Melbourne, often dubbed the coffee capital of Australia, is a city that takes its coffee seriously. With a thriving café culture and a passion for quality beans, Melbourne offers many coffee experiences to tantalise the taste buds of any coffee enthusiast.

Brief History of Melbourne’s Coffee Culture

Melbourne’s love affair with coffee began in the late 19th century when Italian immigrants brought their passion for espresso coffee to the city. These early immigrants opened espresso bars, introducing Melburnians to the rich and complex flavours of espresso-based drinks.

Over the decades, Melbourne’s coffee culture has evolved, focusing on quality, innovation, and sustainability. Today, the city is renowned for its world-class coffee roasters, skilled baristas, and unique coffee rituals.

Unique Coffee Culture and Rituals

Melbourne’s coffee culture is characterised by its attention to detail, high-quality beans, and skilled baristas. Some unique coffee rituals and trends that have emerged in Melbourne include:

  • Flat White: A creamy, velvety coffee drink that originated in Melbourne.
  • Long Black: A strong, black coffee similar to an Americano.
  • Filter Coffee: A slow-drip coffee method that produces a clean and flavorful cup.
  • Coffee Roasting Culture: Melbourne boasts a thriving coffee roasting scene, with numerous independent roasters producing high-quality beans.

In the following sections, we’ll explore some of Melbourne’s best cafés and roasters, as well as provide tips for coffee lovers visiting the city.

Must-Visit Cafés in Melbourne CBD

Top-Rated Cafés

  1. Seven Seeds:
    • Renowned for its minimalist aesthetic and exceptional coffee, Seven Seeds offers a range of single-origin coffees, filter coffee, and delicious brunch dishes.
    • Specialty: Single-origin coffee, filter coffee, and light brunch dishes.
    • Location: 11-13 Flinders Lane, Melbourne CBD
  2. Industry Beans:
    • With multiple locations across Melbourne, Industry Beans is a popular choice for coffee lovers. Their innovative coffee, delicious brunch dishes, and stylish ambience make it a must-visit.
    • Specialty: Innovative coffee, brunch dishes, and baked goods.
    • Location: Multiple locations in Melbourne CBD
  3. St Ali:
    • A pioneering coffee roaster and café, St Ali is known for its high-quality coffee and minimalist design. Their single-origin coffee and filter coffee are particularly popular.
    • Specialty: Single-origin coffee, filter coffee, and brunch dishes.
    • Location: 12-18 Yarra Place, Melbourne CBD

Hidden Gems

  1. Patricia Coffee Brewers:
    •  This small, cosy café offers excellent coffee and friendly service. It’s a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.
    • Specialty: Single-origin coffee, filter coffee, and light snacks.
    • Location: 203 Flinders Lane, Melbourne CBD
  2. Axil Coffee Roasters:
    • With a focus on sustainability and ethical sourcing, Axil Coffee Roasters offers a range of high-quality coffee and light meals.
    • Specialty: Single-origin coffee, filter coffee, and light meals.
    • Location: 1/1 Hardware Lane, Melbourne CBD
  3. Brother Baba Budan:
    • This quirky café is known for its unique hanging chairs and strong coffee. It’s a popular spot for coffee lovers and Instagram enthusiasts.
    • Specialty: Strong coffee and pastries.
    • Location: 359 Little Bourke St, Melbourne CBD
  4. Higher Ground:
    •  Housed in a former power station, Higher Ground offers a stylish and spacious setting to enjoy coffee and brunch.
    • Specialty: Brunch dishes, coffee, and cocktails.
    • Location: 650 Little Bourke St, Melbourne CBD
  5. Market Lane Coffee:
    • This popular café chain is known for its high-quality coffee and minimalist aesthetic.
    • Specialty: Single-origin coffee, filter coffee, and light snacks.
    • Location: Multiple locations in Melbourne CBD

By exploring these cafés and venturing into the city’s laneways, you’re sure to discover hidden gems and unique coffee experiences.

Exploring Melbourne’s Coffee Suburbs

Melbourne’s coffee culture extends beyond the CBD, with several suburbs renowned for their excellent coffee shops. Here are a few of the most popular ones:

Fitzroy and Collingwood

  • De Lorenzo:
    • This iconic Melbourne café is known for its strong coffee, friendly service, and no-frills approach.
    • Specialty: Strong coffee, simple food
    • Reviews: Praised for its no-frills approach and consistently good coffee.
    • Location: 205 Gertrude St, Fitzroy
  • Proud Mary:
    • A popular café with a focus on specialty coffee and delicious brunch. The café often has long queues, but it’s worth the wait.
    • Specialty: Specialty coffee, brunch, and baked goods
    • Reviews: Highly regarded for its innovative coffee and delicious food.
    • Location: 172 Smith St, Collingwood
  • Smith & Daughters:
    • A vegan café offering delicious plant-based food and excellent coffee.
    • Specialty: Plant-based food, coffee, and pastries
    • Reviews: Praised for its delicious vegan and vegetarian food and excellent coffee.
    • Location: 175 Brunswick St, Fitzroy

Richmond

  • Seven Seeds:
    • A renowned roastery and café, offering a wide range of coffee beans and delicious brews.
    • Specialty: Single-origin coffee, filter coffee, and light brunch dishes
    • Reviews: Renowned for its high-quality coffee and minimalist aesthetic.
    • Location: 101 Turner St, Richmond
  • The Little Rogue:
    • A cosy café with a focus on quality coffee and friendly service.
    • Specialty: Coffee, brunch, and baked goods
    • Reviews: Praised for its friendly service and delicious food.
    • Location: 297 Bridge Rd, Richmond
  • The General Store:
    • A popular café is known for its delicious brunch and coffee.
    • Specialty: Coffee, brunch, and pastries
    • Reviews: Popular for its relaxed atmosphere and delicious food.
    • Location: 113 Swan St, Richmond

Northcote

  • The Little Big Coffee:
    • This trendy café offers a great selection of coffee and delicious brunch dishes.
    • Specialty: Coffee, brunch, and baked goods
    • Reviews: Praised for its creative coffee and delicious food.
    • Location: 111 High St, Northcote
  • The Humble Tiger:
    • Known for its strong coffee and creative brunch menu.
    • Specialty: Strong coffee and creative brunch dishes
    • Reviews: Popular for its strong coffee and cosy atmosphere.
    • Location: 628 High St, Northcote
  • Lost Leaves:
    • A cosy café specialisng in filter coffee and light snacks.
    • Specialty: Filter coffee and light snacks
    • Reviews: Praised for its focus on quality coffee and minimalist aesthetic.
    • Location: 181 High St, Northcote

Local Roasters to Know

Melbourne is a coffee lover’s paradise, with numerous talented roasters shaping the city’s vibrant coffee culture. Here are a few of the top local roasters:

  • St Ali: Renowned for their innovative roasting techniques and commitment to quality, St Ali is a Melbourne institution. Their flagship café in South Melbourne is a must-visit for coffee enthusiasts.
  • Industry Beans: With multiple locations across Melbourne, Industry Beans is known for its high-quality coffee, stylish cafes, and delicious food.
  • Seven Seeds: This family-owned roastery is committed to sourcing the finest coffee beans from around the world. Their cafes offer a range of coffee drinks, from espresso to filter coffee.
  • Code Black Coffee Roasters: A popular choice for coffee lovers, Code Black offers a wide range of coffee beans and brewing methods. Their cafes are known for their minimalist aesthetic and strong coffee.
  • Axil Coffee Roasters: This roastery is known for its commitment to sustainability and ethical sourcing. They produce high-quality coffee that is both delicious and socially responsible.

Tips for Ordering Coffee in Melbourne

Common Coffee Orders

  • Flat White: A popular choice, consisting of a double shot of espresso topped with microfoam milk.
  • Long Black: Similar to an Americano, it’s a double shot of espresso topped with hot water.
  • Cappuccino: A classic coffee drink with equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and foam.
  • Latte: A larger version of a cappuccino, with more steamed milk and less foam.

Coffee Strength and Temperature

  • Strength: Melburnians generally prefer their coffee strong. If you like your coffee milder, you can ask for a “short black” or a “long black.”
  • Temperature: The ideal temperature for coffee in Melbourne is hot, but not scalding. If you prefer your coffee cooler, you can ask for it to be “long black and hot water.”

Coffee Etiquette and Customs

  • Tipping: While tipping is not mandatory in Australia, it’s appreciated for exceptional service.
  • Coffee Etiquette: Melburnians take their coffee seriously. It’s considered good etiquette to know your coffee order and to be patient while the barista prepares your drink.
  • Coffee Culture: Melbourne’s café culture is a big part of the city’s identity. Take the time to enjoy your coffee and soak up the atmosphere.

FAQs about Melbourne’s Coffee Culture

1. What is a flat white? A flat white is a coffee drink consisting of a double shot of espresso topped with microfoam milk. It’s a popular choice in Melbourne and is known for its smooth and creamy texture.

2. What is a long black? A long black is a double shot of espresso topped with hot water. It’s similar to an Americano but with a stronger coffee flavour.   

3. Where can I find the best coffee beans in Melbourne? Melbourne is home to many excellent coffee roasters. Some of the most popular include:

  • St Ali
  • Industry Beans
  • Seven Seeds   

4. Are there any good coffee shops open late at night? While many cafés close early, you can still find some options for late-night coffee in Melbourne. Check out the CBD and Fitzroy for cafés that stay open later.   

5. What is the best time to visit a Melbourne café? The best time to visit a Melbourne café is during the morning or early afternoon when the atmosphere is typically more relaxed. However, many cafés are open late into the night.

6. What are some other popular coffee drinks in Melbourne? In addition to flat whites and long blacks, other popular coffee drinks in Melbourne include:

  • Cappuccino: A classic coffee drink with equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and foam.   
  • Latte: A larger version of a cappuccino, with more steamed milk and less foam.  
  • Filter coffee: A slow-drip coffee method that produces a clean and flavorful cup.   

7. What is the coffee culture like in Melbourne? Melbourne has a strong coffee culture, focusing on quality, innovation, and sustainability. Baristas are highly skilled and passionate about their craft, and the city is home to many independent coffee roasters.

8. What are some popular coffee chains in Melbourne?

While Melbourne is known for its independent coffee shops, there are a few popular coffee chains:

  • Allpress Espresso: A New Zealand-based coffee roaster with several locations in Melbourne.
  • Grinders Coffee Roasters: A Melbourne-based coffee roaster with multiple cafés.
  • 7 Seeds: Renowned for its high-quality coffee and minimalist aesthetic.

9. Are there any coffee festivals in Melbourne?

Yes, Melbourne hosts several coffee festivals throughout the year, such as the Melbourne International Coffee Expo. These events showcase the latest trends in coffee, offer coffee tastings, and host barista competitions.

10. What are some tips for ordering coffee in Melbourne?

  • Be specific: If you have a preference for a certain type of coffee or milk, be specific when ordering.
  • Don’t be afraid to ask questions: Baristas are often happy to answer questions about the coffee and the brewing process.
  • Embrace the coffee culture: Take the time to enjoy your coffee and appreciate the unique atmosphere of Melbourne’s cafés.

Final thoughts

With its rich coffee culture, Melbourne offers a diverse range of coffee experiences. From world-class roasters to cosy neighbourhood cafés, the city has something for every coffee lover. By exploring the city’s vibrant coffee scene, you can discover hidden gems, indulge in delicious coffee, and experience the unique atmosphere of Melbourne’s cafés.

So, grab a cup of coffee, explore the city’s laneways, and immerse yourself in Melbourne’s coffee culture.

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