Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get our top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
Header image courtesy of @mmwonderfulife (via Instagram)
Hong Kong is bursting with coffee shops, and new openings are appearing left and right. Holding its own against neighbouring rivals South Korea and Japan when it comes to coffee and cafés, our city definitely has its own eclectic roster to boast about. After all, who doesn’t need their daily dose of caffeine or thirst-quenching drink to start the day? Join us as we round up the latest cafés and coffee shops popping up in the city.
Lovers of sweets and pastries should put Que on their list. Helmed by one of Asia’s top pastry chefs, Rin Horiuchi, the new café takes inspiration from Tirpse, a fine-dining establishment where Chef Rin spent years honing his craft.
Diners can expect interiors inspired by natural wood tones, water elements, Japanese aesthetics, and ancient folklore. Thanks to its location, it also provides an urban escape from downtown Hong Kong. A place to kick back and unplug, treat yourself to Que’s parfaits, Japanese-inspired tacos, delicious donburi, and cakes.
Que, Shop 284–285, Citygate Outlets, 20 Tat Tung Road, Tung Chung
Komeda’s Coffee is the newest Japanese-style café to land in the city. Using traditional Japanese design styles with elements of wood and tiles as the main theme, it emits a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere, and the café retains the same speciality menu from the original Komeda’s Coffee in Japan. You can savour a series of signature dishes from breakfast to dinner, such as the thick-cut toast with toppings like red bean paste or egg salad, and finish off with a soft and fluffy Danish bread paired with milk ice cream (starting from $48). Don’t miss the exclusive Hong Kong-only offerings, like the deep-fried beef burger ($60) and matcha drink series (starting from $45).
Komeda’s Coffee, G1, 9 Shung King Street, Aeon Style, Whampoa Garden, Hung Hom
Melt takes over the former location of Grains of Salt on Gough Street. The interiors remain similar to the former occupant but this time, diners will find adorable cat murals all over the walls. A great choice for an after-work munch, you can order the set dinner (starting from $188) which includes salad, a main dish, and a dessert of your choice. Meanwhile, the set lunch starts from $128! On the à la carte menu, try the house burger ($108) or the crispy ravioli ($78) and gulp it down with a cucumber soda (48) or sesame latte ($50).
Melt, 47 Gough Street, Sheung Wan
Better Late Than Ever is located in an ex-barbershop, now transformed into a minimalistic coffee shop. Also a pet-friendly café, the space is small and intimate with a two-seater right outside the bar, overlooking the counter. Browse through the selection of pastries and desserts all made in-house. What’s on offer depends on the day, but some standouts include smoked salmon and avocado ($88) and double ham and cheese ($68). Those who love coffee and sweets should try the coffee jelly with vanilla ice cream ($52).
Better Late Than Never, G/F, 27 Haven Street, Causeway Bay
As if Sham Shui Po doesn’t have enough coffee shops already! Saloon takes its name from the art exhibitions organised by the French Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture. Since the seventeenth century, the Salon has been a place where French artists and lovers of art gather to talk about art and culture. Saloon’s owner brings that same idea and concept to a space in Sham Shui Po. While the name has its roots in France, the menu and décor are Japanese-inspired.
Coffee lovers with pets can add this to their list of pet-friendly cafés! From its menu, the Raindrop cake is a must for your taste buds and your Instagram feed. We also recommend the Lotus Biscoff cheesecake! By day, Saloon serves coffee and dessert, and by night, yakitori skewers are on the menu, so bookmark this for all-day fun.
Saloon, G/F, 196 Tai Nan Street, Sham Shui Po
Part coffee shop, part cocktail bar, whatever kind of drink you’re looking for, Memento offers the best of both worlds. Located near the Flower Market, this cocktail bar setting offers an intimate vibe while the selection of coffee and cold brews makes you feel right at home. Be sure to try the honey cold brew ($68) alongside homemade ice cream (starting from $75) and pistachio roll cake ($60) for a refreshing treat.
Memento, 9 Playing Field Road, Prince Edward
Another Japanese-style café opens in the city, this time at K11 Musea. Pet-friendly, with plenty of natural light, and scrumptious treats, it seems that Ukiyo has it all. Its name means “floating world” in Japanese but it also describes a pleasure-seeking lifestyle. Instagrammable in all aspects, Ukiyo has plenty to offer when it comes to food. You can’t go wrong with the black truffle scrambled eggs ($188) or the spaghetti carbonara with crispy guanciale ($148). Make sure to leave room for the mochi chocolate waffle with salted caramel sauce ($158).
Ukiyo, Shop 610, 6/F, K11 Musea, 18 Salisbury Road, Victoria Dockside, Tsim Sha Tsui
How to Live Well opens a new branch in Tsuen Wan and is yet another addition to Hong Kong’s plethora of Japanese-style cafés. This new outpost offers the same fancy café food but with a focus on hearty meals rather than fluffy cakes. Have a bite of the spaghetti in creamy mentaiko sauce ($148) or the fried chicken with kimchi ($98). If you have the appetite for it, the classic pizza ($168) is one you can’t miss. For the drinks, have a sip of the café’s special offerings, like the Baby Cigar ($78) or Passion Bloom ($58).
How to Live Well, Shop 343–345, 3/F, Tsuen Wan Plaza, Tsuen Wan
Jianne is introverted by nature but adventurous by heart. This Hong Kong-born-and-raised Filipino, who also spent time in Japan, prides herself on being a fangirl. On days when she’s not writing or travelling, you can find her visiting art exhibitions, looking for the best new places to eat in town, or simply trying to learn another language.
Top