Hipster hangouts pop up in the most unexpected places, and it’s always a pleasure to find almost-secret cafes offering great homey food, coffee, drinks and more. These cool places are ideal for the “perfect chill” and, of course, Instagram-worthy.

True locals, including long-time expat residents of Hong Kong, like to keep their choice spots to themselves, but here’s a peek at the five top best-kept hipster secrets.

The Coffee Academics

Paradise for real coffee geeks, Academics is located in the heart of Causeway Bay. Ultra-chic with all the warmth of someone’s home, you can spend your days and nights talking with coffee experts about their favourite brews!

FIND IT: 38 Yiu Wa Street, Causeway Bay, nearest station: Causeway Bay

(+852) 2156 0313

Facebook.com/TheCoffeeAcademics

Elephant Grounds @ WOAW

Don’t blink when you’re looking for this cafe, as it sits very discreetly within the WOAW Concept Store. You can choose to sit at the bar or unwind alfresco on the benches. Those with a sweet tooth will love the signature ice cream sandwiches which are only available Friday to Sunday in a limited quantity with a new flavour every weekend (Check out their #newflavoralert on their FB page.).

FIND IT: 11 Gough Street, nearest station: Sheung Wan

(+852) 2253 1313

Facebook.com/elephantgrounds

Teakha Tea Cafe

This unpretentious alley-cafe will blow your mind with its impressive range of teas and top-class little cakes. With only two tables inside and more seating outside, this cosy gem promotes a “simple, happy, sustainable lifestyle”. Try the signature Matcha cheesecake!

FIND IT: 18 Tai Ping Shan Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong

(+852) 2858 9185

Facebook.com/teakhaHK

NOC Coffee & Roaster

You’ll often see people sipping their drinks and chilling outside this coffee spot on Graham Street near the Central offices. This quaint little spot, housed on a slope, offers “Not Only Coffee” but also serves up great salad, pastries and organic juice for non-coffee drinkers. Their speciality is the pour-over coffee paired with earl grey and fig cake!

FIND IT: 34 Graham Street, Central

(+852) 2606 6188

www.facebook.com/notonlycoffee

Artisan Room

A good cup of coffee doesn’t is not always easy to find and Artisan Room is the only cafe in Hong Kong to serve drinks brewed with centuries-old Costadoro coffee in a metre-high Gothicism Cold Brewer. Enjoy a cup of cultured coffee and pair it with their wide range of savoury and sweet elairs or cakes.

FIND IT: 8-12 South Lane, Shek Tong Tsui, nearest station: HKU

(+852) 2656-3198

Facebook.com/artisanroomhk