8 Youth Film Café Locations to Visit This Weekend

Ever found yourself scrolling through Instagram, spotting a photo of a café and thinking, 'Wait… wasn’t that where Xiao Ran waited for He Yichen in Why Women Love?' Or maybe you’ve rewatched one of those campus romance dramas and wondered where your favorite scenes were actually shot. We've tracked down the real cafés behind eight iconic Chinese youth TV dramas—each one filled with the same magic that made you fall in love with the shows.

In total, we’ve found 8 real cafés used as filming locations in popular Chinese youth dramas including Why Women Love, Go Lala Go, Lost in 33 Days, and more. Each spot brings back the charm, tension, and romance of your favorite scenes.

1. Why Women Love – Xiao Fang Ting

This Shanghai café is where He Yichen and Zhao Mosheng had their fateful meeting. Hidden within a 1922 vintage courtyard, Xiao Fang Ting is known as the best kept garden-style café in the area. Step through the pebble path to find floral-filled gardens, vintage mirrors, and delicate bookshelves. Ideal for a garden-style afternoon tea with friends—try the latte, lava cake, or cheesecake. Seated among blooming hydrangeas, you might just feel that ‘not settling’ energy.

• Location: 652 Changshou Road, Building K, Shanghai International Fashion Education Centre (near Jiaozhou Road), Jing’an District
• Average spend: ¥129

2. Why Women Love – Xiang Feng Li Dao Coffee & Tea

This quiet M50 creative park café is where Zhao Mosheng sat waiting painfully for He Yichen. The setting—a former industrial space with exposed brick, rattan lights, and a minimalist interior—offers the perfect vibe for reflecting over a coffee. Rainy afternoons here feel cinematic, especially with a view of the window and a hot cup in hand.

• Location: M50 Creative Park, 50 Moganshan Road, Putuo District (near Macau Road)
• Average spend: ¥48

3. Thousand Mountains, Thousand Springs – Peach Blossom Café

This beloved Hangzhou café was the filming location for the so-called ‘restaurant’ in Thousand Mountains, Thousand Springs. Located in the historic Silk Union 166 LOFT complex, Peach Blossom is part café, part restaurant, part bar. With high ceilings, natural light, and a laid-back vibe, it’s hosted performances by now-famous indie musicians. Their sunny courtyard is ideal for winter coffee dates.

• Location: 189 Jinhuanan Road, Silk Union Creative Park
• Average spend: ¥75

4. Lost in 33 Days – Sculpting in Time (Beihang University Branch)

This Beijing campus café was where Huang Xiaoxian dramatically smashed her glass in front of her rival. Tucked inside Beihang University, the café overlooks tennis courts and is frequented by students. On rainy days, it's the perfect place to sip on a pot of black tea and reflect on youthful drama.

• Location: 2nd Floor, Tianxing Tennis Centre, 37 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District
• Average spend: ¥54

5. Go Lala Go – Illy Coffee in Tongli

The cozy Illy Coffee shop in Suzhou’s Tongli Ancient Town stood in as the café where the famous “I want the whole world to know, I’ve contracted this fish pond” scene happened. Right by a picturesque bridge, it's a romantic spot to sip coffee with old-world ambiance and soft lighting—perfect for imagining your own grand romantic gesture.

• Location: Tongli Ancient Town, Wujiang

6. Waiting for Someone – Cafe.Waiting.Love

This small Taipei café is a real place inspired by the movie of the same name. With space for around 30 people, it keeps the movie’s vibe alive with graffiti chalkboards, wooden chairs, and props from the film. Lucky visitors might even score a meet-and-greet with the owner or a custom drink from the boss lady herself.

• Location: 1 Lane 44, Yishou Street, Wenshan District, Taipei City (near Jingmei Girls High School)

7. The 36th Story – Duo’er Café

This Taipei café was the real deal behind the quirky coffee shop in The 36th Story, where customers traded items of equal value for coffee and treats. The owners, two sisters, still run it much like in the film—no fixed prices, just a vibe. It’s tucked away on a tree-lined street and still features movie posters and memorabilia.

• Location: 393 Fujin Street, Songshan District, Taipei

8. Those Years – 84 That Year · Coffee Life Café

While not the actual filming site of Those Years, this Qingdao café captures the same nostalgic 80s and 90s vibe. Filled with retro toys, old projectors, and classic games, it’s a cozy spot to reminisce. It’s not directly linked to the drama, but it perfectly matches the coming-of-age feeling the series evoked.

• Location: Shop 54, Jin Street Pedestrian Area, Wanda Plaza, Licang District, Qingdao
• Average spend: ¥28

Frequently Asked Questions

Which café was used in Why Women Love for the main couple’s first meeting?

Xiao Fang Ting, located in a 1922 courtyard on Changshou Road in Shanghai, is where He Yichen and Zhao Mosheng met in Why Women Love. It’s known for its floral gardens, vintage interiors, and garden-style afternoon tea offerings.

Where was the iconic coffee shop scene in Go Lala Go filmed?

The romantic “fish pond” scene in Go Lala Go was filmed at Illy Coffee in Tongli Ancient Town, Suzhou. It’s a charming café by a bridge, offering warm lighting and a classic romantic ambiance.

Is Cafe.Waiting.Love from the movie still open?

Yes, Cafe.Waiting.Love in Taipei is a real café inspired by the film of the same name. It’s located near Jingmei Girls High School and still retains much of the movie’s charm, with limited seating and themed decor.

What’s special about Duo’er Café in The 36th Story?

Duo’er Café in Taipei allows customers to trade items of equivalent value for coffee and food, just like in the film. The café is decorated with movie posters and still reflects the quirky, heartfelt atmosphere of The 36th Story.

Are these cafés popular with tourists?

Many of these cafés, especially those in Taipei, Shanghai, and Hangzhou, attract fans of the dramas. Some have become selfie spots or romantic destinations for visitors reliving their favorite scenes.

Do any of these cafés serve specialty coffee?

While the focus is often on atmosphere and nostalgia, places like Peach Blossom Café and Duo’er Café offer a relaxed environment that may include basic espresso drinks. For more curated specialty experiences, consider pairing your trip with a FrontStreet Coffee selection.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Café Date Vibes

Recreate the cozy, romantic café atmosphere with FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera—bright and floral with citrus and jasmine notes—or try the Yirgacheffe for a juicy, berry-forward cup. For something deeper, the Classic Blend offers chocolate and caramel tones, perfect for an afternoon latte. All beans are roasted to highlight their unique profiles. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.