Shanghai is the city with the highest concentration of coffee shops, boasting an impressive 8,530 establishments, ranking first globally. As you walk along the streets, the rich aroma of coffee permeates the air every few steps!
With such fierce competition among the thousands of coffee shops, the ones that manage to stand out from the crowd are undoubtedly the cream of the crop. Some people even fly from far and wide just to savor a cup!
Today, we have specially curated a list of “15 must-visit unique coffee shops in Shanghai.” Each coffee shop’s offerings are absolutely top-notch, making them the “heavy hitters” in the coffee world!
Let’s embark on a journey to check them out!
1. O.P.S. CAFE – The Pinnacle of Specialty Coffee in Shanghai
For those who love specialty coffee, O.P.S. CAFE is a must-visit destination! Unlike typical coffee shops, O.P.S. focuses solely on specialty coffee and regularly updates its menu according to the seasons, keeping customers excited about new flavors.
Each specialty coffee is crafted with the barista’s ingenuity. As you savor the drink, you can learn more about the inspiration behind its creation through the accompanying coffee information card.
★ Must-Try Signature Drinks
Euphoria, YunYeung
The recently launched specialty drinks are worth rolling out the menu for! Euphoria tastes refreshingly sweet and sour, with a mix of jasmine and strawberry, evoking the essence of spring.
YunYeung has a rich milky flavor, reminiscent of Earl Grey milk tea from the first sip. Absolutely amazing!
O.P.S. CAFE
Address: No. 1, Lane 177, Taiyuan Road
Phone: 15618060636
Business Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10:00-18:00
2.Village Tree – Must-Try Specialty Coffee in Shanghai
Since its opening in 2021, Village Tree has become a sensation throughout Shanghai with its “Disillusioned Love Specialty Coffee,” to the point where many customers simply ask for “a cup of love” when ordering!
The specialty coffee menu is regularly updated, with each creative concoction backed by a unique story. The baristas thoughtfully introduce the origin of the name and the best way to enjoy the optimal flavor to customers.
★ Must-Try Signature Drink
West Pepper House
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The newly introduced “West Pepper House” has a distinctive flavor. Despite the addition of spices, it doesn’t taste strange at all. The barista recommends taking big sips for an enhanced experience. It has a refreshing citrus aroma, making it perfect for summer!
Village Tree
Address: 368 Changle Road
Phone: 13693234166
Business Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10:00-18:00
3.Coffee Spot – A Coffee Shop Transformed from a Security Booth
Coffee Spot is a community coffee shop converted from a security booth. When there are many customers placing orders, it’s easy to run out of standing room.
Grabbing a seat on the stools outside is a matter of luck. Despite its small size, this coffee shop has maintained its popularity for a long time.
★ Must-Try Signature Set
All in One Set
If it’s your first visit, we recommend trying the All in One Set, which includes a black coffee, a milk-based coffee, and a creative coffee.
Experience three different brewing methods using a single type of bean. The entire tasting journey is like a rich and layered flavor adventure. Sitting under the plane trees outside, sipping coffee, and chatting is a truly relaxing experience.
Coffee Spot
Address: No. 4, Lane 838, Beijing West Road
Phone: 15661032537
Business Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00-18:00
4.GATHERING Coffee – A Chinese-Style Coffee Shop on Wuyuan Road
The new GATHERING store is like a condensed version of the old one. Despite its small space, it retains the elegance of old-style window frames and greenery.
The combination of wooden tables and chairs, irregular painting, and Chinese-style murals imbues the entire space with a sense of Zen.
★ Must-Try Signature Drink
Misty Smoke and Waves
The uniquely shaped “Misty Smoke and Waves” is visually flawless. It has a refreshing and delicate taste, naturally bright, and full of Chinese-style flavors.
GATHERING Coffee
Address: 263 Wuyuan Road
Phone: 13601972652
Business Hours:
Monday to Friday, 11:00-18:30
Saturday and Sunday, 09:30-19:00
5.3½ – New Store by Popular OPS Owner
The owner of the popular OPS has recently opened a new store on Taiyuan Road! As it has just opened, there is currently no need to queue.
Unlike the specialty coffee at OPS, the new store focuses more on the flavors of the coffee beans themselves. From the selection of beans to the preparation and serving process, the owner’s dedication is evident.
★ Must-Try Signature Drink
Yellow Toast
You can choose a type of bean and have it presented in two different brewing methods.
We ordered the “Yellow Toast,” which has a slightly high acidity and leaves an aftertaste reminiscent of buttery biscuits and toast, creating a velvety sensation that lingers on the palate.
3½
Address: No. 1, Lane 305, Taiyuan Road
Phone: 17621318646
Business Hours: Monday to Friday, 10:00-17:00
6.SHIMMER – One-Stop Destination for Early Coffee and Late Alcohol
The well-established coffee shop SHIMMER has opened a new store on Julu Road, just a hundred meters away from its first store.
With a simple storefront and a small shop name on the wall, it’s easy to miss. However, once you step inside, you’ll discover a long bar counter. That’s right, this place is not only a coffee shop but also a cocktail bar.
★ Must-Try Signature Drink
Chohk Dee
You must try the signature Thai milk tea specialty drink!
The sweet aroma of Thai milk tea balances out the bitterness of the coffee, with a hint of alcohol, leaving you feeling slightly tipsy after drinking it. You’ll definitely want another cup!
SHIMMER
Address: 542 Julu Road
Phone: 19145480717
Business Hours:
Monday to Sunday, 10:00-02:00
7.Cafe del Volcan – One of the Former Three Giants of Yongkang Road Coffee
Cafe del Volcan, one of the coffee giants on Yongkang Road, originally located at No. 80 Yongkang Road, has moved to its current location at No. 25 Yongkang Road due to relocation.
Amidst the strong local atmosphere, this small shop stands out even more. Wooden stools are placed in front of the clean and transparent floor-to-ceiling windows, creating a great ambiance.
★ Popular Must-Try
Dirty
You can choose coffee beans based on your preferred sweetness and acidity. The coffee is rich and fragrant.
Finally, customers are served a small cookie, allowing them to spend a leisurely afternoon in contentment.
Cafe del Volcan
Address: 80 Yongkang Road
Phone: 15618669291
Business Hours: Monday to Sunday, 09:00-19:00
8.Tequila Espresso – Nostalgic and Retro Old Street Coffee
When it comes to coffee shops in Shanghai that you can visit repeatedly, Tequila Espresso must be on the list. It left a deep impression with its wine-scented Honduras coffee.
The store’s decor is very low-key, but once you step inside, you can feel the strong retro vibe.
★ Popular Must-Try
Fancy Latte
The coffee beans have a wine aroma and a lingering aftertaste. It is rich and fragrant on the palate.
You can sit at the entrance with your coffee, watching the people come and go on the old street, enjoying a unique local atmosphere with a strong street vibe!
Tequila Espresso
Address: 55 Jiashan Road
Phone: 18001618845
Business Hours:
Saturday and Sunday, 09:00-17:30
Monday to Friday, 08:00-17:30
9.Blacksheep Espresso – The Coffee Shop with the Most Sheep in Shanghai
You can always trust the little black sheep! A veteran player in Shanghai’s specialty coffee scene, I can’t help but stop by for a cup whenever I pass by the Maoming South Road store!
There’s no eye-catching store sign, but you can find little black sheep elements throughout the store, paired with the wooden-style seating, creating a great atmosphere.
★ Signature Must-Try
Little White Sheep Affogato Coffee
The Little White Sheep Affogato Coffee is a must-order when visiting the store. The espresso paired with little sheep ice cream combines the sour and bitter flavors with sweetness, creating a wonderful taste sensation.
They also have sparkling water suitable for summer, so give it a try!
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Blacksheep Espresso
Address: 124 Maoming South Road
Phone: 15618669291
Business Hours: Monday to Sunday, 09:00-19:00
10.ALOHA COFFEE – High-Value Coffee Shop with Orange Color Scheme
The decor style at the store entrance and inside is mainly based on an orange tone, simple yet grand.
Coupled with the eye-catching heart logo at the entrance, it gives a particularly vibrant and bright feeling, and stepping inside will surprise you even more.
★ Signature Must-Try
Merry Berry
ALOHA’s specialty drinks should not be overlooked. They change with the seasons, keeping things fresh.
The coffee with the milk cap topping looks so cute, and it tastes like a cup of Black Forest cake, with the sweet and sour taste of blackberries and the richness of chocolate, offering a rich taste and aftertaste.
ALOHA COFFEE
Address: 510 South Shaanxi Road
Phone: 13585890503
Business Hours:
Monday to Friday, 08:30-18:30
Saturday and Sunday, 09:00-18:30
11.Lumière Cafe – Quiet and Warm Coffee Shop Under the Sycamore Trees
Lumière Cafe’s reputation in Shanghai’s specialty coffee circle goes without saying. The wooden door and window frames give an overall Japanese feel, and the sycamore trees’ backdrop makes it even more cozy.
★ Popular Must-Try
Sunny Latte
The Sunny Latte is the most popular drink in the store. There are many beans to choose from, and no matter what taste and flavor you prefer, you’ll likely have a great experience here!
Lumière Cafe
Address: 1640-3 Middle Huaihai Road
Phone: 13788986424
Business Hours:
Monday to Friday, 08:30-18:30
Saturday and Sunday, 10:00-19:00
12.WANDERER – Retro Mini Coffee Shop on the Street
WANDERER is a community coffee shop with stable output and affordable prices! WANDERER offers a wide selection of beans, so you can drink for a week without repetition.
The editor has encountered customers sitting and rolling the menu several times in the store.
★ Signature Must-Try
Washed Geisha
The Washed Geisha has a juicy taste, with floral and citrus notes, and a clean caramel aftertaste!
The drink’s cups and utensils are also unique, with retro patterns and glassware, making the simple act of drinking coffee feel more ceremonial!
WANDERER
Address: 161 Maoming South Road
Phone: 18217260469
Business Hours:
Saturday and Sunday, 10:00-19:00
Monday to Friday, 08:00-18:00
13.Radar Coffee – The No. 1 Coffee Shop on the List
Facts have proven that excellent community stores won’t lose popularity even after the queuing hype fades.
This store always has people who seriously drink coffee. The owner treats every cup of coffee with extreme rigor, even when the store is packed with customers.
★ Popular Must-Try
Flat White
The Flat White has a very soft overall taste, with the coffee and milk combining on the tongue to bring a rich aftertaste.
You can hardly taste the sourness or bitterness of the coffee, making it very easy to drink and full of surprises!
Radar Coffee
Address: 27 Sinan Road
Phone: 18116377053
Business Hours: Monday to Sunday, 08:00-16:30
14.DEHOME COFFEE – The Coffee Shop That Only Sells Yunnan Coffee
This is a coffee shop that only serves Yunnan coffee. The eye-catching white and green storefront comes with an elegant large courtyard.
The dark green brick walls and wooden tables and chairs instantly maximize the coffee shop’s retro style, making it especially suitable for checking in and taking photos!
★ Signature Must-Try
Iced Americano
Made from Yunnan coffee beans, it’s slightly sour when lightly roasted but has a very fragrant aftertaste. It’s refreshing and cool to drink, instantly relieving the summer heat with just one cup!
DEHOME COFFEE
Address: 133 Jiaozhou Road
Phone: 17192111783
Business Hours: Monday to Sunday, 09:30-19:00
15.BAsdBAN – Consistently Ranking First Among Coffee Shops
In Shanghai, the involution capital of the coffee industry, BAsDBAN has always been able to grasp customers’ taste buds.
It relies not only on experience but more on professionalism, being unique, and expressing its personality in all aspects of being “just right.”
★ Signature Must-Try
Latte, Black Truffle Ham and Cheese Roll
BAsDBAN consistently ranks first in popularity among Shanghai coffee shops. The coffee is definitely praiseworthy.
At the same time, it is also known as the “Shanghai croissant ceiling,” insisting on “product first,” taking the puff pastry seriously, and striving for originality.
Therefore, this BAN (board) is truly hard enough! It can fight! Making people willingly queue up to check it out!
BAsdBAN
Address: 546 Yuyuan Road
Hours: Monday to Thursday, 08:30-18:00
Friday to Sunday, 09:00-19:00
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