New Cafés and Afternoon Teas to Try in Hong Kong This December 2022

Try as though you might, there is no escaping the holy trinity of Wham!, Mariah Carey, and Michael Bublé as we approach the winter season.
‘It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go’, sings Bublé, but instead of taking a look in the five and ten, us Hong Kongers have something else on our minds. While this December has been a little slow on the uptake for chilly weather, there’s nothing like taking a peek at one of the many cafés smattered around Hong Kong to get into the winter holiday spirit. The Beat Asia rounds up our top picks for new cafés, coffee shops, and afternoon teas for this month.
intiMATE.coffee
Located in North Point, IntiMATE.coffee embodies the Japanese garden theme through stained wood furniture, stone lanterns, and minimalist porcelain plates and bowls. Becoming one with the neighbourhood and acting as a communal ‘backyard’ for the people of North Point, the intimate café setting is the perfect place to take yourself on a solo date and strike up a conversation with someone new.
Saddle down on the clean wooden benches while you decide your order. If you’re stuck between choosing something to sip, check out their Matchagato (HK$60), Lime Fizz (HK$48), or their signature Cold Brew Coffee (HK$ 55). For meals and small bites, try any one of their freshly made open-faced Sourdough toasts (HK$58) with an assortment of toppings, or a sweet Bagel ($45) treat filled with blueberry, honey, and pecan cream cheese.
Location: intiMATE.coffee, G/F, Block B, Tung Fat Building, 31A Kam Ping Street, North Point, Hong Kong
Contact details: Instagram
Owens
Owens strikes a strange contrast against the surrounding Prince Edward buildings with its characteristic free-spirited boho-chic style defined by the clean arched entryways, leafy green murals, and rattan lampshades. Headed by two chefs, each specialising in a different type of cuisine, the Owens menu undergoes many transformations throughout the season – keeping guests on their toes hopping between Japanese, Western, and Chinese eats.
The Owens menu is full of options, from full course meals to sweet delights, and an extensive milkshake drinks list. We recommend stopping by to try out their Tiramisu (HK$ 58), and washing it down with a warm cup of Hot Hazelnut Chocolate (HK$ 36).
Location: Owens, G/F, 412 Portland Street, Prince Edward, Hong Kong
Contact details: +852 9208 9190
BON CHAT CHAT
Up on the fifth floor above all the humdrum in Lai Chi Kok lies BON CHAT CHAT, another Japanese themed café. BON CHAT CHAT brings the ‘ta-house’ aesthetics to life by bringing tall bamboo stalks indoors until they push up against the ceiling, and laying down quilts to mimic traditional Japanese tatami. As you kneel to sit on the soft tatami cushions, the sun shines abundantly onto your table.
BON CHAT CHAT’s signature dishes include a hearty Japanese winter staple Chazuke in Long Jing Tea (HK$ 118), or a healthful bright coloured Poke Bowl (HK$118), paired with a refreshing glass of Lychee Long Jing Tea (HK$ 44) or a warm Matcha Latte (HK$ 40).
Location: BON CHAT CHAT, Premiere Centre, 5/F, Unit 510, 20 Cheung Shun Street, Lai Chi Kok, Hong Kong
Contact details: Instagram
BAPE CAFE!?
For the first time, the BAPE CAFE!? Concept is brought to Hong Kong in Tsim Sha Tsui’s Harbour City, celebrating the Japan-originated street culture aesthetic by cementing the lifestyle born out of A BATHING APE. Lined with the familiar line camo that BAPE fans know all too well, shark seijin statues flanking the entrance, and the famed ape man plastered everywhere.
While you’re there, check out the BAPE Burger (HK$ 159) served in unique ape-man packaging, BAPE Curry Pork Cutlet Rice (HK$ 129), and Japanese-style Yakitori (HK$39). For dessert, try the BAPE Hazelnuts Chocolate Cake (HK$79) and the BAPE Ice-Cream Waffle (HK$ 99).
Location: BAPE CAFE!?, Shop G301, G/F, Gateway Arcade, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui
Contact details: +852 27059340
Afternoon Tea at Atum
Unbeknownst to many Hong Kongers, this afternoon tea set hides away at the K11 Art Mall, delighting and surprising guests who walk in unaware. The main stay Afternoon Tea at Atum in Tsim Sha Tsui is not only a feast for the stomach, but also very easy on the eyes. Instead of a traditional vinyl three-tier table, ATUM has decided to arrange the small bites on one large flat surface, resembling a checkerboard.
This tea set has a total of 24 pieces of delectable goodies, and an English muffin for starting. Expect adorable purple potato tarts, macarons, parma ham wrapped buffalo cheese, foie gras shrimp cakes and other small surprises that are sure to make for a great conversation starter. For drinks, we recommend splurging a little extra on the Wild Berry Cranberry Juice (HK$ 48) and the Lavender White Peach Juice (HK$ 48) for a refreshing tropical punch.
From: Always
Location: ATUM, Shop 101B, 1/F, K11 Art Mall, 18 Hanoi Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
Contact details: +852 3586 1959
Festive Afternoon Tea at Hjem
Hjem, Central’s favourite Norwegian café, is ramping up the hygge with this festive afternoon tea set. Located in Sheung Wan near Man Mo Temple, Hjem offers everything Nordic from cocktails, to health drinks, and coffee. This winter, Hjem’s Festive afternoon tea features savoury staples found in all of Hjem’s Afternoon Teas, including their Signature Smorrebrod of Artic Prawns and Beef Pastrami. Hjem also includes Santa’s cake of the day, gingerbread cookies, and traditional Norwegian waffles and bread pudding.
Boozy add-ons are also available for guests who need a tipple or two to get into a festive mood – even if the cosy Norwegian snacks are more than enough. For non-alcoholics, the Gingerbread Latte included in the set ought to do you well.
From: Dec. 1 onwards
Location: Hjem, 161 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong
Contact details: +852 2362 9193
Elegance Trio Afternoon Tea by GREEN x GODIVA at Hotel ICON
In partnership with beloved Belgian chocolatier GODIVA, the festive Elegance Trio high tea at Hotel ICON is full of decadent desserts and savoury bites to get you in the holiday spirit. Hitting the ground running with an unlimited GODIVA soft serve throughout the afternoon, Executive Chef Danny Ho ensures the three-course menu maintains the rich flavoured experience with each dish to follow.
Guests can expect to indulge in oyster chowder with deep-fried oyster, a choice of main – including grass-fed beef tenderloins with mash potatoes and truffle, and a rotating three-tier turntable full of melt-in-your-mouth choccy treats from GODIVA.
From: Nov. 1 onwards
Location: Hotel ICON, Lobby, 17 Science Museum Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Hong Kong
Contact details: +852 3400 1000
Subscribe to The Beat's newsletter to receive compelling, curated content straight to your inbox! You can also create an account with us for free to start bookmarking articles for later reading.