Independent coffee shops have been flourishing across Hong Kong in recent years. With an artisanal approach, a focus on sustainability, inspiration drawn from local flavours, and spaces designed as community hubs, the café scene has evolved to offer something for everyone—and you'll find them in every corner of the city.
In anticipation of International Coffee Day on 1 October, Tatler editors have rounded up their favourite independent coffee shops in the city—places where you can savour a perfectly crafted beverage, enjoy time with friends, or escape with a good book.
Read our ultimate guide to Hong Kong’s best cafés and coffee shops here
Bakeshop & Caffè Parabolica
A lovingly prepared, hand-dripped coffee (Photo: Instagram / @parabolica_caffee)
Pharrell Williams at Caffè Parabolica in December 2023 (Photo: Instagram / @parabolica_caffee)
Bakeshop & Caffè Parabolica, which opened its doors in Repulse Bay last year, is the latest venture from the team behind the former Good Good Cafè in Sai Ying Pun. This new establishment builds upon the Japanese minimalist philosophy that characterized its predecessor while introducing European influences to its concept.
The venue, crafted with wood and exuding a warm and welcoming atmosphere, comprises both a cafe and a bakery, offering a refined selection of breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea options. Adhering to their principle of elevating simple foods through meticulous preparation, the team continues to focus on quality and craftsmanship.
A standout item is the “Cornsoup Umaibo,” which showcases the team’s ability to transform a basic ingredient into a rich, complex dish. The bakery section features an array of hand-drip coffees, handmade breads, and pastries, all made using premium ingredients. While the dishes may not be the most “Instagrammable,” the team’s emphasis on flavours and techniques that elevate even the most humble offerings definitely makes it worth a visit.
- Ahy Choi, editor-in-chief, Tatler Hong Kong
Bakeshop & Caffè ParabolicaAddress: Shops 106A & 107A, G/F, 109 Repulse Bay Road, Hong Kong
Begin coffee
Begin coffee vegan dessert (Photo: Instagram / @begin_coffee_)
Feel the vibes of Begin Coffee (Photo: Instagram / @begin_coffee_)
Begin Coffee is a bit hard to find—but the efforts you’ll put in your quest are worth it.
Located on the 4th floor of a building you have to access by a small alley in Mongkok, the café has everything any indie fans might be looking for: both indoor and outdoor sits, electric outlets, a homie decoration, smooth jazz music playing the background, a creative menu that will satisfy both adventurous and mundane souls and a very personal yet Instagrammable decor. Go enjoy the vibe—and don’t thank me!
- Salomé Grouard, deputy digital editor, Tatler Hong Kong
Begin CoffeeAddress: 4/F, Hanwai Commercial Centre, 36 Dundas Street, Mong Kok
Ztoryhome
Cold Soba Set by Ztoryhome (Photo: Instagram / @ztoryhome)
Ztoryhome collaborating with Hong Kong singer Moon Tang (Photo: Instagram / @ztoryhome)
Ztoryhome is a go-to for art enthusiasts looking for a quiet moment to read, write or see some paintings and photography works. Located on a quieter section of Queen’s Road West, this place is a combination of a coffee shop, book store and gallery. The café offers a number of special tea brews and cold drinks, all named after Chinese legends or taken out from a line of Chinese poetry.
When you’ve had a good cuppa, head upstairs to the gallery for some contemporary art—that is, if you can find the entrance hidden behind a door in the shape of a giant bookshelf. The gallery had a Wing Shya exhibition recently, and the team occasionally turns this into a gathering venue for book readings and cocktail events.
- Zabrina Lo, features editor, Tatler Hong Kong
ZtoryhomeAddress: 118 Queen's road west, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong
Commaa
Commaa is an extension of the Hong Kong-based architecture firm LAAB (Photo: Instagram / @no.context.foodies)
Commaa offers a brilliant flat white (Photo: Instagram / @no.context.foodies)
When it comes to coffee, Hong Kong has no shortage of excellent spots, however, that establishment being my favourite also relies on its proximity to my flat in Sheung Wan. Commaa—an extension of the Hong Kong-based architecture firm LAAB—is merely a 3-minute walk from home and offers a brilliant flat white (among other classic coffee orders) as well as a fantastically rich basque cheesecake. The cafe itself welcomes pets, often hosts art exhibitions and has plenty of tables to bring your laptop if you need a change of scenery.
- Amalissa Hall, digital writer, Tatler Hong Kong
CommaaAddress: Shop 4C, G/F, 11 Po Yan Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
Crew coffee
Crew serves some of the best SOE coffee in town (Photo: Instagram / @crewcoffee.hk)
Enjoy delicious coffee at Crew Coffee (Photo: Instagram / @crewcoffee.hk)
Tucked away in a charming corner just five minutes away from Lee Tung Avenue, Crew serves some of the best SOE coffee in town, perfect for waking you up during a tiring weekday afternoon. Order your drink inside the cozy “crew-green” store filled with playful signs and decos. The barista will then pass your drink through the window counter facing the mini garden. Remember to grab one of the punch cards, which does not have an expiration date and welcomes you to come back at any time!
- Cathy Huang, Chinese content editor, Tatler Hong Kong
Crew coffeeAddress: Shop 9A, G/F, On Hing Mansion, 156-164 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Neighbourhood Coffee
Neighbourhood Coffee fosters a community spirit (Photo: Instagram / @nbhd_coffee)
Neighbourhood Coffee coffees are bold and unapologetically snappy (Photo: Instagram / @nbhd_coffee)
Right beneath my humble abode, nestled like a hidden gem—or more accurately, like my lost TV remote—is Neighbourhood Coffee. This place is the epicentre of my morning ritual and the sole reason my coffee mug gets jealous. Their espresso zings through my sleepy fog like a superhero with a caffeine cape, bold and unapologetically snappy. And then there’s the avocado toast. Oh, the avocado toast! It’s as if they’ve coaxed each avocado into peak creaminess, then slapped it onto sourdough bread that could crunch louder than my late-night snacks. It’s my culinary confidante, my brunch buddy, and the reason I sometimes pretend I’m going downstairs to “check the mail” but actually sneak in another covert operation for—you guessed it—espresso.
- Amrita Katara, watch and jewellery editor, Tatler Hong Kong
Neighbourhood CoffeeAddress: Shop No.2, G/F, ABBA Arcade, Aberdeen, Hong Kong
Harakako
Coffee from Harakako (Photo: Instagram / @harakakohk
Harakako offers delicious brews in a cool, industrial setting (Photo: Instagram / @harakakohk)
I prefer my coffee with a side of people watching, and Harakako is just the spot for that. Located on the roadside of Queens Road West, the cafe offers delicious brews in a cool, industrial setting with stools to sit and watch life pass by. For those who prefer some peace and quiet, hidden upstairs is a cosy and chic room decked out with art, vinyl records and wooden furnishings for a calm place to enjoy a cuppa.
- Amalissa Hall, digital writer, Tatler Hong Kong
HarakakoAddress: Shop B, Hollywood Centre, 77-91 Queen’s Road West, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
BONUS: Lan Fong Yuen
Lan Fong Yuen serves one of the best milk tea in town since 1952 (Photo: Instagram / @little_runa)
Lan Fong Yuen in Central is one of the oldest milk tea shops in the city (Photo: Instagram / @little_runa)
Yes independent coffee shops rhythm with sustainability, innovation and new tastes, but sometimes it’s also about honouring tradition—and a good milk tea does offer this option.
Read more: The best cha chaan tengs in Hong Kong, according to Tatler’s editors
Lan Fong Yuen in Central is one of the oldest milk tea shops in the city and is one of the few places left in Hong Kong where they use nankeen (Chinese cotton cloth) to separate the leaves from the tea.
- Salomé Grouard, deputy digital editor, Tatler Hong Kong
Lan Fong YuenAddress: 2 Gage Street, Central, Hong Kong
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