Discover Shanghai’s Hidden Gem: The Most Delightful Coffee Street That Rivals Yongkang Road

Shanghai Coffee Street

Nestled between the bustling Huaihai Middle Road and the lively Yongkang Road lies a small street called Nanchang Road. Every few steps, you’ll stumble upon a coffee shop, each offering an expertise and variety that easily matches those found on Yongkang Road.

Shanghai Coffee Street

The customers who come here to enjoy their coffee include both seasoned coffee connoisseurs and casual coffee lovers looking to relax and explore.


One Street, Over 10 Coffee Shops, Over 10 Coffee Experiences

On this street, coffee shops of various styles are constantly emerging. Some have been quietly operating in the small alleys for more than a decade, while others have recently undergone renovations, exuding a fresh and exciting vibe.

You can find seasonal specialties with citrus and osmanthus flavors, as well as unique creations like the “Iced Coconut Milk Poached Egg” and other exclusive offerings.

Without the need for excessive formalities, you can stroll along the street, enjoy your coffee, and simply embrace the joy!


1,690 Meters, Condensing Over 8,000 Kilometers

Along this 1,690-meter-long street, you can savor the distinctive coffees from different countries.

There’s the layered Irish coffee, the rich and creamy Turkish coffee, and the Japanese flannel pour-over… Choose an afternoon to wander along this street without a specific goal in mind, and you’ll still encounter delightful surprises!


The “New” Coffee Shop

Hidden in the Alley for 12 Years

Shanghai Coffee Street

There’s a mysterious coffee shop that has been quietly operating in an alley off Nanchang Road for 12 years.

Although the shop’s name, “Nuevo,” means “new” in Spanish, the decor leans more towards a vintage style.

As you browse around, you’ll notice quite a few “old gadgets” and two adorable ragdoll cats guarding the store. Many regular customers come here periodically for gatherings.

Recommended Order

66 Special Coffee

Shanghai Coffee Street

The “66 Special Coffee” is actually a rare Irish coffee, which should be considered a cocktail. It uses whiskey as the base and coffee as a complement, topped with fresh cream.

First, it is lit on fire to heat and evaporate the alcohol, then poured into a fresh cream coffee cup. The presentation is impressive, and there’s no need to stir.

Simply take a big sip, and the aroma of the alcohol will fill your senses, followed by a layer-by-layer emergence of sweet, spicy, and bitter flavors.

Shanghai Coffee Street
Shanghai Coffee Street

Coincidentally, the author was feeling a bit hungry that day and unexpectedly discovered a hidden gem on the menu—fresh shrimp and fish roe wonton. Each serving was generous in size, with thin skin and fresh filling, making it incredibly tempting.

Shanghai Coffee Street

Nuevo 66 Coffee in Coffee

Business Hours: 10:00-23:00 Address: No. 66 Nanchang Road


Shanghai’s No. 1 “Poached Egg” is

Actually a Cup of Coffee

Shanghai Coffee Street

Hailing from Beijing, Metal Hands ranks among the top 50 coffee shops worldwide and is the first in China to use a lever machine.

The shop’s name also originates from the mechanical hand that presses the lever. The wooden decor and glass grid walls create a transparent yet vintage atmosphere, naturally inviting you to settle into a tranquil state of mind.

Recommended Order

Iced Coconut Milk Poached Egg

The most interesting item on the menu is the “Poached Egg” series, which changes flavors according to the season.

The author tried the “Iced Coconut Milk Poached Egg” this time, and it was full of coconut aroma with a silky smooth texture. It’s recommended for those with a sweet tooth, and even if you come just for the adorable appearance, you must try a cup!

Shanghai Coffee Street

Metal Hands

Business Hours: 9:00-18:00 Address: No. 234 Nanchang Road


Turkish Coffee with a Side of Fortune-Telling

Shanghai Coffee Street

“SMYRNA COFFEE” is a coffee shop opened by a Turkish owner, ensuring its authenticity. The shop features a special sand coffee machine for making Turkish coffee, allowing you to personally experience the process.

The industrial style decor, mixed with unique Turkish trinkets, brings a distinctive sense of coolness.

Recommended Order

Turkish Coffee

The coffee grounds for “Turkish Coffee” are ground exceptionally fine and directly mixed with water in a copper pot.

The temperature of the coarse sand is used to evenly heat the mixture with manual stirring. The small cup resembles an espresso but with a richer and creamier texture.

The taste is bitter without being astringent, and a thick layer of coffee grounds remains at the bottom of the cup, which can be used for fortune-telling!

If you’d like a professional reading, you can make an appointment with the owner in advance.
Shanghai Coffee Street

SMYRNA COFFEE

Business Hours: 8:00-21:00 Address: No. 183 Nanchang Road


Under the Sycamore Tree, the Red Mushroom Character is Feeling EMO

Shanghai Coffee Street

One of the newest additions to Nanchang Road, this shop has already become one of the most eye-catching presences on the street.

A giant red mushroom character sits by the window, exuding an atmosphere that is both melancholic and adorable. The entire shop resembles an emotional exhibition, with many sad quotes and small installations, making it the perfect spot for taking photos.

According to the staff, this is a limited-time themed coffee shop by the original “White Bird Coffee,” and it may change soon!

Recommended Order

Citrus Cloudy Sky

Inspired by a song by Capper, this drink adds a bit of excitement to the ordinary.

By adding Beibingyang (a Chinese soft drink) to a clean Americano, two familiar flavors collide to create a unique spark. The bitterness is accompanied by a refreshing citrus flavor.

Shanghai Coffee Street

Buffer Cafe

Business Hours: 8:30-19:30 Address: No. 316 Nanchang Road


On Nanchang Road

Located in a Seaside Hut

Shanghai Coffee Street

Formerly a romantic purple cottage, it has now undergone a complete transformation, resembling a small thatched hut on an island, both leisurely and casual.

The coffee machine in the store is a Linea Classic AV, and the store is filled with adorable decorations, hiding many thoughtful details.

You might even have the chance to encounter the super well-behaved dog manager, making it a delightful experience to pet the dog while enjoying your coffee!

Recommended Order

Osmanthus Rice Wine Oat Latte

This “Osmanthus Rice Wine Oat Latte” is the store’s popular choice, a seasonal limited edition.

The rice wine settles at the bottom of the cup, and when stirred before drinking, the sweetness of the rice wine, the richness of the oat milk, and the strength of the coffee blend together, accompanied by a subtle osmanthus aroma.

Shanghai Coffee Street

if NameleSs Coffee

Business Hours: 8:30-23:00 Address: No. 2, Lane 209, Nanchang Road


Cozy Japanese Courtyard

Coffee with Cake

Shanghai Coffee Street

A small and cozy Japanese-style courtyard quietly awaits its customers, resembling a coffee shop from a Japanese magazine, instantly conveying the owner’s dedication.

The various cakes in the store are all handmade on the same day, with an impeccable visual appeal that ensures a delightful surprise no matter what you order.

Recommended Order

Egg Milk Star Latte

The beloved childhood breakfast “Egg Milk Stars” is soaked in a latte, with each yellow star-shaped cereal piece softening the heart and evoking sweet memories.

Paired with a refreshing tofu mousse cake, spending an entire afternoon here is no big deal at all!

Dokidoki

Business Hours: 11:00-19:00 Address: No. 150 Nanchang Road


Besides Coffee, This is Also a Street for Great Drinks

Whether you enjoy drinking alcohol, tea, juice, or coffee, you can find a shop to your liking on Nanchang Road.

There’s a juice shop that has been famous for 30 years, a “picnic-style” youth tea house, a themed bar that seems to be located in a botanical garden, and a retro vinyl bar specializing in Japanese-style cocktails…

Shanghai Coffee Street
Shanghai Coffee Street

Walking along Nanchang Road, your mood will naturally relax. Have a coffee in the morning to wake up, a Chinese tea in the afternoon to relieve fatigue, and a special cocktail in the evening to chat…

Drinking from morning to night, there’s never a dull moment on this street!

On Nanchang Road,
do you have any recommended coffee shops?

Feel free to share in the comments section!


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