14 Hidden cafes and coffee shops to explore in Hong Kong

Located on the 15th floor of an unassuming commercial building in Wong Chuk Hang, this exotic cafe brings a piece of African culture to Hong Kong. From its hut-like bar area to the decor and furnishing, Africa Coffee & Tea (ACT) will transport you to the jungles of Africa in no time. The cafe also prides itself on serving premium single origin coffee and tea in an ethical manner. We recommend trying the Rolex (no, not the watch) – a Ugandan snack comprising a rolled-up chapati filled with scrambled egg, veggies, and other delicious goodies.

Tucked away in a shopping mall in Tsuen Wan, Browny Cafe is a small but cosy coffee shop with a semi-outdoor space attached. The cafe serves coffee, but also sells coffee beans and bags from Ethiopia and Guatemala, among others. They also offer lovely homemade cakes, which are a favourite among locals and guests from nearby neighbourhoods.

CoHee – how you would say coffee in Japanese – is tucked away among the alleys and village houses in Kam Tin, injecting a little Japanese culture and minimalism in an otherwise local area in Hong Kong. Serving hand-brewed coffee in Japanese pottery and a selection of buns, cakes, and pastries, Cohee welcomes patrons to find their zen and embrace the Japanese way of living at the café. 

A small four-seater coffee shop in Jordan, Good Day Coffee serves up a selection of light bites and beverages. Their egg salad buns and cucumber soda coffee are the crowd-pleasers, but you can also chat to the owner who would happily recommend different dishes to you according to your taste and preference.

Kactus Koffee is a raw but stylish cafe that offers great coffee with small bites to eat. With cactus plants, wooden benches, and pink fold-up tables spilling out onto the street, as well as artsy posters decorating the walls, it’s not hard to see why Kactus Koffee is so popular with the Instagram crowd. 

Mum’s Not Home is a whimsical, bohemian-style cafe with a part of its space dedicated to a retro boutique. The shop boasts a unique curation of pieces to browse through that range from vintage clothing, accessories, to funky knick-knacks and old-fashioned furniture. While they offer a few coffee beverages on their menu, Mum's Not Home is best known for their range of floral teas that pair wonderfully with their scrumptious homemade cakes.

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Local cafe On The Hill Coffee Bar has recently opened a new location within Tai Kwun's E Hall, which used to be part of the former Victoria Prison. The cafe operates out of a former jail cell, and customers are free to grab a seat nearby, or wander around the cell block and admire the architecture. Aside from providing a range of standard coffees, On The Hill Coffee Bar also offers Thai Dirty, a combination of espresso with milk and condensed milk – making for a sweet and aromatic creation. The cafe is currently in their soft opening phase and only provides coffee and tea, but will soon provide pastries and other light bites.

Sicklyland is a cosy cafe that’s tucked away from the commotion of Causeway Bay. In case you couldn’t tell, this cafe’s name is a cheeky nod to Disneyland, which can also be seen in several kitschy drawings of Disney characters including Mickey, Goofy, and Donald Duck within the venue. Here, customers can enjoy light appetisers such as fried popcorn chicken, and mussels in creamy wine sauce; or fill up on main courses like pumpkin risotto with slow-cooked bell peppers and chicken breast, and Iberian pork chop with roasted potatoes. Aside from serving classic coffees, Sicklyland’s menu also offers creative drinks such as cream smoothies, lattes, as well as cocktails and mocktails.

This one is for the serious coffee drinkers. Taking up the space of a two-storey pre-war tenement building, Sonne CAD serves up locally-roasted, single-origin coffee from Indonesia, Uganda, Guatemala, and more (their menu regularly rotates). Take a seat by the bar table and chat with the barista about what best suits your palate, or head upstairs to enjoy a quiet afternoon of people-watching.

Combining a cafe and Thai massage parlour into one, Relax B&M provides a coffee experience unlike any other. While the establishment has several dining areas throughout the standalone building, the second floor is a massage parlour where you can enjoy a range of wellness treatments such as whole body Thai massages or gua sha therapy. Once you’re done with your soothing massage, grab a seat on their patio or enjoy the gorgeous view of Plover Cove from their rooftop while you indulge in their delectable food and drinks.

If you need somewhere peaceful and quiet to stretch your legs while you're in Causeway Bay, drop into Russell Coffee & Roastery. Taking over the previous location of Cafe Corridor, a popular hidden cafe, Russell Coffee & Roastery is a continuation of its predecessor and churns out quality coffee and teas from their quaint venue. Here, you can also enjoy a range of bites that span from sweet and savoury pancakes, yoghurt bowls, and all-day breakfast plates, to their regularly-changing desserts.

Jeju-style cafe Tamora stands out from the crowd not only for its appearance but for its location. Nestled within Tai Mei Tuk Village in Tai Po, this three-storey cafe has a laidback atmosphere with an industrial vibe due to its concrete walls, exposed bricks, and metallic accents. Tamora makes use of their relatively empty interior to allow people to admire their spacious venue, while also allowing them to soak up the sun and admire the beautiful surroundings of Tai Mei Tuk from the cafe's large windows. Aside from their coffees, Tamora also offers a wide variety of Jeju teas such as matcha lattes or volcanic oolong; as well as a few dessert options like cheesecakes or crispy croffles. 

Nestled on the serene eastern coast of Lantau Island, The Hideout in Mui Wo is a lush quiet space that provides a serene atmosphere, light bites, as well as relaxing activities. Aside from offering food and drink to enjoy, The Hideout also offers activities like hatha flow yoga, breathwork, and sound bath sessions guided by skilled instructors; as well as art-jamming sessions. 

Attached to Tree's flagship eco-friendly furniture store at Horizon Plaza, Tree Cafe is a laidback eatery offering a range of savoury bites (with vegetarian and gluten-free options available) and sweet treats, making it perfect for hungry shoppers to grab a bite after a long day of furniture shopping. Be sure to bag a seat by the window for an unobstructed sea view.