Designed by Taste Space, this minimalist microroastery cafe in Watthana, central Bangkok combines glass and concrete to great effect. While the colour palette is kept light and white—almost Apple Store-esque—the studio incorporated subtle stone textures in neutral shades, and an acrylic stone coffee bar to bring to mind the mountain environments where the coffee beans grow. Double-height floor-to-ceiling windows invite the light in gloriously, casting sun-dappled shadows across the cafe space.

45, 1 Soi Sukhumvit 31, Khlong Toei Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand

One of the most instantly recognisable coffee shop brands in the world, Arabica’s pristine white palette and simple, clean lines lends itself to creative adaptations wherever they land—whether it’s a tiny mobile kiosk leading up to Hirafu in Niseko, or the arched brick facade of their newest Brooklyn branch—the first in the US, cementing founder Kenneth Shoji’s dream of having an Arabica in both Paris and America (Arabica now has close to 100 branches around the world since launching in 2013). Their seventh branch in Beijing’s The New Mall makes the most of its ultra sleek surroundings to create an electrifying, futuristic effect using light and reflection. In Manila’s 257 McKinley, the third Arabica coffee store in the city, the impressive glass facade and illuminated ceiling highlights the interiors even from street level; the amphitheatre seating has echoes of Banaue’s iconic rice terraces, offering drinkers an unusual vantage point to view the coffee making action below.

Shop G03-G04, Ground Floor 25/7 McKinley Building, 25th corner 7th Ave, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, Metro Manila, Philippines

This spacious, moody cafe located inside the Gyre shopping mall in Omotesando is designed by Japanese firm Atelier Tsuyoshi Tane Architects, who created an impressive Escher-like amphitheatre seating area of dark wooden blocks cascading down towards the illuminated coffee bar. Elsewhere, the cafe is filled with lush greenery and earth textures.

Gyre 4F, 5-10-1 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan

Situated upstairs in a 1930’s residential house, Lacàph is a space worth seeking out. With its slanted roofing and split-level, loft-like interiors with double-height windows, it’s a cafe that immediately feels fresh and light. Elements of the interiors are made from 90 per cent reclaimed wood, and the business supports local Vietnamese coffee farmers from four provinces around the country.

220 Nguyễn Công Trứ, P. Nguyễn Thái Bình, Q. 1, Tp. Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

This new opening designed by Nelson Chan is striking in its aesthetics, with contrasting bubble gum pinks and pastel greens flowing smoothly throughout the space. Circular windows and chalk-white lines bring to mind the playful shapes and colours of Hong Kong’s Instagrammable housing estates and basketball courts—even one of their signature drinks echoes the pink and green theme. Trois is one of the shortlisted cafes in the Restaurant & Design Awards for 2021.

Centre Point, Shop 2-3, 181-185 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong

Also shortlisted in the 2021 Restaurant & Bar Design Awards is this modern Asian bistro and cafe in Dempsey, a calming vision of rattan, wood and stone. A terrazzo coffee bar with dramatic pill-shaped shelving is where Hathaway’s baristas and rustic breads are on show, while some of the best window seats look out onto lush greenery.

13 Dempsey Road #01-07 Singapore 249674

Located within an old shophouse that once housed a brothel, Merchant’s Lane retains much of the building’s character and quirks, artfully peeling paint and all. Antique posters, Peranakan cushions and other Malay-Chinese knickknacks present themselves throughout, and the highlight of the space is the central courtyard with trees. Founder Ken Ho admits that when he first embarked on the project, he told the designer to please “make it Instagrammable”—and that, they delivered.

150, Jalan Petaling, Central Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Made entirely from shipping containers, HOH Cafe (designed by Infeel Architects) was envisioned to blend in with its forest surroundings, the rusting iron reflecting the gnarled wood of nearby trees. Structure is given with solid black beams while warm wood slates create the body of the coffee bar. Pendant lights and gravelled walkways give the space a homely feel, just the kind of vibe you’d want for a coffee shop in the great outdoors.

No. 95-5, E Section 2, Guangming 6th Rd, Zhubei City, Hsinchu County, Taiwan 30271