Hong Kong’s best hidden upstairs cafés that you didn’t know existed

Fans of Urban Café’s original branch in Mong Kok will love their newly-opened space in Kwun Tong, which is more than twice the size of the original at 3,000-square-feet. Unlike other cat cafés, where space limitations reduce your chances of actually seeing and petting a cat, there are a whopping 50 resident moggies at this industrial space, many of which are friendly (well… for cats). The menu is your standard Western café fare—popular choices include pasta, risottos, and burgers—but the quality and quantity of dishes are surprisingly high for a themed café. For an indulgent afternoon tea drink, you cannot go wrong with the milkshake-like cloud smoothies (starting at $58); if you’re in the mood for something more filling, try the Instagram-friendly charcoal lamb burger ($108).

Urban Café, 6/F, Block 1, 62 Hoi Yuen Road, Kwun Tong | (+852) 5307 3636

Everything at this 2,000-square-foot café in Mong Kok has been designed with Instagrammability in mind, from the living wall bedecked with neon angel wings to the cocoa powder-dusted brown sugar bubble milk. While their food items—like the lobster roll ($178) and yuzu-flavoured soufflé pancake ($98)—are hugely popular, you can’t visit Tearapy without sampling some of their many, many teas. Choose from classic bubble teas to smoothie-esque fresh fruit teas, and more.

Tearapy, 1/F, 189 Portland Street, Mong Kok | (+852) 2989 1707

As its name suggests, Mum’s Not Home is an upstairs café where you can let your hair down—just as you would when you have the house to yourself. Located on the first floor of a rundown building in Yau Ma Tei, the whimsical café is decorated with eclectic paintings, a forest of plants, and cushions scattered around short tables. Choose your spot to unwind as you find liberation from boring food with one of the colourful cheesecakes and drinks on offer. The Secret of Butterfly Pea Tea ($40) in particular is a hit among social media-savvy guests. Served in a bowl-like cup with a slice of lime on top, the originally-blue coloured tea turns into a mesmerising purple tone as you squeeze the lime juice into the tea.

Mum’s Not Home, 1/F, 302 Shanghai Street, Yau Ma Tei | (+852) 9770 5760

With large windows that allow plenty of natural sunlight to pour in, bare white walls, and minimalistic pine fixtures, this furniture store-slash-upstairs café in Kwun Tong oozes a “Swedish furniture showroom” vibe. The laid-back soundtrack playing in the background adds to the casual atmosphere of the café, making it easy for you to stay and while away a lazy afternoon. Order a cup of coffee and get lost in a good book on the corner sofa, bring your laptop and set up shop on the high tables, or come with friends and enjoy delicious food freshly made by the in-house Le Cordon Bleu chef. Those who want to deck their homes with the industrial hangout’s rustic-chic decor can even pick up some goodies in the retail area.

Twenty One From Eight, 11/F, 59 Hung To Road, Kwun Tong | (+852) 2321 1738

Located on the second floor of a nondescript commercial building in the heart of Causeway Bay (the same building as the famous Cat Café), Fleur de Sel offers a cosy space in which to enjoy authentic French dishes, made with fresh ingredients imported from the country. As you walk through the impressive entrance, decorated with white brick walls, Parisian-style pop art, and a playful arrow sign, you are met with the aroma of fresh coffee and sweet crêpes and galettes, which can be enjoyed within a casual, chic-industrial setting. But it’s not only about sweet treats here, as the menu offers soups, salads, and a variety of French classics such as snails baked in garlic butter ($72), duck confit with mushrooms and potatoes ($142), and foie gras with chutney ($118). With its laid-back atmosphere and playful French flair, this is the perfect spot for relaxed weekend crunching.

Fleur de Sel, Shop 2J, Po Foo Building, Foo Ming Street, Causeway Bay | (+852) 2805 6678

Tucked away in an industrial loft of Fanling is What the Food, an unassuming and underground café that boasts an avant-garde vibe the moment you get out of the lift and spot Bart Simpson pointing you to the way. Once you get into the eatery, snap as many as you want with Alice from Alice in Wonderland who guards the board games corner, and the infamous brick mosaic of Snow White chewing on the poison apple, which has slowly become the obligatory background for food pics. As the eccentric atmosphere starts to draw you in, order from the menu of international delicacies, such as the delectable eel omelette rice ($86), pineapple cheese beef burger ($66) and the refreshing rose hawthorn tea soda ($33). Dare to mix and match your choices and you won’t be disappointed.

What the Food Café, Unit 1F, 1/F, 13 Yip Fung Street, Fanling | +(852) 2677 1303