Last weekend, Baby T-T and I headed into town for an adventure day, and decided to break up our museum/open top bus/ferry/shopping fun with a spot of light refreshment at Café 8 in Central.

It’s strange that on the three occasions that I’ve visited this lovely little place, it’s rarely any more than half full. It certainly has all the elements you’d ideally want from a café in Hong Kong, namely:

Location
Café 8 is situated directly above the Maritime Museum at Central Ferry Pier 8. This is a prime waterfront spot in a super-busy spot, right next door to the Star Ferry to Tsim Sha Tsui.Space
The café is spacious and modern, the décor is bright and airy and best of all, there’s a huge roof terrace right outside with an amazing view of the Central skyline! (Surely that beats that Starbucks with a deck on Queens’ Road Central that everyone’s always banging on about?), which brings me neatly to…

Drinks
… the most important piece of the puzzle! They serve booze! Yes, that amazing terrace isn’t just wasted on cappuccinos; there’s a fully-stocked bar too and they stay open until 9pm Thursday-Saturday. Sundowner, anyone?

Ok, ok, so if you really insist, there’s non-alcoholic drinks on offer too. Baby T-T and I enjoyed a freshly-squeezed-before-our-eyes green apple juice and a pot of Teapigs Earl Grey respectively (bonus points for the use of one of my favourite teas!).

Food
The menu is small and unpretentious, but is excellent quality and good value too. Choose from the set lunch deals, or go for a simple quiche, salad or sandwich. Baby T-T and I were a little early for lunch but happily road-tested a large slice of carrot cake, which was honestly one of the best I’ve tried in Hong Kong; moist, light and with a tangy cream cheese frosting. Shame I only managed to grab two forkfuls before somebody shovelled it all down in one. Tsk.

Social Conscience
Café 8 have partnered with The Nesbitt Centre – an English-speaking education centre for people with learning disabilities in Hong Kong – to provide employment opportunities plus valuable training in areas like health and safety and coffee preparation techniques to all its employees. Along with sister coffee shop  The Nest at St. John’s Cathedral, Café 8 aims to help people to develop their skills, confidence, and ultimately independence, under the guidance of trained coaches.

Supporting a local community enterprise while enjoying cake? It’s a no-brainer.

Kid-friendly
This is an ideal spot for lunch with the kids in Central. The lift access, open space, highchairs, terrace to run around on and kids platter (including a mini pizza, veg sticks with dip and fruit – yum!) are all perfect for families in need of a bite without the IFC queues.

Wifi 
Hmm, Café 8 may not want to broadcast this point too widely, but they have (whisper it) unlimited free Wifi. Fellow writers, take note (but don’t take advantage!).

Next time you’re in Central and in need of a quick bite to eat with the kids, head for lucky number 8 (and save space for cake)!

Opening hours: Monday to Wednesday, 9.15 am – 6.15 pm; Thursday and Friday, 9.15am – 9pm; Saturday, 10am – 9pm; Sunday and Public Holidays, 10am – 7pm.

Café 8, Roof Level and Podium, Central Ferry Pier 8, Central, Hong Kong; 3791 2158

Please note that all food and drink was paid for (happily!)