Caffeine Kick the Sai Wan Hood Way

For a real coffeeholic like me, the day does not really kick start without a morning cup of coffee. A cafe - never just about the aroma and tastes of coffee, is a place for catching up with friends. In Hong Kong many a time, it is the perfect place for solo work time or surfing on your laptop.

We are lucky that our Sai Wan neighborhood boasts of an eclectic and creative choice of coffee cafes. Here I am sharing a few finds and favorites. They claim that sipping a cup of exquisite coffee in any one of them, can make one believe in the words of Cassandra Clare, “As long as there was coffee in the world, how bad could things be?”

NOC (Not-only-Coffee)

In a city where most cafes just allow enough elbow room, this spacious coffee roastery with its stylish interiors is an ideal hang-out place both for solo coffee sessions, as well as, casual tete-a-tetes with friends. Be it the drip coffees that are balanced in flavour or a creamy cappuccino, the coffee brewed lovingly by the baristas never disappoints. Also, in keeping with the acronym “not only coffee,” there is a wide choice of delicious cakes and pastries besides healthy food accompaniments to go with your coffee.

Address:NOC, Roastery Store, Shop 4, Bohemian House, 321 Des Voeux Road West, Sai Wan

Artisan Room

True to its name, every object in this quaint coffee shop has an artsy and contemporary feel. Be it speciality coffee or tea, rest assured you are going to experience a jolt to your creative senses. There is a food menu to choose from with an interesting offering of designer cakes and more to go with your beverage. The café also has a sunny outdoor seating area, perfect for coffee and conversations on a lazy weekend.

Address: 8/12 South Lane, Sai Wan

Cupping Room

Amidst the hustle and bustle of Sheung Wan, this cafe with its Japanese/Scandinavian aesthetics is just the place to relax over a cup of coffee. The coffees come from farms around the world and are carefully roasted and prepared using both traditional, and speciality brewing methods, depending on the preferences of the drinker. The food menu has both regulars, like the lip-smacking avocado and poached eggs on toast, in addition to, seasonal creations by the chef.

Address: 299 Queen's Road Central, Sheung Wan

Barista Jam

For those who are seeking a serious caffeine fix, this is just the place to head out to. I loved the deco and the ambience. Surrounded with exotic coffee beans and coffee brewing bric-a-brac, you can enjoy your espresso or limited-edition ice drip coffees. For those we havent been to this café, it also offers a quiet hideaway just a flight up, for those of us who wish to tuck into some serious work with coffee. The food menu has great breakfast options, sandwiches and lots more. And even if coffee is not your thing, the glorious hot chocolate with one of their sweet indulgences should more than tempt you to hop over to this café.

Address: G/F, Shop D, 128 Jervois Street, Sheung Wan

Polygon

This cafe is a coffee connoisseurs delight with Intelligentsia, the highly rated coffee roaster in the USA, being the featured bean of choice. Pour-over lovers will appreciate the intricate detailing involved in serving both a glass and cup with the coffee so that one can experience the subtle differences in taste. The design of the cafe with windows overlooking the street gives a feeling of being outdoors while, seated indoors. The patio at the back is just the place for those who want to sip their coffee amidst the warm sun and cool greens and once in a while, even a pooch for company who may have dropped in with their coffeeholic pet parent.

Address: G/F 14 Second Street, Sai Ying Pun

The Hideout Coffee House

Last but definitely not the least, of course, is none other than our own LocalHood vendor member coffee shop. Unless you take a sip of the glorious flavoured coffee available here, you will not know what you have been missing out on. The wide range of flavours are all brewed in-house and many like the vanilla, mocha and caramel syrups are made weekly. And to go with your coffee, the food menu has a range of signature dishes to choose from.

Address: Shop B, 63 Third Street, Sai Ying Pun

David Lynch famously said “Even bad coffee is better than no coffee at all.” For all of you LocalHood community coffee lovers, who beg to differ with his words and would rather go without their cup, than settle for anything lesser than the best, we are hoping you will find a version of your perfect cup in one of these cafes 😊.