One cup, three layers of flavor—a café in Macau’s alleys with true character

Text & Photos /TravelBAG

In recent years, visiting Macau has felt all about the glitz—either hitting the casinos or splurging at five-star hotels. Stuck in Coloane, you might not feel inclined to explore further. Even if you’re staying in Coloane, you might stroll over to Avenida de Horta e Costa, where the scene never changes: streets packed with tourists either lining up for water crab porridge, digging into Portuguese cuisine at Santos, or grabbing a pork chop bun. To be honest, even our editor finds it dull, which is why they haven’t set foot in Macau for years.

Due to work, we recently returned, hoping to showcase a different side of Macau through our book. With this concept in mind, we discovered several unique shops—run by passionate owners dedicated to crafting genuine flavors. This time, TravelBAG’s editors won’t take you to Avenida de Horta e Costa or guide you through buffet spreads. Instead, we’ll lead you into the alleys to find hidden gems brimming with local charm.

This week, we’re taking you to a specialty coffee shop—Single Origin.

When we chatted with a PR from a Macau hotel, she mentioned that Single Origin is tough to secure an interview with—they often decline. Whether by fate or luck, our simple inquiry was met with an enthusiastic yes, and we’re truly grateful.

Stepping into Single Origin, the aroma of coffee fills the air. The space is compact, with a second floor, and its small size ensures the fragrance lingers. They asked if we had any particular coffee in mind, but like always, we left it to their expertise—the professionals know best how to select the finest brews. One of our editors is a caffeine-obsessed fan who can drink cup after cup without losing sleep. So, she tried a variety of coffees.

What surprised us most was seeing the baristas and owner beam with joy as she kept sipping and smiling. “Seeing customers enjoy our coffee makes us happiest,” they said. Because the shop is small and not overly crowded—most opt for takeout—there’s more opportunity to chat with the baristas. Conversation is a simple pleasure in life, important yet often overlooked.

Here, coffee shouldn’t be rushed. Chain stores churn out “just a cup of coffee” from machines, but in places like this, you taste the barista’s heart. If it’s not too busy, share your flavor preferences with the barista—they’ll pick a coffee and explain its personality. In a way, you’re falling in love with the brew.

They offer a wide range of single-origin coffees—brewed from a single type of bean, priced between $45–$75. Unlike blended coffees, these let you savor distinct layers. We may not know wine, but the same principles apply: origin, farming methods, the farmer, and even yearly weather all shape a coffee’s complexity.

Single Origin even crafts a “business card” for each coffee, detailing its profile—just like wine, you’ll know exactly what you’re drinking. Each cup comes with a side of coffee grounds for you to sniff its aroma, sometimes floral, other times fruity.

They also rotate seasonal specials. Our editor stumbled upon a summer exclusive, “Xiao Shu” (Minor Heat)—a coffee with three evolving layers. First sip the coffee, then pour in mixed orange ice, and finish with lemon soda. The layers grow increasingly refreshing. Every visit to Single Origin brings a delightful surprise.

Cold drip coffee demands patience and skill. Here, the extraction takes 4–6 hours, with precise water-to-coffee ratios. Because the coffee sits on ice, the melting process alters flavors and layers dynamically.

They even include a bit of coffee grounds with each cup. Add water to release the aroma—everyone can learn to appreciate coffee’s nuances.

For those wary of straight coffee, try an Affogato—more dessert-like, blending coffee with ice cream. While trendy lately, few places (even in Hong Kong) nail it like this. Beyond the ice cream, they add a hint of lemon peel to balance richness, then dip in pink salt. Turns out, salt and sweetness balance each other beautifully.

Single Origin
Address: G/F, 19 Rua Doze De Junho, Macau
Phone: 853-6698-7475
Hours: 12:00 NOON–8:00 PM (Mon–Sat), 12:00 NOON–7:00 PM (Sun)
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/singleorigincoffee
Price: From MOP $45
Transport: Take buses 2, 2A, 9A, or 12, alight at Tap Seac Sports Pavilion, and walk 2 minutes.

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