Caffe Paradiso

Best coffee in Mui Wo! The perfect little café that has my favourite parts of paris, italy and the uk.
Croissants, paninis, coffee and smoothies — all freshly made in front of you. There’s a quaint and friendly atmosphere, and just such great coffee!

Best espresso in South Lantau. Thick crema, smooth and strong.
The café has a quaint feel, small and cozy. Staff are friendly and accommodating.

There are all these cute, cosy places in Mui Wo that I am discovering and Caffe Paradiso certainly helps strengthen that stereotype. As my go-​to café in the area I know exactly how to find it but it may seem tricky for first timers. It’s hidden around the corner from the China Bear, tucked between that and a real estate agency — and it’s closed on wednesdays, like many places in Mui Wo, weird I know. Why Wednesday? Anyway, one of the reasons I enjoy every visit to Caffe Paradiso is because it offers what most Starbucks cafes do and more. For example a pizza, or a fruit and yogurt smoothie — make sure to try one of their berry mixes, they are great on a hot day!
Personally, and please don’t hate me for it, I don’t like coffee. Hot chocolate and tea I can do but they don’t set my taste buds on fire with excitement so generally I stay away from cafes. However, put a sugar-​filled smoothie in front of my face and I’ll be a happy chap indeed. Slide a pizza or (and) chocolate muffin in the mix and it becomes a complete inbetweener-​meal. For those of you who do not know what that is, it’s a meal that sits comfortably between lunch and dinner, or breakfast and lunch.
I do have one minor critique which I believe is worth sharing. It is small, small like eight chairs indoor and another four outside. I’ve never had an issue finding a free seat with my girlfriend but I can imagine the moment I invite all my friends from the city (oh so far!), smiling from ear to ear eager to show off my hang out spots… and it’s full. Luckily that day has never come, mainly because leaving Hong Kong to on outlying island is a form a blasphemy to many city dwellers. I go every day to that polluted, crowded island and you can’t spare a single Saturday? The argument never works but I’ll keep trying, and when it does I’ll get my friends hooked on the berry shake and pizza combo!