Café Sausalito (Hong Kong, CHINA) ★★★☆☆

After spending nearly two weeks in the Kansai region of Japan, I finally settled back home. I had promised myself to support our local F&B scene more upon returning, so despite being swamped with work, I ended up going to Sham Shui Po for a very late lunch at 4:30pm.

I've heard a lot about the evolving café scene in Sham Shui Po, especially how it’s been rapidly transforming since the pandemic. My destination this time was Café Sausalito, a café, micro-roaster, and bean supplier all under one roof. Like many cafés in the area, they also offer a small selection of comfort food, including all-day breakfast, pasta dishes, and burgers.

Interestingly, many of these cafés are housed in former auto shops, so they’ve retained an industrial aesthetic that gives the space a unique character.

Matcha latte ($42) – After spending time in Kyoto, I’ve developed a bit of an addiction to matcha beverages, so this was right up my alley. That said, the flavors here weren’t as pronounced or complex as those I had in Japan, but still a comforting drink to start off the meal with.

Bloody Mary Shrimp Pasta ($112) – This pasta dish came with a twist, a secret Bloody Mary-inspired tomato sauce, along with shrimps, mushrooms, and onions. Since I have a couple of presentations coming up next week, I've asked for a non-spicy version.

I thought the pasta was well-cooked and nicely tossed in a rich, tangy tomato sauce. The shrimps were slightly bland (except for the seasoning of black pepper), but for the most part, it was an enjoyable and satisfying dish.

Didn’t get the chance to try their dessert menu this afternoon. The space was a bit cramped, so it’s not exactly the ideal spot to chill out especially for a solo diner like myself. Still, it’s easy to see why Café Sausalito is part of the growing café scene in Sham Shui Po. Great coffee, decent food, and an atmosphere that reflects the area’s industrial roots. 👍👍

Food Rating: 5.9/10

Price: $$$

Address: G/F, 201 Tai Nan Street, Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong

Closest Metro Station: Sham Shui Po

Website: https://www.cafesausalitohk.com/

Opening Hours: 9:00am - 6:00pm daily