Cover These are the best cafes and coffee shops to try on your next trip to Sai Ying Pun (Photo: @cy.cafelov/Instagram)

Featuring excellent brews, delicious pastries, Instagrammable décor and great service, these are the best cafes and coffee shops to visit in Sai Ying Pun for a relaxing break away from the hustle and bustle

Much like the neighbouring areas like Central and Sheung Wan, Sai Ying Pun is filled with some great gems, including an unbeatable selection of restaurants, lovely street art, lifestyle shops—and of course—some great cafes and coffee shops that make for a perfect afternoon of wandering. 

The coffee scene in this charming neighbourhood has grown increasingly diverse and sophisticated in recent years, where we’ve witnessed more and more F&B professionals are bringing new energy to the hood with a host of uniquely themed cafes set up shop in different corners.  

From artisanal roasters to stylish spots that offer photogenic dishes and décor, these are the best cafes and coffee shops to try on your next trip to Sai Ying Pun.  

See also: Neighbourhood Guide: Where To Eat, Drink And Shop In Sai Ying Pun

APT. Coffee

The third location of APT. Coffee can be found in the former Sai Ying Pun space of The Coffee Academics. Bright and airy, the cafe continues with APT.'s tailor-made approach (the name stands for A Personal Tailor, after all) where the coffee can be adjusted to your liking, from the blend and intensity, to even the amount of milk foam you prefer. The food, meanwhile, is hearty and similarly adjustable: pick from salads, yoghurt bowls, sandwiches, and pastas. Whatever your preference, this is the place to be picky.

APT. Coffee, Shop 3-5, G/F, Artisan House, Sai Yuen Lane, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong

Not Just Coffee

Here's another Instagrammable spot to add to your café-hopping checklist. Not Just Coffee’s new branch in Sai Ying Pun is unmissable, and just like its name suggests, this lovely café serves more than just excellent coffee—there’s delicious Japanese and Western dishes, exquisite desserts, refreshing teas and sodas, too.

Highlights of the food menu include crab linguine, lobster bisque with avocado prawn Inaniwa udon, eel and scrambled egg burger, as well as sea-salted caramel chicken wings—all served with gorgeous interiors featuring botanicals and wooden fixtures as your backdrop.

Come for a high-quality caffeine fix and stay for the sumptuous food and friendly vibes. We heard this place gets packed at lunch, so be sure to come early to secure your table.

Not Just Coffee, Shop 1, G/F, One Artlane, 8 Chung Ching Street, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong; instagram.com/not.just.coffee.hk

Half & Half

If you like coffee and chocolate, then you’re going to love Half & Half’s drinks offerings. This new spot in Sai Ying Pun was opened just in time for the holidays to serve all your caffeine needs this winter.

Fight off the cold spell by sipping on a decadently rich hot chocolate using Brazil 74% dark chocolate from Hong Kong-based bean-to-bar brand, Slok Chocolate. If you’re looking for a less sugary version, their Choconade, featuring a unique blend of India 70% chocolate, honey lemon slices and soda water, is sure to satisfy.

Half & Half also features delicious pastries supplied by local online bakery Heijau Patisserie, including the caramelised nut-flavoured Kennedier dacquoise, and the 1009 dacquoise made with olive lemon curd and paprika meringue. Don’t leave without trying the freshly baked banana bread, too!

Half & Half, 20 Pok Fu Lam Rd, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong; instagram.com/chocoffee_halfnhalf

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Winstons Coffee

You can easily spot Winstons Coffee thanks to its stylish alfresco bar seating and retro movie theatre-style signboard. A favourite stomping ground for neighbourhood locals and coffee lovers, the Australian-style cafe prides itself on offering a selection of well-brewed classic coffees, such as flat white and cappuccino. Winstons also serves up delicious freshly baked goods such as lamingtons, croissant, homemade matcha egg tart and banana bread... the list goes on. 

Winstons Coffee, Shop 4, G/F, 213 Queens Road West, Sai Ying Pun, Western District, Hong Kong; +852 2559 5078 

Poise Coffee

Escape the crowd and enjoy a good cuppa at this small café tucked away on the slopes of St. Stephen’s Lane. As well as offering a great array of high-quality coffee and fresh juices, Poise Coffee delivers a tempting menu packed with all-day breakfasts, sandwiches, toasts and salad bowls to go with your favourite drink.

Everyone comes here for the matcha latte and signature all-day breakfast, but if you want to try something a bit different, we highly recommend the Nutella latte and jumbo avocado toast. It has a relaxed vibe and spacious setting that make it a perfect spot for catching up on reading or get some work done. 

Poise Coffee, Shop 3 UG/F Golden Phoenix Court No. 1-2, St. Stephen's Lane, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong, +852 9883 9461  

See also: The Best Cafes And Coffee Shops In Sham Shui Po

JMT Coffee

Frequented by foodies and hipsters alike, JMT Coffee is a Korean-style café-bar which serves up a range of unique brews and scrumptious light bites. A young half-Korean, half-Chinese man is the mastermind behind this trendy establishment, who is determined to provide a space for urbanites to unwind, eat up, and catch up with a few friends. 

Their house specials, including Baileys coffee and dirty coffee are must-tries; and if you want a nice refreshing alternative to a coffee, try the other popular creations such as smoothies and sodas. At night, the café will be transformed into a bar where a range of local gins is offered to impress diners. Don’t forget to pair your drink with their signature spam box and mozzarella sticks—we promise you won’t regret it. 

JMT Coffee, G/F, 19 Pokfulam Road, Sai Ying Pun, Western District, Hong Kong, +852 9483 5627 

So. High Coffee Bar

Decked out in a beautiful, minimalist interior, So. High Coffee Bar is favourite among those looking for a stylish space to enjoy some quality time and eats with loved ones. Their food and beverages are all served on fancy patterned China plates to elevate your dining experience, where you can expect a top-notch selection of coffees and Western delicacies that’s as Instagrammable as it’s delicious.

Aside from classic coffee options and teas, the shop also offers alcoholic drinks. Try their bagel with cream cheese, and avocado and scrambled egg on bun. Desserts such as cappuccino cake and brownie with ice cream are also to die for. 

So. High Coffee Bar, G/F, 49 High Street, Sai Ying Pun, Western District, Hong Kong, +852 2612 1711 

See also: Basque Cheesecake Is Everywhere, And Here’s Where To Find The Best In Hong Kong

Coffee by Zion

Located just a stone's throw away from the Sai Ying Pun MTR station, Coffee by Zion delivers a cosy environment for guests to enjoy a cup of joe surrounded by an eclectic collection of Nordic décor, furnishings and wall plants. Their drip coffee is a standout, but don’t miss out on other quality brews such as black sesame latte with oat or soy milk and the lavender white chocolate. The shop also features a small outdoor seating area which is perfect for reading and people-watching. 

Coffee by Zion, Shop 1, G/F, 83 First Street, Sai Ying Pun, Western District, Hong Kong, +852 9404 7721 

Detour

What makes this lovey cafe stands out from the pack is not only its photogenic décor—think old Hong Kong-style windows and soaring ceilings—but also its excellent beverages, fresh food and warm hospitality. The menu is simple yet satisfying, with all of the coffee staples, fine teas, delicious brunch plates and sandwiches that make for a great cafe experience.  

Detour, Shop A, G/F, On Lok House, 35-37 First Street, Sai Ying Pun, Western District, Hong Kong  

Bone Studio

This hidden gem in Mid-Levels is bringing something fresh to the already packed cafe lineup in the Central and Western district. Here, you can enjoy high-quality coffee brews, dainty toasts and a delicious mix of Japanese and Western dishes, all the while browsing a unique collection of stationaries, accessories and handmade goods. Highlights from the menu include matcha latte, dirty, honey apple toast and Hokkaido crepe cake with tangerine. 

Bone Studio, Shop 2B, G/F, 38 Bonham Road, Mid-Levels, Hong Kong; bonestudio.store  

See also: Neighbourhood Guide: What To Eat, Drink And Do In Mid-Levels

JOMO Coffee & Cakes

The aromas of fresh-roasted beans and pastries are intoxicating as soon as you enter this small, brightly lit café. JOMO Coffee & Cakes is most famous for their innovative, beautiful baked goods, such as the black sesame chiffon cake, matcha roll cake and fig scone with clotted cream. Aside from classic coffees and signature hand-drip coffee, the cafe also serves a wide variety of teas and special drinks such as green monsoon, masala chai, smoothie and chocolate. 

JOMO Coffee & Cakes, Shop D, G/F, Water Street, Sai Ying Pun, Western District, Hong Kong, +852 2762 0258 

Infiniti C By October

Arguably the most Instagrammable cafe in the hood, Infiniti C By October is an elegant establishment that infused with beautiful blue interiors, serving quality brews and delicious cakes in style. It can be dizzying for first-timers deciding what to try from their extensive menu, but we can’t recommend the lavender earl grey cake and signature blue rose cake enough—most of them are vegan and keto, too. Long queues are expected during lunch hour, but it's well worth the wait!

Infiniti C By October, Shop A, G/F, Western Street 38 King's Hill, Western District, +852 2468 2848 

Nggy &

Another hidden gem in Sai Ying Pun that deserves a spot on your food radar, Nggy & is a homey cafe that has a reputation for serving some of the best Japanese fare, most exquisite desserts and beverages not only in the hood but also across the city. The café's strawberry earl grey lemon shortcake and guan yin tea cream cake with fig are the signatures, but don’t miss out on other must-tries such as orange crème caramel pudding and cheese toasts, which are all equally impressive. 

Nggy &, Shop A, G/F, Tai Ming Lau, 6-8 Second Street, Sai Ying Pun, Western District, Hong Kong 

TIL Today Is Long

Many locals flock to this small café for its stylish décor—think a retro colour palette of brick red and white, arched windows that allows ample natural light to flood the space. While TIL Today Is Long has been drawing in crowds for some amazing shots for the ‘gram, it doesn’t skimp on quality in terms of drinks and food offerings.

The drink menu is specially designed to fulfil all your caffeine needs, which features two sections, “Short Day” and “Long Day”, offering everything from espresso to latte, mocha, cold brew and many more. Their food is no less exquisite, serving a variety of croissants, toasts, savoury rolls that make for the perfect midday treat. Bonus: it’s pet-friendly too!

TIL Today Is Long, G/F, Kin Hing Building, 172 Queen’s Road West, Sai Ying Pun, Western District, Hong Kong

The Third Bakery

Joining Sai Ying Pun’s vibrant café scene is this minimalist coffee house, The Third Bakery. Known as the sister establishment of the beloved café in Yuen Long, The Third, this newly opened bistro is worth checking out for its house special coffees and scrumptious pastries. Don’t leave without trying their freshly baked goods, such as cookies and flan cakes, as well as the signature drink “Autumn”, which is a special latte that features jujubes and osmanthus for a refreshing aroma. 

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