Whether you’re the type of person who needs a morning hit of caffeine before work or a workout, or the type who’d rather spend a lazy afternoon in one of the many great artisan coffee shops we now have dotted around the 852, we’ve rounded up the best of them for anyone who takes their coffee culture seriously.
PUBLIC
While the coffee is definitely very good, it has to complete with the view at Public – which is, quite simply stunning. On the 37th floor of the One Island East skyscraper, Public’s 180-degree, floor-to-ceiling glass windows take fullest advantage of the magnificent serene green vistas of the adjacent hillside. Comfortable, very spacious, and simply decorated, it has a decent menu of international favourites. Perfect for lunch or afternoon tea.
Public | 37/F, One Island East, Taikoo Place, 18 Westlands Road, Quarry Bay
Ground Public | G/F, One Island East, Taikoo Place, 18 Westlands Road, Quarry Bay
ESPRESSO ALCHEMY
For the bean brigade, this is the go-to place. Alchemy is committed to quality and they accordingly roast coffee in small batches to carefully bring out the most amazing tastes. Added to that, they are the only wholesale coffee roaster in Hong Kong to have a Licensed Coffee Grader (Q Grader certified by the Specialty Coffee Association of America) and Barista Championship Judge among their staff. Alchemy provides classes, workshops and training – from casual latte-art and coffee tasting interest classes, to professional barista training and shop opening consultation.
Shop 8, 4-6 Hoi Wan Street, Quarry Bay
Shop 36, WK Square, The Basement, 36-44 Nathan Road, TST
Unit 1, 3/F, Wing Hang Industrial Building, 13 – 29 Kwai Hei Street, Kwai Fong
THE CUPPING ROOM
Three-time Hong Kong barista champ, Kapo, who founded this place, knows that it is all about coffee. Serious, award-winning coffee. With two locations in Central and in Sheung Wan, The Cupping Room features special coffees made with cultivated Geisha coffee beans. While there is a small breakfast/lunch menu, the main draws here are the award-winning cappuccino and espresso.
The Cupping Room Central | G/F, 18 Cochrane St, Central
The Cupping Room Sheung Wan | Shop LG, 287-299 Queen's Road Central, Central
ZAI FE
In colloquial Cantonese, Zai Fe translates into English as ‘strong black coffee’. And that’s exactly what they serve. Here it is all about quality, with fair trade coffee beans that are sourced from Colombia, Rwanda and Indonesia before being expertly roasted here in Kwun Tong. Conveniently located on a rooftop in Lan Kwai Fong, Zai Fe coffee packs a punch.
1/F Terrace, No.73 Wyndham Street, Central
CAFÉ DEADEND
Situated in trendy Po Hing Fong is the wonderfully named Café Deadend, surrounded by trees and flowers, and housed in a cool and unassuming white building. While professional baristas swirl patterns on your latte or cappuccino, you can sit outdoors -- or inside depending on the weather – and enjoy this little oasis away from the usual bustling streets. Oh, and they do a mean hot chocolate too, if you’re not into coffees.
G/F, 72 Po Hing Fong, Sheung Wan
KNOCKBOX COFFEE COMPANY
Founded by the first qualified Q-grader for coffee in Hong Kong, a roaster and a judge for Cup of Excellence, Patrick is the founder of Knockbox Coffee Company. One of the finest specialty coffee houses in Hong Kong that emphasises the artisanal role of coffee in every aspect, it is definitely the place to hang out for coffee enthusiasts who know that exclusive brewing methods are a must.
21 Hak Po Street, Mong Kok, Kowloon
BLACKSMITH
While this one might be hard to find, hidden as it is in Sai Kung’s twisty streets, it is a gem of a place that’s worth the search. Tiny, cool, with a definite Aussy-hipster vibe and funky mis-matched décor, it serves excellent coffee, and a pretty decent selection of food too. Co-owner and barista Ah Lam is a perfectionist who takes his coffee skills seriously.
Blacksmith Tea House | G/F, 3 Hoi Pong Street, Sai Kung
Blacksmith Coffee House | G/F, 17 See Cheung Street, Sai Kung [to be opened after the first week of April 2017]
CAFÉ HEATO
Don’t overreact when we tell you that this place is out in Tuen Mun. It’s well worth the trek as the coffee menu – written on a blackboard -- reflects the keenness of the owners to create some of the best coffees in Hong Kong. With its laid-back, Boho vibe, Heato is a great place to chill and pass the time. Be warned that it gets busy on weekends when regulars take over the place.
P6 Tsing Pak Path, Tuen Mun, New Territories
ACCRO COFFEE
Yet another multi-award-winning barista, judge and coffee roaster – who knew we had so many in HK? -- Tsuyoshi Mok, together with siphonist Pinky Leung, winner of World Siphonist Championship 2013 head up this renowned brewhouse. With a choice of single origin beans or other sophisticated selections from Indonesia, Bolivia, Ethiopia and Guatemala, there’s something for every taste. You can even sign up for coffee classes, or buy your own beans to take home.
Shop 10, G/F, Fu Loy Garden, 7 Ma Wang Road, Yuen Long
%ARABICA
This is one for the experts. The beans come from their own coffee farm in Hawaii, but % Arabica also sources high-grade specialty beans from around the world. They are both a global distributor of, and users of, a high-tech Japanese roasting machine, the Tornado King, that preps beans with precision. The flagship shop of this Kyoto-originated coffee place is in Discovery Bay North Plaza where you can not only sip your brew but also pick up the beans you want.
Shop G08, G/F., DB North Plaza, 92 Siena Ave., Discovery Bay
Photo caption/ courtesy of (from left to right):
1. PUBLIC
2. ESPRESSO ALCHEMY
3. KNOCKBOX COFFEE COMPANY
4. BLACKSMITH