The coolest Starbucks stores in Asia

Starbucks might be the world’s biggest coffee chain but this list of gorgeous stores across Asia offer so much more than a caffeine fix.

Starbucks Hualien, Taiwan
  • Jetstar Asia
  • March 2019

From the world’s largest outlet to one that’s housed in a century-old wooden townhouse, this list of Starbucks stores are more than just a place for coffee — each one takes inspiration from the destination’s local culture and surroundings. Check them out on your next holiday.

1. Starbucks Dewata Coffee Sanctuary, Bali

Starbucks Dewata Coffee Sanctuary, Bali
The store façade of Bali Dewata Coffee Sanctuary is created with locally made red bricks shaped to create the illusion of the waves found on Bali’s famous beaches.

Modern building techniques meet traditional Balinese architecture here. The seed-to-cup journey is carefully constructed from the 1,000 square feet plot of Arabica coffee trees that greet you when you first enter the store, to the coffee seedling nursery on the second floor where customers are invited to tend to the delicate plants, and two interactive media installations where you can find out how the coffee is processed, roasted, shipped and brewed.

Jl. Sunset Road No.77, Seminyak, Kuta, Kabupaten Badung

Starbucks Dewata Coffee Sanctuary, Bali
The bamboo installation is inspired by the smoke and steam that creates the aroma of coffee.

2. Duddell Street Starbucks, Hong Kong

Duddell Street Starbucks, Hong Kong
Step back in time at Duddell Street Starbucks.

From the outside, it looks like any Starbucks but step in, head to the back and be transported back to Hong Kong in the ’50s. This store in Central is the first to incorporate a bing sutt (precursors to the cha chaan teng) in their coffeehouse design.

Shop M2, Mezzanine Floor, Baskerville House, 13 Duddell Street, Central

3. Higashiyama, Kyoto

Higashiyama Starbucks, Kyoto
The Higashiyama store is in a century-old two-storey teahouse that was once inhabited by geishas.

Locals were worrried a Starbucks store in the historic district of Higashiyama. But from the logo printed on noren curtains to the interior that’s designed to look like a traditional teahouse, and even considerations like not allowing lines to form outside the shop to preserve the serene ambience of Higashiyama, it looks like locals had nothing to worry about.

349 Masuyacho, Higashiyama Ward Kyoto

Higashiyama Starbucks, Kyoto
Do as the Japanese do: remove your shoes before taking a seat on the tatami mat.

4. The Reserve Roastery Shanghai

The Reserve Roastery Shanghai
The ceiling made of 10,000 handmade wooden tiles is a key design feature of The Reserve Roastery Shanghai

Proof that everything is bigger in China, The Reserve Roastery Shanghai, which is 30,000 square feet, feels more like a museum than café. It has three coffee bars, one of which is 88 feet long, making it the longest Starbucks coffee bar in the world.

789 West Nanjing Road, Unit 110 &201, Jingan District

The Reserve Roastery Shanghai
China’s first Teavana Bar is made entirely out of 3D printed recycled materials.
The Reserve Roastery Shanghai
Many processes such as the roasting of the coffee beans happen right in front of your eyes.

5. Starbucks Tsutaya, Tokyo

Shibuya crossing, Tokyo
Take people watching to the next level at Starbucks Tsutaya

The best part of this Starbucks is the prime view of the famous Shibuya crossing — the world’s busiest intersection.

150-0042, Tokyo Shibuya-ku 21-6 Udagawacho

6. Starbucks Rochester Park, Singapore

Starbucks Rochester Park, Singapore
Step in and chill out.

Housed in a beautiful double-storey colonial bungalow far away from the hustle and bustle of the city, this is the perfect spot for a lazy afternoon.

37 Rochester Drive Singapore 138640

7. Starbucks Hualien, Taiwan

Starbucks Hualien, Taiwan
Stacking the shipping containers resulted in a much taller structure that also allowed for skylights to be built.

Starbucks’ first sustainable store in Asia is made from 29 used shipping containers. Inside, the space is filled with natural light, and offers views of the mountain range.

No. 23, Zhongshan Road, Hualien City, Hualien County

8. Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tokyo

Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tokyo
The ceiling that’s inspired by origami is made of locally sourced wood and has been treated using a traditional technique that prevents it from ageing.

The world’s largest Starbucks was designed in collaboration with world-renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma. At the main bar, learn the art of roasting, brewing and handcrafting beverages. It also houses the first Princi Italian bakery in Japan.

2-19-23 Aobadai Meguro-ku Tokyo 153-0042

Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tokyo
Be sure to try the Golden-sky Black Tea Latte — lightly sweetened black tea with honey, turmeric and milk and topped with turmeric cotton candy.
Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tokyo
Inspired by the cherry blossom trees that line the nearby Meguro River, copper cherry blossoms decorate the 17 metre-tall coffee cask.