The career trajectory of JJ Acuña reads like a global odyssey—one that stretches from a quiet Texas suburb to the skylines of Hong Kong and, most recently, Manila. Across each locale, he honed an approach he calls “spatial DNA”. It’s a bespoke methodology that weaves client aspirations, cultural context, and intuitive materiality into environments that […]
JJ Acuña Designs Two New Coffeelin Spots
In a place where diverse cultures converge, cafés provide common ground for simple pleasures anyone can easily appreciate and enjoy. For the Hong Kong-based Italian coffee shop, Coffeelin, this means more than just serving exceptional coffee. In collaboration with JJ Acuña / Bespoke Studio, the brand opened new locations in Fortress Hill and Central to offer an immersive day-to-night experience of Italian heritage. These convivial spaces become bridges between diverse lifestyles and origins as they slowly embed their unique coffee culture into the region’s cosmopolitan fabric.
Where Western Flavor and Eastern Cosmopolitan Spirit Meet
Coffeelin is a homegrown cafe chain famous for its daytime cafe and nighttime cocktail bar experience. This draws inspiration from Milan’s unique café culture, where the lively community gathers and participates from morning to night.
Opening its doors in June 2021 in Happy Valley, the brand introduced patrons to the distinct flavor and art of Milanese coffee culture. As the exclusive supplier of Italian roasting company Torrefazione Griso in Asia, this coffee shop takes pride in serving GRISO coffee beans sourced directly from Milan. These refined aromatic brews and signature drinks paired with various Italian treats are a delightful homage to the rich tapestry of its native city.
But to truly honor its roots, Coffeelin also showcases its cultural narrative in the cafe’s interior. Through the hands of local and international designers and artists like Acuña, a vibrant and authentic space came to be. Handcrafted Milanese details such as Memphis-style wall art, antique mirrors, Milanese tables, and factory lights all evoke a sense of Italian nostalgia.
This successful debut marks the beginning of Coffeelin’s journey as it connects and thrives with Hong Kong’s growing community.
Brewing New Chapters for Coffeelin
As it gradually grows its presence in the region, Coffeelin expands with two more spots in Fortress Hill and Central. Each carries a signature character to further establish the Italian coffee shop’s identity and influence.
“We are thrilled to bring two new Coffeelin locations to Hong Kong, each honouring different facets of Milanese family heritage and coffee culture,” Acuña expressed.
Coffeelin Fortress Hill
Launched in January 2024, Coffeelin Fortress Hill lets you feel the cozy and humble ambiance of a provincial Italian osteria. Revolving around the idea of a grandchild’s tribute to their nonna, this Italian coffee shop’s interior design is like stepping back in time.
Rustic elements seamlessly blend with mid-century modern details through its geometric patterned floor, textured walls, prominent warm oak features, and colorful Memphis-inspired ceiling mural. Meanwhile, the warm lighting and the natural light filtering through the cafe curtains and floor-to-ceiling windows make the space feel more homey.
But what makes it a true homage to nonna’s legacy is the open kitchen layout, resembling the way families often gather in her kitchen. More than portraying grandmothers’ innate warmth and hospitality, this social space highlights the significance of strong family bonds. This very essence invites patrons to partake in the same sense of connection that makes the cafe more intimate and familiar.
Coffeelin Central
The warmth and conviviality of a traditional Italian taverna are the heart and soul of Coffeelin’s latest location in LHT Tower, Central. It brings back childhood recollections of time spent in a rustic trattoria, with nostalgic details that reflect the wonder and creativity of a child’s imagination.
Rich terracotta tiles, black marble flooring, and patterned wood veneer ground the space. In addition, Coffeelin Central also kept the rustic oak furnishings and Memphis murals, following the trademark of its initial branches.
At the heart of the Italian coffee shop is the bar counter, where you’ll find whimsical elements like the mushroom-shaped table lamps and vintage leaf patterned stools. These playful features permeate the entire space as you move further inside.
Rounded banquettes paired with terrazzo tables define the main dining area. Across it are the green shelves, racks, and mirror with wavy edges and lacquered finish. Moreover, the shared table arrangements are specifically designed to encourage conversation and connection—something the cafe chain always espouses.
From the moment you step in and savor their delicacies, you can fully experience the brand’s genuine desire to share their heritage.
Coffeelin: A Continuous Narrative
Coffeelin’s expansion into Fortress Hill and Central marks not just the opening of new locations, but the unfolding of an ongoing story. As Acuña outlines, these new locations celebrate and explore the different dimensions of Milanese family heritage and coffee culture.
“Our mission is to provide an environment where guests feel part of the Coffeelin family, experiencing not just our Italian coffee and cocktails but also the traditions and stories that make the brand unique,” Acuña shares.
This is not a story that has reached its conclusion but rather a narrative in progress, being woven into the very fabric of Hong Kong’s vibrant cultural landscape, one shared design and experience at a time.
Photo credits to Steven Ko Photography.
Read more: Mocha Mousse: JJ Acuña’s Hot Take on Pantone’s 2025 Color of the Year
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