The Place
Take a left at the end of Sea World’s pulsating food street and walk to the end of the coffee shop lined alley: there you find Udog. Outside, two huge, cartoonish dog sculptures flank the outdoor seating and inside the faintly sterile smell of a PetSmart greets you.
The grey floors and sparse furniture are brightly lit by bulbs hidden in dog bone-shaped cutouts stretching the length of the ceiling. Out back, a collection of canine clothing and dog-carrying bags. Out front, puppies in pristine glass enclosures, set to be carried home for RMB2,888.
Originally introduced to us as a dog cafe, of ‘cat cafe’ ilk, Udog instead welcomes you to bring your own dog – or purchase one of theirs.
The Food
It’s standard cafe fare. Five years ago, perhaps, the decent sesame cheesecake (RMB28) would have been the sole province of Starbucks, but now it’s expected at any cafe on the better end of the spectrum, though serving the food on paper plates and in disposable plastic bowls means Udog’s offerings will not be peppering your WeChat moments anytime soon.
The menu offers no surprises: an Americano for RMB25, a cappuccino for RMB28 and so on. The perhaps-a-fad mint cheese tea (RMB26) is as good as any we’ve had and the spicy sausages (RMB26) are served after a session in the convection oven. Portions are fair for the price, but will reheated meat prove a draw when you’ve just passed two of the city’s best restaurants?
The Vibe
How do you feel about pet stores? Because Udog doubles as one. They also offer nail clippings, an animal spa and professional pet photos – which are absolutely adorable.
The floors and furniture are of a sort you could easily wipe… a spilled drink from, making Udog suitable for pets, but all the design concessions to our furry friends gives the space a distinctly un-cafe feel.
On-sale puppies are displayed in large, square enclosures that make up a wall, with a daily health check form visible through the glass. If one is not opposed to the pet trade (and judging from Dianping, plenty aren’t), sipping a competently made latte (RMB28) and fawning over pooches will make for an hour of fun. Otherwise, the more pet conscious will only visit for something they have no intention of eating: the wide selection of imported animal food.
Price: RMB60
Who’s going: Shekou pet owners
Good for: Affordable coffee, reliving pet store memories
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