[Andrew W Scott]

Ok, went to First Cup in Prat Ave, Tsim Sha Tsui today based on dropdedfwed's recommendation above.

As a certified Melbourne coffee tragic my opinion is...........

YES! This is the best coffee in Hong Kong so far.

It beats Epoch (in a little street perpendicular to Star Street running down to the main road, I think that's still called Queen Street there). It also beats Kosmo in LKF. Also beats Pret-a-manger, which surprisingly has quite good coffee (better than Pac Coffee and certainly better than the generic Starbucks). I haven't had a chance to try Starbucks @ Landmark yet which is allegedly superior to the generic Starbucks.

There might be some little out of the way place that beats First Cup, but I'd be surprised. I said to the owner "hey, this is the best coffee in Hong Kong I've found" and his confident reply was "you won't find any better". I'm inclined to believe him.

Not particularly expensive, and they have an all day breakfast also. Handy if you are recovering from a big night out.

Nearest MTR is Tsim Sha Tsui of course, I think it is exit A2. Only about a 150 metre walk from there. Well worth the trip, or the diversion if you happen to be in the area. Personally, when in coffee withdrawal mode I would even travel from Sheung Wan (where I live) to TST just for the coffee.

Only downside of TST is dodging all those Indian dudes "copy watch, copy watch, sir, nice suit, nice suit, sir, ... sir, where you from??..." or later at night "pretty girl, nice girl, sir...."

PS. Goes without saying but I better say it - I have no connection with First Cup Coffee at all. Just my honest opinion for the benefit of other coffee addicts.

[Andrew W Scott]

Originally Posted by niccy

The skim milk cappuccino serves at Pac tastes weird but Starbucks' fine! I'd prefer Starbucks, and yes Kosmo's protein coffee is really good too!

Anyone notice there is a little counter-like cafe opened right inside the building lobby on Wyndham Street (behind Marks & Spencer) called Kafa, they have quite an extensive coffee menu!!

Haven't tried the skim milk or protein (in HK have been going full cream in coffee), so they are on my list. Thanks for the tip, I'll let you know once I have a chance to try...

[niccy]

hey Andrew, i'll take your words on First Cup, will definitely try it when in TST. i thought they have only the HK style Cha chaan Ten coffee over at those places in TST which i hate the most. yet Yuen Yeung is something worth to try once in a long while.

[Netfiend]

Is First cup the one with Red interior ?? Next to Delifrance ?
I was looking for an address on Chatham road and saw this place for coffee and had my shot of espresso ... made my day ..

I even like the black coffee served by the small cafes in Sheung Wan ..
Prefer them over Starbucks/ Pacific Coffee ( just had one in PC though)..

[niccy]

oh and try Kafa as well!

[Andrew W Scott]

Originally Posted by niccy

hey Andrew, i'll take your words on First Cup, will definitely try it when in TST. i thought they have only the HK style Cha chaan Ten coffee over at those places in TST which i hate the most. yet Yuen Yeung is something worth to try once in a long while.

Ok, here is a chance to be educated. What is "Cha chaan Ten" coffee? I know 'cha' means tea in Chinese, is that anything to do with it?

And what is "Yueng Yeung"? Sorry, I am an ignorant gweilo. I've heard of Leslie Yeung

[Andrew W Scott]

Originally Posted by niccy

oh and try Kafa as well!

More gweilo ignorance. Where (or what) is Kafa?

[Andrew W Scott]

Originally Posted by Netfiend

Is First cup the one with Red interior ?? Next to Delifrance ?
I was looking for an address on Chatham road and saw this place for coffee and had my shot of espresso ... made my day ..

I even like the black coffee served by the small cafes in Sheung Wan ..
Prefer them over Starbucks/ Pacific Coffee ( just had one in PC though)..

I went there again today because I had an appointment in TST that finished at 2pm. At 2:15pm I was gulping down beautiful tasting latte.

First Cup is not on Chatham Road proper, it is just around the corner in Prat Avenue. Let's say you are walking south down the west side of Chatham Road (or if you prefer, down Chatham Road from HK Science Museum end towards Salisbury Road end, that's towards the harbour, on the right side of Chatham Road). On your right you pass Observatory Road, Granville Road, Cameron Road and then you come to Prat Avenue (not a big road). Turn right into Prat Avenue immediately, without crossing any roads. Pretty much the first, second, or possibly third shop on the right is First Cup. Look for a sign hanging at just above head level, I think it is gold on black writing and says something like "First Cup Italiano Espresso".

Judging by centamap.com I think it is about number 26 Prat Avenue. If you get to the Guandong Hotel at 18 Prat Avenue you have gone too far, turn around and go back (without crossing the road) and keep looking at the shops on the north side of Prat Avenue (that's your left side now since you have turned back).

If you were coming via MTR do this:

Take exit A2 from TST MTR, which leads you into Humphreys Avenue. Do not cross Nathan Road. If you hit Nathan Road you went the wrong way (i.e. you went west instead of east), do a U turn and go back down Humphreys in an easterly direction. When you get to the end of Humphreys Avenue (should be in about 30 seconds) you will come to this kind of weird intersection where 5 roads all come together. Don't turn hard left, that's Carnarvon Road. Don't turn sharp right (almost back on yourself), that's also Carnarvon Road. Sort of veer right slightly, walk about another 10 metres, and you'll come to a fork. The right side of the fork is Hart Avenue, and the left side is Prat Avenue. Essentially you are just going pretty much straight ahead, because you slightly veer to the right, walk about ten metres, then veer to the left again. So now you should be walking down Prat Avenue in an easterly direction. Pretty much last shop on your left is First Cup.

Now don't anybody jump down my throat for what I'm about to say. I mean no judgement by it, just for information purposes only.

I've been there twice in two days, and both times I haven't seen a female in there, and that includes the waiting staff. Lot's of single men on their own - customers older (except for me of course!) and waiters younger (and of the more 'pretty' type of guy). Not that there's anything wrong with that! And I might be jumping to conclusions. Personally, I couldn't care less, as long as I get my excellent coffee. But someone who was less sure of their sexuality might feel a little uncomfortable...

PS. Just goes to show how unobservant we can be...despite being there twice in two days, I have no idea whether it is red inside or not!!!

[Netfiend]

HAHHAAA .. bingo ! !

Thats the place i went to ..
and i was surprised by the waiters whose walk and mannerisms suggested something to me ..
I even called a friend and said the same ... that the coffee is good but there is something wrong... I noticed the 'old' customers at da 'bar' and the waiters arnd them .. sharing the cuppa too

Guess we both have the same opinion ..


p.s. -> when i went, there were 2 pretty girls...

[Andrew W Scott]

Originally Posted by Netfiend

HAHHAAA .. bingo ! !

Thats the place i went to ..
and i was surprised by the waiters whose walk and mannerisms suggested something to me ..
I even called a friend and said the same ... that the coffee is good but there is something wrong... I noticed the 'old' customers at da 'bar' and the waiters arnd them .. sharing the cuppa too

Guess we both have the same opinion ..


p.s. -> when i went, there were 2 pretty girls...

...you had the same feeling as I did. I wish those two pretty girls were there when I was...what time did you go?