New year, new coffee shops abound! This January, The Beat Asia walks you through our top picks for new cafes, coffee shops, and limited time afternoon teas that you won’t want to miss. From second branches to new concepts tugging at your nostalgia heartstrings – we hope your Chinese New Year holiday is filled with family, togetherness, and a coffee break every now and then.

Clean Coffee and Laundry

With its distinct pastel pink and white chequered tiles, coupled with the slow hum of sage-mint green washers tumbling your garments about; Clean Coffee and Laundry has been a fan favourite amongst Instagrammers and urbanite hipsters since it first opened doors in Sheung Wan, 2021. While the combination of cafes and laundromats is nothing new to the local café scene, this establishment sets itself apart by advocating for sustainable practices.

It comes as no surprise why such an ambitious venture would resonate with so many people in Hong Kong, allowing sibling founders Bryan and Cynthia Lok to open up a second branch in Tsim Sha Tsui this January. Using only Rainforest Alliance Certified or Direct Trade beans, and standardising dairy-free oat milk as the default milk option – we recommend trying out their House White(HK$ 40) for a deliciously creamy oat milk latte; or Going Coco (HK$42), a refreshing house black with a splash of coconut water – no milk necessary. For non-coffee options, try out their Cascara(HK$ 32) soda, made with the coffee cherry, or the Sesame Latte(HK$40).

Location: Clean Coffee and Laundry, Shop 12, B/F, Health, 36-44 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon

Contact details: Contact website here

Goodin’ Out

Recently opened in Dec. of last year, this Korean Café dives headfirst into the comforting industrial design aesthetic, embracing exposed tiles, brick, and concrete in a cool neutral colour palette. Blending minimalistic barstools with Hong Kong and Korean motifs, Goodin’ Out is the love child of everything you love that’s ‘raw’ in Hong Kong and ‘hip’ in Korea.

It wouldn’t be a Korean café without the famous croissant x waffle hybrid that has taken Seoul by storm: the croffle. Try the Blueberry Cream Cheese Croffle (HK$ 60), or the Grapefruit Toast (HK$ 78) to go with your Honey Americano (HK$ 38) or a simple Mocha (HK$ 48).

Location: Goodin’ Out, 25 Ka Shin Street, Tai Kok Tsui, Kowloon

Contact details: +852 9136 6851

roommate

There are only two reactions to the word ‘roommate’. Either you’re fighting the urge to commit first-degree manslaughter, or, you’re semi-oblivious to the fact your roommate maybe doesn’t like you all that much. For those who can only relate to the former, roommate is here to change that. The best part about having a roommate is the sense of a ‘lived in home’, full of warmth and care, day in and day out - they’re here for you.

With modern design features created by ARKAUNIS Design Studio, the space melds style and comfort with a burnt orange and grey colour palette and irregular stone paving. Just as you would come home after a long day, you arrive at roommate, the place that gives you the permission to relax the tension from your shoulders and get back to your chipper self. Help yourself to a RoomateAll Day Breakfast (HK$128) to get your energy fuels back to a good level, washed down with a Cappuccino (HK$ 38), Mocha (HK$ 43), or a Yuzu Espresso Tonic (HK$48).

Location: roommate, G/F, San Po Kong Mansion, 88 Choi Hung Road, San Po Kong, Kowloon

Contact: Instagram

COZE Coffee

Hidden along the Kennedy Town upslopes is a hidden gem looking to soft open mid-January. With what seems to be a Swedish and Japanese interior style – married with modern industrialist accents, COZE Coffee aims to be your one-stop-shop for intimate chats with friends or time to yourself to get prepped for the day ahead.

COZE boasts an ambitious seafood menu, with dishes like Cioppino (HK$ 158) with prawn, scallop, squid, and mussels; Smoked Salmon on Dark Rye Sourdough (HK$ 128) with cherry tomato, onion shavings, cucumber, fresh dill, capers and cream cheese. For beverages, try the Espresso Lime Tonic (HK$ 50), Piccolo (HK$ 40), or HojichaLatte (HK$ 40).

Location: COZE Coffee, Shop B, Po Lung House, 28-30 Li Po Lung Path, Kennedy Town, Hong Kong

Contact: Instagram

FuwafuwaCoffee

The Japanese ideophone ‘fuwa fuwa’ can be used to describe something as soft, airy, light, or fluffy – think clouds, rabbits, and marshmallows. When translating the idea of ‘fuwa fuwa’ to something as pungent as coffee – it’s hard to come up with similarities that both coffee and marshmallows share.

But when you think of the experience itself, watching the barista craft up a personalised brew, beans a-roasting, you can’t help but feel mellowed out. Fuwafuwa Coffee is dedicated to sharing an appreciation of coffee, from the hands that plant to the hands that pour, they are known for sourcing beans from all over the world to bring you an unmatched library of matcha, coffee, and preparation techniques for the coffee obsessed.

What seems simple at first glance is surprisingly layered, especially at Fuwafuwa, where beans and leaves are regular cycled in to suit anyone’s preference. Try out their Matcha Latte, Hand-Drip Coffee, or their Flat White prepared in a myriad of different ways.

Location: Fuwafuwa Coffee, G/F, Radio City, 505 Hennessy Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong

Contact details: fuwafuwacoffeehk@gmail.com

Old HK Afternoon Tea and Chinese New Year Afternoon Tea at WOOBAR

Launching for a limited time only on Jan. 5 at West Kowloon’s rendezvous spot for all things entertainment, is a nostalgic ‘Old HK Afternoon Tea Set’ offered by W Hong Kong. Located in Austin Road, take yourself back in time and rekindle nostalgia with old time specialities including iconic dishes such as Salted Egg Yolk, Air-dried Ham Chips, Hawthorn Berries Crostini, Goose Liver Pate, Drunken Abalone, Longan Chrysanthemum Jelly, Chinese Walnut Cookies, and more.

A second tea offering will also be available starting from Jan. 22 with all the snacks and treats from the ‘Old HK Afternoon Tea’, punctuated with savoury specialities including Lemongrass-infused Drunken Abalone with Goji, Chilled Crystal Ham with Balsamic Pearl, Sweet and Sour Prawn Salad Sandwiches and Shredded Barbeque Duck and Foie Gras Terrine Brioche Bun.

From: Jan. 5

Location: WOOBAR, W Hong Kong, 6/F, 1 Austin Road West, Kowloon Station, Kowloon

Contact details: +852 3717 2889 / woobar.hk@whotels.com

Chinese New Year Tea at The Lounge, Four Seasons Hotel

The Four Seasons hotel will offer a unique Chinese Afternoon Tea from both the hotel’s international dineries; The Lounge and Gallery. Quintessential festive specials including sweet sycee shaped treats, shrimp plated hors d’oeuvres with cheese, walnut cookies, and other staples such as raisin scone.

Let the afternoon tea act as a segue into the lovely hamper and dining offerings for Poon Choi and handmade Chinese new year puddings from the three-Michelin-starred Lung King Heen.

From: Jan. 16

Location: The Lounge and Gallery,Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong

Contact details: +852 3196 8888