From Qing-era courtyards to repurposed industrial spaces, Chengdu’s design-led cafés are offering a laid-back pace with a view
A UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy since 2010 and often named one of China’s most liveable cities, Chengdu is drawing architects, designers and independent roasters, shaping a café scene of remarkable breadth. These are the ones to visit.
% Arabica
The global % Arabica brand has created striking spaces from Kyoto to Kuwait, but its Chengdu outpost – designed by Beijing-based B.L.U.E. Architecture Studio – may be among its most culturally considered.
Set within Kuanzhai Alley, a trio of Qing dynasty streets, the space is conceived as a small neighbourhood where visitors can wander and linger over reliable signatures such as the Kyoto Latte or Spanish Latte, with prices at 43 yuan ($8).
An open-air courtyard, once enclosed by a pitched roof, has been reinstated and wrapped in glass, its floor laid with white pebbles. The result is a quiet act of architectural diplomacy between old Chengdu and the new.
Kuanzhai Alley No. 16 Jing Alley, Wide and Narrow Alley, Qingyang District
Add Sugar
The name is playful – a nod to its brand statement – and the interiors follow suit: generous, indulgent and unapologetically maximalist.
In a city where design often oscillates between raw industrial and clean contemporary, Add Sugar leans fully into a “more is more” ethos, with a bold European Art Deco sensibility. Think rich jewel tones, gilded detailing, ornate lighting, and a sense of considered excess that elevates a simple cup into something more indulgent.
A classic Americano arrives in a stylish mug, while the Dirty Latte gets a buttery twist. Reservations are essential for this popular spot, with drinks ranging from 30-50 yuan ($5.50-$9).
1F, Poly Time Plaza (South Area), No. 99 Jirui 2nd Road, Shiyang Subdistrict, High-Tech Zone
OnlyBashi Coffee
OnlyBashi centres on a quiet open-air space within a traditional house. A single tree anchors the setting, framed by stone landscaping and a koi filled water feature, with seating arranged beneath a shaded structure.
Light shifts across the space throughout the day, lending it a meditative quality.
Coffee feels almost incidental – the atmosphere is the true draw, though the Dirty Espresso and Dirty Matcha rank among the menu highlights, with drinks priced around 30-50 yuan ($5.50–$9).
No. 17, Huoche Nan Zhan Xi Lu, Tongzilin neighbourhood, Wuhou District
Old Speak Factory
There is something fittingly poetic about Old Speak Factory being housed within Dongjiao Memory – Chengdu’s sprawling former state-owned industrial complex, now reimagined as a cultural hub for music, art and independent retail.
The interior is a study in industrial chic, with exposed brick walls, high ceilings, and concrete floors that echo the site’s creative energy. Vintage wooden furniture and soft leather seating soften the raw architecture, while large windows flood the space with natural light, illuminating rich wood tones and quirky details.
Beyond its striking design, the cafe takes its coffee seriously, with speciality single-origin beans from Ethiopia and Colombia, and knowledgeable baristas – all at an average spend of around 86 yuan ($16.60).
By night, it transforms into a cocktail bar, a space made for lingering. If you’re after a tipple, skip the bar hop and try the coffee cocktails here: Charlie’s Factory for something sweet, or the Chinatown Manhattan if you mean business.
No. 38-1-2, Dongjiao Memory, 4 Jianshe South Branch Road, Chenghua District
Soarin Cafe
The two-storey standalone space is a cafe by day and bar by night, with a vintage clothing offering that underscores its ambition as a destination.
Visitors liken the approach to Stranger Things, and the interior to Hogwarts. White Christmas trees, climbing vines and medieval-style murals create a theatrical, almost surreal atmosphere. Come in the evening, when candlelight brings the space into its own.
On the menu, expect indulgent coffees like the Sea-Salt Cheese Latte and Pistachio Dirty, with prices averaging around 43 yuan ($8).
No. 37-1-2, East Gate, Dongjiao Memory, Chenghua District
Song Cafe
Song Cafe comes from a family of acclaimed food and beverage establishments, including the Michelin-starred Song Szechuan Cuisine and award-winning bar Black Bamboo – and it brings the same rigour to its coffee.
Located in Taikoo Li, it’s popular with both locals and visitors, and often cited as a must-visit. The design emphasises openness, with full-length windows and mirrored ceilings amplifying light and space.
Beyond the setting, Song Cafe experiments with non-traditional brewing, mixing and blending techniques to rethink the everyday cup. Highlights include the Pistachio Latte and Rose Latte, each served in a glass you can take home, with drinks typically priced around 40-60 yuan ($7.50-$11).
Middle of Taikoo Li
Did you know?
In China, most reservations are made via local apps like WeChat, Meituan or Dianping, so the easiest option is often to ask your hotel concierge to book on your behalf – especially for popular or high-end spots.
For more information on Singapore Airlines’ flights to Chengdu, visit singaporeair.com.
