By combining the loanword for “coffee” (`咖啡`) with the word for an “establishment” (`馆`), you get the literal and intuitive meaning: “coffee establishment” or coffee shop.
While China is famous for its thousands of years of tea culture (`茶文化 - chá wénhuà`), the 咖啡馆 (kāfēiguǎn) represents a more recent, but powerful, cultural shift. Its rise in popularity since the late 1990s mirrors China's rapid urbanization and integration into the global economy. In contrast to a traditional 茶馆 (cháguǎn - teahouse), which is often associated with leisurely pastimes, older generations, and local community life, the 咖啡馆 is a symbol of modernity, youth, and an aspirational, urban middle-class lifestyle. For many young Chinese, a Western-style coffee shop like Starbucks (`星巴克 - Xīngbākè`) is not just a place to get a beverage; it's an accessible taste of international life, a clean and reliable space for studying or working (often called a “coffice”), and a neutral ground for dates or business meetings. While an American might see a café as a routine stop for a morning caffeine fix, in China, visiting a 咖啡馆 is often a more intentional social or professional activity. It's less about “grab-and-go” and more about “sit-and-stay.”
The term 咖啡馆 (kāfēiguǎn) is used frequently in daily conversation and is considered neutral and standard.
The term is straightforward, with no strong positive or negative connotations. Its formality is neutral, suitable for conversations with friends, colleagues, or strangers.