Cover All the new cafes you need to know for 2021 (Photo: Be Coffee)

The newest places for coffee, brunches, desserts and more in Hong Kong island, Kowloon and beyond

Hong Kong’s cafe scene is blossoming with a slew of new coffee shops, brunch spots and tea parlours emerging in nearly every neighbourhood, from Central to Tsuen Wan, North Point to Sham Shui Po. The trend has been well documented by diligent cafe hunters all throughout 2020; in a year where many Hongkongers gave up travel to discover their own districts, we rounded up more than 18 brilliant new venues that opened within weeks of each other in the summer alone. In 2021, we see no sign of the demand for great cafes tapering off anytime soon, so stay with us as we attempt to summarise the latest and greatest new openings to check out this year.

See also: The Best New Cafes in Hong Kong, Summer 2020 Edition

1. Alive Eatery, Sham Shui Po

An independent specialist in sourdough breads, Alive Food Co used to peddle their wares in Form Society in Sham Shui Po—a hub for creatives and nurturing local talent. Now, the team have launched their first standalone cafe a few doors down, where they showcase their philosophy and passion for healthy Mediterranean food anchored by their signature bread. Toast toppings include tomato salsa and avocado; peanut butter, banana and chia seed; roasted cherry tomatoes with balsamic. Their caramelised bread pudding, however, looks to be the emerging MVP.

Alive Eatery, 131 Yu Chau Street, Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong

2. Bench, Tsuen Wan

The bench referenced in the name of this Tsuen Wan coffee shop is designed for people watching, though its location on a sleepy corner surrounded by car repair shops may mean that you're better off focusing on the food and drink in front of you. The sun streaming in through the large windows that fold outwards creates an idyllic atmosphere, perfect for enjoying comfort foods such as french toast with thinly sliced apples. 

Bench, 17 Fu Yung Street, Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong

3. Be Coffee, Causeway Bay

You'll know you're at the right place when you see the iconic blue and red minibus sign with the cafe's name in the window. This tiny coffee bar is by MeowBox Cafe, a cat-themed cafe in Ngau Tau Kok and they're already loved for their intricate animal latte art. 

G87, 6-10 Sun Wui Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong

4. Bonding Coffee, Sham Shui Po

This photography-focused cafe seems apt for a neighbourhood that unites droves of creatives (and, of course, hordes of Instagrammers). The gallery-cum-cafe is understated and minimalist, with framed photographs and a large format camera hanging out near the entrance. Yes, the coffee menu is serious too, brewed with house-roasted beans—but also fun, with a creme brulee cappuccino hitting the sweet spot for most customers. 

Bonding Coffee, 145 Ki Lung Street, Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong

5. Cotton Lane, Happy Valley

Happy Valley's Cotton Lane serves French-Japanese cafe fare, so you'll find items such as onsen egg with silky mashed potato and furikake; salmon gravlax bagel sandwich with shiso, aonori, cream cheese and ikura; and miso avocado toast using milk bread. Sweets include the Tira-Matcha, a tea-focused take on the Italian classic. Beautiful cream and brass design details give the place a quietly elegant aesthetic. 

Cotton Lane, G/F, 14 Min Fat Street, Happy Valley, Hong Kong

6. Cupping Room, Tsim Sha Tsui

Cupping Room's steady expansion has resulted in one of its most striking venues yet. Located in Harbour City's Ocean Centre, the cafe enjoys spectacular golden hour sunlight and a glittering sea view. The coveted seats facing the ocean feature a curved design that matches the window frames made using smooth, polished wood for a natural vibe. Apart from their range of own-roasted coffee beans, they also sell canned cold brew as well as a range of grilled sandwiches. 

Cupping Room, 309, L3, Ocean Centre, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong

7. Filter's Lane, Central

Taking over the former NOC space is the second branch of Filter's Lane—the first is located on Caine Road, where it opened in 2012 with their own roasting machine. The venue has been opened up, giving diners more breathing space, and the menu will expand to cover more food items in the coming weeks and months. 

Filter's Lane, 34 Graham Street, Central, Hong Kong

8. For Single, Kennedy Town

The "single" in the name refers to the cafe's focus on single origin coffees, but don't let that stop you from visiting in the hopes of matching with a fellow coffee obsessive. For Single's hearty, colourful brunches are fast favourites—the crabmeat on sourdough and the perfectly fanned out slices of avocado on bagels are the stuff of Instagram dreams. 

For Single, Shop D, G/F, 6-18 Hau Wo Street, Kennedy Town, Hong Kong

9. Grandmama Cafe, Tsim Sha Tsui

For those who are missing their Japanese cafe fix, this new opening will transport you to the quaint suburban Tokyo coffee shops if you make the trip to Tsim Sha Tsui. Vintage-style Grandmama Cafe has a real cosy vibe, with knickknacks and dainty dishes served on wooden trays. Don't miss their onigiri (there's even one in the shape of Mount Fuji, and a special drink to match) and caramel pudding. 

Grandmama Cafe, 1/F, The Nate, 176 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong

10. Grotto, Quarry Bay

Officially opening on 9 January 2021, Grotto is a chic hideaway that stands out with its deep aquamarine facade and arched doorway and windows. The coffee is roasted by their own team, and housemade treats include croffles, pastries, tartines, sandwiches and desserts. The menu isn't bound by any one cuisine, with items such as the Kazan Seki, a hojicha and mochi scone; a "Not-So-Korean" bibimbap with tuna tataki, gochujang and balsamic sauce, and crispy kale; and fermented tofu cheesecake. 

Grotto, 19 Hoi Chak Street, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong

11. Heyday, Tai Hang

Tai Hang is buzzing again with a number of recent openings, including this bright and airy cafe that is dog-friendly to boot. They're also one of the few cafes in the area to open at 8:30am for your morning brew. A simple menu of espresso, cold brew and pourover coffees is available alongside homemade cakes and pastries.

Heyday, 5 Shepherd Street, Tai Hang, Hong Kong

12. Lagom, Kwun Tong

An expansive terrace is a real asset in a Covid-19 world, and Lagom's new branch in Kwun Tong's Two Harbour Square offers respite from the busy industrial streets below. Lagom is a Swedish word that roughly means "just the right amount", usually said in reference to the amount of food available for those gathered. With stylish furniture abound for lounging on and a menu of comforting dishes such as pastas and burgers, it's safe to say that contentment is an easy state to reach around here. 

Lagom Kaffe, 1/F, Two Harbour Square, Kwun Tong, Hong Kong

13. Master Room By One Little Room, Kwun Tong

Located in the Manulife Financial Centre in Kwun Tong, Master Room is a large new cafe by the team behind the considerably smaller One Little Room. Their menu focuses on single origin coffee and hand drip brews, with a selection of freshly made waffles that their original branch are known for. A lengthy communal table takes centre stage next to the concrete coffee bar. 

Master Room By One Little Room, G/F, Manulife Financial Centre, 223 Wai Yip Street, Kwun Tong, Hong Kong

14. N1 Coffee & Co, Wan Chai

The third branch of N1 Coffee & Co, located on Jaffe Road in Wan Chai, had its grand opening on 5 January 2021. With its Tiffany-blue exterior contrasting with its iconic street style details (check out the graffiti mural inside, and the table out front fashioned from a repurposed skateboard), this is a cafe for those who love a bit of cheekiness with their coffee. 

N1 Coffee & Co, 229 Jaffe Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong

15. NOC Papillons & Bakery, Tseung Kwan O

Might this be Hong Kong's largest cafe yet? The 4,000 square foot NOC Papillons & Bakery in Tseung Kwan O features an in-house bakery that pumps out daily bread and pastries, and wonderful design details such as a touchscreen vending machine that stocks their coffee and tea selections for purchase; a half-moon seating area with a garden and tree centrepiece, and high-backed booths for privacy (and effective social distancing). A "zero waste beans counter" offers package-free coffee beans for sale as well, where visitors can get 10 per cent off their purchase if they use their own containers. It's the sixth cafe in the NOC stable by founder Benny Leung. 

NOC Papillons & Bakery, Shop G1A, Papillons Square, 21 Tong Chung Street, Tseung Kwan O, Hong Kong

16. Numerous Cups, North Point

This North Point cafe's instantly recognisable rainbow roll cake is taking over our feeds as of late, and they're still in soft opening period. They serve Australian coffee beans from Adelaide's Elementary Coffee. There are only a handful of bar stools, so go early. 

Numerous Cups, Shop 4, GF, Kar Wan Building, 10-16 Yuet Yuen Street, North Point, Hong Kong

 

17. Passepartout Brunch & Cafe, Causeway Bay

With its little French cafe vibes and intriguing globetrotting menu of new fusion items, Passepartout lives up to its name. The small cafe delivers intriguing brunch dishes named for different locations around the world—the Hong Kong is a fresh take on spam and eggs, for example, where the pork is used in a scotch egg and served atop steamed rice, with charred brussels sprouts and pickles. Smooth coffee and freshly baked pastries are also other reasons to linger. 

Passepartout Brunch & Coffee, Chung Wai Commercial Building, Shop 2 GF, 447-449 Lockhart Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong

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