☕Exploring Shanghai’s Cafés☕

When people from the west think of Shanghai, they usually think of the skyline in Lujiazui or the hustle and bustle of East Nanjing Road and while these two spots belong to Shanghai as does the soup to Xiaolongbao, there is more to this city that just waits to be explored.

Especially around the FFC – the former French Concession – you will find small streets with beautiful boulevard trees, mysterious alleys that lead to sedate residential area with various types of clothes hanging from the sky and nothing more than the buzzing noise of an old washing machine disturbing the silence.

It is in these places where you will find a variety of small shops, often hidden away in an old building – called Lao Fangzi – with sometimes such an unimposing door that it will take you a few seconds to recognize it. Some shops make good use of the unique atmosphere of a Lao Fangzi and fill it with old antiques or furniture and together with the dimmed light it gives the whole room a very relaxed atmosphere.

Besides shops that sell clothing or self-made goods, you will be surprised how many cafés found a home in those old buildings. Shanghai is home to over 8000 (!) coffee shops and cafés and thanks to a growing number of coffee lovers, not few cafés are specializing on certain coffee beans and provide their own special blend.

While not all staff might know English, the majority of cafés has English translations written besides the Chinese menu.

Below are 3 cafés that entertain their customers not only with fantastic coffee, but also with their very own and special atmosphere.

◆ Akimbo Café

Address: Yuyuan Road 1018, about 5 minutes from Jiangsu Road

subway station, Exit 1 or 7

Opening hours: 9:00 – 20:00

Recommended Menu: Fruits Coffee (48RMB), Flat White (38RMB)

Seasonal Fruit Cake (48-88RMB)

Price: ＄＄＄

Akimbo Café opened its doors in Shanghai in October 2018, before having successfully built itself a reputation as a high quality coffee shop in Shenzhen. It is more a Coffee Lab then a café – they are also providing coffee education – and seeing the uniformed baristas operating with various kinds of appliances gives the whole space a feeling that you’re probably about to be served the best coffee you have ever tasted. Try their seasonal fruits coffee if you feel adventurous. It is served on the rocks and you need to pour the coffee, served in a cooled bottle, by yourself, and therefore allowing you to control the intensity of the coffee flavor. The fruit cakes do not only look like real fruits, they even taste like fruits and make you want to gulp it down – after taking tons of photos, that is.

◆ Café Chez W

Address: Xiangshan Road 32. , about 10 minutes from Middle Huaihai

Road subway station, Exit 1

Opening hours: 11:00 – 19:00

Recommended Menu: Soufflé (48RMB), Turkey Coffee (35RMB),

Dirty (30RMB)

Price: ＄＄

Cozy is probable the word that describes this café the best. Nestling between two houses, the tiny café itself already has a warm and friendly atmosphere and the cute furniture just adds to it. You might not immediately notice the stairs tucked away behind the counter, but once you decide to climb then, you will find yourself in a room as small as the one on the ground floor, often with guests who use the café’s cozy atmosphere to indulge in their studies or work. If you’re lucky, you might meet the café’s cat, casually sitting on a cushion and observing customers why they enjoy some of the delicacies provided. Don’t forget to try the soufflé which melts away the very moment you put it in your mouth. Also, as a guest might guess from the beans roaster that welcomes every customer on first floor, this café takes coffee seriously. Be sure to taste their instagrammable Turkey Coffee blend, or one of their other coffee treats such as Pumpkin Spice Latte or Dirty.

◆ The Room

Address: Tai’An Road 120, No 15. , about 10 minutes from Jiaotong

University subway station, Exit 7

Opening hours: 12:00 – 20:30 (Friday to Sunday till 23:00), Monday closed

Recommended Menu: Tiramisu (40RMB), Ceylon Milk Tea (40RMB)

Price: ＄＄

The Room is located in one of the quietest areas in downtown Shanghai and get busy especially on weekends despite its hard-to-find location. Be sure to order first at the counter just opposite the front door before you set out to look for a seat. There is a variety of sweets to try from, for example the Tiramisu or the sea salt cheese cake are two favorites. While a variety of coffee drinks are served, try their Ceylon Milk Tea which you can enjoy either hot or iced and which adds just the right sweetness to your afternoon.