Searching for the perfect brew? Look no further than our guide to the best coffee in Sydney.
Sydneysiders are a competitive bunch. In fact, we’re constantly battling it out with Melbournians for the title of Australia’s coffee capital. We might be a tad biased, but we believe Sydney has some of the best spots to nab a delicious cup of coffee. From specialty coffee brew bars to bustling inner-city cafes, discover where to find the best coffee in Sydney.
Mecca Coffee, Alexandria
Nestled in the heart of Alexandria’s slowly evolving light-industrial streets you’ll find Mecca Coffee Alexandria. Housed in a converted warehouse space, this unassuming spot is one of the most welcoming neighbourhood cafes in the area (and also one of Sydney’s best spots to score a delicious coffee). Out the back, you’ll hear the roastery team working away at roasting beans while the front of the space boasts a spacious cafe. Swing by for delicious seasonal eats, perfectly brewed coffee and even nab a bag of retail beans to take home.
Paramount Coffee Project, Surry Hills
Speaking of big coffee players, caffeine connoisseurs will likely be well-acquainted with Surry Hills’ iconic Paramount Coffee Project. Located in the bustling Paramount House building (home to a luxe new boutique hotel and even a premium rooftop gym), PCP Sydney is a destination for coffee lovers. On the bar, you’ll find a rotating selection of beans from roasteries locally and abroad. Plus, the floor staff and baristas are always on-hand to help you find the perfect coffee for your palette.
Single O, Surry Hills
A list of Sydney’s best coffee spots wouldn’t be complete without a mention of Single O’s landmark Surry Hills outpost. Since swinging open its doors back in 2003, this Reservoir Street spot was home to Single O’s first roastery. Fast forward to 2020, and the cafe has just been kitted out with a fresh new look. The expanded cafe is a hot-spot for scoring a delicious brekkie or lunch feed, while the takeaway window now boasts Sydney’s first self-serve batch brew bar (which lets punters pour and pay for their own batch brew filter coffee in under a minute).
ONA Coffee, Marrickville
Marrickville might be best known for its stellar selection of craft breweries, but the suburb is quickly solidifying its place as a must-see coffee destination. And one of our favourite spots to visit has to be ONA Coffee. Coming to Marrickville from the nation’s capital, this specialty coffee bar is first-and-foremost a coffee spot. With a bar menu of everything from milk-based cups to black and filtered brews, pull up a chair at the bar and get ready to sip something new and expand your palette at this coffee shop.
Primary Coffee Roasters, Potts Point
There’s nothing better than a coffee and croissant to start your day. And at Potts Point’s Primary Coffee Roasters, that’s exactly what you’ll find. This spot keeps its offering simple, with coffee and only a small selection of Penny Fours’ pastries available. But, this curated menu is executed with perfection. A favourite among Potts Point locals looking for a perfectly brewed coffee on their way to the office, Primary Coffee Roasters is a no-frills space that doesn’t complicate the brewing process.
Skittle Lane, CBD
Speaking of keeping things simple, the crew from Skittle Lane have nailed the formula for a delicious coffee experience in the CBD. Tucked away on the lower end of King Street, this airy New-York inspired space is about as sleek as coffee shops come: expect a glossy black marble bar, minimalist light features and beautiful handmade ceramics. Grab a seat in the window, grab your favourite brew and a serve of avo toast and get your day off to a great start.
Artificer Coffee Bar, Surry Hills
Unlike most coffee shops, you won’t find a food menu at Artificer. This Bourke Street favourite is proudly coffee only, but they won’t mind if you bring a bag of Bourke Street Bakery’s croissants inside (as long as you share the pastry goods with the baristas). These guys roast and brew all their own coffee, making sure each cup is as delicious as possible. Be warned, this coffee bar attracts serious crowds on the weekends so seats can be hard to come by. But we believe this spot is definitely worth the wait.
Sample Coffee, St Peters
Love brewing your own coffee at home? Make sure to swing by Sample Coffee’s Pro Shop in St Peters to stock up on all the tools and brew gear you need to make it happen. Located in the heart of St Peters’ Precinct 75, this cafe meets home brewing hotspot is designed with coffee lovers in mind. Pull up a chair at the bar, chat to the baristas and sip your way through Sample Coffee’s selection of rotating single-origin brews.
Coffee Alchemy, Marrickville
From first glance, Coffee Alchemy’s Addison Road outpost isn’t much to talk about. But inside this small shop front, you’ll find a team of passionate baristas, roasters and coffee lovers brewing some of Sydney’s best coffee. In fact, the team from Coffee Alchemy has even scored a bunch of top-notch accolades including taking out the Australian Barista Champion title, NSW Championship titles and more. Clearly, this is one coffee shop that really knows what they are doing.