The First Coffee Shops in Chongqing

You might assume coffee has always been part of Chongqing life—but for much of the city’s past, it was a rare, imported curiosity. Before local cafes made it accessible, most people only encountered coffee in elite circles or through foreigners. So where, exactly, did the first public coffee spots appear in Chongqing, and how did they shape the city’s early coffee culture?

The first well-known coffee-serving venues in Chongqing opened in the late 1920s: (Zhangqiu Western Restaurant) and (Qichun Western Restaurant), both located in what is now People’s Park (then Zhongshan Park). These were the city’s earliest public places where ordinary residents could try coffee alongside Western food and drinks.

The Early Western-Style Restaurants

According to Niu Weng, a veteran Chongqing poet and former head of the Chongqing Journalists Association, the city’s coffee journey began in the late 1920s. Two pioneering Western restaurants—Zhangqiu and Qichun—opened inside Zhongshan Park (today’s People’s Park). They served similar menus: Western meals, pastries, coffee, and cold drinks. But Qichun stood out by focusing primarily on Western food and coffee, while also operating a bathhouse called Qichun Baths. Though frequented mainly by wealthier patrons, these spots introduced coffee to a broader audience.

A Cooling Café Culture in a Hot City

Chongqing’s famously hot summers made these cafes especially appealing. Locals escaping the summer heat would visit Qichun or Zhangqiu for a cup of aromatic coffee—often followed by a refreshing soak in the bathhouse. While most customers were well-off regulars, the idea of “drinking coffee and eating Western food” became a trendy, aspirational activity, drawing steady crowds despite the high prices.

Cafes in the Bustling Commercial Districts

In the early 1930s, as areas like Taipingmen, Tai’anmen, Baixiang Street, and Shangyechang grew into Chongqing’s commercial hubs, more cafes appeared. The Shanghai-Chongqing joint venture (Sullivan Western Restaurant) opened right next to Zhongshan Park’s main gate, capitalizing on the prime location. Around the same time, a Russian expatriate woman launched (Daji Café) in Shangxianqiao, a neighborhood in the city’s upper half. These venues brought more variety and visibility to coffee culture in Chongqing.

Coffee Versus Tea: A Cultural Mix

Coffee—made from roasted seeds of a small evergreen tree—offered a strong, fragrant brew quite different from the dark, thick (Tuo tea) locals traditionally drank from covered bowls. While Western-style meals (eaten with knives and forks) and coffee were foreign imports, many Chongqing residents still preferred their long-standing tea customs. This created a fascinating contrast between modern café trends and traditional local habits.

Coffee During Wartime

During the Sino-Japanese War, Chongqing became China’s wartime capital, transforming from an inland city into an international metropolis. The population boomed, and teahouses multiplied—yet coffee maintained its unique appeal as a foreign novelty. In 1939, after heavy bombing raids destroyed parts of the city, including the bustling Youbu Street, the once-popular Daji Café struggled to survive.

The Birth of (Xinxin Café)

Two brothers, Tian Changsong and Tian Changbo, saw an opportunity. They took over Daji Café from its Russian owner, renovated the space, and reopened it as (Xinxin Café). Their revitalized cafe went on to become a prominent fixture in wartime Chongqing—but the full story of why Xinxin Café succeeded where others faltered is still unfolding.

Frequently Asked Questions

What were the first coffee shops in Chongqing?

The first known public coffee-serving venues in Chongqing were (Zhangqiu Western Restaurant) and (Qichun Western Restaurant), both established in the late 1920s inside what is now People’s Park (formerly Zhongshan Park). These were the earliest spots where ordinary people could access coffee alongside Western food.

Where were these early coffee spots located?

Zhangqiu and Qichun were both located in Zhongshan Park (now People’s Park) in Chongqing. Later, (Sullivan Western Restaurant) opened near the park’s main gate, and (Daji Café) was located in Shangxianqiao, a district in the city’s upper half.

Why did coffee become popular in Chongqing during the 1920s–30s?

Coffee gained attention as Western-style restaurants introduced it alongside meals and drinks. During Chongqing’s hot summers, cafes like Qichun offered a cool respite, with coffee and baths attracting both wealthy regulars and curious newcomers, even if it wasn’t yet mainstream.

What happened to Daji Café after the bombings in 1939?

Daji Café, a Russian-run coffee spot, suffered damage during the heavy bombings in 1939 and struggled to continue. It was later taken over by two Chinese brothers, who renamed it (Xinxin Café) and relaunched it as a more successful venture.

Was coffee widely consumed by all Chongqing residents back then?

No, coffee was initially a luxury enjoyed mostly by wealthier patrons. Most locals still preferred traditional (Tuo tea) served in covered bowls. Coffee was seen as a fashionable, Western import, not yet a daily habit for the general population.

How did Western food influence coffee culture in Chongqing?

Western-style restaurants serving coffee along with meals and pastries helped introduce the drink to Chongqing. Eating with knives and forks and drinking coffee became a symbol of sophistication, even as traditional tea culture remained dominant among locals.