The Best Coffee Places in Hong Kong
As a coffee addict it did not take me too long to get an overview of Hong Kong’s coffee scene. I rated my favourite places according to the quality and taste of the coffee, the price and the atmosphere on a scale from 1 to 10 points (10 being the best). This is not a final list yet, stay tuned for further places!
Venchi (Coffee: 9, Price: 8)
The unexpected winner. Italians, please do not crucify me for this – I know what Venchi actually is in Milan – you go there for the chocolate, not the coffee. In Hong Kong, however, you should go there for the coffee (at a very decent price considering the prime location of the place) – and grab some Gianduia on your way out. As this is rather a coffee-to-go place, I did not rate the atmosphere. (The Pottinger Hotel, 44 Stanley Street)
Winston’s Coffee (Coffee: 8, Price: 8, Atmosphere: 6)
This place is located right next to the exit A1 of Sai Ying Pun MTR station. It helps me wake up every morning and the extremely nice team of Winston’s Coffee make it easy to have a good start into the day. Every coffee is served with a biscotti. You can enjoy your coffee inside or outside in a very chilled out atmosphere. However, it can be a bit crowded and noisy sometimes, because recently people have spread the word about the nice coffee and drinks. (Hence, the 6 points regarding atmosphere.) (Fu Kwok Building, 213 Queen’s Road West, Sai Ying Pun)
Expresso Coffee Bar @ Excelsior Hotel (Coffee: 7, Price: 8, Atmosphere: 6)
Very good Illy coffee and a decent choice of pastries, mueslis, sandwiches and salads (supplied by the Mandarin Oriental Group). The staff is very nice and the value for the price you pay is very decent. (281 Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay)
Oolaa (Coffee: 8, Price: 6, Atmosphere: 7)
Most of the Hong Kongers will now argue that this place is not anything new. However, I have to insist on having Oolaa on this list. Despite new places coming up in Hong Kong every day, Oolaa has retained its great Illy coffee with a complementary biscotti. The price is in the upper range and on weekends it can be a bit noisy though. It’s a great place for week days, especially if you work from cafés or frequently have meetings (unlimited Wi-Fi is available). (G/F, Bridges Street, CentreStage, Soho)
Coffee Academics (Coffee: 9, Price: 5, Atmosphere: 7)
Coffee Academics in Wanchai not only serves great coffee but also a big range of pastries, such as the sizzling brownie, and very nice breakfast sets. Try their blueberry buttermilk pancakes! If you need coffee making accessories and coffee beans, Coffee Academics is the place to go. (35-45 Johnston Road)
Zambra (Coffee: 9, Price: 8, Atmosphere: 4)
Regarding the quality and taste of coffee, Zambra is definitely one of the front runners. You can not only select the type of coffee but also the beans (they even have Blue Mountain coffee). Pricing is also decent. If you happen to be at Great Food Hall in Pacific Place it is convenient to quickly stop by while shopping for your groceries. However, it might not be a place to catch up with friends or have meetings. (Great Food Hall, LG1/F, Two Pacific Place, 88 Queensway)
Barista Jam (Coffee: 7, Price: 7, Atmosphere: 6)
Barista Jam was one of the first to open up a small coffee shop in the Sheung Wan / Sai Ying Pun area. Since 2011, I have been a loyal customer. The coffee caters to lovers of rather strong and Southern European style coffee. If you are rather a fan of the American style coffees this might not be the place you enjoy. (126-128 Jervois St, Sheung Wan)
Fuel (Coffee: 7, Price: 5, Atmosphere: 6)
To be fair, their prices are bit punchy (among the most expensive in town), but Fuel has convenient locations in IFC and the Landmark and not only serves delicious coffee but also a carrot cake that is approved by Austrian cake connaisseurs ;). (Shop 3023, IFC Mall; Lower Ground, The Landmark)