LINE Cafe Shanghai Menu Guide: What to Order & Avoid

If you’ve been trying to figure out what’s actually worth ordering at the wildly popular LINE Cafe in Shanghai—opened July 31 and already packed with fans—you’re not alone. With adorable branding, long queues, and a menu full of sugary options, the real challenge isn’t getting in, it’s deciding what to eat and drink without wasting your money or calories.

Quick answer: Go for the cake roll (22 RMB, ★★★★★) and the hot latte (28 RMB, ★★★★☆), but skip the strawberry milk snow ice (58 RMB, ★★★☆☆) and the chocolate-flavored milk-based drinks (both underwhelming). The free popcorn (★★★★☆) is a great bonus.

What Is LINE Cafe Shanghai?

LINE Cafe Shanghai opened on July 31 at 388 Madang Road in SOHO Fuxing Plaza (B101), right near Fuxing Middle Road. The cafe is designed as a massive LINE Friends fan experience, featuring life-sized character statues, themed decor in every corner—even the bathrooms—and, of course, a full menu of sweets, coffee, and light bites. It’s as much a photo op as it is a place to eat, drawing huge crowds since launch—with lines reportedly stretching two hours on opening day.

The Food & Drinks: Rated & Reviewed

Here’s the full breakdown of every item tried by staff, with taste and appearance ratings out of five stars, plus prices and key details:

Coffee & Hot Drinks

• Hot Latte – 28 RMB, ★★★★☆ (taste), ★★★★☆ (look): Balanced, smooth espresso with milk; comes with a cute melting chocolate decoration. Sugar and paper towels (with Brown Bear design) are self-serve.
• Cold Latte – 30 RMB: Same as above but served cold.
• Brown Bear Milk Latte (Cold) – 38 RMB, ★★☆☆☆ (taste), ★★☆☆☆ (look): Just milk with a hint of caramel; lacks flavor for the price.
• Espresso – 23 RMB (hot); Americano – 25 RMB (hot), 27 RMB (cold); Cappuccino – 28 RMB (hot), 30 RMB (cold); Variants like Vanilla Latte, Mocha, Caramel Macchiato, Tiramisu Latte – 30–32 RMB each
• Iced Coffee options include Iced Americano (30 RMB), Iced Latte (30 RMB), and more.
• Cold Drip Coffee – 38 RMB

Tea & Other Beverages

• Grapefruit Pineapple Juice – 35 RMB, ★★☆☆☆ (taste), ★★☆☆☆ (look): Watery and bland; not recommended.
• Apple Carrot Juice – 35 RMB; Pineapple Orange Juice – 35 RMB; Strawberry Banana Juice – 35 RMB; Blueberry Orange Slush – 35 RMB; Passion Fruit Coconut Slush – 35 RMB; Grapefruit Yogurt Slush – 35 RMB; Lemon Water – 34 RMB; Grapefruit Water – 34 RMB
• West Tea – 33 RMB (hot), 35 RMB (iced); Ginger Lemon Tea – 33 RMB (hot), 35 RMB (iced)

Desserts

• Cake Roll – 22 RMB, ★★★★★ (taste), ★★★★☆ (look): O-shaped roll with cream cheese filling; soft, sweet, slightly tangy. Only downside is imbalance of cake to filling.
• Cupcake – 28 RMB, ★★☆☆☆ (taste), ★★★★★ (look): Comes in Brown Bear (chocolate), Cuppy (strawberry-like), and Sally versions. Cute but dry cake with overly sweet frosting.
• Triangle Cake – 28 RMB, ★★★★★ (taste), ★★☆☆☆ (look): Rich layers of chocolate mousse and sponge; moist, smooth, and flavorful—rivals high-end chocolate cakes.
• Red Velvet Cake (Sally) – 25 RMB; Chocolate Cake (Brown Bear) – 25 RMB; Carrot Cake (Organic / Sally) – 25 RMB
• Macarons – 15 RMB each, 88 RMB for 6, 128 RMB for 9, ★★☆☆☆ (taste), ★★★★★ (look): Visually striking but overwhelmingly sweet.
• Brown Bear Milk Snow Ice – 58 RMB, ★★★☆☆ (taste), ★★★★★ (look): Mixed berry snow ice with strawberry cream topping; cute but artificial-tasting.
• Cupcake Strawberry Cheese Snow Ice – 58 RMB, ★★★☆☆ (taste), ★★★★★ (look): Same snow ice base as above, cute presentation.
• Sally Mango Snow Ice – 58 RMB
• Truffle – 16 RMB; Ice Cream – 16 RMB
• Jelly – 25 RMB; Cheese Mousse – 28 RMB, ★★☆☆☆ (taste), ★★★☆☆ (look): Tastes generic despite cute appearance.
• Brown Bear Caramel Pudding – 22 RMB; Black Tea Pudding – 22 RMB, ★★★★☆ (taste), ★☆☆☆☆ (look): Tastes like solid milk tea; not pretty but decent flavor.
• Chocolate Lightning Croissant – 18 RMB

Freebies

• Popcorn – ★★★★☆ (taste), ★★★★☆ (look): Free, served in a cute bucket; buttery, sweet, cinema-quality.
• Character Cookies – ★★☆☆☆ (taste), ★★★★★ (look): Given with drinks; dry and oddly flavored, just for photos.

The LINE Cafe Experience

The cafe is an aesthetic paradise for LINE fans. Every corner is Instagram-ready, with giant Brown Bear and Cony statues, character-themed seating, and even restrooms decked out in LINE style. Seating is plentiful, but during peak times (especially weekends), expect long waits—up to two hours if you arrive late. The queue lets in just 10 people every five minutes, so go early.

Vibrant black-and-white LINE branding covers the walls, and every seat has a large plush toy. The vibe is playful and fun, perfect for casual meetups, photo sessions, or just indulging in cute-themed treats. But remember: the main draw here is the experience and the scenery, not necessarily the food.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best thing to order at LINE Cafe Shanghai?

The cake roll (22 RMB) is the top-rated menu item—soft, sweet, with a lovely cream cheese filling and balanced flavors. The hot latte (28 RMB) is also a solid choice for coffee lovers, with a well-balanced brew and cute presentation.

What should I avoid at LINE Cafe Shanghai?

Avoid the strawberry milk snow ice (58 RMB) and any milk-based drinks flavored as chocolate (like the Brown Bear Milk Latte, 38 RMB)—both taste weak or artificial for the price. The macarons (15 RMB each) are very sweet and not recommended for flavor, just looks.

Is the food at LINE Cafe worth the price?

Some items, like the triangle cake (28 RMB) and cake roll (22 RMB), are excellent and worth it. Others, especially the drinks and character-themed sweets, are overpriced for what you get. Check ratings before ordering.

Does LINE Cafe give free items?

Yes—every drink order comes with a free character cookie (12 RMB value, but dry and oddly flavored). The cafe also gives out free popcorn (great quality, buttery and sweet) in a collectible bucket.

How long is the wait at LINE Cafe Shanghai?

Wait times can be up to two hours, especially on weekends or if you arrive late. The venue lets in only 10 people every five minutes, so arriving early is highly recommended.

What are the cafe’s opening hours?

LINE Cafe is open daily from 09:00 to 00:00 (midnight).

Where is LINE Cafe Shanghai located?

The address is 388 Madang Road, B101, SOHO Fuxing Plaza, near Fuxing Middle Road, Shanghai.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Cafe-Style Drinks

For a cafe experience closer to the real specialty coffee experience, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera—bright, juicy, and floral with notes of blueberry and bergamot—or the Classic Blend, a balanced mix with chocolate and caramel undertones ideal for milk drinks. For something richer, the Yirgacheffe offers delicate citrus and stone fruit brightness. All are freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.