[c1000]

I know how you feel, you go to the coffeeshop wanting a change of environment and a place to read. You go all the way there only to find it so damn packed. I wonder if these places could break-even if this wasn't the case. I used to like the upstairs section at the Pacific Coffee opposite the Hopewell Centre, but within a few months the word had gotten out and now it's always full of kids doing homework. I once went to the Charlie Brown Cafe in TST and it was fairly empty on a weekday. But it was quite full when I returned during the weekend. I suppose you'd have to outspend the competition and head to hotel coffeeshops (the Intercontinental lobby cafe is very nice) if you really want serenity. Also, as an alternative to coffeeshops, most bars are quite empty in the day time.

[Alby]

First Cup Coffee
45-51 Chatham Rd
TST East
tel: 2316 7793

Independently owned too! They started on Lock Rd, then moved to Hankow Rd now its new location is Chatham Rd.

Can be busy at times but so can most good places in Hong Kong.

There is also Cova in Haborcity in TST - I typically go for afternoon tea but it can be pricey.

There is always Starbuck's on Knutsford Terrace (inside the Miramar Shopping Center in TST (Nathan Rd and Kimberly Rd) this seems to be a good one for reading and scanning the internet also. Oh and a new and relatively still quiet one has recently opened on Austin Rd just a few buildings away from busy Nathan Road - I have been there on weekends and weekdays the last 3 weeks still relatively quite.

[Sannomiya]

thanks for all these great suggestions. i haven't been able to check them all out (i'm in NT's), but they are definitely on my to see list.

lowlight: terrible eyesight, but no glasses. and i do have an apple, but these things are too heavy to lug around. besides, i'd rather read something on paper than from a monitor.

[agnesscope]

Hi there,
Same here. I used to think Pacific Coffee was a nice place for reading but as soon as it's been publicized, hundreds of locals go there and chat loudly and laugh. It's not my will to overhear them but they just speak so loud I can't really concentrate.

Anyway... once I found a very lovely place where you can grab a second-hand novel, classics or graphic design book to read and enjoy a cup of coffee (though not well well-brewed. I didn't try..) for the whole day. The shop is Book.Coffee' (or another way round? ), on 10 Park Road, just a 5-mins walk to HKU. It's a second-hand book shop but you can always enjoy coffee. It's run by a HKU undergraduate and not many locals know this bookshop. Last time I went there on Sunday afternoon and there were only two other customers reading. It's a small bookshop but once I got in, the aroma of books hooked me. I stayed and read for more than 3 hours and nobody disturbed me AT ALL!!

I'm not sure if it's very busy during weekdays but you can surely try this. It's very quiet during weekend.

Hope it helps~

Agnes

Originally Posted by Sannomiya

hi. can anyone recommend a coffee shop or sth similar where one can sit and enjoy a quiet read or study? i'm from the seattle area and so for the closest place i found was the pacific coffee next to the avenue of the stars. unfortunately, it is still crazy on the weekends, a pain to get to (coming from tsuen wan), and got my phone stolen

anyways, not sure if such a place exists in hk with all its crowds, but thought i throw the question out there. thanks!

[discobay]

Originally Posted by lowlight

I never understood the need for people to 'study' and 'work' at coffee shops... Usually these people have the fanciest notebooks (Apple, of course) and wear glasses with the thickest rims... I just don't get it!

That reminds me... LOL

So so true.
Any recommendations for rustic barebones coffee shops?

[jayinhongkong]

Coffee Book on Park Road is really close to where I live. It's a cool little place. The selection of books is great, as are the prices, but the lease will be up soon. I need to get over there! I have tons of books lying around though.

[john mac]

Hi Sannomiya
Tsuen wan is not a mecca for coffee shops. But...there is a Starbucks opening in Discovery Park, it might be quiet Mon to Thurs. Not sure how big it is yet. There is a Pcc in the Shopping centre in Kwai fong...near the mtr...it is ok. Mongkok has a lot of small cafes that are good to chill out in, but i have only been during the week. Mainly in Dundas Street, clustered into one or two buildings. Try the cafe and bar in the Empire Hotel in Kimberley, nice atmosphere. After School Cafe in Yun Ping Rd in Causewaybay is cool. Also try cafe next to Broadway Cinemateque, Yaumatei.......enjoy

[philosopherjohn]

"Joyce is Not Here "is a very unique cafe in Soho, on Peel Street just above Hollywood Road. Eclectic and awkward, filled with some of the most odd personalities in Hong Kong, but a good place to sit and work or study.