A record of memorable cafés

In the specialty coffee underworld, Apartment has earned quite a reputation. It’s one of the few cafes I’d heard about long before visiting. So I was surprised to see an inconspicuous entrance off the beaten track in Singapore. No name anywhere, just an all-glass front, albeit with people queuing to get a seat. Once inside, you’re struck by the impression of how much thought and care went into the overall design of this place. For starters, there’s actual art on the walls. ...

Stepping off the artsy Shuyuanmen Street, there’s a narrow passageway, and in there, an unassuming entrance to a café. One might think it’s hardly a viable spot for a specialty café. An entrance positioned so strangely, you can’t see it until you come up very close. Well, one couldn’t have been more wrong. Once you step inside, the impression is that you’re entering a historical mansion. View from the first step inside. In China, it’s not common for the staff to speak English. Luckily, there was a customer who helped us choose pour-over (Chinese: 手冲) options. ...

Specialty coffee is usually a reliable indicator of quality. Owners who care about their beans tend to care about everything else: the food, the pastries, the tea. Once again, we spent our holidays on an island without expecting too much from the local coffee scene, but were happy to discover that La Escala delivers on all fronts. Before you order anything, you’re offered free water, and a range of options, including coffee beans they roast themselves. Notice kombucha, which was very good. A playfully written menu, albeit containing only a subset of their offering. La Escala has it all - a wide range of espresso-based drinks as well as pour-over, lunch offering, various tea offerings, sandwiches, and pastries. Over multiple visits, we worked our way through the offerings and weren’t disappointed once. ...

You rarely come across a café with such a stylish design and an extensive selection of high-quality coffee beans. From the moment you step inside, you’re greeted by an elegant and cohesive interior. This attention to detail reflects the café’s philosophy - no cash, no sugar, no Wi-Fi. The meticulous attention to interior design is astounding. An inviting seating area. The café caters to true coffee enthusiasts. Beyond the standard menu offerings like cappuccino and latte, they feature an impressive range of specialty coffees and curated coffee sets. This variety is made possible by their large freezer system, which preserves beans for months while maintaining optimal flavor. As you might expect, prices reflect this premium experience. ...

The café’s unconventional entrance feels almost hidden from view. Descending the stairs gives the impression of entering an underground library. Yet once inside, you’re greeted by a surprisingly bright and spacious interior. An unexpectedly spacious coffee sanctuary. The venue regularly hosts training sessions and workshops for coffee enthusiasts. Unfortunately, none were scheduled during our visit. What truly distinguishes this place is their exceptional hand-brewed coffee offered at remarkably reasonable prices. The taste was so impressive that we decided to buy a bag after the first sip. ...

This is the first coffee shop I’ve encountered that operates strictly by reservation only. True to German precision and order, bookings must be made at least a day in advance. Each seating is precisely scheduled for 90 minutes. Despite the café being relatively empty during our visit, a host diligently checked our reservation at the entrance. A playfully sophisticated interior. The interior strikes a perfect balance between playful and sophisticated. Clean, purposeful design is complemented by thoughtful details like fresh flowers on each table - an uncommon sight in most coffee shops. ...

You might expect that visiting a tourist destination like Rhodes would mean compromising on specialty coffee. Fortunately, local favorite Monk proves otherwise. While such a café might blend into the landscape of a metropolitan area, it stands out as a rare find in this historic town. Simple but effective interior design. The café quickly became our daily breakfast destination throughout our stay. Though the menu is concise, each item is executed with precision and care. Starting each morning with our hand-brewed coffee became a cherished ritual of our visit. ...

Just outside the city center, this café occupies what feels like a spacious apartment in an old building of a peaceful neighborhood. More reminiscent of a social gathering than a café. Even on weekdays, finding a seat is a challenge. Rather than a typical café, the atmosphere mirrors a house party where mingling with other guests is part of the experience. In fact, securing a spot requires social interaction - we found ourselves asking a couple at a four-seat table if we could join them, which they welcomed. ...

Beyond the Arctic Circle in winter twilight, especially in a small town like Tromsø, you’d expect to be far from specialty coffee culture. Yet this place emerges as a hidden gem, delivering exactly what coffee enthusiasts seek. Captured moments before the morning rush. At precisely 10 a.m., as soon as the host turned the key, customers flooded in and claimed most tables. While our breakfast and Chemex-brewed coffee took some time to arrive, the cozy wooden interior - perfectly matched to the snowy landscape outside - made the wait pleasant. What stood out was the sight of Chemex brewers on nearly every table - a rare and impressive commitment to pour-over coffee both by baristas and customers alike. ...

I was promised to be led to the best coffee spot in the city, so my expectations were high. Why Knot delivered. The coffee selection was clearly displayed on the wall menu. This was a rather peculiar choice, as normally you have to ask the barista about their current stock. This place stands in stark contrast to others, where milk-based drinks are the most common offerings. Notice coffee naming in English. The experience is enhanced by an interesting design choice of two colors: white interior with light brown wooden furnishings. Many elements, like tables and shelves on the walls, are angular (hexagonal or octagonal), instead of the typical rectangular or round shapes.