WHEN IN SHANGHAI, DO AS THE LOCALS DO AND GO TO. . .Xīng Bā Kè

 I was in Shanghai recently on a work-related trip, which proved to be particularly hectic and stressful. So on our last day, travel partner JPL and i decided to have breakfast the Starbucks Reserve Roastery, dubbed as the ''largest Starbucks in the world.''

I'm not very sure why this was a thing we would do. Maybe for the sheer novelty, or the wonderment how Starbucks (colloquially known as 星巴克 Xīng bā kè) would catch on in a traditionally tea-drinking country like China. 

It was easy peasy getting there via Shanghai metro from our hotel. And before we knew it, we could see it already.  

Opened in December 2017, it was indeed the biggest Starbucks Reserve in the world with a total area of 30,000 square feet; and was designed to be a ''coffee wonderland'' (take that, John Mayer) for guests. 

Ah, the familiar mermaid logo!

 

 First impressions definitely favour this Starbucks. Everything seems designed to arouse and delight the senses -- the rich ready-for-Instagram interiors, the heady appetizing scents of coffee and pastries, etc. One can sit at the bar and watch one's coffee order being made on the spot:

 

Or choose from a wide selection of yummy-looking, freshly baked pastries: 

We ordered and duly settled onto our table. In fairness, I must say that the food (and coffee) more than lived up to expectations.

The ham and cheese croissants were sublime, and my cinnamon roll was really really really delicious! I actually wanted to buy six more, haha. :D Not quite full yet, i ordered a Danish pastry after, which proved to be very good, too. 

 According to the Smart Shanghai website, the visual centerpiece of the Starbucks Reserve Roastery was the ornate two-story Copper Cask (see photo below), which weighs over four tons and measures over eight meters in height — twice the size of the one in Seattle. It's designed to hold freshly-roasted coffee beans, until they reach their full flavor.

 

Here's the view from the second floor:  Perfect for lounging around, no?

 
 They have a wide (more than wide) assortment of teas, too.

Check out their ''Cold Brew'' towers below:

Downstairs, there was a retail area selling shirts, coffee paraphernalia, coffee beans, etc. as well. On our visit, we were surprised to see a sizable local crowd -- senior citizens, students, white-collar folks, etc. (JPL and i thought only gullible gweilos -- like us -- would go here! LOL :D)

There were even local tour groups (complete with guide holding a flag) roaming around and snapping photos gleefully (and not ordering any drinks. Haha). :D


JPL and i enjoyed immensely, and it was with a lighter spring in our step that we walked back to the Metro station for the return to hotel, and later on, airport.

As we crossed the street, i suddenly grasped his arm. "Look!" Lo and behold, we saw on the other side of the road, the one and only Shanghai outlet of the famous (and mucho delicioso) Grom gelato.

 

Suddenly, i'm looking forward to returning to Shanghai again!

Address: 

789 West Nanjing Road

Jingan District, Shanghai

Here’s the website for more info: https://roastery.starbucks.com.cn/en/

How to get there: 

Take Line 2 of the Shanghai Metro. Go down at West Nanjing Road station. Upon exiting, turn right and walk for 60 meters. 

**All photos by JPL**