Clinics where you can drink coffee — five retro cafés in Dadaocheng

By MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Department

With the rise of the artsy trend, Dadaocheng, an area rich in history and culture, has also seen a surge in renovating old buildings. More and more spaces such as old apartments and traditional houses have been given new life and transformed into cafés, bookstores, and more. Below are five distinctive cafés in Dadaocheng worth visiting — each offers the illusion of stepping into another time and space.

1. Bao’an 84 Boan 84
Bao’an 84 is a mixed-use arts and culture space offering coffee, an art gallery, cultural and creative merchandise, and performance space. It was renovated from a surgical clinic hospital dating back to the Japanese colonial period. Bao’an 84 retains the original architectural structure and signage, and its unique nostalgic charm gives visitors the feeling of stepping into a clinic.

2. Modern Mode & Modern Mode Café
The Modern Mode Café is housed in a nearly century-old Japanese-style residence. Continuing its vintage form, it has been transformed into a Parisian-style café with French flair. The café features many antique jewelry pieces collected from around the world, which have been redesigned and presented in a modern style. On your next visit to Dihua Street, be sure to stop by this café to enjoy classic French cuisine, coffee, and exquisitely handcrafted desserts.

3. Luguo Café
Originating in Guandu, the Luguo Café branch in Dadaocheng is tucked away within the century-old Western-style building “Watsons Pharmacy” at Xiao Yiting. It preserves the original red brick flooring and creates a nostalgic ambiance with warm wooden elements. Luguo Café serves its own roasted beans as well as premium coffees from around the world, attracting many fans of single-origin coffee.

4. OrigInn Space Dadaocheng
The owner, who loves nostalgia and collecting vintage items, chose to open a legacy-filled new experience in an old house in Dadaocheng. Upon entering the shop, you’ll see a dazzling array of retro decorations — all vintage collectibles from around the world that bring endless nostalgia.