Topo Cafe

Topo Café simulates the serenity of the outdoors. Fish shimmy in the water trickling between tiles and time stands as still as the raindrop-like water bulbs poised overhead. The coffee here does just fine as a pick-me-up but is nothing to write home about. It's the tea that has us swooning over our saucers. A cup of chocolate mint truffle tea is enjoyed under sighs of smooth jazz in this Tianmu Café.

Historically home to the American naval officers stationed nearby, Topo Café is a known expat haven in the area. A good place for some chit-chat with friendly regulars, a cup of artisanal tea and a hunk of gruyere on freshly baked bread. In the delicious, white picket fence district of Tianmu, Topo Café is just around the corner from Shipai MRT station, open weekdays from 8:00 to 18:00 and weekends from 9:00 to 21:00 - closed on Mondays.