Central is the beating heart of business life in Hong Kong. Sometimes we worker bees need a break from the monotony of run-of-the-mill life, and atmospheric cafés often provide the antidote, spots where we can enjoy a top-notch brew alongside a comforting pastry or brunchy plate.
When you’re in need of a café in Central to dispense a jolt of java, spend an hour or two whiling away at your laptop, or rest your weary head, these are Foodie’s favourite coffee shops in Hong Kong’s central business district.
The best cafés in Central
1. BARCODE
Relocated from Central’s hilly Glenealy, BARCODE today has a much more accessible and roomy location along the escalators that’s open from 4PM every day. This café concept by Tell Camellia co-founder Gagan Gurung merges coffee, particularly espresso, during the day with signature dessert-inspired cocktails at night, staying open till 1AM. The food menu is short but sweet; we usually order the spicy chicken sando (HKD128), followed by the tiramisu (HKD118) with its lush runny centre.
BARCODE, UG/F, Cheung Fai Building, 45 Cochrane Street, Central, 5511 4049
2. Museum Café 8
We heart The Nesbitt Centre’s social enterprise Café 8 not only for its harbourfront rooftop space with plenty of outdoor seating, but also for its ethos of empowering the learning-disabled and neurodivergent staff, who are as charming as can be. At lunchtime, we’re partial to the affordable set lunch (from HKD110) menu featuring the likes of the salmon quiche and vegetable curry pie, whilst come teatime, the afternoon tea set (HKD92) always calls our name, coming with a choice of cake slice (the blueberry cheesecake and toffee banoffee are our go-tos) and tea or coffee.
Museum Café 8, Rooftop, Hong Kong Maritime Museum, Pier 8, Man Kwong Street, Central, 3791 2158
3. Cupping Room
In 2011, Cupping Room began its life as a home-grown coffee roastery with a sole café in Stanley, and it’s since expanded to more than a handful of cafés across Hong Kong. The lively Central branch offers great Hollywood Road people-watching from its first-floor windows and a crowd-pleasing food menu. Cupping Room’s egg Benedict (HKD128) with either smoked salmon, bacon, or sausage is a must, as are any of the pasta dishes, though we’re especially fond of the spicy pulled pork linguine (HKD128) for a bit of heat. The café’s unique French toast pancake (from HKD118) hybrid has also garnered praise.
Cupping Room, 1/F, Hilltop Plaza, 49 Hollywood Road, Central, 5523 3988
4. FINEPRINT (Exchange Square)
FINEPRINT’s OG location is on Central’s Peel Street, but we prefer the vibe of the much more spacious Exchange Square branch. The café’s sourdough selection is perfection, with the avo toast (HKD95) and ricotta toast (HKD95) gilded with blueberries, honey, and thyme the most sought after of the Aussie-style toast lot. The sourdough toasties are a whole other matter altogether, of which the Reuben (HKD100) and tuna melt (HKD90) rock our carby world.
FINEPRINT, 1/F, Three Exchange Square, 8 Connaught Place, Central, 5508 3503
5. Coffeelin
It tends to be the home-grown cafés that appeal the most to us, and that’s definitely also the case with Coffeelin. The café’s vibe channels authentic Milanese coffee culture in both its classic decor and Italian-inspired menus. Coffeelin’s Central branch is tucked away on the first floor of LHT Tower, providing a welcoming haven from the frenzy of Queen’s Road Central below. It’s a great spot for a leisurely lunch in particular; the lunch set (from HKD128) comes with soup or salad to start and includes a main course like the tagliatelle with beef ragù or gnocchi with mushroom and pesto. For breakfast, go for the Parma ham, ricotta, and pesto crostini (HKD88) with an espresso macchiato (HKD38) chaser.
Coffeelin, Shop 2, 1/F, LHT Tower, 31 Queen’s Road Central, Central, 6896 2191, book here
6. Blue Bottle Coffee (Lyndhurst Terrace)
There’s another Central outpost of Cali-cool Blue Bottle Coffee over at ifc mall, but the two-storey shop on Lyndhurst Terrace, sat right next to the escalators, is much more roomy and inviting; we normally head to the first floor for the best views. Blue Bottle is known for brewing up freshly roasted coffee sourced from the world’s finest sustainable coffee farms, so you can’t go wrong with any of the café’s espresso drinks (from HKD38) and drip coffee (from HKD56). When it comes to iced coffee, the NOLA (HKD52/HKD62) is our choice, a rich and earthy blend of cold-brewed chicory coffee, milk, and organic cane sugar hailing from New Orleans. A crispy and caramelised Liège waffle (HKD48) on the side is de rigueur.
Blue Bottle Coffee, G/F & 1/F, 38 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central, 9850 3107
7. Detour
The newest branch of Detour offers the winning combo of excellent coffee (the beans are freshly roasted at the brand’s roastery café in nearby Sai Ying Pun) paired with some of the best avocado and za’atar toast (HKD70) and toasted sandwiches around, particularly the smoked chicken and spinach pesto sourdough (HKD80). We adore the cosy, chilled vibe of this corner café (special shout-out to the playlist).
Detour, G/F, 129 Queen’s Road Central, Central, 5238 3247
8. E N
Nestled along the atmospheric steps of Shin Hong Street on the Sheung Wan border, E N was named the Foodie Forks 2025 Readers’ Choice Best Café. We join our readers in being impressed with the café’s knowledgeable baristas, minimalist design, and quality cups of joe brewed using a wide selection (HKD50/HKD55/HKD65) of coffee beans from around the world. E N also offers a range of cocktails made with coffee, including a mean espresso martini (HKD118).
E N, Shop B, LG/F, Wah Shin House, 6–10 Shin Hing Street, Central, 9504 4817
9. Elephant Grounds
Another beloved independent local coffee chain, Elephant Grounds’ cafés have been going strong since 2013, both in Hong Kong and as far afield as Singapore and the Philippines. Located close to Mid-Levels, the Central shop is chilled and stylish. Popular Elephant Grounds signatures include the breakfast burrito (HKD95) and a Japanese-inspired fish fillet sando (HKD120) with wasabi mayo, cabbage, and fries on milk bread. There’s a wide range of healthy brekkie and brunch options too, such as the morning cereal (HKD70) starring the founders’ homemade granola.
Elephant Grounds, G/F, 73 Caine Road, Mid-Levels, Central, 2535 7155
10. DOZY
With shops located across Hong Kong, from Sham Shui Po to To Kwa Wan, the Central branch of DOZY is as industrial-chic as the others – a cosy concrete jungle. Our go-to for breakfast at this secluded Central café is the wallet-friendly Morning 1+1 (HKD48), coming with a coffee or tea drink and bread item (bagel, croissant, or scone) of your choice.
DOZY, Shop 5B, 1/F, The Center, 99 Queen’s Road Central, Central, 9372 4778
11. Haus Coffee Club
You’ll need to ride the escalator up to Staunton Street to take a breather at Korean-run Haus Coffee Club. The signature Haus coffee (HKD60), a buttercream latte, is a dream come true for lovers of rich drinks. For a wake-up or pick-me-up, opt for Barista’s Breakfast (HKD65), a fizzy blend of espresso, steamed milk, and sparkling water. If you’re looking to nosh, the steak and eggs (HKD258) is the ultimate brunchy plate. The matcha selection here is also top-notch, from the Uji matcha latte (HKD50/HKD55) to the cinnamon bun matcha (HKD60).
Haus Coffee Club, G/F, 32 Staunton Street, Soho, Central
12. Café Lavande
A favourite of Mid-Levels residents and those searching for a respite, Café Lavande with its flower-bedecked outdoor terrace and South of France vibe is a lovely off-the-beaten-path option for Central café-goers. Order up a lavender latte (HKD55/HKD58) paired with a salade niçoise (HKD128) and revel in the peace and quiet.
Café Lavande, Shop A, G/F, 4 Prince’s Terrace, Mid-Levels, Central, 2537 7998
13. Chocolux
The name of this one says it all! Chocolux specialises in all things premium chocolate and is said to be home to the only cookie pizza in Hong Kong, priced at HKD38 for an eight-inch slice or from HKD220 for a whole pie. The café’s creative choccy-laced signature drinks include the spiced dirty chocolate chai (HKD55/HKD58/HKD63) and nutter lover latte (HKD55/HKD58/HKD63), where peanut butter makes an appearance. Chocolux is located inside the recently renovated heritage building The Siberian, where the iconic Siberian Fur Store once stood, and the café itself occasionally hosts architect-led building tours.
Chocolux, G/F, The Siberian, 29 Des Voeux Road Central, Central, 8494 3157
14. Roasters
An upscale café concept born in Dubai, Roasters stands out for its wide range of globally sourced single-origin brews and well-made all-day-dining options, including a few luxe caviar-topped breakfast items in the form of the black caviar blini (HKD300) and caviar rösti (HKD220). For dessert, the lemon curd tart (HKD95) is a winner or you can instead get your dose of sweetness in liquid form with Roasters’ signature tiramisu latte (HKD65). The availability of online booking at this spot is a big plus for the time- and space-strapped workers of Central.
Roasters, Shop G5, G/F, LANDMARK ALEXANDRA, 18 Chater Road, Central, 5717 1888, book here
