Founded in Wellington little over fifteen years ago, Mojo has since gone leaps and bounds, spawning a vast network of 35 coffee parlours across the New Zealand capital and Auckland. In 2015, owners Steve and Julie Gianoutsos teamed up with a Chinese business partner and set up the first overseas Mojo branch in the latter’s hometown of Xian. Needless to say, the brand’s artisanal coffee concoctions quickly caught on with discerning locals, and also here, Mojo is in full expansion. A little while ago, the coffee chain has opened the doors of what’s arguably its third and most striking outpost in this bustling city. The café occupies three levels at the China Railway Xian Centre in the heart of the city, all very visible from outside through a soaring glass and steel façade, and features an interior design by Shanghai-based architecture practice dongqi which is marked by an infusion of untreated timber. Both walls and ceiling are covered in slatted wood, and combined with a sizeable service counter, bar seating and flooring of stone tiles, it presents coffee aficionados an understated backdrop. A robust concrete staircase leads to two mezzanine floors with a similar aesthetic, albeit with furnishings compatible with the dimensions of each floor. The new Mojo café serves the brand’s wide range of coffee options, sometimes made from different blends, and is similar to the menu in New Zealand. Mind you, the coffee beans are roasted on-site to offer clients super fresh coffee. Additionally, the local menu lists sandwiches, cakes, and freshly made juices.