Lotiko – Best Coffee Shop In Nanshan, Shenzhen?
Lotiko
People think that you need go to Futian or some of the fancier parts of Nanshan like Shekou, for great coffee shop or cafe, but they are wrong.
There is a family run coffee shop called Lotiko. It’s been open for about a year. The coffee shop itself is attached the restaurant next door and which is run by the same family. Chen is one of the bosses I have gotten to know, he speaks excellent English and is well travelled man.
For myself I love a place where you get to meet part of the family that run the operation, it just makes the experience more meaningful, especially when they have so much work and effort into creating the best experience for you.
Location
Lotiko‘s location is super convenient if your in the area. It’s not that far from Shenzhen University and Taoyuan subway station（桃园地铁站) which is just a stone’s throw from the nearby the university. However if your looking for Lotiko, you will find closer to Nanshan subway station, exit G. Just go out of the exit take a right go straight for about 100m, until you reach the hotpot restaurant (which also is super tasty). Take a left around the corner and there you will find the open decking area of Lotiko.
I love the location, because it’s just off the main road tucked away from the wind and noise of the street. I think it the best location for a coffee shop in the whole area, from my coffee adventuring experience.
Ambience
Chen and his family have done a great job making the place very inviting. Without a doubt there are 4 main reasons to come here. One of which is the ample seating and decking area. It is something that is getting more and more rare in Shenzhen as the local government keep this tightly controlled.
If you find a place with nice out seating in Shenzhen, embrace it because its not common especially in the urban centres. The sun for a few hour at mid day can make sure the place is warm or hot. In the late afternoon and evenings the place comes into its own and its the perfect place to drink coffee or something stronger.
It’s a fantastic place to meet friends or you can simply go inside for a more cozy intimate experience.
Food
They have a good selection of bagels which as well all know go lovely with a coffee. It really is one of the selling points of the establishment which become obvious as soon as you walk inside. Bagels and cakes there are fresh everyday, although not baked or made on location.
This is number 2 out of the 4 reasons I come here. They have a delicious pistachio cheese cake cake. It’s a cake that seems quite popular in Shenzhen these days. However to be honest at a similar price of 38 RMB as other places, you get a much bigger slice here. Just make sure you ask for the pistachio cream and nuts that are drizzled over it.
Alcohol
My preferred section of each post and my 3rd reason for coming here. They have a really good selection of bottled beers. They serve my favourite Belgium beers like Hendricks and Zot. However lets not forget the other beers, there is more than one brand of fruit beers in addition very tasty Chinese beers too.
For the less adventurous they have soft drinks too.
Service
The service is really good here. If Chen is around then English is no barrier. If he is not then, remember this is China and coffee is not difficult to order, if you want something in the fridge the just take it out or point to it and take it to the counter.
There is typically one or sometimes two staff on duty, both of which know how to make good coffee and very polite, and very service orientated. Meaning you will get what you have ordered well made, or served with in a short time. They somehow manage the service really efficiently, and needles to say all tables and areas of the coffee shop are kept clean and tidy.
Prices
My 4th main reason for liking Lotiko so much are the very competitive prices. Nahshan (南山) is not a cheap district. The prices here very competitive, I think the prices are maintained at a reasonable level because they also own and run the restaurant next door. Another possible reason, this is a very popular student area. Many of the students live nearby and the University is really close.
The coffee prices I start around 18 RMB if I recall correctly, and they of course have all the regular and fancy coffees that you might like and all at good prices.
The beer is also very well priced. Belgium beers tend to be more pricey than other beers in most locations, but again I would say they are cheaper here than most cafes and bars. The good beers start at around 34 RMB, which is a great price.
Final thoughts
I really do think this is one of my favourite coffee shops in Nanshan. For one there are too many chain coffee shops in Shenzhen, which I mostly avoid although there are one or two exceptions to that rule.
Coffee shops in Nanshan are often full business people and richer folk, which is often reflected in their prices. This is not the case with Lotiko. I love the prices of their coffee, the outside seating and their good selection of beers.
Is it worth going to this family run coffee shop, where the owners have so obviously poured so much of their time, love and sweat into it? I would say hell yes. There is not another place like this in Nanshan or in other districts.
If you are near Nanshan station, I would highly recommend you pop in, and eat some cake and get a Belgium for me.
If your are looking for something similar check out my reviews on Echo PM, Borra and Chera, or Cafe Society, and Baker’s Base, all in Futian. If your looking something different check out the review for Rongli (rockys bar) and then there is also another great spot in Lotiko in Nanshan. Although DABhaus has good cocktails, if your specifically looking for this try Cement, Ben’s bar or RMK.
Also check out my post on rednote
