The Cupping Room Central: Hong Kong’s Award-Winning Specialty Café

If you’re hunting for one of Hong Kong’s best specialty coffee experiences—and you happen to be wandering the steep streets from Central up to Soho—there’s a strong chance you’ve already walked right past it. Tucked on the ground floor of 18 Gough Lane in Central, just above the Mid-Levels escalator and surrounded by design shops, indie bistros, and heritage tea houses, sits a café with serious pedigree: The Cupping Room (CR).

The short answer? If you're after a top-tier Hong Kong coffee experience led by a world-class barista, The Cupping Room Central—run by three-time Hong Kong Barista Championship winner Kapo—is a four-star pick. It’s more spacious and refined than its Soho sibling, and worth the walk up from Central.

Who Is Kapo and Why Does It Matter?

Kapo is the owner and head barista behind The Cupping Room. Over three consecutive years, he placed in the top three of the Hong Kong Barista Championship—earning one silver and two gold medals. In 2015, he took second place at the World Barista Championships representing Hong Kong. That level of competition success isn’t just rare locally—it’s internationally noteworthy, especially for a city once overlooked in the global specialty scene.

Where Is The Cupping Room Central and What’s the Vibe?

The Cupping Room Central is located at 18 Gough Lane, in the heart of Central, just steps from the famous Mid-Levels escalator. Compared to its Soho location, this Central branch offers a more expansive and refined environment. While we didn’t sample coffee on this visit, the atmosphere alone stands out: brighter, more open, and better suited for lingering over a pour-over or espresso. The surrounding area is packed with design boutiques, creative restaurants, historic tea houses like Lin Heung Tea House, and heritage gems—all within walking distance along the bustling yet charming incline of Hong Kong’s famous escalator system.

Why Visit The Cupping Room Central?

This is not your average Hong Kong café. The Cupping Room comes with serious credentials: championship-winning baristas, a reputation for precision in brewing, and a menu built around quality extraction and fresh single origins. Even if you’re not ordering coffee, the space itself is worth seeing. It’s a physical representation of Hong Kong’s growing reputation as a serious coffee city—not just a stopover hub.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Kapo and what are his coffee achievements?

Kapo is the owner of The Cupping Room and a highly awarded barista. He won one silver and two gold medals at the Hong Kong Barista Championship over three consecutive years, then represented Hong Kong at the 2015 World Barista Championship, where he placed second. His competition success adds credibility to the café’s focus on technical excellence.

Where exactly is The Cupping Room Central located?

The Cupping Room Central is located at 18 Gough Lane, in Central Hong Kong. It’s near the Mid-Levels escalator, surrounded by boutique shops, restaurants, and historic tea houses such as Lin Heung Tea House. The address is on the ground floor, easily accessible on foot from Central or via the escalator.

How does The Cupping Room Central compare to its Soho location?

According to the report, The Cupping Room Central has a better environment than the Soho branch—more spacious and refined. While the article doesn’t detail menu differences, the Central location is noted for its improved atmosphere, making it a preferable spot for those seeking a more relaxed or visually appealing coffee setting.

Is The Cupping Room Central worth visiting if I’m not ordering coffee?

Yes. Even if you’re not ordering coffee, the café’s clean, open design and prestigious background make it worth a visit. It reflects the quality and professionalism of Hong Kong’s specialty coffee movement, and the surrounding neighborhood is full of design, food, and cultural attractions worth exploring on foot.

What kind of coffee experience does The Cupping Room offer?

While the article doesn’t specify current offerings, The Cupping Room is known for precision brewing, single-origin focus, and a barista team trained to competition standards. Based on Kapo’s background, you can expect expertly extracted espresso, well-developed pour-overs, and a commitment to quality sourcing and technique.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Hong Kong-Style Cafés

For a cup reminiscent of what you’d expect at The Cupping Room, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Yirgacheffe—bright, floral, and juicy with citrus and stone fruit. Or go for the Kenya Little Tomato, known for its bold acidity and sweet berry complexity. Both are single origins that highlight precision brewing, much like the style championed by Kapo. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.