85°C Bakery Cafe is Now a Morning Ritual for Millions
By Kelli Luu | 08 Jan, 2026

This Taiwanese cafe has become a staple for the Asian American community, offering fresh brewed coffee and quality pastries at an affordable price.

When you walk into 85°C Bakery Cafe, the nostalgic smell instantly feels like home and for many Asian Americans, this is the best place to start the morning with freshly brewed coffee and warm pastries.

It all started when a Taiwanese man, Mr. Cheng-Hsueh Wu stayed at a 5-star hotel. While eating at the hotel cafe, he realized how much he had really just spent on coffee and a treat, so he began to envision a cafe that offered premium pastries and beverages at an affordable price. And from there 85°C Bakery Cafe was born in 2004 with its first location in Taipei, Taiwan. The name 85°C was intentional as it referred to Wu’s belief that this is the optimal temperature to serve a cup of coffee.

This bakery quickly became a local phenomenon as locals were drawn to the cafe’s welcoming atmosphere and wide variety of food and drinks, which were all freshly made in house. 85°C offered an open bakery concept, where individually wrapped breads, cakes, and pastries were baked and added throughout the day, keeping a delicious scent trapped inside at all times.

By 2006 the first overseas store was opened in Sydney, Australia and one year later, the first cafe in China was unveiled, expanding the company’s brand. In 2008 85°C made its way to the United States with a location in Irvine, California, a city where Asians Americans now make up 45% of the population. Lines were wrapped around the block, word spread rapidly through other Asian communities, and it was clear that people were not just visiting 85°C for their espresso, but for an experience in a space that feels modern, yet still familiar.

Today there are over 1,000 85°C Bakeries worldwide, with 59 stores in the United States. The brand recently added their first East Coast location in 2025 in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, which is home to the very first 85°C drive through. Each location features handcrafted drinks made to order and a selection of over 50 pastries that are baked by the hour.

85°C blossomed from the simple realization that coffee and pastries shouldn’t be a luxury, making it so much more than just a bakery. It’s also a peaceful study spot, a post-dinner stop, and a reminder of home, proving Asian-founded brands can be successful globally without losing authenticity and their identity.