Birdie Cup Coffee in Shanghai, China, by F.O.G. Architecture. Photo: InSpace

Happy International Coffee Day! To celebrate this culturally significant October 1st holiday, we have picked a few of our favorite examples of coffee and architecture existing in blissful harmony. 

So pour yourself another cup of your favorite roast (how about Archinect's very own Brutal line of varietals?), sit back, and enjoy our curated selection of outstanding new café designs from across the globe. 

Have you designed a space that should be showcased on Archinect? Additional projects can be considered via our submission form.

French Kitsch III in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, by TOUCH Architect

French Kitsch III, a 2,900-square-foot café in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, designed by Bangkok-based TOUCH Architect, offers a bold blend of concrete architecture and playful references to French bulldogs. The textured concrete exterior embodies the concept of ‘perfection in imperfection,’ where the raw material’s beauty shines through its rough, authentic surface. Inside, vaulted ceilings and croissant-shaped arches create a cavernous, cathedral-like atmosphere, with oversized arches dividing the space into distinct zones. Voids carved into the roofline serve as both shading devices and portals for natural light, enhancing the café’s sculptural and scenographic elements. The design balances whimsy and grandeur, leaving a memorable impression that complements the café’s brand identity.

Harudot Café in Chonburi, Thailand, by IDIN Architects

Recognized by Prix Versailles as one of the World’s Most Beautiful Restaurants, Harudot Café in Chonburi, Thailand, exemplifies IDIN Architects’ philosophy of integrating design into nature. Completed in mid-2022, the café’s design reflects the client’s vision of blending Japanese cultural inspiration with natural elements. The café’s massing is thoughtfully broken down to human scale, centered around a void that houses a tree, creating a tranquil, semi-outdoor space beneath the gabled roof. Inside, a ribbon-like seating arrangement flows under Barrisol stretch ceilings, dividing the space into distinct zones for drinking, lounging, and meetings. Exterior facades contrast with the warm wooden interior, and unique material choices—such as resin mixed with coffee grounds and terrazzo flooring with floral patterns—further emphasize the connection between nature and design. Harudot’s custom fonts and signage, inspired by circular dots and the spring season, reinforce the café’s theme of new beginnings.

Mamonaku Kohi in Quezon City, Philippines

Mamonaku Kohi, known as the “Hole in the Wall” coffee shop, is redefining takeaway coffee with its unconventional and minimalist design. Located in Quezon City, the Japanese-inspired coffee stand operates through a simple yet striking concrete facade with a large jagged hole serving as the counter. With no doors, windows, seating, or amenities, the shop relies on its pared-back design to draw customers. Orders are placed via laminated picture cards, bypassing the need for conversation. The unique concept has garnered viral attention on social media, drawing comparisons to similar quirky coffee shops like Anakuma Café in Tokyo. Mamonaku Kohi offers a new take on the takeaway experience, turning simplicity into a compelling design feature.

Birdie Cup Coffee in Shanghai, China, by F.O.G. Architecture

Located on West Nanjing Road in Shanghai, Birdie Cup Coffee by F.O.G. Architecture is a playful, dreamlike coffee kiosk that stands out with its inflatable roof resembling a cluster of balloons or frothy coffee. Positioned next to a busy metro station, the tiny café is designed as a ‘pacifying emotional landmark’ amidst the urban hustle. The serving counter, wrapped in plate glass and illuminated by a glowing ceiling, rests on a sleek metal plinth, while the soft, floating roof adds a whimsical contrast to the rigid architecture surrounding it. Passersby are encouraged to form their own spontaneous interpretations of the cloud-like structure, making it a memorable architectural feature in the city’s bustling landscape.

Nodi Cafe in Shanghai, China, by Office AIO

Located in the bustling Jing’an district, Nodi Cafe by Office AIO introduces a fresh narrative to Shanghai’s coffee scene. Occupying a 12-meter high lobby space in the Kerry Centre office tower, Nodi’s design is centered on connection—true to its name, derived from the Latin word for “knot.” The café features three distinct zones: a coffee bar, indoor seating, and an outdoor patio sheltered from the street. A pavilion-like structure with a permeable ceiling commands attention in the expansive lobby, while a grid-like timber partition inspired by Chinese screens subtly incorporates the brand’s “n” motif. The design balances playfulness with sophistication, highlighted by bespoke seating, green marble, dark timber veneer, and an eye-catching knotted rope installation that doubles as seating at the mall entrance. Nodi’s quirky yet refined aesthetic reflects its core values of inspiration and creativity, making it more than just a coffee shop—it’s a hub for connection and innovation.

Uncloud Coffee in Chonburi, Thailand, by Unknown Surface Studio

Inspired by the ethereal beauty of the Aurora Borealis, Uncloud Coffee by Unknown Surface Studio seamlessly integrates into the natural landscape of Chonburi, Thailand. The café, located on a triangular site along Khao Lam Road, features a flowing, arching structure that maximizes mountain views while mitigating noise and heat from the busy road. The design introduces curved barriers along the street-facing facade, strategically placed to shield the café while maintaining a visual connection to the natural surroundings. The layout includes a bar and seating area, an outdoor lounge within a lush courtyard, and indoor seating with workspaces. Natural elements such as trees and hardscaping blend with the architectural form, enhancing the café’s connection to its environment while ensuring comfort and tranquility for visitors.

Cycle Cycle Mobile Bakehouse in Hangzhou, China, by F.O.G. Architecture

The Cycle Cycle mobile bakehouse by F.O.G. Architecture is a pop-up café and bakery that reimagines the relationship between food and land. Inspired by barn structures, the café features a wooden frame, a shading board, and a rainproof canopy. The façade is creatively constructed from stacked grain sacks, which act as both a design feature and a functional element, allowing light to filter through and offering views of the café’s inner workings. This modular, prefabricated structure is flexible and mobile, designed to adapt to various urban locations. Outdoor seating mimics the low benches used by farmers, while the grain sacks serve as back cushions, inviting interaction. The pop-up’s evolving design captures the impromptu nature of its construction, where input from passersby and the environment shapes its final form as it moves from city to city across China.

The Caffè by Mr. Espresso in Oakland, California, by jones | haydu

Located in downtown Oakland, The Caffè reflects the legacy of Bay Area icon Mr. Espresso. This minimal yet richly textured design draws inspiration from Italian culture, focusing on the concept of “pausa,” a moment of reflection while enjoying espresso. The bar, designed as an island, evokes the communal Italian coffee ritual, blending natural materials like white oak and Calacatta marble. A striking wooden sculpture overhead, inspired by Renaissance domes and made from sustainable birch plywood, adds an element of grandeur while embracing modern fabrication techniques.

Karinox Coffee in Phan Rang, Vietnam, by DELICATE DECOR

In the coastal city of Phan Rang, famous for its arid climate and rich Champa heritage, Karinox Coffee by DELICATE DECOR stands as a 2800m² architectural icon. This project harmonizes sustainable design with cultural preservation and environmental awareness. Facing the challenges of a tropical monsoon climate, the design employs bioclimatic principles, including a vertical shading system, air vents, and Bau Truc ceramic tiles to optimize natural light and ventilation while reducing heat radiation. Karinox’s façade reflects the colors of Champa ceramics, with a mortarless surface that nods to ancient Cham architecture. Inside, open floor plans connect indoor and outdoor spaces, enhancing airflow and visibility. The café’s four floors house coffee areas, offices, a children’s playground, and a souvenir display, catering to both locals and tourists while celebrating the region’s natural and cultural heritage.

YOKOSAWA CAMPUS／RELATIONS OF STEPS in Shiwa-cho, Iwate Prefecture, Japan, by 株式会社 NoMaDoS

Located on Hizume shopping street in Shiwa-cho, YOKOSAWA CAMPUS combines a co-working space with a newly renovated café. Designed by 株式会社 NoMaDoS, the space reflects the local culture and history, integrating a concept of “modern Idobata”—a nod to traditional gathering spots by wells. The renovation embraces the building’s residential past, incorporating cedar paneling that extends from the exterior to the interior, fostering a sense of openness. A stepped bar counter, transformed from the building’s original flooring, subtly interacts with the surrounding environment, inviting multigenerational interactions. The space’s warm materials and thoughtful design create a communal hub for locals, ensuring its role as a long-term fixture in the community.

Blue Bottle Coffee's The Imprint Café in Shanghai, China, by Neri&Hu

Neri&Hu’s latest project for Blue Bottle Coffee, The Imprint Café, occupies 1,680 square feet in the Columbia Circle complex of Shanghai. This café offers a serene retreat from the city’s relentless pace, invoking a sense of ‘home’ through a design that blends nostalgia with modernity. The white suspended massing retains the impression of a corrugated roof, referencing the former residential building that once stood on the site. Recycled clay bricks and plaster are utilized to maintain a connection to the past, while the negative space of the eaves evokes the memory of being sheltered under a roof. At the café’s heart, a multi-functional platform and coffee bar serve as a central gathering point, promoting a circular flow of movement with seating arranged along the perimeter. The thoughtful distribution of space fosters interaction, encouraging both personal reflection and community engagement in line with Blue Bottle’s values.

WatchHouse on Fenchurch Street in London, UK, by EBBA

Tucked within the atrium of a large office development on London’s Fenchurch Street, WatchHouse draws inspiration from the lobbies of civic buildings. Designed by EBBA, the café channels a modernist aesthetic, referencing the Miesian plaza buildings of Dublin and Mies van der Rohe’s Seagram Building. The minimalist black metal grid storefront contrasts with warm oak-paneled walls, while Ceppo stone floors and sculpted steel counters create a balanced interplay between cold and warm materials. Custom-designed oak furniture, including a grand table crafted from stacked wooden blocks, complements the space’s sleek aesthetic. A 26-foot steel counter anchors the café, allowing baristas to showcase their craft. The grid motif extends throughout, guiding the interior’s linear forms and precise detailing, while seamlessly integrating into the professional environment of London’s office culture.

2050 Coffee in Kyoto, Japan, by TEKI DESIGN

Designed by TEKI DESIGN, 2050 Coffee in Kyoto is a minimalist self-service café that raises awareness about the future of coffee amidst the potential scarcity by 2050. The stripped-back interior, featuring smooth grey walls and illuminated counters made from corrugated polycarbonate sheets, encourages visitors to reflect on the sustainability challenges facing coffee production. The café’s self-service machines offer sustainable drip coffee, while the polycarbonate entrance sign and rectilinear windows contribute to the shop’s futuristic aesthetic. With understated black seating and low-lit shelves displaying coffee paraphernalia, 2050 Coffee also serves as a hub for events exploring the future of coffee and sustainability, inviting visitors to engage with these critical issues.

Café Nuances in Paris, France, by Uchronia

Café Nuances’ latest branch, designed by Uchronia, immerses visitors in a vivid, color-drenched environment inspired by sunsets in the Tunisian desert. Located on Rue de la Tremoille, the café’s ombre swathes of red, orange, and blue lava stone flooring and walls contrast with the bright white facade. A stainless steel counter is positioned at the back of the café, complemented by deep orange lacquered shelving. Suspended planet-like orbs in saturated colors hang from the reflective ceiling, adding to the dreamlike atmosphere. Bespoke interlocking tables that double as stools offer flexibility in the space, which reflects Café Nuances’ colorful and futuristic retro universe.

Xingcheng Exhibition Garden in Chengdu, China, by Archermit

Inspired by the Western Sichuan Garden tradition, the Xingcheng Exhibition Garden by Archermit reflects the cultural and poetic sensibilities of Chengdu. The design centers around a “lotus leaf pavilion,” with a light curved roof resembling a giant lotus leaf over a bamboo-filled pond. The roof, which acts as a dramatic rainwater collector, symbolizes the integration of nature, humanity, and artistic expression. The interior, slightly sunken to bring visitors closer to the water’s surface, immerses them in a serene environment where sky and water converge. Bamboo, a central theme, is used throughout the space, blending with the architecture to create a space that resonates with the deep cultural significance of the region.

Tanulo Coffee in Bandung, Indonesia by Simpul Studio

Established in 2022, Tanulo Coffee by Simpul Studio integrates seamlessly into the urban development of Bandung’s Mekar Wangi area. Designed to create a tranquil experience, the café is tucked within a residential neighborhood, with a garden and seating areas leading visitors to the two main buildings. The high, skylit roof and extensive use of glass allow natural light to flood the interior, reducing energy consumption and fostering a connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. Natural andesite stone and rough cement plaster highlight the tropical character of the design, while green areas wrap around the café, offering shade and tranquility. The steel frame structure spans over a river, creating a unique foundation for the building. Tanulo Coffee’s thoughtful layout includes outdoor and semi-outdoor seating, providing a comfortable environment where natural airflow helps cool the space. The integrated play area for children ensures a family-friendly atmosphere, while the landscape design enhances the café’s self-contained, calming environment.

HOBBY - Specialty Café in Buenos Aires, Argentina by cupla arquitectura

Located in the Chacarita neighborhood of Buenos Aires, Hobby - Specialty Café by cupla arquitectura embraces the artisanal craft of coffee making. Inspired by the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi, the café celebrates the beauty of imperfection and the ephemeral. The café’s design features a raw material palette, with hand-carved concrete, rustic wood, and natural finishes creating a warm, inviting atmosphere. The counter, placed close to the sidewalk, encourages social interaction, while the workshop-like design, featuring an automatic lifting gate, blurs the lines between interior and exterior spaces. Custom-designed furniture, including a communal table made from a single piece of blue cedar, reinforces the café’s artisanal identity. Every detail, from lighting fixtures to tableware, was crafted by hand, contributing to a unique sensory experience that reflects the café’s passion for simplicity, authenticity, and the local community.

% Arabica Ho Chi Minh City Roastery in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, by Nguyen Khai Architects & Associates

Nestled in the vibrant District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City, % Arabica Ho Chi Minh City Roastery by Nguyen Khai Architects & Associates harmoniously blends modern design with the location’s rich heritage. Located near iconic landmarks like the Central Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral, the café preserves its traditional exterior while introducing contemporary elements like two glass blocks housing the roasting area and kitchen. A central pathway, illuminated by natural light filtered through a rattan ceiling, invites visitors inside, where they can admire both the coffee-making process and scenic outdoor views. The industrial aesthetic, featuring white tones, stainless steel, and exposed aggregate flooring, is softened by wood accents and greenery, offering a warm and welcoming environment that aligns with % Arabica’s minimalist philosophy.

The Coffee Shed of Luxun Park in Hongkou District, China, by SHISUO Design Office

Nestled within Luxun Park in Hongkou District, the Coffee Shed by SHISUO Design Office is an architectural insertion that harmonizes artificial and natural elements. Surrounded by five plane trees, the building navigates the site’s challenging conditions, preserving the trees while creating a sheltered, multifunctional space. Slender steel columns support a weathering steel roof, which folds downward, guiding the eye towards the park’s natural beauty. The design blurs the boundaries between indoors and outdoors, with openings in the roof allowing glimpses of tree branches and natural light to filter through. Inside, the red terrazzo floor and steel columns create a light, floating atmosphere, while the building’s interaction with the surrounding nature reflects a commitment to ‘construction with the natural way.’ This balance between nature and human intervention transforms the Coffee Shed into an organic and dynamic space, deepening the connection between people and the natural world.

Camel Step Coffee Roasters Shop in Hail, Saudi Arabia, by Faris Alosaimi

Camel Step Coffee Roasters Shop in Hail offers a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity, situated in a historic building renovated to reflect local heritage. Designed by Faris Alosaimi, the café features natural granite stone sourced from the Hail region, which enhances the interior and exterior design. The crushed red granite mixed with concrete in the floors adds a unique hue, complementing the warm, welcoming atmosphere. Large windows allow natural light to flood the space, while wooden furniture and a grand stone fireplace create a cozy, intimate setting. The design extends to an outdoor-inspired section, featuring rustic wooden chairs, concrete tables, and climbing plants, fostering a connection with nature. The café’s simplicity, elegance, and local touches make it an inviting space where visitors can relax and enjoy a cup of coffee in comfort.

Okkio Nguyễn Siêu Café in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, by Red5studio

Inspired by Wong Kar-Wai’s film 2046, Okkio Nguyễn Siêu Café by Red5studio combines retro aesthetics with futuristic elements, creating a dynamic and cinematic experience. The design, featuring contrasting green and red tones, incorporates sliding glass doors, colored plastic curtains, and mirrors that reflect light and space in multiple angles. The café’s interior, defined by continuously moving strips of color, evokes the sensation of time flowing in chaotic harmony. LED strips, polycarbonate panels, and chromatic materials enhance the ever-shifting atmosphere, making the café feel animated by light, color, and movement. Situated on the bustling Nguyễn Siêu Street, Okkio is a space where real and imagined memories blend, reflecting the film’s themes of time and fleeting encounters.

32do Younghee Café and Restaurant in Seminyak, Bali, Indonesia, by Terasu, FFFAAARRR, and stof

A collaboration between Terasu, FFFAAARRR, and Korean studio stof, 32do Younghee Café and Restaurant offers a sensory exploration of the seasons. The space unfolds as a journey through spring, summer, and autumn, with each area embodying seasonal landscapes. The café, 32do, immerses visitors in the vibrant energy of summer, complete with a skylit, plant-filled environment and a dynamic terrazzo floor. As visitors pass through the space, the seasonal transition continues with Younghee, a calm autumn-inspired restaurant featuring copper accents and bamboo-shaped partitions. Each space offers a unique visual and gustatory experience, capturing both Korean roots and the tropical Indonesian environment.

Phuffle Restaurant and Café in Tambon Prachathipat, Thailand, by Too.architects

Phuffle by Too.architects transcends conventional café design with its innovative integration of architecture, space, and social interaction. Central to the design is a monumental staircase that not only connects the two levels but also serves as the restaurant’s identity. The space features three distinct voids, each enhancing connectivity and interaction, including a central courtyard that introduces natural elements. The design employs a modern greyscale palette of washed sand, brushed stainless steel, and wooden stamped concrete. Dynamic lighting shifts throughout the day, creating an immersive and engaging environment for dining, socializing, and art exhibitions. Phuffle’s thoughtful design transforms it into a landmark social space in Pathum, Bangkok.

coffea SHED Columbia Circle Store in Shanghai, China, by koooarchitects

Inspired by agricultural outbuildings in Yunnan, coffea SHED by koooarchitects employs a spacious design concept beneath a corrugated metal ceiling, reminiscent of farm warehouses. The metal panels allow for easy integration of lighting and safety systems, while the use of granite flooring, extended from the outdoor plaza into the interior, blurs the boundary between indoor and outdoor spaces. Flexible lighting rails and carefully placed fluorescent lights enhance the functionality of the space, creating a modern yet rustic ambiance.