It’s official: the 100 best cafes in the world have been named – and an impressive nine of them are Aussie. Here, we run you through the big winners and let you in on where you can taste the world’s best coffee, locally.
World No. 1 | Toby’s Estate
It’s officially been crowned as the world’s best coffee shop, but what’s the story behind Toby’s Estate? It all started when a coffee-loving lawyer named Toby Smith ditched the legal briefs for coffee beans, embarking on a global quest to unearth the finest flavours. Immersing himself in remote coffee-growing communities, Toby witnessed the passion and perspiration behind each bean. He transformed his mum’s garage into a mini roastery in 1997, birthing Toby’s Estate – and the rest is history.
Up in Brisbane: Their futuristic Queensland flagship is located in Newstead.
World No. 8 | Coffee Anthology
Located in INTER/SECTION, the food and beverage collective nestled in the heart of Brisbane’s CBD, Coffee Anthology prides itself on its range of high-profile specialty coffees from Aussie roasters. It’s now known as one of the best coffee experiences in the country – and not just for its premium pour. Owner Adam Wang has made expert use of the heritage-listed Midtown Centre, emphasising its grandiosity by highlighting original features like exposed brick and dizzying ceilings. Come for the coffee, stay for the atmosphere.
World No. 19 | Veneziano Coffee Roasters
Once upon a milk crate, six-year-old Rocky Veneziano pulled his first espresso – little did he know, it would spark a lifelong love affair with coffee. Teaming up with industry veteran Craig Dickson, they founded Veneziano Coffee Roasters to transform Australia’s coffee scene. From a modest operation, they’ve brewed a vibrant community of coffee enthusiasts committed to evolving everyday coffee experiences. With a mantra of “Make. Achieve. Discover. Evolve.,” Veneziano continues to percolate positive change, one cup at a time.
On the Goldie: Head to SupermarCat Café in Southport to try Veneziano locally.
Up in Brisbane: Of course, you can also head to Brisbane’s West End to check out their very own café.
World No. 70 | Fonzie Abbott
In 2010, former race car driver Dan Pappas tried his hand at coffee roasting – a craft that, for him, blended his passions for surfing, travel, and good times into a bold brew. With a philosophy of sourcing top-notch beans and keeping things simple, Dan transformed that wild dream into reality and Fonzie Abbott was born. Over the years, this caffeine-fuelled venture has expanded beyond coffee, adding a brewery and distillery to its repertoire, turning their cosy headquarters into a one-stop libation station.
Up in Brisbane: Check out their ‘humble’ headquarters in Albion (home to the world’s only roastery, brewery and distillery in one)
World No. 87 | Seven Seeds
Coffee visionaries Bridge and Mark started Seven Seeds in 2007, blending their ideals of exceptional quality and radical transparency together and pouring them into Melbourne’s coffee scene. Inspired by the legendary 17th-century coffee smuggler Baba Budan, who smuggled seven fertile beans out of Yemen and into India to break coffee through the confines of the Arabic world, they named their venture in his honour. Today, Seven Seeds continues to champion traceability, proudly publishing the farmgate prices paid to producers, ensuring that every cup supports a sustainable future for coffee growers worldwide.
On the Goldie: You can sip on Seven Seeds at Canvas in Palm Beach.
Further afield…
Heading to one of the southern states? Make note of these cafes that also made the ‘World’s Best’ list.
- Proud Mary Coffee in Collingwood, Melbourne | proudmarycoffee.com.au
- Calére Coffee in Fitzroy, Melbourne | calerecoffee.com.au
- Exchange Coffee on Vardon Ave, Adelaide | exchangecoffee.com.au
- Vacation Coffee in Richmond, Cremorne and the CBD, Melbourne | vacationcoffee.com.au
Click here to see the full list of the World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops.
