Must-Try Coffee in Melbourne

Melbourne is often heralded as the coffee capital of Australia, with a vibrant café culture and a serious dedication to the craft of coffee-making. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, here’s a list of must-try coffee spots that stand out for their unique brews, atmosphere, and dedication to the beans.

1. Market Lane Coffee

With several locations across Melbourne, Market Lane Coffee is a pioneer of the city’s specialty coffee scene. Known for its transparent sourcing, Market Lane not only serves excellent coffee but also educates customers about where their coffee comes from and how it’s made. Don’t miss their seasonal blends and single-origin offerings, perfect for a true taste of artisanal craftsmanship.

2. Patricia Coffee Brewers

Tucked away on Little Bourke Street, Patricia Coffee Brewers is a standing-room-only café that epitomises Melbourne’s no-fuss coffee culture. The focus here is purely on the coffee, served black, white, or filtered. The minimalistic and unassuming exterior belies the quality within – this spot is a favourite among CBD workers and serious coffee lovers alike.

3. Seven Seeds

A short stroll from the University of Melbourne, Seven Seeds is both a café and a micro-roaster. It’s a spot where you can enjoy a meticulously brewed cup and also learn a lot about the coffee process, thanks to their knowledgeable baristas and open roasting area. Their house blends are robust and full-flavoured, with rotating single-origin specials that reflect the best of global coffee culture.

Image from Market Lane 

4. Tone Coffee

Located at 7/121 High St, Prahran, Tone Coffee stands out in Melbourne’s vibrant coffee scene. The café is known for its minimalist decor and a meticulous approach to coffee. The signature drink, the Tiger Bomb, is a customer favorite, blending espresso, milk, cream, and a hint of orange zest for a refreshing twist. With direct trade coffee beans and innovative brewing methods, Tone offers a unique experience where each visit is both informative and delightful. Whether you seek a strong espresso or a nuanced pour-over, Tone Coffee is an exemplary place to enjoy top-quality coffee.

5. St. Ali

Located in South Melbourne, St. Ali feels like a coffee sanctuary. The industrial-chic café is serious about their coffee, with a bean-to-cup philosophy that ensures a high-quality brew. Their baristas are competitive and regularly take part in national brewing competitions, making St. Ali a must-visit for anyone wanting to experience the pinnacle of Melbourne’s coffee scene.

6. Auction Rooms

Nestled in the trendy suburb of North Melbourne, Auction Rooms is an award-winning cafe renowned for its innovative approach to coffee. They offer a variety of brewing methods, including Aeropress, V60, and cold brew options, in a converted warehouse setting that’s both spacious and inviting.

7. Dukes Coffee Roasters

At their Flinders Lane location, Dukes Coffee Roasters impresses with its commitment to sustainability and quality. Their ethically sourced beans are roasted on-site, ensuring fresh and flavourful coffee. This spot is particularly popular for its velvety flat whites and rich espressos.

Image from Dukes Coffee

8. The League of Honest Coffee

A place for the true aficionados, The League of Honest Coffee by Padre Coffee offers a range of single-origin and blended beans that are precisely dialled in to showcase their best characteristics. The staff here are as passionate about coffee education as they are about serving a perfect cup.

9. Calere Coffee

Calere Coffee, a hidden gem in Fitzroy, is known for its meticulous attention to detail and quality. The café offers a cosy, intimate setting perfect for enjoying their signature blends and single-origin coffees that are roasted to highlight unique flavour profiles and origins.

10. Proud Mary

A stalwart in the Melbourne coffee scene, Proud Mary not only brews excellent coffee but also operates its own roastery and coffee education classes. Located in Collingwood, Proud Mary is renowned for pushing the boundaries of coffee excellence. A new international guide, The World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops, has recently crowned Proud Mary as the world’s 4th best in its inaugural ranking, solidifying its status as a must-visit for coffee enthusiasts globally.

Image from Proud Mary

Conclusion

In Melbourne, coffee is more than just a drink; it’s a culture, an art, and a science. Each of these cafes not only serves excellent coffee but also embodies the spirit of Melbourne’s love affair with the bean. So, grab a cup, settle in, or take a walk through the city’s charming laneways, and enjoy what can only be described as a world-class coffee experience.

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