I think the real joy of traveling in Hong Kong isn’t just the flashy nightlife or endless shopping; it’s discovering the gem-like cafes tucked away in its winding alleys. On my recent trip, I put in the legwork to explore some truly unique coffee shops. Today, I’m sharing my honest reviews of five that left a lasting impression: Ralph’s Coffee, Hazel & Hershey, NOC Coffee, Plumcot, and BakeHouse. Let’s dive into my personal, taste-driven experience!
1. Tsim Sha Tsui, Harbour City | Where Fashion Meets Coffee: Ralph’s Coffee
As soon as I got off the Star Ferry in Tsim Sha Tsui, the sweltering heat sent me running for the air-conditioned refuge of the Harbour City shopping mall. My first mission: a caffeine refuel at Ralph’s Coffee. Yes, it’s run by that Ralph Lauren. I’d heard it was the first one in Asia, so I just had to pencil it into my itinerary.
The combination of their signature deep green and crisp white was absolutely stunning. Every angle is picture-perfect!
The moment I stepped in, the signature deep green, glossy tiles were captivating. Paired with the white floors, machinery, and furniture, it created an incredibly chic atmosphere. Green is a personal favorite of mine, so I spent a good while just admiring the decor.
I was a bit surprised to find it was a standing-bar-only setup. You order your coffee, wait while standing, and drink it while standing. My wife, who clearly ordered a hot latte, naturally started drinking my iced latte. It’s a familiar story for me. The golden rule in our house is: “What’s mine is hers, and what’s hers is also hers.”
The latte, made with organic beans, was quite rich and nutty, so I was pleased with the taste. While I wouldn’t say it’s a destination you need to seek out on its own, it’s the perfect spot to take a break and snap some beautiful photos while shopping in Harbour City.
Insider Tip: Harbour City is massive, and you can easily get lost trying to find this place by just following the signs (OT 313, 3rd Floor, Ocean Terminal). You’ll save a lot of time by simply asking the information desk at the entrance, “Where is Ralph’s Coffee?”
2. Central | Drawn in by a Sweet Facade: Hazel & Hershey
To me, Hong Kong’s Central district felt like one giant, sprawling market stall, packed with colorful, box-like cafes and restaurants. I was drawn into Hazel & Hershey Coffee Roasters purely because of its beautiful exterior, which reminded me of a charming Hershey’s chocolate shop. It looked sweet enough to give you a sugar rush just by looking at it—and at that moment, I desperately needed one.
This beautiful exterior lured me in, but the Hong Kong prices inside were a bit of a shock.
Honestly, the interior wasn’t as impressive as the outside. With sacks of coffee beans piled up and walls covered in merchandise, it felt a bit cluttered. Looking back, I regret not buying a bag of their diverse beans.
My wife ordered a Nitro Cold Brew (60 HKD / ~$7.70 USD), and I went for an Affogato (55 HKD / ~$7.00 USD). That’s over seven dollars for a single menu item. Hong Kong prices are no joke! But the real surprise was the size of the affogato. And no, I didn’t take a bite before snapping this photo—this is genuinely how it was served. (Haha) While it tasted good, the price and portion size left me feeling a bit underwhelmed.
3. Wan Chai | A Perfect Cup of Latte: NOC Coffee
When I travel, I tend to visit two or three cafes a day, but on this Hong Kong trip, I made a point to avoid places that are already famous in Japan. I had a lackluster experience at % Arabica in Kyoto, which made me want to find more authentic, local spots. My search led me to NOC Coffee in Wan Chai.
A pure white oasis contrasting with the surrounding construction. The latte was incredibly rich and nutty—absolutely perfect.
The cafe’s pure white, minimalist interior was a stark contrast to the chaotic construction sites and bustling streets outside. Even the sign was simplicity itself. Inside, it’s a tiny, takeout-focused spot with only three or four seats.
The iced latte I had here was, without a doubt, the best coffee of my entire trip. It was rich, nutty, and had an incredibly deep flavor profile. It was exactly my style, and simply walking through the humid streets of Hong Kong with this coffee in hand made me feel incredibly happy. If you’re anywhere near Wan Chai, you have to stop by.
4. Tai Hang | A True Neighborhood Bakery: Plumcot
When I travel, I prefer wandering through neighborhoods where I can glimpse local life rather than sticking to crowded tourist traps. I tend to avoid places with too many reviews from fellow Koreans. In that sense, exploring Tai Hang felt more like an adventure than visiting Soho or Sai Ying Pun. And there, I discovered a true gem: a bakery called Plumcot.
Tucked away in a back alley, it’s a tiny bakery with a simple, charming exterior. Run by a French patissier, it’s a real local hotspot, with a constant stream of neighborhood residents buying bread, and almost no tourists in sight.
I exclaimed “This is insanely good!” after the first bite. A true hidden gem that only locals seem to know about.
I stumbled upon it while looking for a place that opened at 8 AM to grab breakfast before my flight, and I got so lucky. I bought their signature croissant and a pain au chocolat. I couldn’t resist the buttery aroma and took a bite right there on the street… and it was mind-blowingly delicious.
If I had known how good it would be, I would have bought two or three more. Actually, if I had known my flight would be delayed by three hours, I probably would have bought out their entire stock! Even the slight inconvenience of having to receive your coffee through a tiny separate window felt charming and romantic.
5. Wan Chai | Worth the 1-Hour Wait: BakeHouse
This spot wasn’t on my original plan, but I was walking by and the pastries looked so incredible that I impulsively got in line. After grabbing a quick lunch elsewhere and coming back, the line had grown exponentially. It turns out BakeHouse is an extremely popular brunch spot for local office workers.
The takeout line moves quickly, but the wait for a table inside was nearly 50 minutes. I debated getting takeout a dozen times, but we eventually scored a window seat (ironically, the one seat I was hoping we wouldn’t get…).
Absolutely worth the one-hour wait! The refreshing yuzu cream was simply divine.
The grilled chicken sandwich I ordered for brunch was fantastic. The combination of a soft brioche bun, sriracha mayo, cabbage, and tender chicken was delicious. The warm chicken soup served on the side was hearty and comforting.
But the absolute highlight was the ‘Yuzu Cruffin’ I added on. It was filled with a sweet custard bursting with a bright, citrusy yuzu flavor that cut through any richness and filled my mouth with pure happiness. We must have looked like we were in heaven eating it, because the Japanese ladies at the next table kept glancing over and whispering, “What is that?” The one-hour wait was completely justified by the taste.
🌟 Recommendation Rating
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
This Hong Kong cafe tour was a huge success. From trendy, Instagrammable spots to humble bakeries beloved by locals, I got to experience the diverse charms of the city’s coffee and pastry scene. My personal standouts were NOC Coffee in Wan Chai and Plumcot in Tai Hang.
- Ralph’s Coffee: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3/5) – More for the vibe than the coffee. Great for photos while shopping in Harbour City.
- Hazel & Hershey: ⭐⭐☆☆☆ (2/5) – A cute exterior, but the taste, portion size, and price were disappointing.
- NOC Coffee: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) – Found my all-time favorite latte here. A must-visit for any coffee lover!
- Plumcot: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) – A hidden gem of a neighborhood bakery. You have to try the croissant.
- BakeHouse: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5) – The long wait is a challenge, but the incredible brunch and pastries make it worthwhile.
Would I Return: 🔄 Definitely, I’d revisit my favorites.