Authentic Australian Coffee in China 🇦🇺☕ | A Hidden Café Gem in Old Yuhang

 Living in Cangqian, Yuhang, I’d somehow never really explored the cafés around my neighborhood. I always assumed this area was a bit of a “coffee desert.” That belief was completely overturned recently when a close friend invited me to check out a café in Old Yuhang. One visit in, and—boom—I unlocked a hidden gem that I couldn’t wait to tell people about. Friends in Old Yuhang, you’re in luck. The place is Lanini Café, located at No. 200-21 Fenghuangshan Road, Yuhang District.

The reason I say you can get authentic Australian coffee here is simple: Lanini is a small, community-style café run by a husband-and-wife team, with the owner being Australian. They have three adorable daughters, and the café’s name comes from the girls’ names. Even the logo—three little girls with pigtails—was drawn by their daughters themselves. It’s incredibly heartwarming.

There’s also a sweet dog at the entrance—the café mascot—who’s already 10 years old. He was taken in by the owner, and you’ll even spot his face on the coffee bean bags inside (which always makes me smile). All these little details give the space a strong family vibe, and you can feel that warmth the moment you see the storefront. Lanini has been around in Old Yuhang for years now, and it’s a favorite among nearby residents and foreign teachers who come for Western food and good coffee. While I was there, several groups of regulars dropped by, which instantly made me feel how lovely and tight-knit the local community is.

Don’t be fooled by the fact that Lanini is a couple-run café—both the coffee and the food menu are impressively extensive. The menu behind the bar actually takes up two or three chalkboards. Beyond coffee and meals, they also serve craft beer and wine, making it a perfect “coffee by day, alcohol by night” kind of place. From morning caffeine to evening relaxation, Lanini pretty much takes care of your emotional needs all day long.

From the exterior to the interior, there’s a subtle old-school charm, and the menu itself feels refreshingly different from most cafés in China. It’s much more like a neighborhood café you’d find overseas—food-forward, with coffee as a supporting (but still very important) role.

The café isn’t large, but during this warm winter season, many guests choose to sit outside, soaking up the sun with a panini and a cup of coffee. It’s the kind of simple happiness that’s hard to beat. The atmosphere here instantly breaks the ice and brings people closer together. The owner’s wife is incredibly warm and welcoming, and you really feel that food made with love carries emotion. It’s that irresistible, comforting “home-style” experience.

Coincidentally, I’ll be heading to Australia again in a few days, so consider this a little teaser—there will be café-hopping stories from Australia coming soon. In a way, visiting Lanini felt like the perfect warm-up for my second trip down under.

Naturally, the first thing I ordered was coffee. Their Flat White is the most representative choice here. The house bean is a more traditional profile with nutty and dark chocolate notes, roasted on a custom curve developed together with their roaster. Personally, I find this flat white very Australian in style. The integration is excellent—smooth and rounded from the first sip to the last. That kind of consistency alone is enough to keep you coming back for more.

Flavor-wise, on top of the nut and chocolate base, there’s an impressive sense of balance. That balance includes cleanliness and a solid underlying sweetness, making it extremely easy to drink. Yes, many cafés use nutty, chocolatey blends as their default, and at first glance they may seem similar. But once you slow down and really taste, the differences become clear. Some blends push complexity and even lean into wild, spicy notes. Others—like Lanini’s—focus on balance, cleanliness, and sweetness, delivering a consistent flavor experience in every sip.

We also ordered quite a few dishes, each with its own character. You can even unlock a hidden menu here and enjoy a Lanini-style omakase experience—just for fun. The pumpkin soup is something I highly recommend as a starter. Its thickness and silky texture are spot-on, honestly outperforming many Western restaurants in the city by a long shot. One spoonful in, and it’s full of pleasant surprises. Pair it with an avocado vegetable salad, and you won’t even miss the dressing—it’s satisfying on its own.

Cinnamon is the flavor of winter. I have a very seasonal craving for the aroma of Ceylon cinnamon, and a cinnamon roll in winter is always a win (even better with a cinnamon latte). This is also very Australian in spirit, though the sweetness has clearly been adjusted to suit local tastes—significantly reduced, thankfully. Don’t ask how I know; let’s just say I’ve been traumatized by overly sweet cinnamon rolls in Australia before (laughs).

The freshly baked cinnamon roll has a slight crispness on the outside, while the Ceylon cinnamon is beautifully gentle and approachable. Topped with a bit of cream and a drizzle of maple syrup, plus generous chunks of walnuts inside for texture and surprise, it’s something that works for a wide range of palates. There’s no overpowering spice—trust me, it’s really good.

This visit to Lanini left me with a quiet realization: so many good things are right around us, yet so easy to miss. Maybe there’s no such thing as a “desert” after all. If you’re willing to wander deeper into your local streets and corners, you’ll always find little places quietly shining—sometimes surprising you when you least expect it. ✨