[Shanghai] Ataraxia Studio

Ataraxia Studio

Add: Alley 351 Huashan Lu, No 19, 1F / 华山路 351弄19号1楼
Tel: 6271 6901
Hours: [Fri] 2-5pm [Sat-Sun] 1-5pm (closed Mon-Thu)
Price: 50RMB/coffee
Visited: Jan 2015

I haven’t visited Shanghai since moving to Paris in 2012, and upon returning two and a half years later, I’m delighted to find the city blossoming with not just hip new restaurants, but also small shops with their own attitudes. Ataraxia Studio, opened about 6 months ago in August 2014, is one such charming spot. Tucked all the way in the innermost corner of 351 Huashan Lu, this space houses a collection of tableware and furniture, many of which hand-carried back from Japan. The owner is a Shanghainese man who calls himself 管家 (the housekeeper), an interior/space designer who travels to Japan 6-7 times a year because he is so enamored with the culture and lifestyle there. His day job keeps him busy and brings in enough money so he can afford to open Ataraxia Studio only 3 days a week (Fri-Sun). It’s not really advertised, but he will also brew you a lovely cup of coffee from his next door kitchen if you’d like.

There’s the housekeeper, preparing coffee. As far as I know he only does filter (50 RMB), but you can double check.

Ataraxia Studio is not a cafe, but it does have a few chairs for those who wish to linger for a cup of coffee, or to flip through one of the many Japanese magazines stacked under the tables. Come browse through its collection of pretty things, and stay a while if you like what you see.