Tiny Bites: TREE Café, Horizon Plaza, Ap Lei Chau

Ok, so it’s in a furniture store, but TREE Café – up in the crow’s nest of Ap Lei Chau’s shopping mecca Horizon Plaza – makes for a chilled-out respite from the grind of those lifts when you’ve got the whole gang in tow. Recently relaunched, with a tweaked layout and refreshed décor, this relaxed and simple eatery is a great coffee, lunch or afternoon tea option, and has kid-appeal at its core.

Our weary party consisted of mama, grandma and a very bored toddler (who knew that two-year-olds felt so strongly about soft furnishings?!) in need of a sit down and a run-around respectively. We opted for a selection from the freshly-made lunch items; a feta and tomato tart, croque monsieur, and chicken and avocado sandwich, along with a couple of cheeky desserts. What can I say? We needed the energy.

While we were waiting for our order, my son made good use of TREE Café’s wonderful play area; filled with tactile wooden toys, books and stuffed animals, this is a massive bonus to frazzled adult shoppers in need of five minutes’ peace.

All three savouries were good, with the generously filled sandwich a real standout, and the croque a close second. I felt that the feta tart could have been slightly more seasoned, but the pastry was crisp and moreish. Our apple pie tasted as close to homemade as you’ll find in any café, and came in an enormous slice, as did the deliciously creamy but surprisingly light lemon cheesecake. Of course, these proved no match for a hungry toddler who inhaled the lot then fell fast asleep in his stroller… happy days! 

Thumbs up: Aside from the play area and simple-yet-tasty menu, the new refurbished space now features more small café tables, allowing for a little more privacy than previously. The free Wi-Fi makes this a great place to hang out if you’re working. The changing facilities are excellent; a huge nursing and changing room provides comfy seats, a sink and even free nappies and wipes. Also free is the mini cupcake and babyccino offered to every little customer – a cute touch.

Thumbs down: No kids cutlery and crockery, and some of the wooden toys are looking a little battle-scarred.

Stroller access: Yes – wind your way through the store, admiring all those lovely statement pieces of furniture along the way.

High chairs: Yes.

Kids menu: Surprisingly, no, although dishes are all pretty fuss-free so should appeal to most.

Price range: From $24 up to around $60.

Opening hours: Daily from 10.30am – 7pm.

TREE Café, 28/F Horizon Plaza, Ap Lei Chau, Hong Kong; Tel: 2870 1582

www.tree.com.hk/cafe