5 Best Women-Owned Cafes In Hong Kong You Should Know About

Oct 19

Plus our favourite things to order.

The coffee shop industry has been on the rise, and there’s no sign of it slowing down! We’ve done our research and have gathered up five women-owned cafes that have been making a name for themselves.

Detour

Living in the bustling streets of Sai Ying Pun, Deto ur is a wine bar and coffee shop that brings night and morning time necessities together. What founder Karen Leung loves the most about her cafe is that it offers a vibe that cannot be replicated elsewhere in Hong Kong - it’s all the parts and people in Detour that makes it so unique.

Their signature Magic in Oz (Cortado) dish was the perfect blend of milk and espresso to neutralise the bitterness of the coffee. Don’t forget to check out their avocado za’atar sourdough and their homemade granola yoghurt compote while you’re there! Everything is made with super healthy ingredients in a way that maximises the delicious flavors.

Hjem

H jem, meaning “home” in Norwegian, embodies the culture of comfort, contentment, and appreciation for life’s simple pleasures. Elin F u has made it her duty to make sure Hjem only uses the freshest and simplest ingredients for their dishes to create authentic Nordic dishes with attention to the principles of slow and conscious living.

Their best sellers, Arctic Prawns and Mushroom Smørrebrød, are both open-faced sandwiches! Both are topped with ingredients that give them their own unique texture and flavor that keeps you wanting more. The freshness and sweetness of the prawns paired with the saltiness of the pan-roasted mushrooms work together to create a taste like no other. A household favourite are the meatballs—they’re perfect comfort food with mashed potatoes, lingonberries, and gravy made from heaven. And don’t forget to save room for their signature cinnamon bun—trust us, you’ll catch yourself saying “wow” after the first bite.

Matchali

The cafe that’s best described as giving off calm and clean energy has been creating momentum in Hong Kong’s cafe community. Founder Car a L i’s passion for sharing matcha’s benefits and versatility without the caffeine crash has influenced so many people—in fact, her love for matcha has even converted some coffee lovers to matcha lovers.

Don’t forget to order their signature matcha and hojicha latte and the yuzu lemonade matcha (a very refreshing drink with a little kick of acidity to wake you up)! The sun-dried tomato and basil scone is also a perfect snack on the go to ease your hunger. The cherry on top is that all of their cutlery is eco-friendly and compostable!

Teakha

Situated in one of Sheung Wan's picturesque alley-streets, this quiet cafe has been a go-to for coffee and tea lovers alike. Visitors trek the slopes to enjoy the quaint environment that Teakha provides. Their signature savoury brunch, featuring avocado toast with monthly topping specials, has remained a favourite in their menu through the seasons.

This month’s topping is pork floss and tea-soaked egg, and it blew our minds. Who knew pork floss would pair so well with avocado? The egg was perfectly soft and did not overpower the other ingredients. The crispy sourdough’s crunch only added to the fulfilling finish. The earl grey and almond caramel scones are two of the top choices there! They’ll definitely satisfy your post-meal (or afternoon) sweet cravings. The perfect spot to unwind with a book and some friends!

The Coffee Academics

The Coffee Academics (TCA), no stranger to the cafe scene, is known as many people's go-to cafe to work from. Advocating coffee as a “connector” to the world, TCA strives to cultivate meaningful relationships with their customers. TCA was an idea brought to life by founder Jennifer Liu, and is now one of the largest coffee chains in Hong Kong. Don’t miss their signature new drinks: steam mocha and dirty mocha! Where else can you find low calories, non-dairy, additive-free, smooth and velvety coffee? The steam coffee is served chilled and can cure all your cravings, while the dirty mocha is a pleasantly tasty boost to your day that will keep your spirits high.

Arts and Culture

Chloe Luk

Chloe was born and raised in Hong Kong until university where she spent 4 years in New York City studying hospitality and eating pizza. When she's not stuffing food into her mouth or gathering content for her foodstagram, you can find her karaoking to Bruno Mars, waving at dogs, or pitching for the next big event in Hong Kong. She aspires to influence those around her with her passion for food and lifestyle blogging. Follow her food adventures on IG @luk_itschlo.