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Where to go for a quick and simple caffeine thirst
quencher? Here we go..
New!
First-ever in Hong Kong!
Now introducing Singapore!
Where the real coffee culture
in Asia is...
Click here to vote.
(Next major review on
30September 99)
Pacific Coffee
E E E E E
$ $ $ $
One of the best Korner in Hong Kong
 |
Citibank Plaza, Lower
Ground Floor
Shop 1022, International Finance Centre (the best place by far)
C3-4 Admiralty, Queensway Plaza
Seibu/COO Food Hall, Pacific Place
Great Eagle Centre 101, Wanchai
1st Floor, Hong Kong Star Ferry Pier
Ground Floor, Kowloon Star Ferry Pier
Ground Floor, Dorset House, Quarry Bay
First Floor, Devon House, Quarry Bay
Ground Floor, Bank of America Tower, Central
Cooked Deli Super City Times Square, Causeway Bay
Gateway II Super City, Harbour City Kowloon
They have a PC in each corner (except Kowloon Star Ferry & City Super)
where you can do cyber-surfing, thought it is slow. They have a PC in each corner (except Kowloon Star Ferry & City Super)
where you can do cyber-surfing, thought it is slow. Be warned: Their browser software is not the latest, so you may find
ocassional errors when using their computers. If you're a savvy geek, you can check your
waiting email. 12 chops gets you a free cup of coffee.But wait! You haven't seen the best yet! How
about the one at Dorset House, Ground Floor. It is an absolutely genuine coffee den.
There's magazines, Comfy Grandfather Chairs (you have to see it to believe
that), game boards, internet access via three PCs, The PCC.Newsletters, coffee accesories,
brewing equipment, coffee beans, coffee merchandises and much much more. This is probably
the best spot in Hong Kong and they deserve an excellent commendation for their efforts in
promoting the coffee culture.
Prices: Latte and Cappucino: Take
away: HK$25/-, Sit down - HK$32/-. |
Kaldi's Kafe
E E E E
$ $ $ $ $
Ideal for a long casual afternoon drink. |
Lan Kwai Fong
At the corner of Wellington Street and D'Aguilar Street. Marvelous settings,
ample sitting places. Best ones are at the barista's bar with comfortable high chair so
you can watch your favourite coffee being brewed. No rush! Wide choice of coffee
selections on the menu. Has snacks to go with it. Very presentable baristas. A MUST visit
place. Will find out more about the owners soon. Come back here for the latest updates.
Tidbit: The most widely accepted legend associated to the discovery of coffee is of
the goatherder named Kaldi of Ethiopia. Around the year 800 A.D., Kaldi was amazed as he
noticed his goats behaving in a frisky manner after eating the leaves and berries of a
coffee shrub. And, of course, he had to try them! |
California Coffee
E E E E
$ $ $ $
Another truly excellent Korner in Hong Kong
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Lan Kwai Fong
Easily the best place to have your coffee. Contemplate, dream, and
watch colourful people pass by. This is one place where your desire for creative ideas
will surprise you. Most of my ideas were percolated there. And, not to mention the best
cheese-cake you can find in town. Collect 8 chops and the next coffee of any kind is yours
for FREE! Has 4 tall stools to sit on.Makes the best espresso and latte in town. Latte and
Cappucino: HK$22/-. Espresso HK$14/-.
Owned by the LKF king-pin - Allan Zeman! |
Coffee Central
E E E E
$ $ $
The pioneer of coffee cart. |
Alexandra House, Central
The One and Only Corner Cart manned by the famous barista, Ms.Judy Mertens. A
charming lady whose friendly personality and personal attention brings more flavour from
the beans.
You can have your coffee delivered to your office (as far as Jardines House!!),
which a reader has said that "they are always prompt, always piping hot and always
excellent coffee." Collect 10 chops, and your coffee is on the Cart. |
First Cup Coffee
E E E
$ $ $
 |
Lock Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
(behind Hyatt Hotel) A recently
opened corner. Also good for really quick coffee, made just about right. You can sit on
the narrow high chair and watch the passing honking cars. Run by one former Uncle Russ
barista, Tom Midgeley and his two partners. You get a free coffee of choice when you
collect 8 chops.
One of the two places to make an
excellent Espresso. Has a new item: Mocha Biancha (hot and iced). Try it.
Reasonable prices: Latte and Cappucino is
HK$18/-. Espresso is HK$13/-. |
Cova
E E E E
$ $ $ $ |
Pacific Place, Shop 301,
Level 3, Queensway
The Landmark, Shop 236, 2/F, Central
Prince's Building, Shops 134-135, 1/Fl, Central
The Lee Gardens, Shop B01, Basement, Causeway Bay
World Trade Centre, Shop 125, Podium 1, Causeway Bay
Devon House, Shop F, 1/F, Quarry Bay
Casual yet truly Italian settings. Pacific Place is a more informal setting,
thought the coffee is excellent and moderately priced. Coffee is generally good.They also have a novel way of buying coffee -
collect 10 chops will give you a free coffee. Collect 20 chops and you can have free
coffee with a sandwich. Best of all, collect 30 chops and you can have six free assorted
pastries.
Reasonably priced too - HK$20/- for
small latte, HK$26/- for large one. |
La Trattoria
E E E E E
$ $ $ $ $ |
The Landmark
Another excellent Italian corner with a wide variety of cakes and pastries. Good
place to relax when you have nothing else to do, or perhaps while waiting for your next
appointment. High chair and tables. |
Fountain Cafe
E E E
$ $ $ $ |
The Landmark
A great place for brief or casual business chat or
follow-up. Drink it at the bar
instead. |
Cafe Piatti
E E E
$ $ $ |
Exchange Square Two Podium Shop
Exchange Square Three Ground Floor
Prince's Building First Floor
Jardine House, Lower Ground Floor
Far East Finance Centre (opposite KPS)
Lippo Centre, First Floor (near Oliver's Sandwiches)
At Planet Playfoods, Times Square
Sino Plaza, Ground Floor
Ground Floor, World Wide House, Central
The Center, First Floor
Hutchison House, First Floor
Star House, Ground Floor, near Star FerryThe only one with the most corners, with one more just recently opened in
The Center, close to Central Market. Recently visited the place. Very nice
place, airy. Sit down and relax with one. Cafe Piatti is usually the trolley cart type
where it is served faily quickly. Their coffee is just about right. They do free delivery
within the designated areas (at least 4 cups order), and will cater to catering and
services for corporate and business meetings, office parties and coffee breaks. Offers
sandwiches, muffins and cakes. No computers to surf the net, though. (I hear they are
planning for it). 10 purchases will give you one on the cart.
Good prices, whether sit down or take away: Latte and
Cappucino is HK$19/-. Espresso is HK$13/-. |
Uncle Russ
E E E
$ $ $
The early pioneer of coffee corner chain. |
Discovery Bay
Probably the pioneer of multi Koffee Korners. Used to have 4 corners, including the
same spot now occupied by California Coffee. If you still have your card, you can still
redeem it for your coffee of choice. The coffee's still good. Collect 8 Chops, a free
coffee is yours. |
Movenpick
E E E E
$ $ $ $ |
D'Aguilar Street, Central (near
Ruby Tuesday)
Yes, the famous Movenpick,
recently opened (Sep 98). Visited several times, to find it an verage coffee, and
not always warm enough. Remember to ask them to make it warmer. Wide variety of cakes,
pastries and snacks. Good for afternoon snack sessions. Bright, airy and comfortable
atmosphere. |
T. W. K.
E E E
$ $ $ $ |
Lyndhurst Terrace
City Plaza
Victoria Street
Not exactly the koffee korner, though locally owned. Good for really quick coffee,
made very quickly. Good for afternoon snack sessions. |
| Just
Java |
180 Electric
Road, North Point |
| Cafe
Zambra |
Opening very
soon. |
| Caffe
Cafe |
Shop 2312-3,
Harbour City, Kowloon |
Tiff Espresso
E E
$ $ $ |
Energy Plaza, TST East |
Cafe Beanstalk
E E E
$ $ $
|
Hillier Street, Sheung Wan
(near A2 exit MTR)
Recently opened - 2 Sep 98.
Simple environment. Run by a former San Francisco barista. Simple place, with 5 tall
narrow stool-chair to sit on. Prices are low since the cafe is on promotion time. Fairly
decent coffee. Good for take away or a quick grab of latte and espresso. Has good range of
take away snackss too.Start-up prices
for now: Latte and Cappucino is HK$18/-. Espresso is HK$13/-. |
| Zoup for the Zool |
Citibank Plaza, Cotton Tree
Drive Yes, the strangest name
for a coffee corner. Will check that out soon. |
| San Francisco |
Shatin Shopping Complex It's still around!! Far away in Shatin! Will
be quite a while before we check it out. No rating for now. |
| Coffee n' Books |
tin Shop 104, Pennisula Center, 67 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Time and place for fine coffee and a good read. |
| La Casa Silva |
A recent spot at
junction of Canton Road and Peking Road. Main attraction - sells hot egg tarts. No rating
for now. |
The Barista's Korner Rating Legend:
| |
5 |
Excellent coffee |
| |
4 |
Very good coffee |
| |
3 |
Good coffee |
| |
2 |
Average "fast-food" style coffee |
| |
1 |
Visit only once if you wish |
| $ $ $ $ $ |
Fairly Expensive |
| $ $ $ $ |
Tad expensive |
| $ $ $ |
Moderate pricing |
| $ $ |
Less expensive or on promotion |
| $ |
Anyone sell that cheap? (and surprisingly that
good?) |
| E E E E E |
Excellent environment, very friendly barista.
You'd like to linger. |
| E E E E |
Good environment, friendly barista. Nice way to
pass time. |
| E E E |
Fair atmoshphere, fair barista. |
| E E |
Could do with some improvement. |
| E |
Not comfortable, just be quick and go. |
The price ($) is
based on the standard brew of espresso, cappucino and latte. Other coffee specialties are
not considered. The environment (E) include the general atmosphere, comfort and the barista's attitude.
The ideal rating? , E E
E E E and $ $ $ or $ $.
The Holy Grail of Coffee? - , E E E E
E E E E and
$
(perhaps expert making it at home.)
Click
here to vote.
Gone!
San Francisco!
E E E E $ $ $
Used to be at Cameron Road, it was one of the really great koffee korner. Had the
best variety of coffee on the menu. With the San 'Frisco Train where the barista made the
coffee. Sadly missed. missed.
Expresso Americano E
E E $ $ $
Taken over by Cafe Piatti.
A friendly note - these ratings are based
entirely on personal visits and observation of these corners, that the money spent
could have bought me a notebook! And the ratings can change from time to time as the
corners gets better (or worse?). Perhaps we may add one more category for each corner,
that is ancillary services and products. And maintain the primary rating for quality and
consistency of coffee. More next time.
The rating is based on sample of three most common coffee drink: caffe latte,
cappucino and espresso. We consider the body, flavour, acidity and the quality of fresh
milk. And most important, the coffee bean used.
Do you know of any other corners that merit a mention
for well-brewed coffee? You have a comment or opinion? Corrections or updates? Spill your
coffee beans at barista@koffeekorner.com
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