Hong Kong is a city that takes its coffee seriously, with a per capita coffee consumption that far surpasses other cities in China. But what is it like to enjoy a cup of coffee in Hong Kong?
Picture yourself sitting by a window or near the doorway facing the street, watching the bustling crowds go by, while you take a moment to slow down and savor the present.
Sometimes, indulging in a cup of coffee and allowing yourself to unwind can be a form of recharging.
In this article, we’ll share some of Hong Kong’s champion coffee spots that have made it to the “Top 50 Best Coffee Shops in Asia.” Coffee enthusiasts, take note!
Noc Roastery
Located in “Sai Ying Pun, Western District,” “Noc Roastery” has earned the 20th spot on the global Top 50 coffee shops list.
The shop has a minimalist and understated industrial style, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows.
The spacious interior ensures that patrons won’t feel cramped, making it an ideal spot to take a break during a city walk. Sip on your coffee while watching the passing trams and pedestrians.
The menu offers a variety of options, including coffee, cakes, light meals, and main dishes. They also have an assortment of egg tarts, croissants, and other baked goods (all freshly made on the day).
Their specialty is Italian-style coffee and hand-drip coffee. The baristas’ latte art skills are impressive, having won the Hong Kong Coffee Championship.
The presentation of their dishes is exquisite.
Their new item, “Pistachio Caramel Crispy Thick Coconut Coffee,” is definitely worth trying. It has a rich pistachio aroma with a subtle hint of coconut (a must-try for fresh coconut coffee lovers).
The “Flat White” is a classic choice. The coffee is robust, and the milk is smooth and creamy, creating a perfect blend with a silky mouthfeel.
Their “brunch,” “all-day breakfast,” and “croissants” are also highly recommended.
With multiple locations across Hong Kong, you can choose the most convenient one for you. Each branch has a slightly different design, but they are all visually appealing and Instagram-worthy.
📍: Sai Ying Pun Branch – 321 Des Voeux Road West, Sai Ying Pun
🕐: Monday to Sunday 8:00-18:00
💰: Around 100 HKD
18 Grams
“18 Grams” has been ranked 27th on the global Top 50 coffee shops list.
Tucked away on a street corner in Causeway Bay, “18 Grams” derives its name from the amount of coffee needed for a “Double Espresso” – 18 grams. The founder chose this interesting fact as the shop’s name.
This high-quality establishment has been a staple in Causeway Bay for nearly a decade, making it a veteran among Hong Kong’s specialty coffee shops.
Despite being an inconspicuous small shop on a street corner, occupying less than 10 square meters and only able to accommodate two tables, this cramped coffee shop has managed to thrive in the bustling city for nearly 10 years and even made it to the top 50 coffee shops in Asia.
Their signature coffee is made using beans roasted by “Glory Coffee,” the champion roaster of the 2011 Roasting Competition. They offer a variety of brewing methods, including cold brew, French press, and Chemex, creating distinct coffee experiences.
The coffee selection is extensive, making it feel like a small coffee kingdom. In addition to coffee and various beverages, they also offer light meals, bread, and pastries.
Their “Flat White” is worth trying, with a balanced coffee strength and aroma, perfectly satisfying the desire for a rich flavor and smooth milk foam.
The “Oat Milk Coffee” is another must-try, featuring a unique blend of beans and oat milk, resulting in a pleasant malty flavor. Both drinks have a higher sweetness level and a subtle hint of wine aroma. Sweet coffee lovers should definitely give them a try!
This coffee shop offers distinctive and special coffee flavors that are worth experiencing.
📍: (Cannon Street Branch) 15-27 Cannon Street, Hoi To Court
🕐: Monday to Thursday 8:00-18:00, Friday to Sunday 8:00-20:00
💰: Around 100 HKD
Knock Box Coffee Company
“Knock Box Coffee Company” has been ranked 34th on the list of “Asia’s 50 Best Coffee Shops.”
The Mong Kok branch of “Knock Box” has moved to a neighboring shop and reopened, offering a larger and more comfortable space than the old one.
The glass doors and windows allow passersby to see inside the shop, enhancing its transparency and natural lighting.
The walls are adorned with numerous photographs taken at coffee plantations and bags of coffee beans from various years, which are quite precious.
Before serving the coffee, they will grind some coffee beans into powder for you to smell the dry aroma and provide an introduction card with various illustrations and descriptions of the aroma and taste.
The shop’s menu is extensive, offering not only coffee but also light meals. There are two types of coffee beans to choose from: nutty and fruity.
The “Affogato Affogato” is highly recommended. It consists of vanilla-flavored gelato soaked and melted in espresso, creating a fresh yet harmonious combination. The collision of cold and hot, the bittersweet taste of ice cream topped with espresso, is truly delightful.
“Hand-drip coffee”: Each cup of hand-drip coffee comes with a card introducing its origin and story. They have coffee beans from Ethiopia, Kenya, Honduras in Central America, Nicaragua, as well as Brazil and Yemen.
In fact, apart from coffee, the shop also offers many excellent Western dishes, making it a great spot for brunch or light meals. (They have waffle in the shape of coffee beans, which taste a bit like egg waffles.)
They also have a wide selection of coffee beans available for purchase!
📍: 23 Hak Po Street, Mong Kok
🕐: Monday to Sunday 11:00-18:00
💰: Around 57 HKD
Winstons Coffee
The reputation of “Winstons Coffee” has long been known.
“Winstons Coffee” has been ranked 39th on the list of “Asia’s 50 Best Coffee Shops,” and its strength is certainly not to be underestimated.
The shop is located on a street and is relatively easy to find. It is recommended to navigate on foot after exiting the MTR Kennedy Town Station.
It is located on a corner and is not very large. The decorative style of an old American movie theater is a characteristic of WINSTONS.
The overall design style of the shop leans towards American, with a predominantly black color scheme. The storefront features a white light cloth with black grids, keeping it simple.
They sell coffee during the day and transform into a bar at night.
A coffee shop + bar is the perfect place to rest and chat over a drink after watching the sunset by the sea in Kennedy Town!
The atmosphere is quite nice, and there are also many foreigners enjoying coffee and drinks here. By default, orders are placed in English, but if you find it inconvenient, you can switch to Mandarin or Cantonese.
The “Flat White” is delicious, with a prominent coffee flavor. The “Latte” and “Espresso Martini” are also worth trying.
“Winstons Coffee” may be small, but it has everything it needs. It is precisely because of its excellent products that it attracts so many customers.
📍: Shop 4, G/F, 213 Queen’s Road West, Sai Ying Pun, Western District
🕐: Monday to Sunday 7:00-19:00, Tuesday to Saturday 7:00-22:00
💰: Around 47 HKD
Accro Coffee
This is a must-visit “top champion coffee shop in Hong Kong”! It is a place where world-class coffee is sold! It has been ranked 45th on the list of “Asia’s 50 Best Coffee Shops”!
As soon as you enter, you will be attracted by the trophies and medals displayed in the glass cabinet at the entrance!
It is evident that this coffee shop is truly exceptional, and the coffee is definitely extraordinary. Moreover, these trophies and medals have been won by them!
The exterior is a cold concrete wall, while the interior is a retro Japanese-style small shop. The lighting inside is relatively dim, giving it a very chill bar vibe.
That’s right, you can also enjoy cocktails here.
Although the coffee menu is more than ten pages long, the types of coffee provided are all limited, based on the shop’s current roasting progress. (As long as you are a coffee lover, you will find the cup you want to drink.)
Accro has also won the siphon championship, so you should also try their siphon coffee when visiting.
The overall flavor of the siphon pot is relatively solid and restrained, with excellent balance. Siphon coffee lovers should not miss it. (When you order siphon coffee, you can watch the barista personally make the coffee, smelling it as you watch, which is very soothing.)
The “Irish Coffee” is highly recommended, having won the 2018 Hong Kong Coffee Cocktail Competition – Classic Variation.
It is made with selected sun-dried coffee and Jameson Irish whiskey, with just the right proportions, creating a warm and soothing blend.
It is worth mentioning that their service is also exceptionally good, and the staff is very nice!!!
📍: Shop D, G/F, Kam Shing Building, 162 On Ning Road, Yuen Long (Fuk Cheung Building)
🕐: Monday to Sunday 12:00-23:00
💰: Around 94 HKD
I would be very willing to spend a whole day in a coffee shop with friends after a walk, sipping coffee and watching backpackers shuttling through this little corner of the island. For some people, this is a scenic spot, and for others, it is life.
