Aix Coffee Opens Tenth Shop in Shenzhen

If you’ve walked past Shenzhen’s busy shopping districts and wondered where to find a coffee shop that balances style, comfort, and artisan coffee without the usual chain-store feel, Aix Coffee might be your answer. Since landing in China in 2008, the brand has quietly built a network of cafés that blend French café culture with local sensibilities.

As of late last year, Aix Coffee operates ten locations across Shenzhen, with its newest branch—the Shopping Park store—offering a refined yet relaxed spot for coffee and conversation.

What Makes Aix Coffee Different?

Aix Coffee stands out for its unmistakable French-inspired identity. Founder Zhou Jianwei explains that the brand’s coffee blends originate from Aix-en-Provence, a city in southern France known as the birthplace of coffee blending over 200 years ago. This heritage informs Aix Coffee’s signature approach to crafting its house blends, lending an old-world elegance to its modern cafés.

Inside the Shopping Park Branch

The Shopping Park location epitomizes the brand’s attention to detail. It strikes a balance between a central yet tranquil spot, featuring bright, clean interiors divided into distinct zones for different moods. The décor is minimal yet thoughtfully arranged, and the staff are consistently friendly. For those sunny days, the café offers outdoor seating—perfect for soaking up rays with a coffee in hand.

The ambiance is further elevated by soft background music, contributing to that rare ‘stolen moment of peace’ feeling. The café serves its coffee in bone china cups, which strike the right balance between weight and elegance. The drinks themselves are crafted with care: the cappuccino boasts a rich aroma and velvety microfoam, while the latte art is distinctive—so much so that customers can watch baristas in action via in-store screens.

Latte Art and Competition Success

Latte art is more than decoration at Aix Coffee—it’s a point of pride. The famed rose design featured on drinks isn’t just pretty; it’s the result of meticulous craftsmanship and repeated testing by the team. In 2023, Aix Coffee’s China Barista Training & Competition program (CBTC) saw one of its trained baristas claim the national championship at the World Latte Art Championship (WLAC) China division. That level of skill is on display daily, whether you’re watching it live or admiring your own cup.

Food Pairings: Made in-House

Beyond coffee, Aix Coffee is known for its food offerings. The vibrant macarons near the counter catch the eye—and taste buds. These aren’t your typical bakery finds; they’re distinctly Aix, and pair wonderfully with Americanos. According to founder Zhou Jianwei, Aix Coffee was the first in Shenzhen to serve macarons. What’s more, all desserts are baked in-house at the brand’s own baking facility. This ensures consistency, quality, and originality—nothing is outsourced.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Aix Coffee come to China?

Aix Coffee arrived in China in 2008 and has since established a presence in Shenzhen, where it continues to grow.

How many Aix Coffee locations are there in Shenzhen?

As of the end of last year, Aix Coffee had opened ten stores in Shenzhen, including the newest one at Shopping Park.

Where does Aix Coffee’s blend inspiration come from?

Aix Coffee’s coffee blends are inspired by the historic coffee blending traditions of Aix-en-Provence, a city in southern France with over 200 years of blending heritage.

What makes the Shopping Park branch unique?

The Shopping Park branch features a peaceful yet central location, indoor zoning for different atmospheres, outdoor seating, bone china cups, and in-store screens showing latte art being performed.

Does Aix Coffee make its own pastries?

Yes, all desserts at Aix Coffee, including the popular macarons, are made in-house at the brand’s own baking facility to ensure originality and consistent quality.

Has Aix Coffee won any barista competitions?

Yes, a barista trained through Aix Coffee’s CBTC program won the China division of the World Latte Art Championship (WLAC) in 2023.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for French-Style Blends

For fans of Aix Coffee’s French-inspired blends, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Classic Blend—a well-rounded espresso with notes of dark chocolate, dried cherry, and a hint of caramel. For a brighter option, the Ethiopia Huakui offers floral and citrus complexity ideal for milk drinks, while the Black Cocoa Blend delivers deep cocoa and roasted nut tones that echo traditional French café profiles. All beans are freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.