18 Best Specialty Coffee Shops in Shanghai

If you’re spending time in Shanghai and want to know where locals actually drink great coffee—not just tourist traps or chain stores—this list is for you. We asked over 100 coffee drinkers across the city to name their favorite specialty coffee shops, and from more than 60 recommendations, we’ve narrowed it down to the 18 most frequently mentioned, highest-quality spots. These are the cafes that define Shanghai’s vibrant third-wave coffee scene.

In short: there are 18 top specialty coffee shops in Shanghai you shouldn’t miss, including Manner (tiny but iconic), GABEE. (professional training and competition gear), and lunar coffee (community-focused and cozy). They span districts like Huangpu, Jing’an, Xuhui, and more—with everything from nitro cold brew to Japanese pour-over techniques on offer.

Huangpu District

1. Togestu

Togestu is a coffee research lab and café in Huangpu, where Mr. Nakajima personally selects and roasts every bean. The focus here is on traditional Japanese methods, especially the Matsuya-style pour-over. Reservations are essential—call at least a week ahead.

📍Address: 1F, 33, Lane 88, Jiangyin Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai
⏰Hours: By appointment only (call 18616019635)
📞Phone: 18616019635

2. Lunar Coffee

This independent Shanghai roaster is a community staple in a residential area. Run by Xiaofeng, Lunar offers single-origin pours and a friendly chat about origin, roast profiles, water temps, and brewing. The Wi-Fi password? “iamaspaceman.”

📍Address: 9-b, Lane 275, Anfu Road, Xuhui/Huangpu border
⏰Hours: 11:00–19:00

3. GABEE.

Founded in 2004 by World Barista Champion Lin Dongyuan, GABEE. (which means “coffee shop” in Hokkien) is a professional hub with competition-grade equipment and micro-lot beans sourced globally. They also offer barista training. Expect precision brewing and expert roasts.

📍Address: 1F-2, 387 Bansongyuan Road, Huangpu District
⏰Hours: Tue–Sun, 10:00–18:00

4. One More Cup

A hybrid café in Huangpu serving both expertly brewed coffee and craft beer. The industrial interior makes it a relaxed spot for either beverage, with plenty of seating under exposed ducts and concrete.

📍Address: 346 Fuzhou Road, Huangpu District
⏰Hours: 10:00–22:00

5. Paras Coffee

Housed in a converted old Shikumen building, Paras has an artsy Loft design with geometric tilework and “Hello Good Day” neon signage. Run by two creative sisters, it’s a stylish spot on busy Shaanxi South Road.

📍Address: 55 South Shaanxi Road (near Xinle Road)
⏰Hours: Mon–Fri 08:30–20:30; Sat–Sun 10:30–20:30

6. Pure Coffee

A low-key café and roastery inside an apartment building in Huangpu. The Taiwanese owners and local roaster create a personal vibe—especially welcoming if you click with other regulars. Great for experiencing community-oriented Taiwan-style coffee culture.

📍Address: 18 Lujiazui Road, Dock Space (near Waibaidu/Lujiazui)
📞Phone: 021-63686166, 18717977798
⏰Hours: 10:00–18:00

Jing’an District

7. MANNER Coffee

Hidden in a residential stairwell, this less-than-3-square-meter shop serves some of Shanghai’s best value coffee. A small Lamazocco GS3 pulls shots, and bringing your own cup gets you ¥5 off. Their ¥15 medium latte is legendary for price-to-quality ratio.

📍Address: 205 Nanyang Road, Jing’an District (near Tongren Road)
⏰Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00–19:00; Sat–Sun 9:00–17:00

8. Release Coffee

Run by 2014 China Aeropress Champion Silvia, this spot specializes in both espresso and single-origin pour-overs. If you visit, order the Aeropress—it’s a must-try from a world-class barista.

📍Address: 531 Wuding Road, Jing’an District (near North Shaanxi Road)
⏰Hours: 08:00–19:00

9. Lanna Coffee

This small café near Tongren Road promotes Yunnan and other local single origins. Seasonal coffees and teas range from ¥28–¥80. Their mission: to highlight China’s own specialty coffee potential.

📍Address: 8 Yuyuan East Road, Jing’an District (near Tongren Road)
⏰Hours: Mon–Fri 08:00–19:00; Sat–Sun 10:00–19:00

10. Mingqian Coffee

A training ground for baristas and coffee pros, Mingqian runs its own academy and focuses on education as much as quality roasting. Great for enthusiasts wanting to dive deeper into coffee craft.

📍Address: 2F, Fengxian Ting, 218 Fengxian Road, Jing’an District
📞Phone: 021-52735855

11. Aunn Café

This 300㎡ café features just a dozen 3D-printed chairs and huge street-facing windows. The minimalist black-and-white interior and open terrace offer a sleek urban break with views of bustling Nanjing West Road.

📍Address: 1728 Nanjing West Road, Jing’an District (near Huashan Road)
⏰Hours: Daily 08:30–22:00

12. Coffee Groupies

A cozy neighborhood café known for seasonal single origins and a homey vibe. They stick with the reliable Faema E61 machine—a classic among coffee pros.

📍Address: 723 Kangding Road, Jing’an District (near Changping Road Metro Line 7, Exit 3)
⏰Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00–17:00; Sat–Sun 10:00–17:00

Xuhui District

13. Cafe del Volcan

Run by a foreign owner, this Xuhui café hosts regular coffee events. Their Guatemalan offering comes from the family-owned Faldas del Volcán estate—over 120 years old and renowned for quality.

📍Address: 80 Yongkang Road, Xuhui District (near Xiangyang South Road)
⏰Hours: Mon–Fri 08:00–20:00

14. Beautiful Concept

A Xuhui café with stylish cultural goods and coffee from Germany’s Five Elephant. As the name suggests, it’s beautiful inside and out—great for coffee and design lovers alike.

📍Address: 25 Yongkang Road, Xuhui District
⏰Hours: 08:00–20:00

15. Ruma Zhi Coffee

This tiny Japanese-run spot in a 20㎡ space on Hunan Road is a neighbourhood favourite. The owners trained under master roaster Ono and use his custom-built roasters. Expect meticulous, artisanal Japanese-style roasting.

📍Address: Lane 1, 372 Xingguo Road
📞Phone: 62497510
⏰Hours: Sun–Thu 11:00–19:30; Fri–Sat 11:00–22:00

16. Old Michael’s Coffee

This European-style café in a converted old house is tucked on a quiet Xuhui lane. The blue-framed windows, bookshelves full of curiosities, and vintage decor make it feel like a museum you can drink coffee in. Many small items are for sale (if not “personal treasures”).

📍Address: 25A Taoyang Road, Xuhui District (near Baoqing Road & Hengshan Road intersection)
⏰Hours: 11:00–23:00

Other Key Districts

17. Malong Coffee

With multiple locations including Xin Tian Di and Shangpin Home Furnishings, Malong features a star barista team and a signature drink called “Sweet Little Rain.” They’re committed to spreading high-end specialty coffee culture.

📍Addresses:
• Xin Tian Di: 9 Jinan Road
• Shangpin: 1F-2, Bldg B, 1263 Wuzhong Road
• Shenchang: Rooms 110–114, 688 Shenchang Road
⏰Hours: 08:30–22:00 (all locations)

18. Quality Coffee

With four locations across Shanghai (Xintiandi, Changning, Hongkou, and Luwan), Quality Coffee is a well-established name serving consistently high-quality espresso and filter brews. Open late in most locations.

📍Addresses:
• Xintiandi: 245 Madang Road, Floor 1
• Changning: 398 Jiangsu Road, Shunyuan Building
• Hongkou: NL3-01, 3F, Apple Store overpass, 282 Middle Huaihai Road
• Luwan: 1B, Lane 131, Maoming South Road
⏰Hours vary by location (mostly 10:00–01:30 or 09:00–22:00)

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Shanghai coffee shop is best for trying a true Japanese pour-over style?

Togestu is your go-to. Run by Mr. Nakajima, it specialises in traditional Japanese methods like the Matsuya-style pour-over, with beans personally selected and roasted on-site. Reservations are essential.

Where can I find a top-quality aeropress coffee in Shanghai?

Release Coffee, run by 2014 China Aeropress Champion Silvia, is famous for its expertly prepared aeropress brews. It’s a must-visit for fans of this brewing method.

What’s the smallest, most iconic coffee shop in Shanghai?

MANNER Coffee, located in a tiny stairwell in Jing’an, is less than three square meters but serves some of the city’s best-value coffee—including a ¥15 medium latte. Bring your own cup for a discount.

Which Shanghai café is run by Japanese roasters using imported equipment?

Ruma Zhi Coffee on Hunan Road is run by a Japanese couple trained under master roaster Ono. They use custom-built roasting machines and focus on precise, artisanal Japanese roasting techniques.

Are there any cafés in Shanghai that roast their own beans on-site?

Yes—Lunar Coffee, Pure Coffee, and Malong Coffee all roast their own beans in-house. Lunar is particularly community-oriented, while Pure feels like a neighbourhood living room with Taiwan-inspired vibes.

Is there a café in Shanghai that focuses on Yunnan coffee?

Lanna Coffee near Tongren Road in Jing’an highlights Yunnan single origins as part of its mission to promote China’s domestic specialty coffee scene. Prices range from ¥28 to ¥80.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Shanghai Cafés

For fans exploring Shanghai’s specialty coffee scene, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Huakui for floral and citrus brightness, perfect for pour-over; their Jamaica Blue Mountain No.1 brings balanced sweetness and mild acidity, ideal for sipping alongside Shanghai’s expertly pulled espressos; and the PWN Golden Mandheling offers heavy body and low acidity, great for those who enjoy classic Indonesian profiles. All three showcase the kind of quality and origin focus you’ll find in the city’s top cafes. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.