The Best Cafes and Coffee Shops to Work From in Hong Kong

Words by Jianne Soriano
January 13, 2022
  1. I-O-N
    I-O-N
  2. Starting Over Espresso
    Starting Over Espresso
  3. The Tea Academics
    The Tea Academics
  4. Elephant Grounds
    Elephant Grounds
  5. 14 South Lane
    14 South Lane
  6. TGIF
    TGIF
  7. APT Coffee
    APT Coffee
  8. NOC Coffee Co
    NOC Coffee Co
  9. Yotsuba Cafe
    Yotsuba Cafe
  10. Coffee Academics
    Coffee Academics
  11. Black Sugar Coffee
    Black Sugar Coffee
Cover Here are the best cafes and coffee shops to work from (Photo: @theteaacademics/Instagram)

With new social distancing restrictions in force, many of us are working from home. If you want a change of scenery, these cafes and coffee shops provide a great environment to get work done

Hong Kong’s new social distancing measures have definitely felt like we’re back to the early days of the pandemic. For some of us, that means returning to the work from home set-up. With most Hong Kong homes not being spacious as most other places, sometimes, working from home isn’t always that viable.

If you need a change of scenery and working environment, why not visit a cafe or coffee shop instead? If there’s anything positive that happened over the past two years, it’s that a lot more cafes are popping up. Here, we break out our favourite cafes and coffee shops that have Wi-Fi, great food and drinks that you can consider working at.

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1. I-O-N

I-O-N is an all-day cafe bar located on the first floor of Central Market. Spanning over 3,000 square feet, its open space design is perfect to work in. You can enjoy I-O-N’s rich selection of coffee, tea and hearty dishes to power you through the day.

I-O-N, Shop 124–125, 1/F, Central Market, 80 Des Voeux Road Central and 93 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong, +852 9141 5863

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2. Starting Over Espresso

Staring Over Espresso founder and director Jeffie Cheung is a coffee fanatic who has been working in the coffee industry for over 10 years. She established this speciality coffee shop to remind herself and others that they can start over and over again—perfect when you need some positive vibes to get work done.

In addition to their expansive drinks menu, you can also enjoy dessert, all-day breakfast, cold bowls and hot food as you work. Thanks to its location up Old Bailey Street, you take in quiet mornings here to work.

Starting Over Espresso, G/F, 17 Old Bailey Street, Central, Hong Kong, +852 9242 5433, startingoverespresso.com

 

3. The Tea Academics

If you’re not so much of a coffee fan then the The Tea Academics is the place to be. Founded by the same group behind The Coffee Academics, this cafe is a great places to work in while enjoying a cuppa.

You’ll be spoiled for choice at their curation of artisanal tea products, plant-based cuisine, all-day breakfast menu and fresh bakes.

The Tea Academics, 1/F, LHT Tower, 31 Queen’s Road, Central, +852 3187 7303

4. Elephant Grounds

Elephant Grounds is a fan favourite cafe and coffee shop in the city. With several locations to boast, each being uniquely designed, you have a lot of choices on where to work from.

The coffee and food are just as impressive as the interior design. Their coffee beans are roasted in-house to create their signature blends while the food focuses on all-day dining featuring seasonal dishes.

Elephant Grounds, various locations across Hong Kong, elephantgrounds.com

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5. 14 South Lane

If you want to go green while working, 14 South Lane is a great choice. This cafe offers 80 per cent vegetarian food and uses seasonable vegetables from local organic farms.

And good news for those who have lactose intolerance—14 South Lane offers a special dairy-free drink menu that uses almond, oat and soy milk.

14 South Lane, G/F, 14A South Lane, Shek Tong Tsui, Western District, Hong Kong, 14southlane.com

6. TGIF

Want to bring your furry friend along as you work? Pet-friendly cafe, TGIF should be on your list. It has an an all-white interior that’s pleasant for the eyes. The minimalistic design is accented by woods and rustic tree stools.

Even better is the menu which mostly consists of vegan options for those who are a little more health-conscious but enough to keep you powered up. An added perk is that you can watch the trams travel past the window every couple of minutes—a total change of scenary.

TGIF, 533–543 Queen’s Road West, Shek Tong Tsui, Western District, Hong Kong

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7. APT Coffee

With a minimalistic interior, delicious food and drink menu and convenient locations to choose from, APT Coffee has what you’re looking for. You can opt to work indoors or outdoors and order a personalised coffee.

When it comes to food, you can also get your toast personalised, right from the type of bread to the toppings.

APT Coffee, various locations across Hong Kong Island, apt-coffee.com

8. NOC Coffee Co

A crowd favourite due to its artistic and Instagrammable design—both interior and coffee—NOC Coffee Co is among the go-to spots to work from.

With various locations to choose from and a healthy food menu that changes regularly, there’s a lot to like about this cafe chain.

NOC Coffee Co, various locations across Hong Kong, noccoffeeco.com

9. Yotsuba Cafe

A little less well-known than the cafes on this list, Yotsuba Cafe is great for those looking for a quieter option. This hidden gem is nestled on a Tai Hang backstreet, a little far from view which makes it a perfect choice to work from.

Yotsuba Cafe is a quaint Japanese-style coffee shop that offers healthy breakfast and all-day brunches. But those with a sweet tooth will also love their desserts. If you’re looking to bring your furry friend along then good news as the cafe is also pet-friendly.

Yotsuba Cafe, G/F, 19 Ormsby Street, Tai Hang, Hong Kong, +852 2808 2868

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10. Coffee Academics

Another crowd favourite, Coffee Academics has been the go-to for many since its inception in 2012. If you’re serious about coffee, Coffee Academics doesn’t disappoint either as the coffee is traded directly from small-scale plantations or auction-grade coffees.

Seventy per cent of their house blends also gives back to coffee farmer communities through charities and social enterprises. With many locations spread out across Hong Kong, there’s no shortage of places for you to work from.

Coffee Academics, various locations across Hong Kong, the-coffeeacademics.com

11. Black Sugar Coffee

Black Sugar Coffee is becoming a crowd favourite, thanks part to its adorable origin and Instagrammable interiors and food. The cafe is named after the founder’s shiba inu, Black Sugar and they even sell shiba inu-themed merchandise.

As most well-known cafes and coffee shops are located in Hong Kong Island, Black Sugar Coffee is venturing more to Kowloon with branches in Whampoa, Olympian City, Tsim Sha Tsui and Ho Man Tin.

Black Sugar Cafe, various locations across Hong Kong, blacksugar.coffee

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