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20 Best Coffee Shops in Melbourne for 2024

This article feature insights from Australian coffee expert and Campos Chief Coffee Officer, Adam Matheson.

The words ‘Melbournian’ and ‘coffee snob’ go hand in hand, but we’ve crafted a list of the best coffee in Melbourne to set the record straight. This city has some of the highest-quality coffee in the country, and while we’re often arguing about the specialty coffee coming out of Sydney, this rivalry has only fueled the places on our list below. With high expectations, you’re guaranteed a quality brew at almost every establishment.

Best Coffee in Melbourne at a Glance

Our list of the best coffee in Melbourne goes like this.

Now we’ve had a look at our favourites, let’s check out the complete list.

RELATED: These are the best Melbourne brunch spots to check out if you’re looking for food.

Exterior of St Ali cafe with white and black colour scheme showing patio umbrellas with customers dining
St Ali | Image: St Ali

1. St Ali

St Ali broke through the wall of coffee in Melbourne and brought quality brews to the masses. The original innovators, it was their mission to find the best rare and sought-after beans from around the world and bring them to the city, fostering long-term relationships with their growers in the process. New single-origin coffee is being released every week online and you can find similar rotations in-store at their South Melbourne location. Here, we always recommend the batch brew, but you can’t go wrong with cold brews, drip, or a simple flat white.

There are also plenty of food choices and we highly recommend either the Lamington Hotcake with milk chocolate, coconut and lemon custard, and toasted coconut or the ‘My Mexican Cousin’ with corn fritters, poached eggs, halloumi crumb, and salsa for a great savoury option.

Address: 12-18 Yarra Place, South Melbourne VIC 3205
Hours: Mon-Sun 7am-6pm
Phone: (03) 9686 2990

Exterior of Dukes Coffee Roasters cafe with green and cream colour scheme and wide glass windows showing customers dining
Dukes Coffee Roasters | Image: Dukes Coffee Roasters

2. Dukes Coffee Roasters

If you’re looking for a great selection of specialty coffee in Melbourne, head over to Dukes Coffee Roasters in Flinders Lane. All of their coffees are ethically traded and sourced from farms or small cooperatives across the Americas, Africa and Asia before they’re roasted fresh daily. We’ve been long-time fans of their staple ‘Dukes Blend’ with notes of red apple, caramel, milk chocolate, and cherry. Pair this with one of their staple cakes or pastries and your morning coffee run is complete.

Address: 247 Flinders Lane, Melbourne VIC 3000
Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-4:30pm, Sat 9am-5pm
Phone: (03) 9417 5578

Interior of Industry Beans cafe with white and wood colour scheme showing tables, chairs, decorative plants and wide glass windows
Industry Beans | Image: Industry Beans

3. Industry Beans

One of the pioneering ‘third wave’ coffee roasters in Melbourne, Industry Beans has successfully established itself as one of the best spots for coffee thanks to its vast selection of espresso blends and single-origin selections. The choice rotates regularly, however, if you find a Guji Uraga single-origin filter on the menu at any of their locations scattered around Melbourne, you’ll love the strawberry jam, lemon slice, and floral lavender notes.

If you’re in the area, check out their flagship Fitzroy warehouse location and get stuck into some brunch while you’re there. The classic scrambled eggs are some of the best we’ve found, not too runny, not too dry, and the toast is perfect.

Address: Various locations

Interior of Standing Room cafe with white and cream colour scheme and customers dining and ordering at the bar counter
Standing Room | Image: Standing Room

4. Standing Room

Surprisingly, finding good coffee at Universities in Melbourne can be tough. At least, according to Standing Room owner Thomas Kelly who started a whole coffee shop business to fix the issue! From humble beginnings at Melbourne University, RMIT and Melbourne Centra, Standing Room is now a fully-fledged cafe in Fitzroy North. The space is airy, with room to dine or stand and coffee is made with Standing Room’s house blend. If you’re hungry – there are sangas, pastries and house-made desserts.

Address: Various locations

Interior of 279 cafe with white and cream colour scheme showing tables, chairs, bar area and two customers dining
279 | Image: 279

5. 279

One of the best spots for coffee in Melbourne with a side of Japanese cuisine, look no further than 279. They regularly rotate coffee roasts, with the filter coffee from behind a handcrafted brew bar highlighting blends from local roasters and Japanese imports, and a selection of beans from Kenya, Ethiopia and Colombia. The coffee pairs perfectly with a menu featuring a unique take on Japanese Musubi (also known as onigiri, and is the Japanese equivalent of a classic Aussie sandwich) and a selection of Japanese-style veggie sides.

Address: 279 Victoria St, West Melbourne VIC 3003
Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-3pm, Sat-Sun 8am-3pm
Phone: 0401 343 310

Exterior of Coffee Supreme cafe with red and white colour scheme showing tables and chairs outside
Coffee Supreme | Image: Coffee Supreme

6. Coffee Supreme 

Nestled within a trendy warehouse space, Supreme’s HQ in Abbotsford is an independent roastery offering lunch, specialty coffee and all the coffee-making supplies you could dream of. We love their fuss-free approach to coffee and always feel better after a trip here. Try the cold brew paired with a ham, cheese and tomato toastie and thank us later.

Address: 28-36 Grosvenor St, Abbotsford VIC 3067
Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-2.30pm, Sat 8am-1:30pm
Phone: (03) 9428 3148

Exterior of Patricia Coffee Brewers cafe with black colour scheme showing customers talking outside
Patricia Coffee Brewers | Image: Patricia Coffee Brewers

7. Patricia Coffee Brewers

The humble beginnings of Patricia from a lawyer’s office to a shiny coffee bar back in 2012 only proves one thing – at this Melbourne coffee shop, the beans speak for themselves. Many a coffee reviewer has stopped at this now beloved joint to rave about its smooth caffeinated beverages, particularly the seasonal ‘Patricia Blend’ whose flavours are left up to the imagination. The quaint space has a convenient corner location right in the centre of Melbourne’s action and has all the character of a European cafe with a contemporary feel (and outrageously good coffee).

Address: 493-495 Little Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-4pm

Interior of Market Lane Coffee cafe with dark wood and white colour scheme showing staff behind the bar area with pastries on display
Market Lane Coffee | Image: Market Lane Coffee

8. Market Lane Coffee

Perfect coffee, croissants, and pastries, paired with a great atmosphere is what you’ll find at Market Lane Coffee. Their menu changes throughout the year, depending on what’s in season and tasting delicious. However, we highly recommend anything from Colombia, Ethiopia and Guatemala in filter form. Not sure what to get? The team of professional roasters and baristas can guide you, just think about what flavours you want to find and they’ll brew you a perfect cup.

Address: Various locations

Exterior of Brother Baba Budan cafe with wide glass windows showing customers dining inside
Brother Baba Budan | Image: Brother Baba Budan

9. Brother Baba Budan

Another coffee shop with great ambience in Melbourne, Brother Baba Budan is our pick for a quick takeaway order (the space isn’t huge). Their coffees are brewed with Seven Seeds beans and we love their milky options with the oat latte being a standout.

Address: 359 Little Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-5pm, Sat-Sun 8am-5pm
Phone: (03) 9347 8664

Interior of Plug Nickel cafe with brown and black colour scheme showing two staff behind the bar area
Plug Nickel | Image: Plug Nickel

10. Plug Nickel

If you can’t make it to the flagship ONA coffee location in Melbourne, head over to Plug Nickel. When they’re not serving up some of the best cocktails in Melbourne, you’ll find great coffee and snacks. What it lacks in size, it makes up for in quality with one of our favourite batch brews, càscara, cold brew, and bottled coffee in the city.

Address: 7 Peel St, Collingwood VIC 3066
Hours: Mon-Tues 7am-3pm, Weds-Fri 7am-3pm & 4-11pm, Sat 8am-3pm & 4pm-1am, Sun 8am-3pm & 3:30-10pm
Phone: (03) 9416 3677

Interior of Proud Mary with black, grey, brown and white colour scheme showing customers dining and a staff behind the bar area
Proud Mary | Image: Proud Mary

11. Proud Mary

Whether you visit for the fortnightly subscription, a one-off bag of delicious beans from El Salvador or just an exquisite cup of coffee from their in-house roasted blends, Proud Mary is one of the best coffee spots in Melbourne. All-day breakfast, hearty lunches, fresh juices and homemade cakes are just a few of the things that complement their delicious coffee.

Address: 172 Oxford Street, Collingwood VIC 3066
Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-3pm, Sat-Sun 8am-3pm
Phone: (03) 9417 5930

Exterior of Everyday Coffee cafe with black patio umbrellas, black tables and yellow chairs
Everyday Coffee | Image: Everyday Coffee

12. Everyday Coffee

At the back of a large, red-brick warehouse you will find Everyday Coffee. They serve up tasty bagels and roast their own ethically sourced beans. The best bit? They trade every single day of the year, no excuses (hence the namesake,) and yes, Christmas included. What stands out is their consistency, we’ve never had a bad coffee from here and often find ourselves going for a classic cappuccino or cold brew on a hot day.

Address: 213 Little Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-3pm

Address: 36-38 Sackville St, Collingwood VIC 3066
Hours: Mon-Sat 7am-3pm, Sun 8am-3pm

Exterior of Blume Coffee cafe at night showing customers lined up
Blume Coffee | Image: Blume Coffee

13. Blume Coffee

Blume Coffee is a one-man roasting success (literally, just one person runs the joint) where you can enjoy your coffee against the backdrop of a vinyl soundtrack – what could be better? You will find two espresso blends, rotating single-origins and a lovely community vibe. This is a great spot if you’re looking for rare varieties served by one of the country’s top coffee afficiandos, Angus has worked with some of the most elite coffee professionals in the world, just ask him.

Address: 2 Yarra St, Abbotsford VIC 3067
Hours: Weds-Sat 8am-2pm
Phone: (03) 7015 4862

Overhead shot of Monk Bodhi Dharma cafe menu
Monk Bodhi Dharma | Image: Monk Bodhi Dharma

14. Monk Bodhi Dharma

Going to a boutique micro roastery is like travelling to Italy to get the most authentic Italian cuisine – just without the flight, and for rich, authentic coffee. Monk Bodhi Dharma is one of the best coffee shops in Melbourne as they roast all their coffee in-house and source seasonal and mostly single-estate through direct trade. Buy their seasonal beans from the counter or let them roast it to perfection with your favourite brewing method.

Address: 202 Carlisle Street, Balaclava VIC 3183
Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-5pm, Sat-Sun 8am-5pm
Phone: 0478 932 556

Interior of Axil cafe with three staff behind the bar area
Axil | Image: Axil

15. Axil

Axil promises a sustainably produced product that results in quality coffee in your cup. Their coffee is picked, roasted and served by hand to be enjoyed by you, mug in hand. It’s not a boutique shop by any means, but its baristas are always friendly and interested in teaching you more about the best brewing methods and beans from around the globe. It’s also a great spot if you’re looking for a quick bite as their muffins and croissants have always been fresh in our experience.

Address: Various locations

Exterior of ONA Coffee Melbourne cafe with wooden tables, chairs and customers dining outside
ONA Coffee Melbourne | Image: ONA Coffee Melbourne

16. ONA Coffee Melbourne

You can get more infamous than Ona when it comes to coffee snobbery. The ideal spot for hardcore coffee drinkers, there are even premium-reserve coffees on its “freezer” menu, which have been roasted, aged, then vacuum-sealed into individual doses and frozen. Our reccomendation? Try the Raspberry Candy blend – it won the 2015 World Barista Championship and is simply delicious.

Address: 22 Ovens St, Brunswick VIC 3056
Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-3pm, Sat-Sun 8.30am-3pm

Interior of Aunty Pegs cafe with black and wood colour scheme showing bar area, stools and wide glass window overlooking the streets outside
Aunty Pegs | Image: Aunty Pegs

17. Aunty Pegs

If you’re looking for a boutique coffee shop in Melbourne to try some of the rarest varieties on the planet, visit Aunty Pegs. Nolan Hirte, Director of Proud Mary Coffee Roasters, has created a warm, welcoming, inclusive space for you to try these rare gems brewed by a one-on-one barista. Acting as a coffee cellar door, it’s not the best spot for food as the focus is on quality liquid.

Address: 200 Wellington Street, Collingwood VIC 3066
Hours: Mon-Sun 9am-5pm
Phone: (03) 9417 1333

Exterior of Omar and the Marvellous Coffee Bird cafe in the evening
Omar and the Marvellous Coffee Bird | Image: Omar and the Marvellous Coffee Bird

18. Omar and the Marvellous Coffee Bird

The traditional myth of the discoverer of the brew, Omar, inspires the founders of one of the top Melbourne coffee shops. Outcast and on the cusp of death, Omar received a bean-laden branch from a bird and upon boiling the beans and drinking the result was revitalised. Coffee is now the second most traded commodity in the world, inspiring drinkers and brewers around the world, none more so than founding owners Dean Atkins and Andy Gelman. They believe there should never be compromise on quality and if it’s not the best it can be, they simply won’t serve it. That’s enough reason to visit, isn’t it?

Address: 124 Gardenvale Road, Gardenvale VIC 3185
Hours: Mon-Fri 6am-4pm, Sat-Sun 7am-3pm
Phone: (03) 9596 4186

Interior of Florian cafe with wooden bar area, stools, tables and wide glass windows overlooking the streets outside
Florian | Image: Florian

19. Florian

Nestled on a quaint Carlont North street, Florian offers a produce-driven menu and an unpretentious approach to coffee that we love. Couple this with a timeless fit-out complete with glossy burgundy tiles and wooden shelves overflowing with cookbooks and jars of pickled goodies and you’ve got the ultimate cosy spot for coffee in Melbourne.

One of the best spots for food on our list, the menu is everchanging, but the Farmer’s Breakfast remains a favourite, complete with cured meats, cheese, boiled eggs, house-made pickles, rye bread and yoghurt with fruit compote. Coffee is from Allpress in Collingwood and the pastries here are also an essential accompaniment to your daily brew.

Address: 617 Rathdowne St, Carlton North VIC 3054
Hours: Mon-Fri 7.30am-3.30pm, Sat-Sun 8am-3.30pm

Overhead shot of The Premises cafe menu
The Premises | Image: The Premises

20. The Premises

If you want a cafe that understands the froth difference between a cappuccino and a flat white, with staff that don’t scoff when you ask for your favourite South American blend, look no further than The Premises. They’ve also got tasty meals made with fresh, seasonal produce (the slow-roasted pulled pork with homemade chutney is a must) and of course some of the best coffee in Melbourne. Coffee industry veterans Alex Anderson and Kate Holloway use high-quality beans from Seven Seeds and together with their team of baristas, create a homey cafe that is discerning with the top-notch coffee and food they serve, but not the customers they welcome.

Address: 202 Bellair Street, Kensington VIC 3031
Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-3:30pm, Sat-Sun 8am-3pm
Phone: (03) 9376 7565

Why You Should Trust Our List

From the author, Aimee O’Keefe: I’ve been writing about food and drinks in Australia for half a decade and since moving to Melbourne at the start of 2022 I’ve had the chance to further explore the depths of the city’s coffee culture. This includes multiple visits to spots on this list where I’ve been able to sample beans from around the world. When I’m not exploring coffee spots, I’m writing architecture features for The Local Project so you could say I know a thing or two about quality atmosphere and venues too.

For this article, I also spoke to Australian coffee expert Adam Matheson, Campos Chief Coffee Officer, about the state of Melbourne’s coffee scene. They recently won Australia’s best coffee roaster at AICA for the second time in a row.

Alternatives to Coffee in Melbourne

If you’re looking for other things to do in and around Melbourne, we’ve got you covered. You can also check out our list of fun things to do in Melbourne. If you’re looking for a more specific cuisine, check out our list of the best Japanese restaurants in Melbourne or the best steak restaurants. If you’re full, we can also help you with your search for the best bars in Melbourne or enliven your inner muso you the best live music venues in Melbourne.

Explaining Melbourne’s Coffee Culture

Specialty coffee refers to the whole coffee process from growing to roasting and extracting; from farmer to mug. These Melbourne coffee shops take their coffee seriously and ensure that every stage of the process involves the utmost precision and care. Just be aware: once you taste the smooth, intoxicating single-origin coffees of the best coffee shops in Melbourne, you’ll never go back.

As one of Australia’s foremost destinations for bean juice, Melbourne is home to a vast assortment of coffee shops, each offering something different. But while every cafe has its own take on coffee, the Australian brew does have some common themes.

“Australian coffee is still largely milk-based. The Flat White, Cappuccino and Latte lovers have kept espresso-brewed coffee at the top of the pile, despite growing interest in lighter ‘filter’ brewed black coffee in more recent years,” Adam Matheson, Campos Chief Coffee Officer tells Man of Many.

Leading the coffee revolution is Melbourne, with cafes such as Patricia and Market Lane helping to introduce innovative new techniques and roasting options to the mix. It’s something that Australian coffee expert Matheson believes has been critical to the foundations of Melbourne as a world-renowned coffee destination.

“Whilst Australian coffee in the past was bitter, stale and too hot, fortunately now we find ourselves expecting, even demanding, that our coffee is smooth, well bodied, and naturally sweet,” he says. “Flavours are typically built around a caramel and chocolate base but are generally complimented with floral and fruity notes that come from better sourcing knowledge and roasting techniques.”

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