7 quality-approved cafes for casual gatherings with friends

Step into Café A to find yourself in a gorgeous venue decked out with elaborate decor like grand crystal chandeliers, engraved golden decorations, and intricate marble flooring. Here, you can expect to enjoy shareable plates like Thai-style pomelo and prawn salad, grilled US prime rib-eye steak with red wine reduction, and desserts like jasmine crème brûlée. For healthy yet flavourful beverage options, don’t forget to try Café A’s freshly blended juices like Vibrant Green made with cucumber and green apple, or Vital Blend made with raspberry and watermelon.

Lobby Floor, Hotel Alexandra, 32 City Garden Road, North Point, 3893 2868

Grab your friends and swing by Café Joo on your next hangout. Located in New Town Plaza in Sha Tin, this minimalist cafe has wooden fixtures and large floor-to-ceiling windows that let in plenty of natural sunlight, creating a laid-back vibe for you to relax in. When it comes to Café Joo’s offerings, diners can expect to dig into casual and creative Korean bites created by celebrity chef Ken Lau, such as deep-fried kimbap, juicy fried chicken, Jeju stir-fried octopus in squid ink sauce, and more. The cherry on top is that you can bring your furry friends and dine at Café Joo’s outdoor terrace, and even order pet-friendly treats for them to enjoy!

Shop 165, Level 1, New Town Plaza Phase 1, 18 Sha Tin Centre Street, Sha Tin, 2882 8323

Stretch your legs at Dazzling Cafe after wandering around Tsim Sha Tsui. This cafe has plenty of seating areas throughout its venue, including outdoor tables that allow diners to people-watch, cosy sofa seats, and relaxing booths next to large windows. They offer a wide array of delectable dishes such as katsu sandwiches, Taiwanese-style set meals, and creamy mentaiko pasta, while dessert lovers will delight in Dazzling Cafe’s honey toast and fluffy waffles topped with fresh fruit and ice cream.

Shop L322, The One, 100 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2312 6099

If you’re looking to enjoy a relaxing meal away from the hustle and bustle, visit iBakery Gallery Cafe, just a stone’s throw from Tamar Park. Step inside to dine in a cosy atmosphere, or grab a seat outside for a breezy al fresco experience. Flick through iBakery’s menu to find a variety of Eastern and Western dishes, including an all-day green breakfast, spaghetti with mixed mushrooms in black truffle cream sauce, stuffed sole and crab roll with polenta, and Thai-style beancurd with pomelo salad, among many others. For those with a sweet tooth, don’t miss out on the cafe’s signature Kyoto matcha pound cake for dessert – it’s the perfect way to end your meal. 

Tamar Cafe at Tamar Park, Admiralty, 2352 2700

If you’re looking to enjoy fuss-free bites while enjoying coffee with your friends, Japanese cafe chain KOMEDA'S Coffee is a great option. This eatery has a kissaten-inspired (old-school Japanese-style coffee shop) interior with brick and wood elements, plush velvet couches, and colourful accent lamps. In the mornings, KOMEDA'S offers a complimentary slice of toast – served with sides like boiled eggs, egg salad, or red bean puree – to all customers who order a drink. Want to pair your coffee with something sweet? Try KOMEDA'S signature dessert, Ice and Fire, a fluffy loaf of homemade Danish bread topped with milk-flavoured ice cream and drizzled with syrup.

Find out the shop locations here.

Beat the crowds and chill out at Madera Cafe in Shau Kei Wan. Enjoy some people-watching from their large floor-to-ceiling windows or snap a photo by their decorative LED light wall. Menu highlights at Madera Cafe include open-faced sandwiches topped with guacamole and smoked chicken, hearty all-day breakfast plates, as well as dessert options like mini croffles with red beans and matcha ice cream, or black sesame waffles with tofu ice cream. Don’t forget to order their coffee and gourmet tea options, or try Madera Cafe’s specialty beverages like bamboo charcoal black sesame latte. 

G/F, Le Riviera, 23 Shau Kei Wan Main Street East, Shau Kei Wan, 9454 3561

Relax and indulge in premium matcha at nana’s green tea, one of Japan’s leading matcha concept cafe chains. This green tea specialist has a mix of comfortable seating options for guests and can accommodate groups of various sizes. Try their variety of high-quality green tea beverages and desserts, such as matcha warabimochi parfait, hojicha nama chocolate parfait and silky soft serve ice cream, as well as savoury dishes like soy milk dandan udon and chicken karaage curry.

Find out the shop locations here.