Shanghai is China’s biggest city and one of its fastest growing. Coffee consumption is growing equally quickly in China’s urban centres and Shanghai is no exception. A major financial hub and international melting pot, the city has embraced coffee culture.
There are hundreds of branches of well-known chain stores. But there are also great local specialty cafés and roasters. Let’s take a look at some of the specialty picks in this bustling metropolis.
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An SOE latte at Blacksheep Espresso. Credit: Chloe Chang
Why These Five?
There are many specialty cafés in Shanghai with excellent drinks and service so it’s impossible to choose the best. These five are recommended for their excellent service and quality coffee. They all use locally roasted beans, are devoted to specialty coffee, and are my personal favorites.
1. OPS Café
OPS was established in 2017. At just 9 square meters, most of the guests drink coffee as they stand, but the lack of seating doesn’t put them off. The signature drinks menu is changed seasonally.
The most novel feature here is the “mobile barista service.” No matter where you are in the space, the barista will come to you and make your coffee in front of you. They’ll explain the process and origins of the coffee as they do so. It’s hard to beat that level of service.
Inside OPS Café. Credit: Chloe Chang
| Where | 177 Taiyuan Road, Xuhui District |
| Atmosphere | Welcoming and friendly |
| Espresso Machine | Dalla Corte Mini |
| Grinder | Mahlkonig EKK43 |
| Coffee Offerings | Espresso-based drinks, signature drinks |
| Must-Try Drink | Seasonal signature drinks |
| Food & Other Drinks | No food menu |
| Nearby Sights | Close to the historical house Jiangjieshi Former Residence and Shanghai Arts and Crafts Museum. |
An OPS Café signature drink and its mobile barista service. Credit: Chloe Chang
2. Seesaw
This small chain was founded in 2012 and now has 20 stores in China. Seesaw devotes itself to Yunnan coffee with its own coffee plantations and roastery. Through the Seesaw Yunnan Project it raises awareness of coffee from this region.
The Huaihai Middle Road store in central Shanghai offers espresso-based drinks, pour overs, and baked goods in an industrial-inspired space with black walls. Stop here for a break while sightseeing or shopping in this busy retail district.
Seesaw’s Yunnan washed coffee served as a pour over. Credit: Chloe Chang
| Where | 755 Huaihai Middle Road, Huangpu District |
| Atmosphere | Trendy and modern |
| Espresso Machine | La Marzocco Strada 3G |
| Grinder | Mazzer Major Electronic, Ditting KR804 |
| Coffee Offerings | Espresso-based drinks, signature drinks, pour over, tea |
| Must-Try Drink | Yunnan pour over |
| Retail Offerings | Roasted coffee beans, coffee equipment |
| Food & Other Drinks | Baked goods and desserts |
| Nearby Sights | Shopping district of Huaihai Road, Fuxing Park, and Shanghai Museum of Sun Yat-sen’s Former Residence |
3. Moon Coffee Roasters
There are dozens of small alleys off Maoming Road. Among the independent designers is this old-school Japanese-style coffee roaster. It’s a charming and quiet spot to take a break and enjoy a cup of house-roasted coffee.
Inside Moon Coffee Roasters. Credit: Chloe Chang
| Where | No. 2, 75th Lane, North Maoming Road, Jingan District |
| Atmosphere | Tranquil |
| Espresso Machine | La Marzocco GS3 |
| Grinder | Nuova Simonelli Mythos One, Mahlkonig K30, Ditting KR804 |
| Coffee Offerings | Espresso-based drinks, signature drinks, pour over, tea |
| Must-Try Drink | Pour over |
| Retail Offerings | Roasted coffee beans, coffee equipment |
| Food & Other Drinks | Baked goods |
| Nearby Sights | Conveniently located for visiting the Nanjing West Road shopping district and Jing’an Sculpture Park |
A coffee to go at Moon Coffee Roasters. Credit: Chloe Chang
4. Blacksheep Espresso
When you enter this coffee shop, the barista will ask you whether you like chocolate, tomato, or raisin and then make you a latte based on your preference. But if that’s not to your taste, don’t worry: there are plenty of other espresso-based drinks and pour overs on offer in this bright, modern space.
The bar at Blacksheep Espresso. Credit: Chloe Chang
| Where | 169-4 Jianguo Road, Huangpu District |
| Atmosphere | Relaxed and welcoming |
| Espresso Machine | Synesso 2G |
| Grinder | Nuova Simonelli Mythos One, Mahlkonig Peak, Anfim Super Caimano Barista, Mahlkonig EK43 |
| Coffee Offerings | Espresso-based drinks, pour over, tea |
| Must-Try Drink | Latte |
| Retail Offerings | Roasted coffee beans, coffee equipment |
| Food & Other Drinks | Baked goods |
| Nearby Sights | Close to the boutiques, bars, and restaurants of the historic TianZiFang area. |
5. Café del Volcán
This café serves premium coffees from all over the world, including signature beans from the owner’s family estate in Guatemala. Café del Volcán takes its coffee seriously, offering barista courses and wholesale beans, as well as brewing accessories.
The space is bright and modern with floor-to-ceiling windows. There are also outdoor seats where you can take in the city while enjoying your coffee.
The exterior of Café del Volcan. Credit: Chloe Chang
| Where | 80 Yong Kang Road, Xuhui District |
| Atmosphere | Laidback |
| Espresso Machine | La Marzocco PB 2G |
| Grinder | Anfim Super Caimano Barista, Mazzer Mini, Ditting KR804 |
| Coffee Offerings | Espresso-based drinks, pour over, tea |
| Must-Try Drink | Pour over with signature Guatemalan beans |
| Retail Offerings | Roasted coffee beans, coffee equipment |
| Food & Other Drinks | Baked goods |
| Nearby Sights | Close to the Shanghai Arts and Crafts Museum and Shaoxing Park. |
The roaster at Café del Volcan. Credit: Chloe Chang
There are an overwhelming number of options for coffee in Shanghai, but for me, these five stand out for their commitment to quality specialty coffee. Whether you visit Shanghai for business or pleasure, add them to your itinerary.
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Written by Winnie Yeh.
Feature photo: A branch of Seesaw from the outside. Credit: Chloe Chang
All views within this opinion piece belong to the guest writer, who is a local of Shanghai, and do not reflect Perfect Daily Grind’s stance.
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