Seesaw Coffee is Shanghai's pioneering specialty coffee chain, founded in 2012, known for single-origin Yunnan beans, in-house roasting, and a 'One Store, One Style' design ethos. As of mid-2026 the brand has filed for bankruptcy and only a handful of Shanghai locations remain open — verify before visiting.
Key facts
| Hours | Daily 08:00–22:00 |
|---|---|
| Price | $$ |
| Phone | — |
| Website | — |
| Nearest transit | Jing'an Temple Station (Metro Lines 2 & 7), approx. 5-min walk |
| Time needed | 30–60 minutes |
| Best time to go | Weekday mornings for a quieter atmosphere and freshest pour-overs |
| Last verified | July 12, 2026 |
Locals Score
- Value6.5
- Freshness5.9
- Crowd level7.0
- Authenticity6.5
- Accessibility7.5
Frequently asked questions
- Is Seesaw Coffee still open in Shanghai in 2026?
- Seesaw filed for bankruptcy in June 2026. As of May 2026, only about six Shanghai locations were listed as operating, and a reporter found two of those in abnormal status. Always check the brand's WeChat mini-program or call ahead before making a trip.
- Why did Seesaw Coffee decline after being so successful?
- Seesaw expanded aggressively to over 160 stores by 2022 but was caught off-balance by the rapid rise of ultra-low-cost Chinese chains like Luckin and Cotti Coffee. Since late 2023 the brand faced mass closures, wage arrears, unpaid suppliers, and court enforcement orders, culminating in a bankruptcy petition filed by creditors in June 2026.
- What kind of coffee does Seesaw serve?
- Seesaw specialises in specialty coffee using single-origin beans sourced from Yunnan, China, and international origins such as Kenya and Panama. They offer classic espresso drinks alongside pour-overs and cold-drip options, each with a tasting card describing the flavor profile.
- How much does coffee cost at Seesaw Shanghai?
- Drinks typically run ¥30–45 per cup (roughly US$4–6), with an average spend of around ¥33–47 per person depending on the branch. Specialty single-origin pour-overs sit at the higher end of that range.
- Does Seesaw Coffee offer plant-based milk options?
- Yes. Seesaw locations offer plant-based milk alternatives including coconut milk and oat milk for coffee drinks. The Pudong International Airport (PVG Terminal 1) branch near Gate 24 was specifically noted for its plant-milk options as recently as February 2026.
- Does Seesaw Coffee roast its own beans?
- Yes. Seesaw operates its own roastery and maintains direct relationships with farmers, particularly in Yunnan province where it helped set regional standards for specialty coffee cherry picking. Retail bags of their blends (e.g. 'Shanghai Blend') are sold in-store.
- Which Seesaw Coffee location in Shanghai is most reliably open?
- The CITIC Pacific branch at 1168 Nanjing West Road (Jing'an District) had a verified customer review as recently as March 2026 and is the best-documented active outlet. Hours listed are 08:00–22:00 daily, but confirm on arrival given the brand's ongoing difficulties.
- What is the 'One Store, One Style' concept Seesaw is known for?
- Each Seesaw outlet is designed with a unique interior concept rather than a cookie-cutter layout, ranging from airy courtyard spaces to sleek mall formats. This approach was a key brand differentiator and helped Seesaw attract design-conscious coffee drinkers across China.
Nearby in Ask Shanghai
- Jing'an Bao (静安包)Restaurant0.08 km · 1 min walk
- Jing'anNeighborhood0.21 km · 3 min walk
- Jing'an TempleAttraction0.23 km · 3 min walk
- Tailor BarBar0.33 km · 4 min walk
- Manner CoffeeCafé0.52 km · 7 min walk
Where to stay near Seesaw Coffee
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