Fineprint｜From a Chance Encounter to a Neighbourhood Coffee Institution. Fineprint’s story began in 2016 with a chance meeting between two strangers who would soon become close friends. Scottie Callaghan, an obsessive Australian barista, dreamed of serving Hong Kong great coffee and bakery items in a relaxed, neighbourhood-style café. James Wilson, also Australian and already running a bar on Peel Street, immediately saw the appeal — especially the idea of coffee by day, wine by night.

The early months were delightfully chaotic. A café and a bar shared a compact Peel Street space, operating side by side. Eventually, it made sense to merge forces, and Fineprint was officially born. In 2018, the brand took major steps forward: roasting its own coffee, opening a second location in Tai Hang, and baking house-made sourdough — milestones that still define Fineprint today.

Growth continued in 2020 with the opening of the Sai Ying Pun branch, alongside a production kitchen and head office in Lai Chi Kok, an online store, and delivery partnerships that brought Fineprint to homes across the city. Throughout the journey, the brand evolved thanks to a loyal community and a growing team who shaped Fineprint into what it is now: relaxed neighbourhood venues serving high-quality coffee, wine and sourdough.

The Sai Ying Pun location is especially emblematic of this spirit. Guests can linger over toasties made with Fineprint’s signature sourdough, topped with scrambled eggs, smoked salmon or simple spreads. With outdoor seating and a pet-friendly atmosphere, it’s equally suited for a quick bite or an afternoon spent sipping coffee and wine.

In 2024, design studio Metagram, led by John Chow and Renee Chow, revitalised the Second Street store into a café “precinct”. By expanding into an adjacent site and opening both spaces onto a central laneway, the project created layered dining zones connected by sightlines and shared energy — a space that feels both intimate and alive, anchored by the rhythm of the neighbourhood.