Not a fan of dairy? We’ve searched the city streets to find the coffee shops who are serving up cow’s milk alternatives for your morning brew.
With more and more people cutting out animal produce from their diets, and the need for alternatives more in demand than ever, it’s no surprise that so many coffee shops are now offering dairy-free alternatives to milk (and we’re not just talking about soy). From creamy oat milk lattes, to a drop of almond milk in your Americano, or coconut in your cappuccino, here’s where to head if you’re not a fan of dairy, but still need your caffeine fix!
Read more: These Coffee Shops are Offering Discounts for Customers Who Bring Their Own Cups, The Best Vegetarian and Vegan Burgers in Hong Kong
Green Common
Known as a haven for all things plant-based in the city, it’s no surprise that Green Common is on it when it comes to dairy-free milk alternatives. Along with a full range of Califia Farms almond milk products in store, Green Common has also recently started selling Oatly milk, too; with the original oat drink, matcha latte and cold brew latte all available in store. Pop into one of GC’s cafes, and you can also enjoy a coffee to eat in or take away with either Oatly (+$3) or Califia Farms milks.
Green Common, various locations across Hong Kong, www.greencommon.com
Ohms Café & Bar
This little spot found on Hollywood Road serves up a host of vegan friendly options, so if you’re also after a dairy-free coffee, why not stop by and try out its organic almond milk or homemade cashew milk? If you’re not in need of the caffeine buzz, you can also enjoy the cashew milk in Ohms very own matcha green tea latte!
Ohms Café & Bar, Shop A,192 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong, www.facebook.com/ohmshk
Sweetpea Café
If the name wasn’t enough to draw us into this cute and cosy spot, Sweetpea Café also serve up a selection of dairy free milks! A recent addition to its menu is Califia Arms almond milk, or try out its homemade cashew milk in your coffee.
Sweetpea Café, 4 Shin Hing Street, Central, Hong Kong, www.facebook.com/SweetpeaPatisserieHK
Little Cove Espresso
When in Sai Kung, there are few coffee shops we’d rather head to, so it’s a plus that Little Cove Espresso has almond milk available as a dairy free alternative. Grab a table outside and watch the world of Old Sai Kung Town pass you by, or take your coffee to go and have a wander down the pier…
Little Cove Espresso, 34 See Cheung Street, Sai Kung, Hong Kong, www.facebook.com/littlecoveespresso
Commissary
We’ve long been fans of Commissary’s breakfast and brunch offerings – with pancakes, avo toast and more on the menu – so the deal is made even sweeter by the option to go for almond, oat or rice milk in our morning brew (+$5). Did we mention the coffees are also by Aussie roaster Redback?
Commissary, Shop 405, 4/F Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong, www.commissary.hk
Le Pain Quotidien
A great spot for breakfast, brunch or lunch – or just your caffeine fix on the go! – Le Pain Quotidien gives diners the option of Rude Health’s almond milk or brown rice milk in any hot beverages on its menu.
Le Pain Quotidien, Shop 008, LG1, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong
Le Pain Quotidien, Shop No G40-41, The Avenue, Lee Tung Avenue, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, www.lepainquotidien.com.hk
Pret
One of the few coffee houses in Hong Kong offering up Rude Health’s coconut milk as an alternative to dairy or soy, we find ourselves heading to Pret and ordering its Organic Coconut Latte more often than we’d like to admit. Don’t forget to also bring along your own cup here, for $5 off your drink!
Pret, various locations across Hong Kong, www.pret.hk
Knead
If you’re picking up a sarnie or a salad for lunch at Knead in Sheung Wan, be sure to also grab a coffee made with almond milk. Act fast though, our sources tell us that supplies are limited, and the little shop can run out when demand is high!
Knead, G/F,28 Jervois Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, www.kneadhk.com
Why 50
We’ve long relied on Why 50’s coffees to keep us going in the morning (and not just because we walk past it every day!), so it was great to learn that the coffee shop now offers almond milk as a dairy free option in all drinks.
Why 50, Shop E, G/F, Fu Fai Commercial Centre, 27 Hillier Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, www.facebook.com/Why50hk
Nutsy Coffee Bar
If you live or work in Quarry Bay and are in need of a caffeine fix, head to Nutsy Coffee Bar. This Aussie inspired coffee house offers up Califia Arms almond milk in all of its drinks. Along with the classic lattes, the masala chai and the almond milk hot chocolate are not to be missed.
Nutsy Coffee Bar, Shop 6B, G/F, Hoi Kwong Shopping Mall, 13-15 Hoi Kwong Street, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong, www.facebook.com/NutsyCoffee
Mana!
A frontrunner in Hong Kong for all things veggie and vegan, of course Mana! also offers up dairy free coffees. Pop into Mana! on Wellington Street and pick up an organic and fair-trade brew made with Oatly oat milk, or head to Mana! Café in Poho, for a wider selection of vegan coffees, including options featuring raw cacao butter, coconut butter and more.
Mana! Fast Slow Food, 92 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong
Mana! Café, 8 Tai On Terrace, Poho, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, www.mana.hk
Kaffeine
Another coffee spot nearby to our offices is Kaffeine. With the option to have any coffee made using almond milk (+$5), we find ourselves here when the 3pm slump hits.
Kaffeine, 108 Jervois Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, www.facebook.com/kaffeinehk
Elephant Grounds
A new addition to Elephant Grounds’ large coffe menu is Oatly oat milk! Available at all EG locations, swing by and pick up a creamy oat latte, or try out one of the shops many other inventive creations.
Elephant Grounds, various locations across Hong Kong, www.elephantgrounds.com
The Cupping Room
With various locations across the city, it’s always useful to know that another well-known coffee house is now serving up milk-free coffees! Head to any of The Cupping Room shops across the 852 and enjoy a coffee made with oat milk.
The Cupping Room, various locations across Hong Kong, www.cuppingroom.hk
Pacific Coffee
Another well-known HK coffee house, Pacific Coffee is now also serving Oatly oat milk in its vast array of beverages. Not yet available at all locations (but getting there!), check out this list, to check if the PC near you has oat milk available.
Pacific Coffee, various locations across Hong Kong, www.pacificcoffee.com
Urban Coffee Roaster
Located right by Mrs. Pound on Pound Lane in Sheung Wan (with another location in TST), Urban Coffee Roaster keeps us coming back for more with the addition of oat milk to its coffee menu.
Urban Coffee Roaster, G/F, 4 Pound Lane, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
Urban Coffee Roaster, 7 Bristol Avenue, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, www.facebook.com/Urbancoffeeroaster
Genie Juicery
Genie Juicery may be the home of cold-press juices, but it also serves up some delicious coffees and hot drinks made with dairy-free alternatives to milk. Along with its very own bottled Supreme High (cold brew coffee, with almonds, dates, vanilla and Himalayan salt), the shop also serves vegan friendly beverages made with Rude Health’s Ultimate Almond Drink and chocolate hazelnut milk (yes, you read that right!). The Chocolate Hazelnut Milk Cappuccino ($40) is a winner for us.
Genie Juicery, 2096B, Podium Level 2, ifc Mall, Central, Hong Kong, www.geniejuicery.com