*Please note that the information on this page is based on popular lists regularly updated by Meituan & Dazhong Dianping. The cafes are listed in alphabetical order.

Shanghai has brewed a diverse cafe scene. Here are some hotspots where you can steep yourself in the city's coffee culture.

Antique Garden Shanghai

An interior view of Antique Garden Shanghai. [Photo/WeChat account: shanghaiwow520]

Travel through time to 1920s' Shanghai at Antique Garden Shanghai on Sinan Road in Huangpu district. Immerse yourself in the peaceful retreat with antique furniture, retro magazines, and old-style decor. Enjoy chatting on the cafe's cosy first floor or head to the second floor, which resembles an art gallery. Don't miss the tranquil outdoor garden.

Address: No 44 Sinan Road, Huangpu district

%Arabica Coffee

%Arabica Coffee in Qingpu district, Shanghai. [Photo/WeChat account: iloveqingpu]

Embrace the minimalist aesthetic and quality grounds at %Arabica Coffee's first store in Shanghai's Qingpu district. Savour classic Italian styles like espresso, macchiato, latte, and Americano, made exclusively with 100 percent Arabica beans. Treat yourself to their ice cream flavours and delightful canelés and caramel butter cookies.

Address: Bailian Outlets, Qingpu district

Costa Coffee

Costa Coffee. [Photo/WeChat account: gjwujing]

Discover the first drive-thru store of Costa Coffee in Shanghai's Pudong New Area. Enjoy the convenience of placing orders, making payments and collecting your items without leaving your vehicle. Experience the unique Yirgacheffe coffee, which is sourced from Ethiopia's eponymous region and is known for its jasmine fragrance and Earl Grey tea-like taste.

Address: No 50 West Tainan Road, Pudong New Area

Follow Cafe

Follow Cafe offers a visually appealing retro ambience. [Photo/WeChat account of Follow Cafe]

Visit Follow Cafe, a popular coffee shop that offers 110 coffees and specialities, on North Shaanxi Road. Experience the original "Chinese stewed coffee" that racked up millions of views on Sina Weibo (a major Chinese microblogging platform). In addition to the drinks, enjoy the visually appealing retro ambience.

Address: No 155, North Shaanxi Road, Jing'an district

Into the Force

Into the Force with Saturnbird coffee. [Photo/WeChat account: saturnbird]

Saturnbird Coffee is a direct-to-customer online instant coffee brand established in 2015.

The brand established its roots in the heart of Shanghai with the launch of its first on-site concept store – Into the Force.

Movable tables and adjustable seats are like puzzle pieces waiting to adapt to your needs. Whether it's a cozy chat or a lively event, Into the Force wants its space to dance to the rhythm of the people and coffee.

The menu, a fusion of Italian classics and locally inspired delights, promises a flavor for every palate.

For example, "Hit Hit Guava" is a delightful blend of coffee, milk, guava jam and a sprinkle of ginger and plum powder – a sip that celebrates a local tradition.

Address: No 322 Anfu Road, Xuhui district

Manner Coffee

Manner Coffee is positioned directly in front of the iconic Oriental Pearl Tower, offering patrons a breathtaking view. [Photo/WeChat account: shhongkou]

Manner Coffee, a boutique coffee brand established in Shanghai in 2015, has opened a store at the scenic North Bund waterfront.

Opening a door that frames the Oriental Pearl Tower, the cafe provides customers with a natural, painting-like view. From dawn to dusk, visitors can savor the various flavors of Shanghai while enjoying a cup of expertly brewed coffee.

Rumours Coffee Roastery

Rumours Coffee Roastery's exterior. [Photo/WeChat account: shanghaitourism]

Discover the boutique Japanese-style pour-over coffee shop, Rumours Coffee Roastery, tucked away on Xingguo Road in Xuhui district. Indulge in the smooth and unique flavours of their special beans. Relax and enjoy life and a cup of coffee in this secluded space.

Address: No 1 Lane 372, Xingguo Road, Changning district / No 9 Hunan Road, Xuhui district

Starbucks Reserve Roastery

Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Shanghai. [Photo/VCG]

This cafe offers 10 varieties of coffee and speciality cocktails. Indulge in the exclusive Shanghai blend, featuring candied jujubes and kumquat peels, complemented by a rich caramel undertone.

Address: N110-N201, HKRI Taikoo Hui, No 789 West Nanjing Road, Jing'an district

Sanyue Cafe

Sanyue Cafe is a place where people can reminisce and make new memories. [Photo/WeChat account: shchangning]

Step into the Sanyue Cafe next to Suzhou Creek for a nostalgic experience. This old-fashioned cafe offers a cosy atmosphere with antique appliances, vintage furniture and old-timey decorations. Enjoy coffee, tea, desserts, and light Western-style meals while taking in the view from the balcony overlooking Suzhou Creek.

Address: 2F, Building 1, Lane 1384, Wanhangdu Road, Changning district

Tim Hortons

Tim Hortons is a renowned Canadian coffee and fast-food chain established in 1964 by famous ice hockey player Tim Horton, becoming a staple in Canadian culture.

The brand opened its first China store in February 2019 at People's Square in Shanghai.

The first Tim Hortons in Shanghai. [Photo/WeChat account: the-Bund]

The overall color scheme – a blend of red hues and coffee tones – creates a warm ambiance, especially with the large red maple leaves decorating the walls, adding a touch of warmth to its ambiance.

The spacious floor-to-ceiling windows bring in abundant natural light along with warm lighting and trendy interior design, which makes this place perfect for snapping some social media-worthy photos.

Address: 1F, Central Plaza, No 227 North Huangpi Road, Huangpu district

 

Sources: VCG, WeChat accounts of "shanghaitourism" "shchangning" "iloveqingpu" "gjwujing" "shhongkou" "the-Bund" "Follow Cafe" "saturnbird", official WeChat account of ShanghaiWOW! via "shanghaiwow520"