How Specialty Coffee Took Root in Guangzhou

It might surprise some, but coffee hasn’t always been a staple in Guangzhou’s food and drink scene. While Western restaurants and even early local chains served it, coffee long played second fiddle to food or tea. Yet in just over a decade, the city has quietly built a diverse and growing coffee culture—one that now includes everything from international chains to local independent shops.

Since 1989, Guangzhou has gone from one local coffee chain to hosting global brands, Korean café franchises, and a new wave of domestic coffee enthusiasts—seeing major growth especially after 2003 and again after 2013.

A Brief History of Coffee in Guangzhou

Guangzhou’s coffee scene began taking shape in 1989 with the opening of the local brand Greenery Corner in Yuexiu District—an early milestone for dedicated coffee cafés in the city. Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Taiwanese brands like UBC, Island Café, and Dio spread rapidly before eventually declining. Then came a turning point: in 2003, Starbucks opened its first Guangzhou store at World Square in Haizhu District, setting the stage for other global chains. Between 2008 and 2012, UK-based Costa, Hong Kong’s Pacific Coffee, Australia’s Coffee Club, and a wave of independent shops exploded onto the scene. By 2013, Korean brands including Mann Coffee , Zoo Coffee , and Caffe Bene joined the mix, further expanding the market and intensifying competition.

Why Did Real Coffee Catch On in Guangzhou?

For years, “drinking coffee” wasn’t a mainstream activity in Guangzhou. Even at historic Western-style spots like Tai Ping Restaurant, coffee was secondary to food. But something shifted in the past few years. Korean café brands—often located in busy business districts like Tianhe and Yuexiu—became especially popular among young professionals. The 2013–2014 Korean Wave, driven by shows like My Love from the Star, gave these cafés an extra boost. As local director Zheng Kun explains, “Korean coffee shops create a dreamy experience using symbols from K-dramas—fashion, lifestyle, and themed interiors—not just the coffee itself.” Office workers and social media trends helped fuel the craze. As office worker Wu puts it, “Going to a café became a whole experience—something to talk about and follow.”

How Korean Cafés Found a Home in Guangzhou

Korean brands found surprisingly little resistance in Guangzhou. At Mann Coffee’s Linhexi location, operations director Du Xiumin noted that the brand launched in Guangzhou in 2013 to meet demand for a comfortable space that combined drinks and relaxation. “Our founder wanted to offer a place for people to slow down with coffee or juice,” she said. Before even opening, the brand’s eclectic mix of luxury chandeliers, rustic wooden tables, and varied seating drew curious visitors. “We offer more than just coffee—our bestselling items include waffles and bread, reflecting Korean café culture,” Du added. Weekend customers like the Sirena family appreciate the all-in-one appeal. “As parents, we get a café that welcomes kids while still offering coffee,” said Sirena. According to Du, the core clientele includes young adults during the week, families on weekends, and students year-round.

The Evolution of Guangzhou’s Coffee Atmosphere

Korean cafés didn’t build the coffee culture alone. Since Starbucks’ 2003 launch, other global players like Pacific Coffee, Costa, and Coffee Club have also expanded in Guangzhou. These joined older local spots including Greenery Corner—whose VP Wang Xin notes that although seen as a Western restaurant, the chain has always had a strong coffee focus, with multiple award-winning brews. “Before 2005, many Taiwanese brands like Shangdao and Tandao Cafe grew through unregulated franchising and eventually faded—but they helped grow the city’s early coffee crowd,” Wang explained. Today’s younger generations, including many returnees from studying abroad, have embraced coffee culture alongside tea-house traditions. “More locals have travelled or studied overseas, and with international business travel increasing, coffee has become a natural part of Guangzhou’s food scene,” said expat Chen.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did the first coffee shop open in Guangzhou?

The first local brand coffee shop, Greenery Corner , opened in 1989 on Education Road in Yuexiu District.

Which international coffee chains entered Guangzhou first?

Starbucks was the first major international chain, opening in 2003 at World Square in Haizhu District. It was followed by UK’s Costa, Hong Kong’s Pacific Coffee, and Australia’s Coffee Club between 2008 and 2012.

What impact did Korean café brands have on Guangzhou’s coffee scene?

Korean brands like Mann Coffee, Zoo Coffee, and Caffe Bene became especially popular after 2013, driven by the Korean Wave and appealing café designs, food offerings, and social media influence—especially among young adults and families.

Did Taiwanese coffee shops succeed in Guangzhou?

Taiwanese brands such as UBC, Island Café, and Dio were popular in the 1990s and early 2000s but largely faded by around 2005 due to unregulated expansion and lack of long-term strategy, although they helped develop an early coffee-drinking population.

How has the coffee drinking culture changed among locals?

Once a fringe activity, coffee has grown into a mainstream social and leisure pursuit, especially among younger, globally connected residents who view cafés as spaces for experience, work, and connection rather than just drinking coffee.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Guangzhou-Style Cafés

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