Shanghai is home to over 8,000 coffee shops with various styles. Today, we’ll introduce 6 particularly niche and unique cafes that might surprise you.
MANNER’s First Store
A Window-Sized Cafe
The must-visit cafe for MANNER fans is surprisingly a small window that can be easily overlooked.
Utilizing a residential kitchen, this street-side coffee shop features a classic white tile decor, with a space measuring only 3-4 square meters. It’s hard to believe that this cozy, life-filled cafe is actually MANNER’s first store.
Weekly Special: SOE “Ethiopian Sweet Orange Black Tea”
For those planning to visit this weekend, we recommend trying the weekly special SOE. Made with sweet orange black tea from Ethiopia, you can taste the unique mellow flavor of black tea in the Americano, along with a hint of sweet orange aroma in the middle. A must-try for Americano lovers!
Manner Coffee
📍 205 Nanyang Road
⏰ Saturday, Sunday 08:30-16:30; Monday to Friday 08:00-18:00
A Tiny Cafe without a Bar
Enjoying Specialty Drinks in a Friend’s Living Room
This well-known specialty drink shop is hidden on a street corner that can be easily missed.
Surprisingly, there’s no bar to be found. It feels more like being in the owner’s living room, with only 5-6 square meters of space. Three to five people sitting inside makes it feel quite full, as if waiting for a friend to serve coffee.
Specialty Drink Ceiling: Every Cup is Delicious
If you’re tired of overly complicated specialty drinks, come here to experience refreshing flavors. We ordered a classic “Pink Bubble” and were impressed by the creamy foam topped with star anise, resembling twinkling stars.
The plum juice creates a vivid purple boundary between the foam and coffee. The combination of tartness and richness makes for a very chill summer drink. flavors. We ordered a classic “Pink Bubble” and were impressed by the creamy foam topped with star anise, resembling twinkling stars. The plum juice creates a vivid purple boundary between the foam and coffee. The combination of tartness and richness makes for a very chill summer drink.
Coffee by Sadside
📍 284-1 Julu Road
⏰ Monday to Friday 10:30-17:30; Saturday, Sunday 11:00-18:00
The Pinnacle of Japanese Pour-over Coffee
Check-in at JJ’s Spot
The wooden storefront looks spacious, but the actual space is only around 10 square meters. However, this small space is home to a master.
With a 14-year history, this old-school coffee shop’s owner studied under the famous Japanese roasting master Onoyama Tsukuru.
Using the drip pour-over method, the coffee’s flavors are fully released, making it a top-tier Japanese pour-over. PS: The window seat is where JJ took his check-in photo!
Overall Style: Medium to Dark Roast
Unlike mainstream pour-over coffee, the beans here tend to be medium to dark roast. We recommend discussing your flavor preferences with the barista when ordering.
Those who enjoy slight acidity and bitterness with a hint of aroma should try the Kenya Washed, which has a subtle fruity flavor.
RUMORS
📍 9A Hunan Road
⏰ Monday to Friday 11:00-19:30; Saturday, Sunday 10:00-19:30
Even the Cups are Handmade: Coffee Shop Takes it to the Next Level
In Shanghai, the coffee scene has reached the point where even the cups are handmade. The owner of a street-side coffee shop takes on multiple roles: barista, roaster, cup maker, and brand owner.
From handcrafting the shop’s cups and lamps to personally roasting coffee beans every Tuesday when the shop is closed, you can feel the dedication put into this small store.
The Most Fragrant Flat White I’ve Had Recently
Although the cups’ appearance adds to the appeal, what’s even more impressive is the rich and mellow coffee itself.
Beneath the creamy foam, the combination of coffee aroma and milk can be described as “gentle,” perfectly complementing the coffee’s flavor without creating a disjointed taste. Regardless, flat white lovers shouldn’t miss this cup.
D.ORINO COFFEE
📍 833 Kangding Road
⏰ Monday, Wednesday to Sunday 10:30-17:30
The Greek God of Flavor: O.P.S.’s Creativity
When it comes to specialty coffee in Shanghai, O.P.S. definitely can’t be overlooked. After renovations, it’s no longer a window shop but a private space for coffee and specialty drinks.
Due to the limited space, they’ve switched to a separate service model to avoid crowding, which deserves praise.
Seasonal Menu Recommendations
Those familiar with O.P.S. know that calling it the Greek god of flavor is no exaggeration. Each season, they introduce unique seasonal menus. This season’s menu includes two alcoholic and three non-alcoholic specialty drinks.
The alcoholic Blooming can be described as a coffee-flavored cocktail. The alcohol aroma is refreshing, with a prominent peach liqueur flavor. The Colombian coffee serves more as a base note.
The non-alcoholic Pawpaw has a refreshing flavor with a certain restraint. The pomelo oolong tea aroma balances the flavors of papaya and pineapple, preventing it from being too bold. The coconut and pour-over coffee flavors integrate the complex tastes. Remember to stir well before drinking.
O.P.S. CAFE
📍 Lane 177, No. 1, Taiyuan Road
⏰ Monday to Sunday 10:00-17:00
A Cozy Japanese-style Coffee Hut: Only 2.5 m²
A tiny coffee shop, measuring just 2.5 square meters, exudes warmth with its natural wooden decor. Located at the entrance of a Singaporean restaurant, it’s adorned with a few vibrant green plants, as if bringing the mountains to the city, just like its name “Move Mountains” implies.
Ambiance Booster: “Matcha Latte”
We ordered a honey oat matcha latte, and the ink-green swirls resembling taro paste made it highly photogenic.
Despite being called “honey,” the flavor isn’t overly sweet. The matcha has a clear, slightly bitter taste, with the honey and oat aroma lingering in the aftertaste, leaving a subtle flavor in your mouth after drinking.
Move Mountains Café (Jing’an Temple Store)
📍 Entrance of 1788 Xinzha Road
⏰ Monday to Friday 08:00-16:00; Saturday, Sunday 09:00-17:00
Let’s Chat
Which is your favorite small coffee shop?
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