Hong Kong is filled with numerous of coffee shops located all around the city, but due to the limited amount of space, most of the shops are smaller. Small, but cozy. Over the last few months, I’ve been travelling to Hong Kong almost every weekend and would spend time to discover different coffee shops worth mentioning on my blog. Of course, I am always on the lookout for the best Instagrammable place so therefore, I will be introducing the best Instagrammable Cafes in Hong Kong. I will constantly update this page as my voyage is not over, but hope this post gives you more insight and helps you make a decision where to go!
Polygon Cafe
Small coffee shop that goes often unnoticed on “HK’s list of best cafes” serving LA’s famous Intelligentsia’s coffee beans. I stumbled across this shop by accident and fell in love with this big window. With some beautifully drawn wall art outside, it complements the window very well which makes it great for some shots here. Seats by the window are relatively hotter than if you were to sit more inside. The small cafe only accommodates maybe around 10 people. The inside is more darker and may not be best for photos, but try to grab a window seat if you can! Order a latte/cappuccino to receive a cat latte art!
Address: 14 Second Street, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong (MTR Sai Ying Pun Station Exist B2)
Opening Hours: 7AM to 7PM, daily
Price Range: coffees from 30-40 HKD, also some savories (quiche, muffins, cookies) are available as well.
I ordered: cappucino & ice drip coffee
Instagram: @polygoncafehk
No Milkshake No Life
This cafe was recommended to me by a friend who already visited once. It’s located near HKU (Hong Kong University) and I’m sure on a school day, this would’ve been a favorite amongst students. In fact, we saw a lot of people with takeouts on a weekend. The shop is quite small, so if you were to visit on a weekend, I would recommend coming early as possible. There are only 12 seats inside, so you need to expect to wait around 20-30 minutes for a seat. I waited around 30 minutes on a Sunday (and I arrived at 11:30AM). I did some research online beforehand to see what I wanted to eat and I settled on grilled cheese (Cheezy Cheers!) and the Bacon Caramelized Pancakes (delicious!) Everything in the restaurant is self-serve and if you bring your own straw/cups you get a discount of 2HKD!
Address: Graceful Court, Shop A G/F, 31-37 Hill Rd, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong (HKU MTR Exit B2- right outside the station to your right!)
Reservation Hotline: Monday 10am-6pm (Bakery Club) Tuesday to Sunday 10am-6pm
Price Range: Food from around 70 HKD. Milkshakes from 30-40 HKD depending on size.
I ordered: Bacon Buttermilk Pancake 80 HKD, Oreo Milkshake 58 HKD (L), Cheezy Cheers Grilled Cheese (can’t remember the price!)
Instagram: @nomilkshakenolife
Why50
Why 50 is situated in Central HK, located right at Seung Wan MTR station. Just a few minutes walk away, this quaint, little coffeeshop offers two table seatings with eight bar/stool seating. Sits fill up quickly so be prepared to walk in with a full house. This place is difficult for people photos but great for food shots. Wooden tables and stone walls complement the food. Order their salmon avocado toast for a best shot.
Address: Fu Fai Commercial Centre, Shop E, G/F, Fu Fai Commercial Centre, 27 Hillier St, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong (MTR Sheung Wan)
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 8AM-6PM, Sat-Sun 8:30AM- 6PM
Price Range: coffees from 30-40 HKD, brunch items from 70-90 HKD
I ordered: Salmon Avo Salsa Tartine (104 HKD) + Cappucino
Instagram: @why50hk
Elephant Grounds
Elephant Grounds is a popular coffee shop chain with one at Admiralty Station and one at Causeway Bay. Both require a short walk (8 minutes) from the station to the shop. I’ve been to both and both are great for photos. The one at Admiralty Station offers air conditioned (at first I thought there wasn’t!) indoor seatings (quite a lot actually!) with bar seats as well. Expect a queue on a weekend, there was one when I came on a Sunday 11AM. The coffees here are great and their food is heavenly. Opt for an avocado sandwich and a French toast. The French toast is to die for and I will definitely be back again for more. For the one at Causeway Bay, it is located near Fashion Walk and provides plenty of outdoor and indoor seats. Pets for outdoor seats are allowed! Come early for seats as it becomes full after lunch.
Address: 8 Wing Fung Street, Wan Chai (many locations around HK)
Opening Hours : Mon-Fri 8AM- 9PM Sun-Sun 9AM- 9PM
Price Range : coffees from 30-40 HKD, french vanilla for 50+ HKD. Main dishes such as avocado toast and french toast cost around 100 HKD ea. A wide variety of dishes on the menu great for brunch
I Ordered: avocado toast and french toast with cappuccino and french vanilla
Instagram: @elephantgrounds
Ice Cream! With the coming of summer, I feel like I should also mention some of my favorite instagrammable ice cream shops in Hong Kong. It’s so difficult walking around HK without either an ice cream or a cool drink in hand during summer. Since I’m on the topic of Instagrammable cafes, I thought I’d add three extra Instagrammable ice cream shop! There are quite a number in HK and each are very unique which comes with a price.
Oddies Foodies
I found this shop while reading up other blogger’s guides to Hong Kong. This shop came up 2-3 times on my list and I decided to give it a try during my June trip to HK. The shop is a little bit far from the station, but within reasonable walking distance, there were a bit of steps to walk up, but after a grudging 3 minute walk up the staircase, Oddies Foodies turned up right in front of me. The store design uses white as a background, not too big, with a minimum number of seats (around 8-10 seats in total). You can opt to take out your ice cream or wait for a seat — not a long wait as people usually eat and go. Try the ice cream parfaits for maximum pleasure, or you can also just got a scoop of ice cream. They have plenty of flavors to try out!
Address: G/F, 45 Gough Street, Central (nearest MTR: Sheung Wan)
Opening Hours: All day from 12:30PM- 10PM
Price Range: Eggette Parfaits from 60-90 HKD- these are the ones you want to take a photo off! Other options include single scoops, double scoops.
I Ordered: Matcha Eggette Parfait — 68HKD (S) 89 HKD (L)
Instagram: @oddiesfoodies
Emack & Bolio’s
Emack & Bolio’s is known for their funky ice cream waffle cones and their every flavored ice cream. I think it depends on which shop you go to, because the flavors do vary. Unfortunately, when I visited the shop, the flavors they had were very simple – the same ones you would find at any shop; however, the quality of the ice cream earned nods from me. I ordered the oreo waffle cone — I just couldn’t get the fruit loops one, it was too much for me — along with two scoops. Oreo and salted caramel. The oreo was very satisfying, with chocolate cake chunks within the ice cream itself. It was quite sweet however and I realized I regretting choosing two sweet flavors (I should’ve gone for one sour and one sweet!). Both flavors were great, a little too sweet at the end and I couldn’t even finish it.
Address: GF, 26 Cochrane Street, Central l (Central MTR Exit D2)
Opening Hours: Sunday to Thursday 11am – 11pm & Friday and Saturday 11am – 12am
Price Range: Double scoops from 60 HKD, waffle cones vary in price.
I Ordered: double scoop ice cream with crushed Oreo waffle cone, around 78 HKD
Instagram: @emackshk