The durian cake should not be missed. It consists of a thick cheesecake layer, generous durian flesh and a chocolate base. The mix of flavors is heavenly for those who are into durian and also have a sweet tooth.

The matcha cheesecake is moist and dense, and it's worth trying. The shop also offers a polychromatic collection of macarons, ranging in flavors from vanilla to raspberry, jasmine tea and coconut. Their sweetness is best complemented by unsweetened coffee.

The owners are trying to make up for the small space with good service. They serve customers themselves.

"I worked at Starbucks for two years, with a mind to open my own shop one day," says Li, who says she learned coffee culture and business management at Starbucks. The efforts by the trio of owners have received positive reviews from many of the cafe's customers.

"I love the quiet environment at the cafe and it makes me feel at home," says Qi Dinghuang, 20, a student who often spends time here during breaks between classes.

The cafe also has a good location going for it: It's no more than 300 meters from a subway station and it's at the center of Wudaokou's business zone.

"There are several universities nearby, such as the Beijing Language and Culture University and the Beijing University of Science & Technology, so we have many guests who are students," says Li.

At the moment, the road in front of the cafe is under renovation, but the tall, temporary fences are not high enough to block the street view.

IF YOU GO

Idealism Cafe

Open 10:30 am to midnight daily.

No 21, Wangzhuang road, Wudaokou, Haidian district. (Take subway Line 13 and get off at Wudaokou station.)

010-6234-3710.