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Header image courtesy of TIL Today is Long (via Facebook)
Sheung Wan may reign supreme when it comes to artsy independent coffee shops, but the rest of the Western District—Sai Ying Pun, Shek Tong Tsui, and Kennedy Town, collectively known as Sai Wan—is giving it a run for its money. From relaxed Aussie-style cafés with 1970s-esque interiors to shabby chic coffee shops that turn into bars at night, these are our favourite places to grab a cuppa joe in Sai Wan.
No flights? No worries. Newly opened café TIL Today is Long brings Aussie vibes to Sai Ying Pun with its sun-baked Uluru Rock-inspired colour palette and relaxed ambience. All the coffee beans are sourced directly from Australian roasteries such as famous Melbournian roaster Small Batch, and there’s also a light food menu of baked goods, open-faced sandwiches, toasties, salads, and savoury or sweet croffles (a croissant-waffle hybrid).
TIL Today is Long, 172 Queen’s Road West, Sai Ying Pun
Café by day, cocktail bar by night, and all-day Instagram bait So.High Coffee Bar has only been around for a few months, but it’s already won people over with its shabby chic décor, vintage porcelain cups, and killer espresso martinis. Swap the standard afternoon tea for an afternoon coffee with So.High’s cappuccino cake ($52) and Viennese iced coffee ($65), or drop by in the evenings for a glass of vino.
So.High Coffee Bar, 49 High Street, Sai Ying Pun | (+852) 2612 1711
This Instagram-famous café is all about perfectly undone minimalism, from the single branch that hangs above the concrete staircase to the grey pebble-lined alfresco seating area. For something that looks as good as it tastes, try the Mount Fuji panna cotta ($48) or the signature floating cloud oyakodon ($118), which comes topped with uber-photogenic soufflé egg whites and a single egg yolk.
Nggy and Kitchen, Shop A, Tai Ming Lau, 6–8 Second Street, Sai Ying Pun
Founded by design director Boni Chow, this zen, light-filled space on Bonham Road is part café, part design studio, and all-round hipster heaven. The aesthetic is decidedly wabi-sabi with an emphasis on thoughtful and beautiful design, from the perfectly imperfect ceramics to the beautiful curated selection of products from independent brands. And since Bone Studio is a pet-friendly café, you may even make a new furry friend or two.
Bone Studio, Shop 2B, 38 Bonham Road, Mid-Levels West
With a healthful, largely plant-based menu made with organic local ingredients, 14 South Lane is the kind of place where you leave feeling better than when you arrived. Bask in the natural light and take in the rustic décor before digging into wholesome dishes like the sweet potato coconut pancakes ($118) and Middle Eastern quinoa bowl ($112).
14 South Lane, 14 South Lane, Shek Tong Tsui | (+852) 5744 8390
Yet another hybrid hangout is Good Good, a café-slash-restaurant with a grocery and lifestyle store as well as a chilled-out upstairs seating area. From the savoury section of the menu, we like the Sichuan flat noodles ($72) and cold somen noodles ($72), but remember to leave room for desserts like the blood orange yoghurt cream cake ($58) and sticky toffee banana cake ($48).
Good Good, 2A Second Street, Sai Ying Pun
Though this little alleyway café has only been around for a year or so, it’s already built up quite the following thanks to its sippable coffees and teas, chill vibe, and airy chiffon cakes. Though the signature chiffon cakes are made with dairy, JOMO has a dedicated vegan dessert menu for people on plant-based diets. Try the Earl Grey chiffon cake ($52) or the salted caramel apple crumble pie ($68) for a sweet treat to go with your coffee.
JOMO Coffee & Cakes, Shop D, 3 Sam To Lane, 4 Water Street, Sai Ying Pun | (+852) 2762 0258
This cute café in Kennedy Town has got tons going for it: a light, bright space, Scandi-chic interiors, and a menu of vegetarian and vegan fusion-y café fare. For a hearty and affordable meat-free meal, order the Omnipork nachos ($58) and the black truffle risotto ($128), and wash it all down with the blue-tinged pineapple soda ($38).
Sofia (素菲亞), Shop C, 28–32 Davis Street, Kennedy Town | (+852) 2523 9898
Annette is an editor and copywriter with a lifetime of experience in hunting out the most interesting, odd, and delightful things about her beloved home city. Having written extensively about everything from food and culture to fashion, music, and hospitality, she considers her speciality to be Hong Kong itself. In her free time, you can find Annette trying out new dumpling recipes or playing Big Two at her favourite local bars with a cocktail in hand.
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