Starbucks Releases Photography Book Highlighting 20 Iconic Cafés

If you’ve ever wondered which Starbucks stores truly stand out—beyond the chain’s familiar green signage—you’re not alone. With over a thousand locations between Taiwan and Shanghai, pinpointing the most architecturally unique or culturally resonant cafés isn’t easy. That’s exactly the question Starbucks set out to answer with a carefully curated new release.

In October 2015, Starbucks launched a photography book titled "Meeting at the Other Side – Coffee and Beautiful Moments: Zhang Xuepao’s Travel Photo Journal 2015". Priced at NT$399, the book spotlights 20 standout cafés—10 in Taiwan and 10 in Shanghai—selected from over 1,000 outlets. It presents their character through vivid imagery and stories, divided into daytime and nighttime volumes.

Why This Book Exists: Starbucks’ 17th Anniversary Celebration

2015 marked Starbucks’ 17th year in Taiwan. Over the years, the company had released various publications to express its brand ethos. In 2013 (15th anniversary), it published "The Starbucks Secrets You Don’t Know", an A-to-Z collection of behind-the-scenes stories. The following year (2014), it teamed up with local celebrity chefs for "Coffee Pairings: Starbucks Coffee & Gourmet Moments", blending coffee with creative food pairings. For its 17th, Starbucks chose a more visual and collaborative route: a cross-strait photography project.

The Creative Vision: Zhang Xuepao’s Lens on Coffee Culture

The book was crafted in collaboration with Zhang Xuepao, a local photographer recognized internationally. Zhang won awards at the 2010 Paris PX3 International Photography Competition and the US IPA International Photography Awards. Known for his distinctive travel-themed visual style, he shot the selected cafés during both day and night, capturing their atmosphere through a journey-like narrative. His work appears in both the daytime and nighttime volumes, documenting each location’s charm without overt branding.

Curated Cafés: 20 Locations with Character

From a pool of over 356 themed outlets in Taiwan and more in Shanghai, Starbucks chose 20 cafés that represent local architecture, cultural significance, or transformation of heritage spaces. In Taiwan, featured stores include:

• HanZhong Store
• Yi14 Store
• Huwei Store
• Bao’an Store
• Neihu Minquan Store
• Xinzhu North Store
• Yongkang Zhongzheng Store
• Lukang Store
• Longmen Store
• Riverfront Store (overlooking Tamsui)

Shanghai contributed another 10 distinctive cafés, each reflecting local cultural elements. All 20 were chosen to reflect how Starbucks adapts its design approach based on location, building structure, and environment. Many of the Taiwanese outlets are housed in repurposed historical buildings, turning them into modern café examples.

Book Structure and Production

The project took a full year of planning and discussion. The final product is divided into two volumes—one for daytime, one for nighttime—each showcasing the selected cafés through Zhang Xuepao’s lens and storytelling. The layout emphasizes the visual narrative over text, letting the images and atmospheric details communicate each café’s identity. The two-volume format allows readers to experience the cafés in different lighting and moods.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Starbucks photography book released in 2015?

The 2015 Starbucks photography book is titled "Meeting at the Other Side – Coffee and Beautiful Moments: Zhang Xuepao’s Travel Photo Journal 2015". It features 20 uniquely designed cafés in Taiwan and Shanghai, captured through the lens of photographer Zhang Xuepao. The book is divided into daytime and nighttime volumes and highlights architectural and cultural aspects of each location.

How many cafés are featured in the Starbucks photography book?

The Starbucks photography book features a total of 20 cafés—10 from Taiwan and 10 from Shanghai. These were selected from over 1,000 Starbucks locations across both regions, focusing on those with distinctive design or cultural value.

Who is the photographer behind the Starbucks 2015 photo book?

The photographer behind the Starbucks 2015 photo book is Zhang Xuepao. He is a locally recognized talent who has won international awards, including honors at the 2010 Paris PX3 International Photography Competition and the US IPA International Photography Awards.

What makes the selected cafés in the book special?

The selected cafés are chosen for their unique architecture, cultural relevance, or transformation of historical buildings. Many are housed in repurposed old structures across Taiwan, while Shanghai’s selections highlight local cultural elements. Each represents a distinctive Starbucks design approach based on its environment.

When was the Starbucks photography book released?

The Starbucks photography book "Meeting at the Other Side – Coffee and Beautiful Moments" was released on October 24, 2015, to celebrate the brand’s 17th anniversary in Taiwan.

How much does the Starbucks photo journal cost?

The Starbucks photography book costs NT$399. It was made available starting October 24, 2015, and is sold through Starbucks channels in Taiwan.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Café Photography Inspiration

For coffee enthusiasts inspired by themed cafés, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera—a bright Ethiopian single origin with jasmine and bergamot notes—or the Yirgacheffe, offering citrus and stone fruit brightness. Both shine in bright café settings and pair well with the aesthetic focus of specialty retail spaces. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.