What would we do without cafes? They are a small corner away from the hustle and bustle of the city, where we really believe that life can be simpler. A cup of good coffee, maybe a slice of cake on the side and soothing music, and you’re set for the rest of the day. It doesn’t matter if you’re reading a book, working on your computer or catching up with a friend, a cafe is the ideal setting to kick your feet up, lay back and relax. It’s no wonder that so many new ones have popped up in recent months. So, here’s our guide to the newest cafes you need to add to your radar.
No Title
Even though No Title is tucked away in a corner on Gough Street, it certainly isn’t a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it spot. No Title’s owners are Wing and Xiaowen, a young couple hailing from Guizhou. But from the cafe’s industrial interior to the goldfish tank decor that pays homage to Wong Kar Wai, it’s clear they’ve made Hong Kong their home. Besides their signatures like camellia latte and glacier americano, be sure to check out the blue soda decorated with a goldfish-shaped ice and Kewichow sticky rice.
51B Gough Street, Sheung Wan; @notitlehk_
No Sleep Club
No Sleep Club understands that a good cup of coffee is a work of art, which is why this new cafe found its home at the Fringe Club in Central. This is where “espresso meets brushstrokes”: customers can sip away on comfortable leather couches and beanbag chairs while looking at stunning artworks. Other than coffee and matcha, they also serve a selection of tarts like pistachio and yuzu.
LG/F Fringe Club, 2 Lower Albert Road, Central; @nosleepclubcentral
Venner
Beloved Nordic cafe Hjem is reincarnated into Venner. Owners Elin and Nelson have reopened the cafe under a new name, but its mission remains the same: to bring homely, friendly vibes to the fast-paced and busy culture of the city. Everything at Venner is homemade, from their honey golden oat latte to the Norwegian custard buns (Skolebrød). But you might want to stay around a little longer, because Venner transforms into an intimate wine bar every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night.
161 Hollywood Road, Central; @vennerhk
Sap Sann
Sap Sann left their home in Sham Shui Po and relocated to Mong Kok. But its most loyal customers have nothing to fret, because the Japanese dessert cafe is still as cozy as ever. Within the modest wooden decor, you can make yourself comfortable with their coffee and drinks like genmaicha latte and Kinako brown sugar soymilk. But most famous is their selection of desserts like the chestnut mont blanc, canelé and tiramisu.
Shop G1, One Soho, 32B Shan Tung Street, Mong Kok; @sap.sann
Kactus Koffee
Korean coffee brand Kactus Koffee is expanding overseas with its second location in Hong Kong. The new Sheung Wan store is even more spacious with vintage wooden counters, industrial concrete walls and retro carpets. Kactus Koffee offers deeply aromatic coffee with a nuttier aftertaste, and pair it with trendy desserts like croffles and ang butter croissants, and you have the perfect taste of Korea.
G/F, Sun Shing Mansion, 27 Queen’s Road West, Sheung Wan; @kactuskoffee
a kafe 丫
Hidden in a remote village in Yuen Long, a kafe 丫 is a modern oasis in the middle of rural Hong Kong. The cafe offers a selection of classics like dirty and americano, but also likes to switch things up. Their orange juice americano is refreshing and palette-cleansing, while the espresso tonic will surely stimulate your senses. Taking their name from the nearby Mount Akki, this cafe is shaping up to be a hidden paradise.
128 Ha Mei San Tsuen, Yuen Long; @a.kafe.hk
63 Studio
Nestled in the showroom of The Grey House is 63 Studio, a cafe for motorcycle lovers. Even though it’s only open on weekends and public holidays, 63 Studio has a lot to offer. Their coffees and drinks are well-crafted and thoughtfully decorated, a real treat for the eye. Its spacious concrete floors display the coolest motorcycles and helmets next to artful, ergonomic chairs. It might have a laidback atmosphere, but a visit to 63 Studio will get your engines revving.
30 On Lok Mun Street, Fanling; @63studiohk
Again
This hole-in-the-wall coffee store only does grab-and-go orders, but their coffee is guaranteed to make you come back. Again uses coffee beans from Latin America, Indonesia and East Africa, providing their customers with a range and depth of flavours. If you’re not into coffee, don’t worry because Again offers a selection of teas as well, like matcha, barley tea and genmaicha. The best part of Again is their prices: everything is under HK$40.
Shop 1, G/F, Teda Building, 87 Wing Lok Street, Sheung Wan; @againlimited
Full Nature Roastery
You probably wouldn’t know Full Nature Roastery even if you live in Happy Valley. Hidden in a quiet street deep in Wong Nai Chung, it definitely takes a different breed of cafe hunter to find this local gem. But its menu is bound to make it memorable. Besides good quality coffee, expect beautiful plates of sourdough toast, vibrant salads and hand crafted pasta that will leave you more than satisfied.
3 Yuen Yuen Street, Happy Valley; @fnroastery
Ice Bean
Remember Monster Mansion, that old building complex that became a popular photography location? Well, it just gained a new resident in Ice Bean. The cafe has limited seats, but offers quite comprehensive selections, most appealing are their affogato and matcha cheese covered coconut water. Ice Bean is also very pet-friendly, so bring your dog along, and have some coffee while you take some cool pictures of the architecture around you.
Shop 7, Yick Fat Building, 1048 King’s Road, Quarry Bay; @ice_bean_hk
Editor
Matt ChauCredit
Lead image: Courtesy of Venner
