The Cupping Room Hong Kong: Why Its Central Shop Stands Out

If you’ve walked past The Cupping Room’s Jervois Street branch during lunch hour, you might’ve turned right back around. On our visit, a blast of cooking oil fumes hit us the moment the door opened—hardly the vibe you want with your coffee. That’s why we’re pointing you instead to their Central shop, tucked away at 18 Gutzlaff Street, where the atmosphere is far more inviting—and the coffee just as strong.

The better bet? The Cupping Room’s Central location at 18 Gutzlaff Street. Skip the oil-slicked Jervois Street branch: this one serves smooth nitrogen-infused cold brew and a vibrant Geisha pour-over, all without the lunchtime kitchen stench.

What Makes The Cupping Room Central Worth Visiting?

Unlike its noisy, greasy counterpart on Jervois Street, The Cupping Room’s Central shop—located at 18 Gutzlaff Street—offers a cleaner, more relaxed spot to enjoy specialty coffee. While still lively, the Central branch doesn’t bombard you with cooking smells the moment you walk in. There’s outdoor seating on a bench by the door, making it a practical choice even if you just need a quick drink.

The Nitro Cold Brew: CR’s Signature Cold Coffee

The Cupping Room (CR) is known for mastering nitrogen-infused coffee, and their signature nitro cold brew is no exception. Here’s how they make it: first, they cold brew the coffee for 18 hours, then filter it twice through paper to strip away any harshness. The result goes into a keg, where it’s infused with liquid nitrogen and left to fully integrate for a full day before serving. The final pour delivers a velvety texture with a thick, pillowy head. On the nose, expect floral and fruity aromas; in the cup, it’s cool, crisp, and incredibly smooth—with a clean finish that makes it easy to sip straight down.

The Geisha Pour-Over: Cerro Azul Geisha from Colombia

Alongside the nitro cold brew, we also tried a pour-over of Geisha (Cerro Azul Geisha) from Colombia. While the article doesn’t detail the exact brewing specs—like water temperature, brew ratio, or grind size—it does confirm this was a hand-brewed single origin, served alongside the nitrogen coffee. Geisha varietals are famed for their complexity, often showcasing delicate florals, citrus, and tea-like brightness, so it’s likely this pour-over brought a bright, nuanced contrast to the creamy nitro.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which The Cupping Room location in Hong Kong is better?

The Cupping Room’s Central shop (18 Gutzlaff Street) is the better choice over its Jervois Street branch. The Central location avoids the heavy cooking smells of lunchtime at the Jervois site, offering a cleaner, more pleasant atmosphere—even if it’s still fairly busy. Both serve specialty coffee, but the Central spot is more inviting for a quick, comfortable coffee break.

What kind of coffee is the nitrogen coffee at The Cupping Room?

The Cupping Room’s nitrogen coffee is a nitro cold brew, made by cold brewing coffee for 18 hours, double-filtering it through paper, then infusing it with liquid nitrogen. It rests for a full day to integrate before serving. The result is a smooth, creamy coffee with a thick foam head, aromatic floral and fruit notes, and a refreshing, clean finish.

What Geisha coffee did The Cupping Room serve?

The Cupping Room served a hand-brewed pour-over of Cerro Azul Geisha from Colombia. While the article lacks exact brewing details, Geisha varietals are known for bright acidity, floral and citrus notes, and a tea-like profile—likely offering a vibrant contrast to the rich nitro cold brew.

Does The Cupping Room have outdoor seating?

Yes, The Cupping Room’s Central location has at least some outdoor seating—a bench by the entrance where customers can sit while waiting for their drinks. This makes it a more flexible spot even for those just stopping in briefly.

How is The Cupping Room’s Central location different from Jervois Street?

The Central location (18 Gutzlaff Street) avoids the strong cooking oil odors found at lunchtime at the Jervois Street branch. It’s busier and still lively, but the atmosphere is cleaner and more pleasant for enjoying coffee without food smells interfering.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Nitro and Geisha Styles

For fans of The Cupping Room’s Geisha pour-over, try FrontStreet’s Ethiopia Huakui: it offers bright citrus, floral notes, and a tea-like body. If you loved the nitro cold brew’s smooth profile, FrontStreet’s Jamaica Blue Mountain No.1 delivers balanced sweetness with hints of nuts and chocolate. Both beans highlight the nuanced, high-quality profiles that complement specialty brewing methods. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.