Hong Kong Cafe Review: oneday.

Peter Anderson

Oct 2, 2024 — 4 min read

This is the coffee part of Cars - Coffee - Travel. First review of a cafe, so it's probably terrible but hey, it's a start. Also let me know if you want my coffee map of Hong Kong if ever you are going there.

Tucked away in the back streets of Tai Hang on Hong Kong Island, oneday. is a small, independent cafe with a neighbourhood feel.

Oh, and it's awesome.

Cafe: oneday.
Instagram: oneday.hongkong
Hours: 0900-1900, 7 days (check Instagram stories for unscheduled closures)
Address: 23 School St, Tai Hang, Hong Kong
What3words: ///scrapped.hazel.secret
Payment: Cash, Visa, Mastercard, Octopus

Tai Hang (大坑) is one of my favourite parts of Hong Kong. East of Central, it sits at the foot of Lin Ka Fung Hill (蓮花宮山). The Fire Dragon Path just looks like a walkway, but it's part of the local mythology. Tai Hang hosts a Fire Dragon dance every year which looks like a lot of fun if that's your thing.

Tai Hang is an up and coming neighbourhood with a bunch of new restaurants, retail and cafes, a big hotel and serviced apartment complex called Little Tai Hang as well as pricey residential blocks. And some classic old(er) Hong Kong stuff.

On School Street you'll find all manner of businesses. Tai Hang is such a funny little area, with panelbeaters sitting next to an air-conditioning shop which is next to a laundry which is next to a nail bar. Or something like that.

Tucked way down on the western end is the freshly whitewashed oneday.

Through the big window you see the back of the coffee bar and into the kitchen. The glass door frames a narrow path to the back of the cafe and on the right is a long bench seat, a few tables and some stools. Folks bring their dogs in to hang out at their feet.

It's bright and during summer (which is most of the year), the window to the right of the door folds up. You can sit there with your coffee with your coffee all year round.

Or on the bench seat under the big window, which comes out when oneday. opens.

A single group La Marzocco GS3 graces the coffee bar. As you go up to order, you'll see a range of multi-coloured treats, egg tarts (aka Portuguese tarts), scones and pastries. And the bear-shaped Madeleine. There's a reasonably extensive menu, too, all cooked up in the narrow kitchen.

To suit local tastes, you'll see a row of flavoured syrups. Don't worry about it, it's not that kind of cafe.

oneday. roasts its own coffee and it's spectacular. The day I was there last, they didn't offer much apart from "Clean sparkling acidity, with citrus and tea-like notes." It was terrific, a really nice last-coffee-of-the-day taste that left behind a subtle sweetness.

The coffee is sublime. Perfect temperature served in a branded cup with writing inside that reveals itself as you drink (I won't spoil it). The team here is great with espresso-based drinks. I'm sure they'd be amazing with filters and pourovers but there just isn't the space.

Coffee:

Espresso, Long Black: HKD35
Latte/Flat White/Cappuccino: HKD40

I really loved the egg tart, too, which wasn't sweet like the ones we get in Australia, but with light flaky pastry that went everywhere and more custard than I knew what to do with.

I also like the scone with jam and cream, an old classic.

The atmosphere is very chilled, but can buzz in the afternoon, especially on weekends and public holidays. Mornings will see folks toiling over laptops, but in the afternoon it feels very social and fun, much more a local cafe than any you'll find in Central.

I've been here a few times and both of the guys behind the counter are clearly very committed to what they're doing. They're friendly too, and tolerate my attempts at Cantonese with a smile.

For me, if I haven't been to oneday., I haven't been to Hong Kong.

oneday is in School Street, Tai Hang. To get there you can: