Cafes: Chill out near the Portman

It is hard to miss the new Chill café, located at the Ritz Carlton Plaza on Nanjing Xi Lu.

Wooden tables and chairs are set up on the terrace near the street in an open air space. Tall red beams sit behind the café and a fountain in front lights up in different colors at night.

We were surprised by the quick service - the minute you sit down at a table with either a green or orange candle holder you are greeted by a waitress. You can have your choice of a nice hot cup of coffee or, if the weather is making you boil, its iced version. Each will set you back about 20RMB for a small or 23RMB for a large. Cappuccinos, lattes and mochas are slightly more expensive (running 24 to 29RMB for a small and 27 to 32RMB for a large), but tea is cheaper.

Everything at Chill is served out of a small booth situated inside one of the towers near the street. Besides the drinks, there are delectable sugar buns, cakes, and pastries staring you in the face at the ordering window. We all know how tempting it can be sometimes to run over to the familiar Starbucks, but this café is cute and quaint and definitely worth your time.

Chill is open, rain or shine, daily from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. for take away and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. for sitting on the terrace.

Where: 1376 Nanjing Xi Lu, near Xikang Lu 南京西路1376号 近西康路