Tired of going to the same spots (read: Starbucks) for your daily caffeine fix? Try some of these cafes, both old and new-ish, for a novel twist on the classic cuppa joe.
Easy Access: Aix Arome Café
Duck into a cute little cafe in a back alley and you might come away impressed – or not. Why not save yourself some uncertainty (and bitter brews) by visiting Aix Arome? The chain has nine Shenzhen shops, a few of which are in the city’s most popular locations – Window of the World, Shopping Park and KK Mall. All serve solid renditions of crowd favorites, plus a signature creamy ‘Caffe Amour’ (RMB39).
See listings for Aix Arome Café here.
Sweet Tooth: Lu Patisserie
For a sweet treat or three to go with your cappuccino (RMB28), stop by the OCT-Loft or Huaqiangbei location of this French bakery and cafe. Desserts are carefully crafted to appeal as much to the eyes as the palate. They’re also relatively inexpensive: customers can opt for an afternoon tea option (RMB38) that pairs any coffee drink with a choice of mango cheesecake, tiramisu or creme brulee.
See listing for Lu Patisserie here.
Hipster Haven: Old Heaven Books
If the mandolins hanging from the ceiling and experimental post-rock soundtrack didn’t tip you off when you entered, we’ll spell it out: Old Heaven is unapologetically alternative. Behind the bookstore is a cafe area that includes comfy indoor and outdoor seating. There are plenty of power outlets too, in case you want to plug in your Macbook and write a blog post about the symbolism of the house latte (RMB28).
See listing for Old Heaven Books.
Novelty: 3D Coffice
3D Coffice may not have the best Americano (RMB26) in town, but it sets itself apart in other ways. It offers high-tech entertainment, for example, in the form of an in-store full-body scanner that can record your image and allow you to create a miniature figurine of yourself (RMB888 and up). There’s also food, including ‘3D-printed’ cookies (RMB10), in case you get hungry while waiting for your personalized crystal keychain (RMB30) to be finished.
Creative Combos: Barista Pro
Located in Shenzhen’s CBD, just across the street from the municipal government, this favorite haunt of white-collar workers offers drinks as well as meals. One sip of the ‘coffee soda’ (RMB28) has us hooked: mix iced coffee with soda water, a little sugar and lemon, and you get a refreshing, light drink that’s neither too sweet nor too sour. Sipped under an umbrella on the outdoor patio, it’s just right.
For Experts: Beans to Dance Coffee
The countertop inside the quirkily named ‘Bean to Dance’ hosts an eye-popping array of coffee makers. Its selection of 20 different beans from three continents is just as impressive. We opt for a RMB40 ice drip ‘Butterfly’ coffee (from the Americas, according to the sign) that turns out to be very, very mellow. On a quiet afternoon, with the murmur of voices from the bank next door serving as background noise, it’s perfect for sitting and savoring.
See listing for Beans to Dance Coffee.
For more cool spots around town, visit our bars and restaurants page.
[Images via Home Life, Imgarcade.com, Bailey Hu]
0 User Comments