Top 5 coffee places in Taikoo

Whether you are grabbing a quick jolt on the way to the office, or planning to kick back for a while, Taikoo Place offers a great selection of cafes. With such an array of options, every day of the week holds the opportunity for a new and wonderful experience, as each cup of coffee carries a unique blend of history, flavor, and charm.

Toast Box

Coffee: Kapi (Nanyang white coffee)
Price: $13 (hot), or $15 (cold)

If you’re reaching the end of your coffee budget, head over to Toast Box. You will not find a ‘venti skinny hazelnut latte with no foam’ on the menu. Instead, you will only find very reasonably priced Nanyang Black Coffee (Kopi O) and Nanyang White Coffee (Kopi). Nanyang coffee has a distinct natural sweetness, partnered with a very smooth taste. The carefully selected beans are mixed with a small amount of butter before being traditionally charcoal roasted. Toast Box also has a wide selection of light meals. For a small vacation from your day, try their peanut butter on ‘thick toast’ with a Kopi O, and sit in the quiet semi-outdoor seating area.

Open 8:00am - 9:30pm
Shop 514, G/F, Hing On Mansion, 5 Tai Yue Ave, Taikoo, Hong Kong
Tel: 2115 9985
www.breadtalk.com/toastbox

Epöch Coffee Bar & Desserterie

Coffee: Macchiato Caldo
Price: $22 (single shot)

The mark of good coffee bean can be tasted in an espresso. Add just a dollop of milk and you get a macchiato. Serve it hot and it is a macchiato caldo. Those with a low caffeine tolerance should stay clear of the double shot. Epoch serves this instant jolt packaged in strong, aromatic flavor using Illy coffee, a brand created nearly a hundred years ago in Trieste, Italy. Epoch’s warm atmosphere is instantly gripping, from the carefully chosen background music to the great seating selection (including a beautiful outdoor area next door to One Island East). To top it all off, the incredibly friendly staff is there to ensure that your drink is absolutely perfect. If you are not in the Epoch vicinity, Oliver’s Super Sandwich on Hoi Kwong Street also serves Illy coffee.

Open 7:30am - 9:00pm
G/F, 124 Westlands Road, Taikoo Place, Hong Kong
Tel: 2811 2140
www.epochdesserts.com

Yo B

ago

Coffee: 12oz Tim Horton’s Coffee (double double)
Price: $15

For any fellow Canadians looking for a taste of home (or any non-Canadians looking for a taste of Canada), look no further than Yo Bago. This small bagel restaurant serves Tim Hortons coffee! Tim Hortons is a coffee and donut chain that has become a Canadian icon. Try it black, or get a signature ‘double double’. Double double stands for two creams and two sugars, a combination that seems to be a scientifically perfect match for this original brand of coffee. The result is an honest cup of aromatic coffee, just creamy enough to take edge off, and just sweet enough to put a smile on your face. Yo Bago is also a great place for lunch; all of their bagel sandwiches are named after Canadian cities (though they did miss my home city of Edmonton).

Open 7:45am - 7:00pm
G/F, 8 Pan Hoi Street, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong
Tel: 2561 7700

Caffe Habitu

Coffee: Espresso Romano (espresso with fresh lemon zest)
Price: $18 (single shot)

If you happen to be in City Plaza and are in need of a quick caffeine buzz, stop off at Caffe Habitu. The setting is relaxed and spacious, a great place for a small rest without disengaging from the world completely. For a something with a little extra punch, try an espresso romano - espresso with fresh lemon zest. Though the lemon is subtle, there is no ignoring this powerful combination. Also worth a try is their original Latte di Rose – a latte infused with rose.

Open 8:00am - 10:00pm
Shop 22B 2/F, City Plaza, 18 Taikoo Shing Road, Taikoo, Hong Kong
Tel: 2904 8676
www.caffehabitu.com

Crossroads Coffee

Coffee: Honey Latte
Price: $18 (take away)

Hoi Kwong Road offers a range of great treats, both caffeinated and sugar coated. Though you can’t really go wrong with any of the choices here, a honey latte at Crossroads Café is a perfect, no frills drink with a slight twist, and it is the perfect size to get you to your destination. During peak hours there may not be seating; however, they do offer discounts on takeaway items. There is even an ordering window facing the street for those in a rush.

Open 7:00am - 6:00pm
18 Hoi Kwong Street, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong
Tel: 2565 6897