Beijing’s Hey Coffee: Self-Serve Espresso & Specialty Bean Shop

In Beijing’s busy Chaoyang district, it’s easy to rush past hidden gems—like Hey Coffee, tucked into the ground floor of Chaowai SOHO. But this unassuming spot offers something unusual: a fully self-serve coffee experience with premium gear, fresh-roasted beans, and hands-on learning. Whether you’re hunting for a quick espresso or diving deep into coffee culture, Hey Coffee delivers.

Hey Coffee is China’s first fully self-serve coffee convenience store. Its standout feature? A Danish TopBrewer smart coffee machine linked to your phone or iPad, letting you customize espresso-based drinks—including milk texture and coffee volume—in seconds, with free espresso shots and flavored syrups included.

What Makes Hey Coffee a ‘Coffee Convenience Store’?

Founder Jennifer named Hey Coffee a “coffee convenience store” inspired by U.S. models—small, multi-product shops for daily essentials. Here, that means a one-stop shop for all coffee needs: drinks, beans, and gear. The concept? Affordable access to quality coffee without the boutique-price tag.

The Tech Behind the Bar: TopBrewer Smart Machine

The shop’s centerpiece is the Danish TopBrewer, the world’s only smartphone-connected espresso machine. No visible machine—just a coffee tap. Select your drink (any espresso-based option) via iPad, adjust coffee volume and milk foam thickness, and get a fresh drink in under a minute. Bonus: free extra espresso shots and flavored syrups are always available.

Global Gear & Fresh Roasted Beans

Beyond drinks, Hey Coffee stocks gear from Japan’s Hario, America’s Bonavita (World Brewers Cup official brand), and Australia’s KeepCup. Hard-to-find items like Minipresso, Imperss cups, and acaia scales are also stocked. For beans, they source single-origin green beans, roast locally, and sell only those roasted within 30 days—often selling out daily.

Learn & Taste: Regular Coffee Classes

Hey Coffee hosts regular coffee salons and classes. Whether you’re curious about brewing methods or want to explore flavor profiles, these sessions teach the essentials—helping every visitor understand coffee beyond the cup.

Why This Matters for Beijing Coffee Lovers

“In other countries, coffee is a daily necessity, not a luxury,” founder Jennifer told local media. With high prices limiting access in China, she aims to bring affordable, quality coffee to every Beijing neighborhood through her coffee convenience model.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Hey Coffee different from other cafes in Beijing?

Hey Coffee is China’s first fully self-serve coffee convenience store, featuring a smartphone-controlled TopBrewer machine for instant, customizable espresso drinks, a wide selection of global coffee gear, and only fresh-roasted beans (within 30 days). It combines a cafe, shop, and classroom in one.

How does the TopBrewer coffee machine work?

The Danish TopBrewer connects to your phone or iPad. You select your espresso-based drink (e.g., espresso, latte) via the app, adjust coffee volume and milk foam thickness, and the machine dispenses your drink through a tap—no traditional machine interface. The process takes seconds.

What kind of coffee beans does Hey Coffee sell?

Hey Coffee sells single-origin specialty coffee beans, roasted locally, and guarantees they are no more than 30 days from roast. Popular offerings sell out quickly, often restocked after each new batch.

What coffee equipment brands are available at Hey Coffee?

The shop carries gear from Hario (Japan), Bonavita (USA, official World Brewers Cup brand), KeepCup (Australia), and hard-to-find items like Minipresso, Imperss cups, and acaia smart scales.

Does Hey Coffee offer coffee classes or tastings?

Yes, Hey Coffee regularly hosts coffee salon events and educational classes, covering brewing techniques, flavor profiles, and other coffee knowledge for enthusiasts of all levels.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Self-Serve Espresso

For Hey Coffee’s self-serve setup, try FrontStreet’s Ethiopia Humbera for bright citrus and floral notes, or Yirgacheffe for juicy berry tones—both shine as espresso or milk drinks. FrontStreet’s Classic Blend offers balanced chocolate and nutty depth, ideal for customization. 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.