How Café Corridor Became Hong Kong’s First Standout Specialty Café

In the early 2010s, if you wanted a proper cup of specialty coffee in Hong Kong, your options were slim. Most cafés served mass-market blends or poorly extracted espresso. But tucked away down a narrow passageway—just ten steps from a side door in a commercial building opposite Times Square in Causeway Bay—lay Café Corridor, a tiny, hidden gem that quietly changed the game.

Café Corridor, opened around a decade ago by Felix Wong after he trained in Australia, is widely considered Hong Kong’s first-generation independent café with true specialty coffee standards. Though it closed due to rising rents, Felix reopened it years later on the original site after rental prices dropped, keeping the same name and commitment to quality. Alongside the revival, he co-founded Barista Academy with El Au to teach professional brewing techniques and grow local coffee knowledge.

The Origins of Café Corridor

Café Corridor emerged in the late 2000s or early 2010s inside a nondescript business building in Causeway Bay, directly across from Times Square. Its entrance was nothing more than a narrow doorway on the ground floor, leading into a short corridor just over ten steps long. Beyond that lay a small, secretive coffee shop run by Felix Wong , who had returned to Hong Kong after studying coffee preparation in Australia. His hands-on training abroad informed the precise, quality-focused approach he brought to his own shop.

Why Café Corridor Mattered

At a time when specialty coffee culture was still nascent in Hong Kong, Café Corridor stood out. It wasn’t just serving filtered coffee or standard espresso—it offered a refined, Australian-influenced coffee experience with proper technique and fresh beans. The intimate setting and focus on craft made it a pioneer, earning it recognition as one of the city’s first truly independent, quality-driven cafés. When it eventually closed due to a rent hike, the coffee community felt a tangible loss.

The Comeback and the Academy

After the original closure, Felix didn’t walk away from coffee. When rental prices in the area became more favourable again, he reclaimed the same location and reopened Café Corridor under the same name, with the same dedication to brewing excellence. Alongside the relaunch, Felix partnered with El Au to establish Barista Academy, a dedicated space for teaching barista skills and spreading coffee knowledge. Their goal: to elevate local brewing standards and help more people understand what makes specialty coffee special.

Where to Find Café Corridor and Barista Academy Today

You’ll now find the reborn Café Corridor and Barista Academy at:

• Address: Room 20, 6/F, Success Industrial Centre, 15-17 Shing Yip Street, Kwun Tong, Kowloon
• Phone: 3755 0183
• Website: baristaacademy.hk

The original spirit of Café Corridor lives on—in both the reopened café and the educational mission of the academy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was special about Café Corridor when it first opened?

Café Corridor was among Hong Kong’s first independent cafés to offer true specialty coffee, with a focus on quality brewing techniques learned from Australia. Its small, hidden location and carefully prepared coffee set new standards before specialty coffee became mainstream in the city.

Why did Café Corridor close originally?

The original Café Corridor shut down due to a significant rent increase from the building’s owner, which made it financially unsustainable to continue operating in that location under the same model.

Where is the new Café Corridor located?

The reopened Café Corridor is back at its original location in Causeway Bay, just a short walk from Times Square. It’s tucked away down the same narrow corridor that once led to the original shop.

What is Barista Academy, and who runs it?

Barista Academy is a coffee education initiative co-founded by Felix Wong and El Au. It offers barista training and aims to promote better coffee knowledge and brewing skills across Hong Kong.

Does the new Café Corridor serve the same style of coffee as before?

Yes—the new Café Corridor maintains the same commitment to quality and brewing standards that made the original shop a standout. Felix continues to focus on proper technique and high-quality coffee.

How can I learn more or get involved with the academy?

You can visit the official website at baristaacademy.hk or call 3755 0183 for more information about courses, workshops, and how to get involved in Barista Academy’s coffee education programs.

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