The coffee wave in Shanghai continues to surge, with new shops blossoming in abundance. We have compiled a list of distinctive cafes, some of which have long been renowned, some with exceptional offerings, some that are cozy and healing, and others that are particularly creative.
The shops are not ranked in any particular order. If you have a favorite cafe, feel free to leave a comment!
Blue Bottle
Big Names Arriving
As a brand with nearly 20 years of history, Blue Bottle is known as the “Apple of the coffee world” due to its pursuit of freshly ground and brewed coffee, high-quality coffee beans, and highly recognizable minimalist brand design. This year, Blue Bottle Coffee entered mainland China for the first time and opened three branches in Shanghai.
Each branch is located in a busy and historic area of the city, reflecting Blue Bottle’s consistent style. Each location offers different limited-edition coffees and pastries that incorporate local flavors. The scallion-flavored waffle is worth a try!
- Zhang Yuan Store: W5-1A, 240 Maoming North Road, Jing’an District, Shanghai
- Jing’an Kerry Centre Store: N1-12, N2-11, 1551 Nanjing West Road
- Yutong Store: 908 Changan Road
The Iron Hand Coffee Maker
Well-Known on the List
As the only mainland brand to be ranked among the world’s top 50 coffee brands, The Iron Hand Coffee Maker has long been famous in the coffee circle.
The creative “Poached Egg Coffee” has garnered countless fans, available in two flavors: ginger and caramel cinnamon. The poached egg is made from pumpkin powder and is rich in milk flavor.
- Huaihai Road Store: 234 Nanchang Road
- Yongjia Road Store: 37 Yongjia Road
- Xujiahui Store: Unit 2, 1st Floor, 15 Nandan Road
Café del Volcán
One of the “Three Giants” on Yongkang Road, it was listed in Asia’s Top 50 in 2019. This old shop has been open on Yongkang Road for 10 years and has a close collaboration with a Guatemalan coffee plantation with more than 120 years of history. The shop’s name also originates from this partnership. The store offers seven different coffee beans from various countries and regions, which can be selected according to preference.
📍 80 Yongkang Road
O.P.S
Special Concoction Magic
O.P.S is considered the ceiling of Shanghai’s coffee world. The store does not offer classic coffee, only special concoctions, and each cup comes with a unique card that allows each customer to understand the creative story behind their coffee.
The baristas patiently explain the preparation and drinking method of each cup of coffee to every customer while making the coffee. Regardless of how long the queue is, the professional one-on-one service is never overlooked. Remember to make a reservation in advance when visiting O.P.S.
📍 No. 1, Lane 177, Taiyuan Road
Bathe
This coffee shop exudes a “bathroom style” in both its products and atmosphere. It became popular with a soap-shaped cake. Focusing on special concoctions, after ordering coffee, you will receive a “bath ticket.” The barista will provide a detailed description of the product’s flavor and ingredients, as well as offer drinking suggestions.
📍 70 Yongkang Road
Shower
A “branch” of Bathe, it continues the “bathroom style” design and primarily focuses on takeaway. The product series consists of light special concoctions with relatively simple production processes. The same barista explanation service is provided. Both stores’ special concoctions can bring surprises.
📍 117 Yongkang Road
Aloha
ALOHA COFFEE is located on Shanxi South Road, a platane-lined avenue filled with French romance. It is a cozy and healing little shop where the staff are extremely polite and patient. The store features a warm orange tone, with a soft and adorable heart on the storefront and orange flowers on the coffee cups, making it incredibly cute.
This year, Aloha welcomed the opening of its second store on Xiangyang South Road. The new store is larger than the first one and maintains the warm orange color scheme. In addition to espresso and pour-over coffee, it also introduced two new special concoctions different from the first store.
Shanxi South Road Store: 510 Shanxi South Road
Xiangyang South Road Store: 269 Xiangyang South Road
Punchline Coffee & Roaster
The C-spot on the Bund
The owner is Louis Qian Deng, a “coffee industry celebrity.” The store is located in a prime location on the Bund, just across the street from the Oriental Pearl Tower. The interior is based on metal and stone materials, presenting a fashionable and comfortable style. The coffee beans are personally selected and roasted by the owner, with precise control over every parameter.
📍 17 Fuzhou Road
Deck Coffee & Taproom
This pioneering coffee shop is located in the century-old Sammy Building on the Bund, originating from the hotel brand NOA Hotel. The dark design style makes this store highly recognizable, and the displayed Buddha sculptures further enhance its overall artistic atmosphere.
DECK COFFEE & TAPROOM advocates “coffee by day, alcohol by night.” The coffee offerings include espresso, pour-over, and special concoctions. In the evening, it transforms into a craft beer bar and also serves food.
📍 Room 101, 1st Floor, Sammy Building, 190 Beijing East Road
LA COUR Cafe
Adorable Pets on the Side
LA COUR means “backyard” in French, offering a relaxing atmosphere like being in a backyard. The biggest feature of the store is the alpaca Xiao Qi, the owner’s pet, who usually makes an appearance in the afternoon. The store is pet-friendly, so you can bring your own little darling along.
📍 1st Floor, Jishe East Building, 462 Changle Road
Tree House
A coffee shop hidden behind a big tree, this cozy Japanese-style store is guarded by Kuri, a gentle and well-mannered Shiba Inu. The overall atmosphere of the store is relaxed and comfortable.
📍 274-2 Mengzi Road
PD Coffee Shop
Championship Quality
A community coffee shop whose owner is the 2022 coffee latte art champion. The latte art is stunning, and the special concoctions are equally outstanding.
📍 Room 12, 595 Kaixuan Road
Hufei Coffee
A champion coffee shop hidden in an office building, the owner He Hongcao is the 2012 World Barista Championship China champion. The store offers a wide variety of coffee beans and a quiet, comfortable environment, making it very suitable for business negotiations.
📍 Room 104, Building 7, Zhengrong Center, Lane 666 Shenhong Road, Minhang District, Shanghai
People’s Coffee Shop
Nostalgic Charm
A patriotic-themed coffee shop on the banks of Suzhou Creek. The store’s specially made color-changing cup sleeves, when exposed to heat, gradually reveal the bullet-riddled wall of the Four Banks Warehouse, printed with slogans such as “This prosperity is as you wish” and “Serve the people.”
The coffee beans come from Yunnan, the milk used is Shanghai’s Bright Dairy brand, and the utensils are from Jingdezhen. They can even make coffee latte art in the shape of a map of China. Inside and out, it’s all “Chinese style~”
📍 9 Guangfu Road
Remy Coffee
An old-school vibe on Yongkang Road. The coffee focuses on Japanese pour-over and Blue Mountain coffee, served with ruby cake. The staff consists of uncles and aunties. Compared to other trendy Instagram-famous shops, time here seems to have stayed in the last century, allowing you to experience the rich old Shanghai atmosphere.
📍 88 Yongkang Road
Lao Mai Coffee Shop
The “originator of Instagram-famous shops,” Lao Mai Coffee Shop is more like an extension of Lao Mai’s lifestyle. The historical sedimentation brought by the antique furniture blends with the Southern French style. A cup of “Taojiang Road” coffee will evoke many memories.
The Lao Mai Grocery Store on the first floor collects “treasures” he has found from around the world. It’s a must-visit for those who love vintage goods.
📍 1st Floor, Wukang Building, 439 Wukang Road
Yi Coffee
Shanghai’s “reddest” coffee shop, adjacent to the Memorial Hall of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China and facing the site of the First National Congress of the CPC. The product designs cleverly incorporate elements from the First National Congress, with “Mr. De’s Favorite South Orange Latte” and “Mr. Sai’s Beloved North Chestnut Latte” quickly becoming best-sellers.
📍 373 Huangpi South Road
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