noc (Whampoa) — Restaurant in Kowloon

I agreed with other guys posted: the coffee and food is good. However, I wanted to add: the here service is bad.

My unhappy story was as below:

Today, I invited my friend to have brunch this morning. My friend arrived at about 10am, I arrived at about 10:15. He came in and looked for comfortable seats. He and I were not informed to have the table within 2 hours. We ordered two cups of coffee and 2 breads. My friend left for his business at about 11:40 and I didn't. It because my sister was coming to see me. At about 12:10 she arrived and then came in. She liked the atmosphere so I thought it was good to continue to have lunch with her here. Right now, no staff was coming to serve us and also no one informed me that I couldn't continue to have meal with my sister. Also, no one informed my sister that she was limited to have meal within 2 hours. And also no one informed me this rule.

So I only ordered a food without another cup of coffee because I had had one already. My sister ordered a food and a glass of iced chocolate. The atmosphere was good and comfortable. And the food and drinks were good. We were talking and sharing happily. We were happy. But good things didn't last long and it was broken suddenly by a staff. She told me rudely that: because a queue was outside, we had to leave at once. We were only allowed to have food within 2 hours. Then I replied no one told us this rule. And I also didn't see this rule posting. This was the time about 13:10. Because we didn't want to argue with her or others and we didn't want to compaint at this moment. Then the staff finally allowed us had to leave and paid the bill at 13:30. So I finished the conversation with my sister as quickly as possible. I looked at my clock on my cellphone. I counted the minutes and seconds. So we left the seats 13:30 sharply and paid the bill. It was $432.3 with 10% service charge included.

I told this unhappy story to the cashier. He was polite and said sorry and sorry. Finally, I paid the bill unhappily.

I ordered the food by cellphone. I poured the water by myself. So is it worth to paid 10% service charge with this kind of rude service? I never experienced I was commanded to leave the seats and pay the bill. I, my friend and my sister were never informed to finish the food within 2 hours while we were coming in. I was also never informed that I could not continue to sit at the same table with another guy. Until at about 13:10, I was informed and had to leave at once.

This is really my bad experience at NOC. Not only coffee. It's right. Because additionally, I got rude service. There are many different coffee shops. I was never experienced this kind of bad...

Beautiful Design, But Not the Zen Escape It Looks Like

Really wanted to love this place more. The location is fantastic—right by the harbour in a quieter part of Hong Kong, and the minimalist aesthetic is beautiful. Absolutely love the design: clean lines, calming tones, and an elevated feel that sets the tone for a refined café experience.

The menu is decent (a bit pricey, but in line with typical Hong Kong café pricing), and the complimentary water and pleasant staff were appreciated. However, the actual experience inside didn’t match the tranquil design.

The interior was surprisingly loud—groups of loud tourists, children, and a generally chaotic energy that made the space feel more like a fast food joint than a minimalist café. The air conditioning was overly strong, the hard seating wasn’t comfortable, and the noise really undercut the visual calm of the place. It created a mismatch between the space’s sophisticated look and the actual vibe.

I had a corner seat with a nice window view of the waterfront, which helped a little. Eventually, I moved outside where it was quieter and more pleasant, without the overly cold AC.

One more thing: the ordering counter was awkward—no clear queue or flow, so it felt disorganized during busy times. Feels like you’re waiting a long time to order esp when others are taking too long or blocking the counter space.

If you’re going for the view or design, it’s still worth checking out. But if you’re looking for peace, be warned: it doesn’t quite deliver the calm its...

First time trying the branch in Whampoa. The place is spacious and bright, however I haven't found the same quality in the food and service as I have in other branches.

For instance I ordered a pastry and coffee in the morning. They brought the pastry hot without asking me if I wanted it hot, I didn't actually because the one I chose wasn't one to eat warm, the coffee cane 15 minutes later so by then the pastry wasn't just cold, but it had become hard that it was difficult to chew. 👎 The flat white, the main reason why I go to NOC, because it's the best in town, was also disappointing. Later I ordered the salad with the steak shown in the pictures. And when you place the order it specifically asks you if you want the steak medium or medium -welldone. I selected medium. The steak was well-welldone 👎

Sorry, I think I'll stick to the NOC near where I live.

Additional review from a second visit in January as I was in the area and decided to give it a second chance. The tall guy in reception was full of attitude acting as a gatekeeper of seating. I wanted to seat at a table since I have back problems hence I need a normal seat, but he was insisting I sit at a counter with tall stools, despite having place available at the table. I don't understand what is wrong with this specific branch of NOC. Every other branch I have been to staff are polite and welcoming but here in Whampoa they are acting like a customer is beneath them. The vibe is completely off and after this second chance I will definitely not...