The World’s Best Coffee Cities: Bean There, Tasted That!

I want you to imagine it’s dawn in Melbourne, and your barista just served you the perfect flat white. Half a world away, the afternoon sun glints off tiny espresso cups in a piazza of one of the world’s best coffee cities, Milan.

Welcome, dear reader, to a journey that’s part travel guide, part love letter to the world’s most beloved beverage. I’m about to take you on a world tour of cities where coffee isn’t just a drink but an art form.

In these cities, asking for “just coffee” might earn anything from a sympathetic smile to a 20-minute lecture on single-origin beans. Coffee shops are temples, baristas are high priests and ordering a cup of joe can feel like joining a secret society.

Ready to explore? Let’s go!

Overview: What Makes a Great Coffee City?

What makes a coffee city genuinely great? For starters, it’s not just about the coffee beans! In essence, it’s about the coffee culture.

In a city that’s crazy about coffee, the brew isn’t just a caffeine fix but an experience, a lifestyle. In these hallowed places, baristas are as revered as priests. And the people? From roasters and retailers to customers, they’re passionate about coffee.

Then there’s the innovation factor. The greatest coffee cities are constantly pushing boundaries. Maybe they invent a new way to brew (hello Kyoto). Or, they constantly push flavor boundaries (say hi-ya London). Perhaps, they maintain centuries-old traditions while keeping things fresh (take a bow, Vienna).

Importantly, quality and consistency are non-negotiable. Even a hole-in-the-wall café or random street cart might serve a killer cappuccino. Here, baristas know their stuff, the machines are top-notch and the beans? Always fresh, and always stellar.

But there’s another secret to great coffee cities: community. People here care about coffee. In a word, these cities have coffee in their DNA.

But, interestingly, each expresses the brew differently. If you’re in Sweden, it’s fika (coffee break), in Finland, pullakahvi (bun and coffee) and in Rome, there’s a strict espresso etiquette. Even in Addis Ababa, capital of coffee’s birthplace, it’s all about the Ethiopian coffee tradition of buna tetu, literally, “come let’s drink coffee.”

The next factor that makes for a great coffee destination is accessibility. In these cities, excellent cafés are everywhere, and good coffee is a right, not a privilege.

What I’m trying to say is, great coffee cities respect the brew. They honor traditional brewing methods while welcoming new techniques like anaerobic coffees. These destinations understand that coffee isn’t static but ever-changing. And that, in part, is what makes them so fascinating!

The 10 Best Coffee Cities Worldwide

So, which cities have me all excited about coffee? I have lots of favorites, and it has taken me quite a while to narrow it down to my top ten. Mind you, this isn’t a definitive list of the best coffee cities. Nor is it a list based on empirical research. It’s my take on global cities currently doing coffee right.

London

London is one of my greatest coffee cities because, in part, it and other UK cities have an interesting relationship with the brew. In the 17th century, it was one of the first European capitals to embrace coffee after Vienna, Paris and Venice.

However, as the 18th and 19th centuries rolled around, London ditched coffee for tea. It imported the leaf from far-flung colonies, such as India, Ceylon, Hong Kong and later, Kenya.

In recent years, London has again transformed into a coffee lover’s paradise. Specialty brews and quality coffee beans now rule the roost.

A delicious blend of British creativity and global influences drive this trend. Spots like Dose, Australian/Kiwi-owned Kaffeine and Gwilym Davies’ Prufrock Coffee rule. Notable, too, are Rosslyn Coffee, famous for brewing with seasonal lots, and fair-trade champions Monmouth Coffee Company.

These coffee companies have become ground zero for coffee innovation. They’re proof enough that London doesn’t just keep up with coffee trends but actually sets them. I can confidently say that The Ol’ Smoke now takes its coffee as seriously as its tea. One sip will have you exclaiming, “Tea? What tea?!”

Copenhagen

Copenhagen has low-key become one of the most incredible coffee cities. Forget everything you knew about the brew – the Danes have elevated this beverage to an art form. Like their Scandinavian neighbors, they are, in fact, obsessed with it.

Here, coffee focuses on bean origins, quality, roast profiles and meticulous brewing. The Danes especially love light roasts that highlight a coffee’s terroir and natural flavors. This approach prioritizes immersion and pour-over brewing, which bring out a coffee’s nuanced taste profiles. As such, the city proves that less is definitely more.

Which spots rule the Copenhagen coffee scene? For starters, there’s The Coffee Collective. Founded by World Barista Champion Klaus Thomsen, it’s famous for expertly crafted brews. Prolog Coffee and April Coffee Roasters are also worth a mention. These hot spots combine passion and expertise, delivering world-class experiences.

In short, Copenhagen reveres coffee. Roasters and baristas treat each coffee bean with the reverence of a Michelin-starred chef. What’s more, cozy hygge-filled cafés don’t just serve coffee; they celebrate it! This, coupled with the city’s artisanal baking tradition, make it a must-visit coffee destination.

Sydney

If coffee were an Olympic sport, Sydney would take gold, silver and bronze. This Australian coffee paradise doesn’t just embrace coffee but invented “modern café cool.” Here, every neighborhood has its own coffee cult following.

Sydney’s gift to global coffee culture is undoubtedly the flat white. This creamy, balanced drink has conquered coffee menus from New York to Tokyo. Australian baristas have also garnered a reputation for crafting one-of-a-kind liquid experiences. They are unapologetically obsessive about their commitment to quality.

From Mecca Coffee, with locations across the city, to Single O in Surry Hills, you’ll find baristas who can tell you the exact altitude where coffee beans grew. Heck, I’m sure they can name the person who picked the cherries!

And it doesn’t matter where the beans came from! Brazilian beans? Vietnamese coffee and brewing techniques? Italian and Greek coffee passion? Sydney has been blending them all into a coffee utopia since the 1950s.

In this coffee-obsessed city, cafés serve exceptional coffee and prioritize decor. By doing so, they enhance the overall coffee experience. That’s one reason why this Australian destination ranks as one of the world’s best coffee cities. 

Tokyo

Tokyo’s coffee scene, like Japan itself, is a delightful paradox of ancient wisdom and cutting-edge innovation. The city’s coffee journey began in 1888, when the first dedicated coffee shop, Kahisakan, opened in Ueno.

This establishment marked a significant moment for coffee in Japan. It was the start of the legendary kissaten coffee houses.

In the 1970s, master baristas like Katsuji Daibo at Daibo Coffee took things up a notch. He’s famous for spending 15 minutes hand-dripping a single cup!

Today, these coffee temples coexist with modern marvels like Shimokitazawa’s Bear Pond Espresso. Here, barista Katsuyuki Tanaka’s mythical “angel stout espresso” is so precisely crafted that he only serves it until 1:30 pm. This is to avoid temperature and humidity affecting his perfect extraction.

Tokyo also gave birth to slow-drip cold brew, brewed slower and longer using iced water. A cousin of Kyoto’s flash-brew coffee, you’ll find it at spots like Blue Bottle’s Aoyama Café. Experimental and fermented coffees like koji coffee also abound at Shibuya’s Switch Coffee. Similarly, Ginza’s Café de L’Ambre is famous for brewing with 100-year-old aged beans.

This unique coffee culture, which ranks quality but isn’t afraid of innovation, is what makes Tokyo such a great coffee city. 

Lisbon

In Lisbon, coffee starts with the melodic call of “bica!” This intense Portuguese espresso is the city’s liquid heartbeat. Step into Café A Brasileira in Chiado, where Fernando Pessoa’s bronze statue still sits at his favorite table. As soon as you do, you’ll understand why this 1905 landmark helped cement Portuguese coffee culture.

Like Tokyo, Lisbon’s coffee scene is a delightful mix of old and new. Spots like Hello, Kristof embody this trend. Here, contemporary coffee culture meets vintage magazines and decor. And while traditional pastelarias serve coffee alongside traditional pastries like pastel de nata and pão de Deus, modern spots are the exact opposite.

Cafés like Copenhagen Coffee Lab and Fábrica Coffee Roasters bathe in modernity and rank specialty brews. Also, innovative companies like Delta Coffee are showcasing rare coffee from the Azores.

For a unique Lisbon taste experience, I also recommend mazagran, brought back from Algeria by French soldiers. This refreshing mix of cold coffee, lemon and sometimes rum is extremely popular. At places like Café Nicola, it’s perfect.

What stands out most about Lisbon is its relaxed coffee culture. You’re encouraged to savor rather than rush your coffee. This, more than anything, makes it one of the world’s best coffee cities.

San Francisco

San Francisco’s coffee culture dates back to the Gold Rush days. For this is the city of cowboy coffee. And also, thanks to Alfred Peet, the epicenter of America’s third-wave coffee revolution.

Peet opened his first shop in Berkeley in 1966. It was later to become the inspiration for Seattle’s Starbucks. Today, others have taken over the mantle. Ritual Coffee Roasters is famous for its legendary Sweet Tooth single-origin espresso blend. And in the Sunset District, Andytown Coffee Roasters ply their signature “snowy plover.” This espresso tonic topped with lightly-whipped cream is downright delicious.

The city’s tech influence also shows up in places like Saint Frank Coffee and Sightglass Coffee in SOMA. In these spots, brewing meets cutting-edge technology in spaces that feel more lab than cafe.

Meanwhile, Four Barrel Coffee keeps old-school coffee traditions going. They still roast beans using a vintage 1957 German Probat roaster!

All in all, San Fransisco stands out for its community approach to coffee. Many cafés serve as cultural hubs. It’s also the city that proves that coffee tradition and innovation can beautifully coexist.

Milan

You didn’t think I’d compile this list of the world’s best coffee cities without an Italian coffee city, did you? Sacrilege! 

It pains me to say this, but rather than Rome, I’m choosing Milan. It pains me because Rome, the Eternal City, is a coffee powerhouse.

But Milan has its merits, too. After Moriondo patented his espresso machine in Turin in 1884, Achille Gaggia chose Milan to patent his steam-free model, Lampo, in 1938. But, this city’s coffee culture is about more than espresso.

At the historic Bar Basso, they still serve espresso the traditional Milanese way – standing at the bar. After all, a true Milanesi knows sitting down is for tourists.

In contrast, at Cova on Via Montenapoleone, the aristocratic atmosphere remains. Here, they serve espresso alongside delicious pastries. So, too, at Marchesi 1824 (now Prada-owned). Coffee here comes served Viennese-style on elegant silver trays.

Milan is also the city of the marocchino. This heavenly mix of espresso, cocoa powder and milk foam, takes inspiration from a type of Moroccan leather. Try the best version at Pavè.

If modern coffee’s more your thing, don’t skip Orso Nero Coffee. This joint elevates specialty coffee and modern brewing techniques.

To me, Milan proves that you can embrace new coffee trends without losing your soul. When there, make sure you caffè sospeso. Do as the Milanese do and order your coffee plus one more. Why the second coffee? For a future stranger in need, of course!

Cape Town

Cape Town is at the heart of an African coffee renaissance. Here, commercial coffee chains like Mugg & Bean mingle with specialty coffee brands like Deluxe Coffeeworks.

Exciting things are happening with coffee in this city. At Truth Coffee Roasting, master roaster David Donde has made a name with his “Deep, Dark and Twisted” blend. His vintage café looks like something Jules Verne would design after one too many espressos.

Another notable coffee spot is Origin Coffee Roasting in De Waterkant. They’re famous for training some of Africa’s best baristas. I also love their experimental “African Series.” This project highlights beans from origins like Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda.

Tribe Coffee in Woodstock is another must-visit. Here, they’ve redefined coffee cool, roasting beans in a converted motorcycle workshop. Their signature Malawi Gold blend has impressed coffee judges and professionals worldwide.

Haas Coffee in Bo-Kaap has also put Cape Town on the coffee map. People line up for their “red cappuccino,” a caffeine-free beverage of rooibos tea and frothed milk.

What ranks Cape Town as a great coffee city is not just the cafés. I love that so many source direct-trade coffee beans from African farmers. This has created a specialty coffee-focused culture but one that’s consciously African.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam’s coffee scene stretches back to the Dutch East India Company and the 17th century. Then, the Dutch introduced coffee to Europe from exciting origins, like India, Yemen and Indonesia. That spirit of coffee adventure is still alive today.

Take Bocca Coffee Roasters, for instance. They’re so serious about their beans that they’ve formed direct trade relationships with producers across four continents. And the Scandinavian Embassy in De Pijp. Here, they pair single-origin coffees with Nordic cuisine. Then, there’s Kaldi Roasters. Those stories about them crafting a coffee from liquid-nitrogen-infused beans? All true!

Amsterdam is also famous for Coffee & Coconuts. This converted 1920s cinema serves its signature coconut coffee in beach-house vibes. Meanwhile, at Koffie Academie, they take the Dutch directness to new levels. This roaster gives brutally honest tasting notes on its Arabica beans. Case in point: their Monteverde Peruvian espresso by Rodriguez De Mendoza. They describe it as “an interesting washed coffee, tasty as a black, with notes of sweet orange.”

What makes Amsterdam one of the best coffee cities is its quirky approach to coffee. This is a city where you’ll find “slow coffee” bars like White Label Coffee. Here, every cup is hand-brewed, slowly, to perfection. I think you see what I mean when I say quirky.

Melbourne

Last, but definitely not least, Melbourne, the world’s modern coffee capital. This city has an intense, Mad Max-like coffee culture. You’ll hear locals casually drop terms like “magic” (a double ristretto with three-quarters steamed milk) in conversation. Like in Sydney, baristas here rule. And take note: Ordering a Starbucks number might get you playfully exiled to Sydney (or beyond).

Melbourne boasts coffee havens like Patricia Coffee Brewers. This standing-room-only café is a favorite of suited business executives and hippies. Of course, flat whites and long blacks are the norm here. Speaking of flat whites, many say Melbourne perfected this coffee sensation. Kiwis might dispute this.

You must also visit Brother Baba Budan when in Melbourne. It’s named after the Indian Sufi monk who smuggled coffee beans out of Yemen. Here they serve coffee under a ceiling decorated with hundreds of chairs because why not? Across town, at Industry Beans in Fitzroy, they’re famous for their coffee-rubbed wagyu burgers. They’ve also perfected the art of coffee-infused cocktails.

To me, what gives Melbourne its coffee chops is the locals’ enduring spirit. You’ll observe people ordering a “batch brew” while casually mentioning its tasting notes. I’ve never seen this anywhere else, and it still impresses me to this day.

Final Thoughts on the World’s Best Coffee Cities

We’ve done it, ladies and gentlemen! We’ve toured the world’s best coffee cities! And what a ride it’s been – from Copenhagen’s rainy coffeehouse corners to Melbourne’s hip laneway cafes and Tokyo’s zen kissaten.

But the beauty of global coffee history and culture is that there’s no single “best” destination. Each coffee city has its charm and writes its own story through unique roasts, brewing rituals and coffee recipes.

One thing’s for sure: We coffee fanatics are spoiled for choice in this increasingly caffeinated world. Oh, what a time to be a coffee lover!

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