New cafes in Sheung Wan and Central that you should try

There are plenty of baristas out there who want to one day own their own coffee shop, and this January saw Mavis and Luke achieving this dream. The cafe’s name Sheer signifies their single-minded passion for a good cup of joe, and the Japanese-inflected cafe exudes the concept of wabi-sabi in wood accents, green plants, and handmade cups. Sheer uses beans from Brazil and Ethiopia, which lean nutty and gives almond and toffee notes in the former, and more fruity with passionfruit and a hint of jasmine in the latter.

Sheer Coffee’s signature drinks are themed after the four seasons, so try the Lazy Lemonade in this summer heat, which is a fruity espresso shot poured into a lemon soda. In a nod to Nagoya’s famous Ogura toast, their signature toast series is made from local tangzhong bread, well-known for being fluffy, slathered with a thin layer of mayonnaise before baking. We’d recommend the Hokkaido red bean flavour with butter for a perfect mix of sweet and salty.

Where to find it: G/F, Fook Chi House, 18B Peel Street, Central

This Korean-style cafe from the people behind Busan Night, Jeonpo Meat Shop, and Pecorino has been doing well in its original Yau Ma Tei branch and has recently expanded onto Hong Kong Island, taking over a two-storey shopfront on Queen’s Road West. The industrial vibes of the space are softened by intentional, retro decor such as sky-blue tiles outside the front, mismatched furniture pieces that look like they were plucked from vintage stores, and quirky but well-designed silverware.

We loved their Kactus Coffee, which only comes iced and topped with a slightly salty hand-whipped cream. There’s also the Cloud Coffee which features coconut water, non-coffee options like the Matcha Cloud, with milk alternatives available at $5 more. For a nice nibble, go for their pound cakes or a scone (rather crumbly but still satisfying). We’d love to claim this as our regular caffeine spot, but it seems like some of the snap-happy crowd has already found it…

The pint-sized No Title doesn’t have much space for seats, so they’re mainly a takeaway spot but they’re pet-friendly for those who do want to sit in. The proprietors Wing and Man are a young couple from Guizhou who love nostalgic Hong Kong vibes, so their cafe is full of Easter egg references, such as a goldfish tank that’s a nod to Wong Kar-wai’s films, a milk cake inspired by the long staircase at the end of Gough Street, and a playlist of Cantopop classics. 

Their coffee blend is from the Chinese person who won the world’s best pour-over coffee, and No Title is the only place in Hong Kong where you can savour this. The nutty blend carries hints of dark chocolate and buttery caramel, while the fruity option has white floral notes. There are plenty of options on their sizeable list of signatures and non-coffee sips that come with their own stories, such as the Tiny Goldfish, the Moulin Rouge, and the Opacarophile (it means someone who loves sunsets, fyi).

If you’re not quite sure what to choose, have a chat with the baristas who can pick something based on your current mood and what you’re sensing in that moment, which is a really cute touch. Apart from homemade Lamington cake, No Title also offers Guizhou sticky rice, featuring lard and soy sauce mixed rice topped with pork crackling – an interesting pairing for coffee, to be sure!

Where to find it: 51A Gough Street, Central

The eye-catching Moma in Soho is a spacious, European-inspired cafe with pet-friendly outdoor seating. Operating more like a restaurant hybrid instead of simply a coffee spot, they also offer baked goods, pastries, and breakfast, lunch, and dinner options – all attractively presented and very Instagram-friendly.

Keeping with the European theme, Moma has a brunch board that you can customise with ingredients; we’d recommend going with the dark rye bread since that’s common in Europe. Here’s also where you can find the traditional Swedish cardamom wheat bun semla, filled with hand-whipped almond paste and whipped cream. Other options include several variations of pasta and baked rice dishes, open sandwiches, housemade fish broth, crêpes, and waffles. Go for the pistachio peanut butter crêpes – a sinful delight – and wash everything down with coffee choices including the popular black sesame latte.

Where to find it: 22 Staunton Street, Central

We’ve already announced Venner’s opening here, but in case you missed it, this is the new Scandinavian cafe that’s taken over Hjem’s space on Hollywood Road. Hospitality power couple Nelson Htoo and Elin Fu are still the brains behind this operation, transforming the venue into a neighbourhood hangout that serves classic Nordic baked goods like the cardamom custard skolebrød. For a savoury meal, try their breakfast plate which comes with Jarlsberg cheese, homemade lingonberry jam, rye sourdough, and whipped butter.

Apart from coffee, Venner also serves ceremonial-grade matcha in seasonal flavours, which are a crowd-pleaser. Some signature drinks from Hjem have also made it over into Venner, so we can enjoy their honey golden latte again. At night, the space morphs into a natural wine bar, presenting bottles from small producers on a rotational basis. There will also be small plates to go with your drinks, including a savoury goat’s cheese cheesecake or dates with prosciutto and brie.

Where to find it: 161 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan

Not even measuring 300sq ft, Again is mainly a grab-and-go cafe that wants everyone to be able to enjoy coffee on the go with no pressure – a god-send for office workers in the area. Their 15 varieties of drinks start from $26 and they don’t charge extra for iced drinks, and the same even goes for adding an espresso shot or changing the milk to dairy-free alternatives! For every five cups of coffee bought, you’ll get one on the house and honestly, where else are you going to find such prices and good treatment in Central?

At this affordable price point, one might assume that Again’s coffee is going to be mid at best, but their beans are sourced from Latin America, northern Africa, and Indonesia and blended together in a palatable cup that is low in acidity with hints of hazelnut and spices. For those who don’t enjoy coffee much, there are also tea options including matcha, hojicha, cold-brew Japanese barley tea, and genmaicha.

Where to find it: G/F, Teda Block, 87 Wing Lok Street, Sheung Wan

The Korean-inspired Serene exudes an effortless cool with its black, white, and red colour scheme. They mainly offer two quality bean types: a hazelnut-y Brazilian bean with notes of star fruit, dark chocolate, and toffee, and an Ethiopian variety that leans more towards a berry flavour profile. Serene’s barista Parco was once crowned the best pour-over barista in Hong Kong, so you know you’re in good hands. 

After serving coffee and light bites during the day, nighttime sees Serene turning into a chill spot for drinks with friends. With a well-curated wine list that includes bottles rated 90 points or above, and a calendar of monthly themes and events, this is definitely an up-and-coming cafe to check out that’s good value for money.

Where to find it: 27 New Street, Sheung Wan