the Hillier Street location of what used to be Brew Bros, Meanwhile is the newest coffee shop to hit the Sheung Wan neighbourhood. Frequent patrons will recognise the familiar interiors; not much has changed aside from refreshed colours, furnishing, and fixings to create a minimalistic and clean atmosphere fuelled by natural wood and dried flora.
While the drinks menu covers the usual suspects—expect cold brew ($48), flat whites ($42), and cappuccinos ($42) galore—it’s actually the food offerings that catch our eye. From the focused menu, opt for the chef-recommended French croque monsieur ($68) and black truffle cream pasta with bacon & grilled mushrooms ($128) for a filling meal, or opt for a corned beef with egg on sourdough toast ($68) for something a little unusual.
True to its name, Alley Coffee is tucked down an unassuming lane in Wan Chai, but you’ll find that it keeps itself in good company, counting the Blue House Cluster and Samsen amongst its neighbours. Its minimalist dressing of bare concrete, white-washed walls, and wooden furnishings gives off a practical and an almost austere atmosphere, but hey, you’re here for the coffee, right?
Offering beans selected from Colombia, Costa Rica, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Papua New Guinea, signature coffees are made using the pour-over method, but regular brews like flat whites, cappuccinos, and espressos are on the menu as well. Nibble on the avocado & shrimp toast with green salad ($88) to keep the hunger pangs at bay in the late afternoons.
Alley Coffee, Shop A, G/F, 1 King Sing Street, Wan Chai
If you have ever been cycling in Hong Kong, you’ll be keenly familiar with the fact that there’s just not that much that counts as an attraction between your starting point and destination, especially when it comes to refreshments and resting spots. That’s all changing, however, with Swing By Bicycle & Coffee, a brand-new coffee shop that has opened up along the Science Park stretch, a popular destination for casual cyclists on the weekends.
Boasting an open shopfront that faces the sea and a dressed-down interior aesthetic that speaks to the Instagrammers of Hong Kong, Swing By is destined to become the next go-to spot for a casual coffee break for cyclists traversing between Sha Tin and Tai Po. Catch us sipping on coffee tonics, black sugar lattes, and cold brews here while enjoying the expansive views of Tolo Harbour.
Swing By Bicycle & Coffee, Pak Shek Kok Waterfront Promenade, Science Park, Tai Po
How to describe Rehab, Prince Edward’s latest coffee shop opening? Drop-dead gorgeous—if modern farmhouse meets mid-century modern meets eclectic and bohemian is your kind of jam. Take your pick from cosy armchairs, high bar stools, or vintage-inspired bench booths for where to sit, and peruse through their focused menu of Western café fare, featuring dishes like sous-vide beef cheek on mashed potatoes ($138) and chestnut tiramisu ($48). Dibs the wooden-slash-woven armchairs right by the entrance, and settle in for a quiet night with your boo—there are even old-school films projected against the wall for your entertainment.
Rehab, 30 Poplar Street, Prince Edward | (+852) 9889 2369
Born in Hong Kong, raised in Germany, and educated in the US, Jen is an award-winning creative with a background in illustration, communication design, art direction, and content creation. When she’s not getting lost in a good book, you’ll find her doing crosswords, eating dim sum, covering all sides of a “Hamilton” number, and taking naps.
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