Among expats – especially the more bohemian among us – top pastimes will always be wiling away winter afternoons in cosy coffee shops, or sipping iced tea with friends on a sunny summer terrace. And the nature of business here means that coffee shops are used for business meetings and interviews as well as leisure. Of course, Shanghai has no shortage of chain coffee shops; you can’t walk far without coming across a Starbucks, Jamaica Blue, or Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. These places are perfectly fine, but they lack the charm and individuality of independent coffee houses. Here’s a round up of the best alternatives:

1. Boonna
The purple-fronted Boonna on Xinle Lu is so popular that it’s often difficult to get a table. The walls are painted in warm primary colours and decorated with arty photos, and there are bookshelves crammed with English and foreign titles. The low, comfy window seats are great for relaxing, while the rows of tables are best for laptop sessions. Boonna does a lunch set for ¥38 which includes a sandwich (beef, salmon, chicken, or veggie, on either foccacia, pannini or baguette) and a coffee, tea, or juice. The coffee menu is quite extensive, and the food is tasty and good value. A winter must-try is the thick, rich hot chocolate, while the smoothies and juices are perfect for summer. To appease non-smokers, cigarettes are banned on Tuesdays. Boonna 3 on Huaihai Zhong Lu (Boonna 2, formerly on Fuxing Lu, closed down last year) is permanently non-smoking. This branch is less cosy than its Xinle sister, but has the benefit of a big terrace.

Boonna
88 Xinle Lu, near Xiangyang Lu
Daily 9pm-12.30am

Boonna 3
1690 Huaihai Zhong Lu, near Wanping Lu
Daily 8.30am-11.30pm

2. Coffee Tree
The Coffee Tree on Changle Lu is a great alternative if Boonna around the corner is full, or if you fancy something different from Coffee Bean down the street. It’s a long room lined with tables, and is non-smoking throughout. Black and white framed photos of Shanghai decorate the walls on the left side, and a mirror runs the full length of the right, making the space seem bigger. The menu carries a selection of tasty sandwiches and salads, along with good coffee and lots of herbal teas. There’s also a branch in the Ferguson Lane complex on Wukang Lu, which is just as popular. Coffee Tree appeals to families, ladies who lunch, and businessfolk who come to use the free Wi-Fi and flick through the magazines.

291 Changle Lu, near Fumin Lu
Daily 9am-7pm

Wukang Lu 376, inside Ferguson Lane complex
Daily 9am-10pm 

3. Mia's
If you’re fond of retro furnishings, head to Mia’s. Formerly Aroma de Vida, this Anfu Lu café serves up cheap, tasty Western and local fare, and offers free Wi-Fi along with a healthy dose of soft jazz. The lunch sets attracts lunch-break workers from the offices opposite, and the brunch menu brings in the weekend crowd. From the outside, you’d be forgiven for thinking Mia’s was an antique shop – 1950s radios, 1920s mirrors, and art nouveau fixtures jostle for space in the window.

Mia's
45-47 Anfu Lu, near Changshu Lu
Daily 9am-11.30pm

4. Bliss
Another slice of kitsch on the Shanghai coffee scene is Bliss. Jinxian Lu has its fair share of cool cafes and eateries, and Bliss is no exception. A wood paneled exterior leads into a 60’s diner style café, complete with curvy furniture in browns and yellows. Classic snacks like popcorn add to the retro feel. It’s still something of a well-kept secret, so you’re pretty much guaranteed to get a table, even at peak times. Bliss doubles up as a cocktail joint in the evenings – perfect if you don’t fancy the crush of the more established French Concession bars.

181 Jinxian Lu, near Maoming Nan Lu
Tue-Fri, 5pm-2am, Sat-Sun 11.30am-2am

5. Garden Books
Garden is actually a bookshop with a café inside, but deserves a mention here because it’s a great place to go if you like to combine caffeine with literary pursuits. Browse the wide selection of foreign titles (if you’re looking for something that’s not in stock, they’ll order it for you) while enjoying a coffee or ice cream. Regular literary talks and events are held here, and there’s also a branch in Beijing.

325 Changle Lu, near Shanxi Lu
Mon-Fri 10am-10pm; Sat-Sun 10am-11pm

6. Old China Hand Reading Room 汉源书店
Another bookstore-cum-café is the quaintly named Old China Hand Reading Room, tucked away on Shaoxing Lu. They serve coffee and snacks among old pianos and shelves packed with books.

27 Shaoxing Lu, near Shaanxi Nan Lu
Daily 10am-12am

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