Outdoor patio at Lotiko with green umbrellas, wicker chairs, and four A-frame signs advertising drinks.
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Lotiko Coffee by Day, Beers by Night: 3 Min From Coco Park

Bythirstyguide.com

I came across the first one in Nanshan quite a while back. Cool little coffee shop tucked away in a side alley just off a busy street. I was a customer there for a good year, dropping in for a coffee, to chill, do a bit of work, and play cards. My normal drink of choice was often a coffee, more than likely a cocktail. It was about then the boss mentioned they were about to open a second location. That new shop is the one I’m reviewing today.

A person in a black dress holds a light purple umbrella at Lotiko's service window.
I did not bring an umbrella to Lotiko.

Finding the place

Lotiko is in the Coco Park area, very close to Exit B at Convention Center, which is just a short walk away from Shopping Park station and its larger mall. Leave the station by that exit, walk to the main road, turn right, and it is just past Rich Kat, Revolution, and The Brew. It sits on the crossroads where one of the main roads leads down to another night life and shopping area of Coco Park.

Vibe

Lotiko sits on a crossroads, and like all crossroads across the world it’s a nexus point for interest, especially in this busy district. In the daytime it’s cars and business people going back and forth to work. As day turns to late afternoon and early evening, staff who work in the many restaurants and bars gather for the evening shifts, and patrons start to go out for their dinner and the first drinks of the evening. That’s exactly when Lotiko as a spot to view the world gets very interesting. It really is a fantastic place to sit and drink and to watch everything that wanders by, especially on Fridays, Saturdays and holidays.

Three men at an outdoor table at Lotiko at night, one drinking beer while traffic passes behind.
Beer and a ‘COFFEE THEN LIFE’ shirt at Lotiko.

It’s a super place to sit and eat a bagel, drink a coffee or a beer anytime of the day. I believe it’s one of the best places in the whole area to do this, as the whole area is pretty commercial. Daytime Monday to Friday is the best time for a quiet coffee and a bagel. For drinks and action, Friday and Saturday evenings.

Only a small section is indoors. It is cozy, the AC works really well, and the tables and chairs are comfortable enough to bring out your device of choice to work or doom scroll.

The outside area is equally good, but bear in mind Guangdong gets hot and wet. If it rains you’re covered by beautiful umbrellas. In the cooler months it’s perfect. For me personally I always love outside. It’s a rare luxury in today’s built-up areas.

Interior corner at Lotiko with a laptop on a round table and a bookshelf with books and magazines in Chinese characters
Corner table at Lotiko with a laptop, mouse, and plastic cup.
Lotiko dining area with cane-seat chairs, dark tables, and a black bag beneath a green shade.
I have no idea who the bag belongs to.

What’s to drink?

My personal favourite drink to have there is their gin and tonic, which goes for 38 RMB. It’s solid because they provide an excellent gin which is vastly superior to the standard offerings of pretty much 80% of the bars in Shenzhen and at a fraction of the price. Please don’t increase the price.

Tall glass of pale beverage with lemon and straw at Lotiko, blurred bar background behind.
Tall glass, pale liquid, no people. Lotiko.

Another offer is 108 RMB for a free flow of Duvel, or rather their beer Ducato, which is seriously delicious beer, and Kirin which is solid too. There are a ton of bottle beers in the fridge, too, European, North American, and Chinese. In case you don’t know, China’s native beers are going from strength to strength, definitely worth trying. That said they are more catered for local taste buds than for overseas. Bear in mind from Monday to Thursday they close at 12 o’clock.

For coffee drinkers, they’re open at 8:30 in the morning and well into the evening.

Pint glass printed with Birrificio del Ducato and shield-like logo holds amber beer with white foam at Lotiko.
Birrificio del Ducato pint at Lotiko.

What’s tasty?

The boss provides excellent bagels at prices that put Starbucks to shame. My favorite savory one is the salmon, though he has sweeter ones too. Prices start at about 14 RMB.

Lotiko food kiosk with men gathered outside, baked goods visible, and a green China Post mailbox in the foreground.
Lotiko, complete with a China Post mailbox.
Stacked bagel sandwich halves with egg, melted cheese, and meat at Lotiko.
The plate text reads ‘LET’S GO ALL,’ or as much of it as I caught.

What’s the service like?

The boss is very customer-focused and diligent about giving the customer the best experience for a very reasonable price. It’s a family run business. I’m all for family businesses. It’s great when you know the people that operate the place personally. It gives you much more connection to the place, I’m sure many of you feel much the same way.

What are the prices like?

The prices are very reasonable. The americano, as I mentioned, is around 18 RMB. The latte is around 25.

There is much more to spend your hard-earned money on than just these. From dirty to a shot, everything is well priced and quality. The biggest difference from here to other places is the quality. In many commercial bars and coffee shops, especially in this high-rent district, you might get the price but the quality is another matter. Not here.

Printed black-and-white Lotiko beverage menu showing drink sections in Chinese and English with prices.
The Lotiko menu lists drinks in Chinese and English and notes a five-unit extra-espresso charge.
Printed menu for Lotiko showing bagel and snack sections with prices in Chinese and English.
The Lotiko menu covers bagels and snacks in Chinese and English.

Worth dropping by?

I would absolutely recommend it. I think it offers the best value in the whole area, potentially for the coffee and the beer. The only place that might rival it for good value is Rich Kat nearby, but for the whole experience, good service, great prices, high quality and outside seating, it’s difficult to beat.

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