Advanced Search

The story appears on

Page B7

April 2, 2014

GET this page in PDF

Free for subscribers

View shopping cart

Related News

Home » City specials » Hangzhou

Trendy cafes percolate on little known road

By Wu Huixin and Xia Yuanjie | April 2, 2014, Wednesday | Print Edition

TONGPU Road is a bit hidden. Some Hangzhou residents don’t even know about it. Flanked by a couple of software parks, this short and narrow road is now a trendy gathering spot for white-collar workers nearby.

The office workers flock to the road’s coffee houses. Shanghai Daily selects four cafes to idle away the hours over a cup of coffee and some sweet treats.

2. 35mm Cafe 35mm

Based on a photography theme, 35mm features simple and cozy decor. The milky walls and wooden furniture resemble Japanese minimalism.

Shelves display rolls of film, photographic books, photo frames and Lomo cameras. 35mm’s coffee has gained a good reputation across Hangzhou.

Guang Ying Liu Hen, literally light and shadow in Chinese, is an iced coffee with Mandheling coffee beans from Brazil mixed with milk. The wheat-flavored milk tea and cheesecake are also highly recommended.

Now a hangout for Hangzhou’s shutterbugs, photography parties are held in the cafe occasionally. Photographers are encouraged to bring their works. Those with an interest in photography can check the notices posted by the cafe on douban.com.

Address: 21 Tongpu Rd

Tel: (0571) 8808-1012

1.  Beta Friend

Beta is a term used in software engineering for websites and programs still in a trial mode. So it comes as no surprise that the owners of this cafe work in Hangzhou’s IT field.

Beta’s low-profile facade and simple decor may not impress some customers, however, the cafe has quickly become an important place for people in the IT industry seeking opportunities to realize their entrepreneur dream. You may even overhear other customers talking about various online projects when you sit down for a beverage.

Beta also claims to have Hangzhou’s fastest Internet speed, and customers get free wifi.

Address: 41 Tongpu Rd

Tel: (0571) 8808-3929

3.  Story Cafe

Story Cafe is about people.

Three young woman opened the cafe with the aim of making more friends and hearing their stories.

To foster a sense of togetherness and community they placed tables and sofas close to one another. They hope this proximity will make strangers feel more comfortable and begin talking to one another.

While the owners created the cafe with the intention of hearing the stories of others, they are quickly writing their own stories. Not long ago a male customer proposed to his girlfriend in front of other customers. She accepted.

Try the Bailey’s Irish Cream Coffee, which features a heart-shaped smiley face in the cream on top. Pick any old afternoon and savor a cup of coffee in Story Cafe, you may just make a couple of friends and hear some great stories.

Address: 39 Tongpu Rd

4.  Chun Yun Coffee House

Owned by two sisters, Chun Yun already has five branches around the city. Each cafe boasts garish, old-fashioned and exotic decor.

The gate is very distinctive with plants clustered on wooden chairs, an old television sits on a bench while vinyl records, colorful candy boxes and other ornate items are arranged on wooden shelves.

Gadgets and antique collections of matches, cups, hair bands, badges, cellphone accessories and notebooks decorate the interior. Some customers say the decor is overdone, complaining, “wherever you look, there’s a decorative item.”

These knickknacks were gathered by the owners on their trips abroad.

The price of coffee is a bit higher than average, but the unique decor and tranquil surroundings make it ideal for customers who want to linger leisurely.

Address: 41-2 Gaoji Rd

Tel: (0571) 8735-8619

Hangzhou


 

Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.

沪公网安备 31010602000204号

Email this to your friend