Best Coffee Shops in Ulaanbaatar (Open Early!)
Best coffee shops to check out in Ulaanbaatar, open early and serving delicious coffee for 8,000 – 15,000 tugrik ($2.23 – $4.19). Places open early and caffeine-addict approved.
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Hi, my name is Breanna and I’m a coffee addict. (Hi, Breanna.)
I’m the kind of coffee addict that no matter where I am and what I’m doing, the first thing I need in the morning as soon as I wake up is a black cup of coffee. Or, an americano, as they say here.
In fact, it’s so bad that I even have a portable espresso maker I take with me when I travel around Mongolia. (Shout out to my fellow coffee addicts, this is the portable espresso maker you all need!)
When I first started coming to Ulaanbaatar in 2018 coffee was just not a thing. There were a few chain coffee shops (Tom’n’Toms and Caffee Bene), but those were it. It was a dire time for us coffeeholics. I survived off instant coffee, but I was not happy about it.
Today, however, that’s all changed. Over the last few years coffee culture in Ulaanbaatar not only caught on, but it also completely took off. Now, you’ll find a coffee shop on almost every block in the city.
Besides cafes and coffee shops, local brands like Jack’s Coffee, Root of Coffea, and Maza Coffee are also importing and roasting coffee beans. This means it’s also possible to have a really great cup of coffee at home now. The days of instant coffee are officially over, hallelujah.
Below I’ve put together a list of my favorite artisanal coffee shops around the city. Places that rival the viral coffee shops you’d find in Korea or Los Angeles. I’m talking sleek décor, top-notch vibes, and – most importantly – early opening times.
Choose from a classic americano, latte, or cortado, or go for something more exotic like an orange espresso, strawberry matcha latte, or hojicha latte. Whatever you choose, it won’t disappoint.
Everything you Need to Book for When You Land in Ulaanbaatar
Everything you need to book when you arrive in Ulaanbaatar.
🚕 Airport Transfer into the Ulaanbaatar City Center
Book your airport transfer before you land. Ulaanbaatar taxis are chaotic and this is worth the peace of mind.
🛌 Where to Stay
My picks at every budget, all within walking distance of Sukhbaatar Square:
→ Hostel One: best hostel in the city for solo travelers
→ Urgoo Hotel: locally owned boutique spot, great value and location
→ H9 Hotel Nine: steps from everything and great value (highly recommend!)
→ Best Western Premier Tuushin: 4-star hotel next to the square for a more comfortable stay and notable service (plus, a safe place to store luggage while you’re in the countryside)
👉 Make the Most of Your Time in the Capital
If you have extra days, these are the experiences I’d actually recommend:
→ Ulaanbaatar: Private Guided City Tour with Car
→ Cooking Class in a Local Home
→ Mongolian Traditional Dance & Music Concert Ticket
→ Chinggis Khaan Equestrian Statue & Terelj National Park
→ Ulaanbaatar: Private Nomad Horseback Ride + Homemade Lunch
The Best Coffee Shops in Ulaanbaatar
I’ve included Google Map pins to each place to save each for later. If there are any places you’ve discovered that are worthy of this list, let me know in the comments below.
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R.O.C Drink Bar
My neighborhood go-to, ROC never disappoints. Open early (7 am) and serving a croissant and coffee combo, it’s an easy place to come in, sit down and get your thoughts for the day together. It’s always busy, but never over-crowded, and when the evening hits, it turns into an equally cute cocktail bar.
Needle and Brew
Tucked back off of Seoul Street, Needle and Brew is a hip little space buzzing with life. In the summer, sit outside and sip on something off their extensive matcha menu. I just tried their hojicha (a brown, nutty matcha) latte for the first time and my mind was blown.
Lahaul Coffee
With wood panel interiors and neutral tones all-around, this moody minimalist café is delicious on the eyes. The afternoon light in this place is worth coming in for if you’re a photographer or just appreciate a good aesthetic. Order a croissant or pastry to go with your coffee and sink into this place for a late afternoon respite.
Uruhan Coffee Shop
A coffee shop inside a ger just feels like a must for this list. Uruhan Coffee Shop is quaint, cozy, and gives off all the right Mongolian vibes. In the same area as all the shops above, they also have mugs and other small items worth checking out to take home with you as a souvenir.
Potala Coffee Shop
Near to Gandantegchinlen Monastery, Potala Coffee Shop matches the monastery theme. Located on the 11th floor of the Gem Palace Building, the floor to ceiling windows of the coffee shop allows you to see Gandantegchinlen from above, as well as the sprawling Ulaanbaatar suburbs behind it. They also serve a vegetarian Tibetan menu that includes vegetable buuz (dumplings), so come closer to lunch time to get the most out of your visit here.
Bloom Coffee Bar
More reminiscent of a jazz café than a coffee bar, Bloom is where you head when you crave something a little more upscale. It’s the kind of place where you start with an espresso and end with a wine.
Haus
Opening at 9 am everyday, Haus is a funky little spot that doubles as a great lounge in the evening. The relaxed atmosphere is great for escaping the hustle and bustle of the city outside, and the baristas are super kind and friendly. It’s a place I want to stop into every time I pass it, even if I don’t have the time!
📍Haus
SIP Ulaanbaatar
SIP has earned itself a reputation as one of the coolest places to hang in town. Whether you need to get computer work done, you’re meeting up with friends, or you just want a spot that serves a solid cup of coffee, this is it. Not to mention, their black and white checkered floor is one of the most iconic in town.
Juno Roast & Toast
Juno is a tiny little café next to Fountain Square where you can easily pop in for a vibrant drink. Their seasonal specials are always worth checking out, with drinks like a tiramisu latte and banana cream latte making the list. If you’re hungry, their toasts and sandwiches menu features a French toast dish as well as a sourdough chicken sandwich.
Are you visiting Mongolia for the first-time and stuck in the planning process?
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This Mongolia digital travel guide costs $9.99 and will help you answer the questions:
- When to visit and for how long
- Which region to visit and sample itineraries
- How to get there (including domestic flight info)
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- And who to book your trip with!
Author: Breanna Wilson
Hi! Sain uu! I’m Breanna, an American travel writer and adventurer living in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia for more than 9 years. I’ve written for and been featured in Condé Nast Traveler, CNN, Forbes, and the New York Times, among others. Read more of my Mongolia travel articles here.
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