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If you are a huge coffee lover, you probably want to travel to new places and try new coffee beverages as often as you possibly can. You can easily get a cup of average coffee at any deli in any city, but for the best coffee, it may require some research and travel to reach it. Once you’re travelling, finding the best cafés and businesses serving high-quality coffee can also take some time and effort. We decided to do that research for you, so you know what countries and cities to visit for coffee, which places to stop at once you get there, and what you might want to order.
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Rome, Italy
While Rome is best known for being one of the most romantic cities in the world, that isn’t all that it has going for it. Italy is a country that is well-known for its amazing coffee. It’s just a perk that you can also flit around visiting places of architectural and historical significance while sipping on a cup.
If you’re in Rome, you want to be sure to try authentic Italian coffee. This is not the same stuff that you get at a café in the United States. Italian coffee uses dark beans with only a bit of oil on them. Roasting and grinding are serious considerations when making Italian coffee, which is no surprise since coffee culture exists from Italy itself.
When you pick up a great coffee in Rome, you can expect it to full-bodied and rich, but it will never be extremely bitter or taste burnt. But you aren’t going to find coffee in a café in Rome, because coffees are served in locations called bars. You can find them all over, since most Italians enjoy a coffee several times a day. That said, you’ll probably pay more for a coffee near the touristy areas than you will when you get away from the pack.
Vienna, Austria
The next stop on our tour of the best coffee in the world takes us to Vienna. This city provides an old-time feel that makes many travelers fall in love. It also offers a fantastic cup of coffee, which is clear to anyone familiar with the Café Vienna brand. If you are looking for the best coffee in Vienna, you’ll need to make your way to Café Central.
This café has an illustrious history with famous individuals like Freud, Trotsky, Altenberg, Loos, and Zweig stopping in to enjoy coffee and cigars. Nowadays, you’ll find a menu that includes various coffees, along with classic Viennese dishes, and tempting sweet desserts. It’s open for breakfast lunch, and dinner with a constantly changing menu.
You can expect to find many sorts of coffee in the city from the mélange with espresso, water, and foamy milk to the Biedermeier which has a dollop of cream and apricot liqueur. No matter what your taste, you’ll find something pleasing to the palate. Don’t spend all your time trying your old favorites though. You may find the next best beverage in Vienna so try some exciting new things while you have the chance.
Havana, Cuba
You probably know how popular Cuba is for its rum and cigars, but what you may not know is that Cubans are also serious about their espresso. Most cafes are going to be staffed early to roast beans every day, which means enjoying a fantastic aroma as soon as you get close. Most coffee in Havana is sweet and strong with sugar added before the brewing even begins. The coffee grown in Cuba is Robusta and Arabica, which are also the two most popular bean species in the world.
There are four major types of coffee in Havana. The first is café Cubano, which is the traditional coffee mentioned above. It’s brewed from regular beans with sweetness added through sugar. It comes in a small cup and is much stronger than U.S. coffee. The next type is the colada, which is the same as the above but comes in a cup that is large enough to share with your friends. The third option is café con leche, which comes in one cup with another cup filled with steamed milk. You pour the milk into the coffee before consuming it. The final type is called cortadito and is a café Cubano which also has steamed milk added into it.
Taipei, Taiwan
You may not immediately think of coffee when the city of Taipei comes up. Instead, you may be more likely to envision the famous bubble tea that the area is known for. However, the city is a fantastic location for coffee lovers, even if not everyone is aware of that fact. Over the last few years, the city has become home to a diverse coffee scene and that doesn’t seem likely to change.
Depending on where you are in the city, you can typically find everything from Aeropress coffee to Italian espresso to flat whites and latte within a few blocks. This is a great place for anyone who wants to experience the world of coffee without jetting to many different locations.
One of the best places to visit is Rufous Coffee, which is an aesthetically appealing and well-lit space for consuming all of the coffee you can imagine. While the coffee is fantastic, that isn’t all it has going for it. There are interesting furnishings and the environment is inherently social, especially for those who choose to sit at the bar. And if you have a sweet tooth, you can even grab dessert to go with your coffee in Taipei.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires is a bit different from the other cities we have examined so far in that it has two different types of coffee culture. A traditional Argentinian may start their day off with extremely hot coffee with milk or milk with just a bit of coffee. It’s a bitter brew that necessitates grabbing some sugar packets to get it down. On the other hand, more specialty cafés are showing up in the area with lightly roasted espressos, pour overs, and more.
It’s not a huge surprise that a city as diverse as this one has numerous options for coffee culture. You can see this in the biggest way by looking at the new Festival de Café de Buenos Aires. The showroom has a total of three categories. One is for traditional coffee bars, another is for specialty shops, and the last is for major commercial brands.
Buenos Aires is a fantastic place to visit right now for the coffee lover as the culture continues to morph and change. As more people become passionate about coffee, further changes will take place. Being part of the experience from one culture to a more modern one is something that not everyone can be a part of.
Lisbon, Portugal
For those in Portugal, drinking coffee is a part of everyday life. You’ll find espresso served in every café and a café on nearly every block you pass. The coffee in Lisbon also tends to be less expensive than it is in the United States or the U.K. As an aside, if you order a simple coffee, you will be served an espresso so be aware of that. However, there are regional variations as well.
Lisbon has many different coffees and a number of them come with milk. If you’re searching for a café, you don’t have to search out a retail establishment. Most neighborhoods have cafés dotted throughout them, even in remote areas. A large number of these shops will also offer baked goods to enjoy with your coffee. Lisbon even has a few Starbucks dotting the landscape if you’re looking for a comfort beverage to remind you of home.
If you want specialty coffee, you will find it as the scene is currently growing. Many of these cafés focus on great coffee as well as a unique interior appearance. Some of the best places to visit in the city include the Copenhagen Coffee Lab and Fabrica Coffee Roasters.
Byron Bay, Australia
What Byron Bay is best known for is offering a fantastic spot to watch a sunset, enjoy the beach, or visit small local markets. However, that doesn’t mean that coffee is an afterthought. Residents and visitors of Byron Bay love their coffee, which means there are tons of shops around to offer you a warm beverage to start your day with.
If you want to check out a local secret while you travel, you’ll want to visit the 100 Mile Table Café. The inside of the shop has a large communal table and the breakfast fare is out of this world. You can enjoy everything from coffee to kombucha, juice, chicken and ginger congee, and even the humble cheeseburger. Another cool destination is Folk Byron Bay, which is located in a holiday park. The café serves ethical produce with a menu including cold, hot, and iced coffees along with juices and smoothies.
If you’re a big foodie in addition to enjoying your daily dose of caffeine, you’ll want to take a gander at The Roadhouse. It’s a bar that also functions as a café and restaurant that has a changing menu depending on current trends. You’ll have to wait on a table, but the place looks great and you’ll have time to look for the cocktails and coffees before you need to order. All in all, you can’t go wrong with the coffee or the culture found in Byron Bay.
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Melbourne, Australia
Just like in Byron Bay, Melbourne has a fantastic culture around coffee. Nearly anywhere in the city, you can step into a café and expect to receive a reasonably good coffee. However, when you’re looking for the best of the best, the coffee you want is in the inner neighborhoods of the city. Areas like Collingwood, Fitzroy, and Brunswick are all up and comers that should be explored.
A note for the Americans ordering a coffee in Australian needs to be made. The cappuccinos and lattes that are offered in Melbourne are different from those in the U.S.A. Each of these are about eight ounces in size with the latte having a bit of foam on top and cappuccino having less milk than usual but more foam. In addition, the Americano is called a long black and has less water, while a flat white has tons of milk. Most of the iced coffees are also sweeter and have more cream.
The cafés you visit in Australian are often going to be less a coffee shop and more of a restaurant. Most of them serve full meals, rather than just a few baked goods. However, that also means that spending a lot of time on your laptop in a café is frowned on a lot more than it would be in the States.
Portland, Oregon, USA
Portland, Oregon is known for its craft beer, but it turns out that the city also boasts a whole bunch of great coffee spots as well. If you head into the city to enjoy a few cups, make sure you take part in one of the specialty coffee tours available. You’ll get a chance to learn more about the history of coffee in the area and try a few of the best drinks to be found in the city.
If you enjoy talking coffee and getting into the nitty gritty and learning every detail, Portland might be your perfect destination. Many of the cafés do everything right in house from roasting beans to preparing your latte to taking care of the paperwork behind the scenes. As such, people know their coffee here perhaps more than anywhere else in the world. If you want to see that up close, try visiting Coava, Heart Coffee Roasters, Red E Café, or Sterling Coffee Roasters.
While many of the cafés are small and operate on a DIY principle, that doesn’t apply everywhere. The city also imports products from Stumptown Coffee Roasters, which is a major company nowadays. It’s also now located in Seattle and New York with plans to expand behind that into San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Chicago.
Paris, France
Moving back overseas, we arrive in none other than Paris, France. If this is your first time in France, you may be inexperienced with what coffee is like in the country. Rather than drinking creamy, milky beverages the entire day, most Parisians spend the day downing espresso shots instead. This beverage is the favored drink for more than half of those who live in France.
If you want to really enjoy a slice of Paris, take time to seek out a café in the morning for a Parisian breakfast. This is the only meal where a café au lait is common, and it comes along with orange juice, croissants, and baguettes with butter and jam. The caffeine and sugar will be sure to get you moving for the day and ready to take on this illustrious city.
One of the things you may not be prepared for is that most cafés don’t have a menu. The thing is that most of the time, a menu isn’t really needed. When it comes to coffee, you can enjoy an espresso, café au lait, and three other choices. The café crème is espresso with milk and foam, the café allonge is an espresso that is watered down, and the café noisette is an espresso with a splash of milk. The good news is that if you fall in love with any of them, you can recreate it at home with your espresso machine.
Lucerne, Switzerland
The truth is that Lucerne is a beautiful city that is fantastic for enjoying views of the mountains and lakes. When you head into the city center, you can expect to see quaint pastel homes, beautiful bridges, and attractive squares. You’ll also quickly discover that the city has a lively coffee scene with both tea and coffee houses spanning the city for those who don’t want to sit down to a full meal.
If you want to enjoy coffee in the sun at an artsy café, there’s nowhere better than Mardi Gras Luzern. The outside has a lovely terrace while the inside features many paintings to enjoy while you sip on your coffee. You’ll also find many newspapers from around the world to read while you have your coffee. For a laidback atmosphere, this is one of the best destinations available in the city.
Those who are looking for a meal with their cup of coffee may be interested in Dr. Oetker Café Gugelhupf. It features blackboards over the counter, black and white tiles, and swinging benches for a whimsical look and feel. This café serves more than coffee, with selections of both English and American breakfast foods available. Those who want something else can order a pizza or one of the cheese and meat platters the location is known for.
New York City, New York, USA
There is absolutely nowhere in the world like New York City. This applies even to the coffee culture in this highly populated United States’ city. No matter what sort of coffee you are interested in, you’re going to find it in this city. If you are interested in taking part in New York City coffee history, your destination might be D’Amico Coffee Roasters which has been around since 1948. There are tons of options for drinks from classic espresso to a cup of their signature roasts.
If you are more interested in seeing what the future of coffee might be like, Alpha Dominche Extraction Lab should be somewhere you visit. This café looks to offer precision brewed coffees which means a focus on everything from growing to processing, roasting, and brewing methods. You can check out their immersion-style vacuum brewing system, known as Steam Punk, and learn about siphon brewing through the Sight system.
The final place you should make sure to check out when in New York City is Ninth Street Espresso. This is a local chain that is available in uptown, downtown, and midtown Manhattan. This chain focuses on expresso brews rather than the popular latte options seen at most other chains in the United States.
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Chicago, Illinois, USA
Chicago isn’t a city that is well-known for its coffee as much as it is known for its deep-dish pizza and Chicago-style hotdogs. However, once you take the time to visit the many neighborhoods of Chicago, you’ll find that there are quality coffee beverages in all of them. The city is home to some major brands like Dark Matters, Metric, and Passion House.
If you appreciate the hipster vibe, you have to visit Wicker Park, and specifically Caffe Streets. This café is interesting and has a European coffee bar vibe and a staff who know their beans. In addition to having a selection of coffee that changes every week, you can also grab handmade baked goods like croissants and scones. If that isn’t your scene, Purple Llama is in the same area and is the perfect combination of coffee and music with modern tunes playing whenever it is open.
In Lake View are other great chains, including Intelligentsia Coffee, which is all over the country at this point. There are seven locations, but Lake View has one of the best with quick service, knowledgeable baristas, and a great cup of coffee to walk away with. Another option in the area is Loba Pastry + Coffee which offers innovative pastries like red mole croissants and pimento cheese biscuits.
Mexico City, Mexico
Mexico is a land that is known for its coffee along with its tequila and mezcal. It’s largely grown in the southern part of the country, but great coffee shops dot the landscape of Mexico City. You’ll want to be sure you experiment with some of the local blend coffees, which are a whole different world away from a cup of coffee at Starbucks or Dunkin’ Donuts.
If you’d like to enjoy a traditional Mexican market, Café Passmar is located right in the midst of one. Instead of using the well-known Mexican beans, most of the beans are Guerrero-grown. This seems to be a perk since many of the coffees have won awards in competitions. Head out and enjoy the day at the market with great molé, chilis, and more before stopping by for an excellent latte complete with latte art on top.
If you want something a little different, Rincon Libanes is a great spot to visit. This shop is owned by an immigrant from Lebanon, which explains the great Turkish coffee that can be had there. You’ll also be able to sample Lebanese cakes or snacks while you drink your coffee. The coffee here is simple without complicated brewing methods, but it’s really good and ends a hectic day with a bit of relaxation and tranquility.
Lincoln City, Oregon, USA
We’ve already talked about Portland, Oregon, but the state is also known for the coffee found in Lincoln City. One of the best-known locations in the city is Mojo Coffee, which offers Stumptown Coffee products. In addition to the great coffee, you can also enjoy a breakfast burrito, bagel sandwich, or freshly baked pastries. Don’t miss out on the cold brew coffees available, with the chocolate being a particular favorite.
Another spot to visit that you might not expect is Nyla’s Cup of Jo. This is a hidden gem in the city where you can savor a great espresso drink and your favorite pastry. They also serve bubble tea, milkshakes, chai tea, smoothies, and more. From the outside, this place doesn’t look like much, but it offers a nice environment and inexpensive but tasty coffee for a traveler.
Finally, don’t miss out on visiting Pirate Coffee Company while in Lincoln City. The entire business has a fun nautical theme and serves great coffee. There are also some unique handmade items for sale, which will give you something to browse while enjoying your beverage. You can also grab some pastries, including the popular macaroons if you need a quick snack while stopping in.
Las Vegas, Nevada
With millions of reasons to plan a trip to Las Vegas, you probably aren’t choosing it for the coffee. You might be visiting to check out the casinos, the celebrity chefs, and the amazing musical performances. However, while Las Vegas isn’t known for its coffee, that doesn’t mean it isn’t a destination that has plenty of great caffeinated beverage options. So, while you take in the lights and the nightlife, remember to enjoy a cup of coffee as some of the unique coffee shops around the city.
If you need a break from the hustle and bustle of the Las Vegas strip, one of your options is Makers & Fingers Coffee. You’ll find great coffee in a space with a bookstore, cocktail bar, and art installation. You can spend tons of time here due to the captivating environment and the delicious food available on the menu. If you want something unique, make sure to give the lavender latte a chance.
Another hidden gem in the city is Mothership Coffee, which is just down the street from another great shop, Sunrise Coffee. Mothership is in a strip mall and you can easily miss it when driving by. It’s a great place for the coffee aficionado who wants something different. Plus, you can gorge yourself on local chocolates and pastries while you try one of the specialty coffee beverages on the menu.
London, England
London is a large city with a huge number of coffee shops to enjoy while visiting. It seems that new shops are popping up frequently, many of which are small independent shops with excellent coffee. Part of the reason for that is due to the high quality found in locally roasted beans in recent years. There are plenty of options to check out and enjoy while you experience the wonders of London.
If you want to stick with a chain that is found in various parts of London, there’s no better option than Fernandez & Wells. There are locations in many parts of the city, including Kings College London, Leicester Square, and the Courtauld Gallery. The coffees served here tend to be espresso and milk based and there are many wonderful pastries to enjoy your favorite drink.
For a unique and utterly strange café experience, consider the Attendant. This café is located in what was once a Victorian men’s restroom. The former urinal stalls are now personalized benches and the floor has both original tile and new AstroTurf. It might sound like the worst place to enjoy a cup of coffee, but that is not true. The place is clean, serves great coffee, and offers amazing snacks.
Stockholm, Sweden
Stockholm is known as “Venice of the North” based on its beautiful waters, cobbled streets, and leaning buildings. However, despite that old-world charm, the city itself is quite innovative. In the city, you will find a serious coffee scene alongside amazing chefs and great cocktail bars. The one word you need to know if visiting Stockholm is “fika.” This refers to a break taken each day to enjoy pastries and coffee.
One of the most exciting coffee houses to visit in the city is Snickarbacken 7. It’s more than just a café as it also offers an art space and concept store to browse. This is a specialty café that offers up a new roast every week for regulars to enjoy. You’ll also find other coffees from around the globe, as well as a large assortment of sweets. It’s a rugged café that has a certain flair and is worth visiting at least once while in Stockholm.
Anyone who is involved in coffee culture in Sweden will assure you that you need to make a stop at Drop Coffee. It’s one of the most beautiful cafés to be found in the city with concrete floors, tin lampshades, and French windows. There are many choices of coffee, with the pour overs being a particular favorite. The café has a slow tempo and the menu is smaller than some cafes, but you can be sure that whatever you order will be delicious.
Tokyo, Japan
Many people are under the impression that green tea is the most popular caffeinated beverage consumed in Tokyo, but Japan is actually a major importer of coffee. The Japanese have had a huge impact on modern coffee with expertise atpour over and siphon techniques. This is no lack of a coffee culture in Tokyo, from traditional cafés to modern coffee shops using the most up to date methods and products.
Siphon was the most common method for making coffee in Japan until recently. However, espresso coffee is now having a surge in popularity. Despite that, the pour over method remains the most common type of coffee making in the city. Some shops, called a kissaten, stick to the roots of coffee and use a hand drip method for making coffee beverages.
Tokyo is a place that offers the best of both worlds. You can easily locate a kissaten for a traditional coffee or you can seek out a modern coffee shop that will be using the most modern technology found in coffee today. If you decide to visit the city, we recommend taking some time to enjoy both options. Each has its place in the city culture and each offers a very different experience.
Toronto, Canada
Toronto, Canada is teeming with great places to enjoy a cup of coffee. There are shops on nearly every block that offer coffee and a peek into the culture of the city itself. Those who might be looking for a hip, trendy place to visit and enjoy a coffee would do well stopping by Te Aro, while those who want a fine dining element might want to trot over to Sense Appeal Coffee Roasters where you can enjoy a cup of joe with amazing breakfast items like smoked trout with egg and capers.
If you prefer to visit a location for relaxation, studying, or working, Manic Coffee is a nice shop to visit. They provide excellent filtered coffee that is popular with residents, but also offers natural sorbets and gelatos, as well. Those who prefer to socialize rather than relax will enjoy Boxcar Social. This location offers not only one of a kind coffees, but other beverages such as whiskey, wine, and beers. You’re sure to meet up with locals and visitors alike and make new friends anytime you step in the doors.
For early morning risers, Early Bird Espresso & Brew Bar is the best place to head to. They offer a large selection of specialty blends for the coffee connoisseur. When it comes time to enjoy dinner and coffee, hit up Little Nicky’s Coffee. While the coffee here is great, what really sets this shop apart are the delicious mini donuts that are super inexpensive.
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The Wrap Up
Coffee can be found around the world in every country and city on every single continent. It’s also a social action and offers a way to meet people when traveling to new locations. Every location we have chosen to include above has a true coffee culture and will offers a different experience from the next place on the list. However, in the end, coffee is something that brings people together. It can be made in different ways and served in different manners, but you can expect to enjoy the seem feelings and sensations drinking it no matter where you go.
If you’re looking to travel somewhere with fantastic coffee, any of the options in this article will make an excellent destination.
Bonus Questions
1. Which cities drink the most coffee?
In terms of the United States, the cities who consume the most coffee include Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, New York City, and Los Angeles.
2. What country drinks the most coffee?
The top five countries when it comes to drinking coffee include Finland, Norway, Iceland, Denmark, and the Netherlands.
3. What percentage of coffee drinkers drink it black?
Based on a study by Statistic Brain, about 35% of United States coffee drinkers prefer to drink their coffee black.
4. Is Melbourne the coffee capital?
When talking about Australia, Melbourne is considered the coffee capital of the continent. More people in the area visit coffee shops than in anywhere else across the country.
5. Which country is famous for its coffee?
There are about 70 countries that engage in producing coffee, but most of it comes from Brazil, Columbia, Vietnam, Ethiopia, and Indonesia. As such, those are the countries best known for their coffee.
6. Who is the biggest coffee producer?
Brazil is the country that produces the largest amount of coffee and has been for more than 150 years.
7. Is coffee the most popular drink in the world?
Coffee clocks in as the most popular beverage on a global level. In the United States alone, nearly half of the people over 18 consume coffee on a daily basis. The average amount of coffee consumed in a day is between three and four cups.
8. Which age group drinks the most coffee?
Most coffee drinkers tend to be older with nearly 75% of those over 55 drinking coffee daily as compared to about 50% drinking it daily for those between 18 and 34.
9. What is Australian coffee?
The typical Australian coffee is a drip style coffee that is espresso based. This means that it is much stronger than the typical coffee consumed in the United States.
10. What’s the most expensive coffee in the world?
The most expensive coffee in the world may be kopi luwak. This is a Vietnamese coffee made from beans eaten by wild animals called civets.
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