The Ultimate Fukuoka City Local Coffee Guide!
Fukuoka City has one of the youngest populations in Japan, thanks to the relatively low cost of living and overall quality of life. You can find large brand-named stores, vintage clothing stores, hair & beauty salons, new restaurants, trends, and cafes all over the city. Although we have a large number of coffee chain establishments in the city, with the number of local businesses that can be found in back streets and quiet neighborhoods, it almost seems like a waste to only visit Tully’s, Seattle’s Best, and Starbucks.
Whether you’re out shopping near Canal City, catching a train at Hakata Station, or wandering around Tenjin and Daimyo - there’s bound to be a local cafe nearby worth looking into. Here is a small list of local favorites that are worth checking out!
Manu Coffee
Manu Coffee is a popular local chain that has stylish hole-in-the-wall cafes in hidden corners of Fukuoka City’s downtown core. Whether you’re shopping at Canal City, visiting friends in Yakuin, or looking for a low-key spot to catch a break in Tenjin, Manu Coffee’s rough-minimalist style is popular with residents and visitors alike. Try the Vanilla Wasanbon Latte, Green Cafe Latte, Portland Mocha, or Mogwai! Beans can also be bought in single dip packs, or by the beans! A great place for local souvenirs.
Shirouzu Coffee
This popular chain has coffee, lattes, snacks, and even light meals to enjoy inside their minimalist-style cafe interiors. Located in Tenjin, Kego, and Minato on the bay, this is a nice place to read a book, crack open a laptop, get some work done, or spend a relaxing time with friends. Single-drip coffee packets and coffee beans are available to purchase here as well!
Stereo Coffee
A short walk from Yakuin Station, tucked away behind Watanabe Dori, this cafe is a spot for local artists and comfort-seekers who want to lounge around in the bright and spacious wooden interior. Light meals are available, and they hold live events with local artists from time to time as well. Stop by to pick up some Stereo Coffee original t-shirts, or drip coffee packets to take home to your friends!
Little Honey Daimyo
Perhaps one of the smallest cafes in Fukuoka City, Little Honey is tucked away on a small street in Daimyo, and is about the size of a walk-in-closet. While there isn’t any space indoors for sitting down and drinking your coffee, there is a small table and chair outside so you can sit on the street and people-watch while you take a short break. Try the chai tea with chai whipped cream, for a spicy, cinnamon treat.
REC Coffee
REC Coffee also has several locations across Fukuoka City, and combines coffee tea and lattes with decadent desserts and baked goods. From parfaits, to eclairs, to black coffee, to flavored lattes, this cafe is a great way to satisfy both those with an intense sweet tooth, and those in need of a bitter caffeine kick! Coffee beans, decaf coffee, and single-use drip bags are available here!
Coffeeman
With award-winning coffee, this small nostalgic cafe is hidden around the corner from Ropponmatsu’s popular bakery “Matsupan.” Both shops collaborate together to share their seating — you can either bring your coffee to Matsupan bakery, or you can bring your baked goods to Coffeeman and enjoy them there instead. One of Fukuoka City’s up-and-coming neighborhoods with lots to see, combine this trip with a visit to the local science museum for a full-day of activities. Coffee beans, single-use drip bags, and coffee-related specialty items such as grinders and filters can be purchased here.
FUK Coffee
This airline-themed cafe uses Fukuoka’s iconic airport code “FUK” in it’s branding, walking a fine line between paying homage to the city, and confusing English speaking tourists. Desserts, branded souvenirs, and sweet coffees are available here. Thanks to the clever branding, this is a great place to stop by if you’re looking for some Fukuoka memorabilia to bring back to coffee lovers at home.
Carbon Coffee
With minimalist interior and bright neon signs, carbon coffee is another popular spot for artists. Often holding art galleries and public showcases for local handmade products, this can be a fun place to drop into when exploring the back streets of Daimyo, if you want to get an idea of what the young artist population is up to. The baked cookies and sandwiches are great for a light snack!
Tweener Coffee
Located in Otemon, close to Fukuoka and Ohori, this is a local cafe that makes a great stop while heading to and from the park. The interior is spacious, quiet and comfortable, making it a great place to relax and take a break. Light snacks are available! The owner is a huge fan of Tennis, and will often have matches playing on TV.
Connect Coffee
Famous for the award-winning intricate latte art, this cafe serves impressive cups of coffee, and offers a variety of seasonal sweet desserts such as banana bread, cake, and granola. Located downtown, a short walk from Tenjin, this cafe attracts the attention of coffee lovers from around the city, and tourists from around the world. From time to time, they hold latte art classes, but seats fill up quickly, so keep an eye on their Instagram for updates!
Pin Coffee
A small cafe around the corner from Yakuin station that has light food, seasonal desserts, siphon coffee, and a small variety of italian-style sodas. With a bright and cozy interior and friendly staff, this newly-open cafe is operated by local modeling and talent agency “Cover Girl Entertainment”, and could be a great spot to get discovered!?
うつわCafe Yuu
A quiet spot in Daimyo, a short walk from Tenjin, that from the outside is quite ambiguous. Is it a cafe? Is it a pottery shop? Well - it’s both. Utsuwa Cafe Yuu (Utsuwa means plate), is a pottery cafe. The second floor is for pottery classes (reservation required!) and the first floor is a cafe where you can enjoy Japanese sweets and beverages in a pottery mug of your choice! The display case by the counter shows the different handmade mugs available, and you simply give your preference when placing an order. A bit niche, this little cafe is actually a great place to spend some quiet time downtown — it’s never too crowded, and the dark, leafy green and wooden interior creates an ambience that is a welcome relief from the business of downtown.
White Glass Coffee
Produced by “Green Bean To Bar Chocolate”, this cafe is the perfect fusion of light meals, decadent sweets, and bitter coffee. A three minute walk from Canal City, and a short walk from Hakata Station, this cafe is a welcome spot for anyone staying across the river, closer to the shinkansen or airport. If you enjoy the sweets and ambience of this cafe, you might also want to check out Green Bean To Bar’s main chocolate shop in Tenjin, behind the Sony Store, as well.
For more up-to-date restaurant listings and reviews (in ENGLISH!) be sure to check out my Instagram feed below!
Did I miss anything important? Let me know your tips and recommendations in the comments below! I always love hearing when you’ve gone and tried any of my recommendations, so don’t hesitate to reach out to let me know if you’ve enjoyed something—or even if you didn’t! Your tips can help other travelers plan their itineraries when they come to visit, so all information is helpful!