Melbourne and coffee are practically synonymous. The city’s obsession with a perfect cup has created one of the world’s most vibrant coffee cultures, with countless roasteries, specialty cafes, and baristas who treat coffee as an art form. From bold filter brews, silky flat whites, to meticulously sourced beans, there’s no better place to get your next caffeine fix in Melbourne.
Here are 10 coffee spots to try in Melbourne, each with its own vibe, philosophy, and reason to fall in love with.
1. Market Lane Coffee
Minimalist, elegant, and focused on quality, Market Lane is a Melbourne coffee institution. With locations spread around Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung country in Melbourne/Naarm, Market Lane Coffee embodies everything they stand for: ethically sourced beans roasted to perfection, with a clean and bright flavour profile. They also deeply believe in responsible, sustainable practices, having received their B Corporation certification. Moreover, they’re proudly 100% carbon neutral, committed to measuring, reducing, and offsetting greenhouse gases from their coffee production. It’s the perfect stop for those who like their coffee simple yet sophisticated.
2. Proud Mary
Founded by husband and wife in 2009, Proud Mary is a pioneer of Melbourne’s specialty coffee scene which has remained a fan favourite for a reason. With a roastery, café, and a constant buzz of coffee lovers in the know, Proud Mary serves inventive brews alongside hearty breakfasts—because good coffee deserves good food to pair with. They source their coffee directly from the origin, building deep relationships with farmers and sharing stories through products that evoke the fight for greater appreciation in the coffee space.
3. Aunty Peg’s
The edgy little sister to Proud Mary, Aunty Peg’s coffee is all about education and exploration. This Collingwood café doubles as a roastery and brewing lab, where you can chat with baristas about bean origins, try unique filter methods, and maybe even find your next favourite single origin. Sip some of the best coffee in the world in this welcoming space, served by your one-on-one barista. You can also stock up on beans and brew gear at the shop and have a tour around their roastery.
4. St Ali
One of the OGs of Melbourne coffee culture, St Ali has been leading the charge since the early 2000s. Tucked away in a South Melbourne laneway within a lofty converted warehouse, it delivers consistently outstanding coffee, seasonal menus, and an atmosphere that’s effortlessly cool. With a focus on in-house roasting, St Ali is an expert in coffee brewing and forging strong relationships with the farmers that grow the beans.
5. Traveller Coffee
A tiny, hidden coffee gem on Crossley Street, Traveller Coffee proves that good things come in small packages. This café is your go-to for a quick yet immaculate cup while you’re out exploring the city. The space has a bench seating and a couple of stools outside, with part Italian eatery, part airstream caravan interior. Aside from their coffee beans, they also serve a selection of toasted sandwiches, cakes, and pastries. Want to take their beans home? Browse the retail shelves for Cold Filter Casks, Drip Coffee Bags, and even Brewing Accessories.
6. Core Roasters
This Footscray favourite is all about community and craft. Core Roasters keeps things approachable while still delivering top-tier coffee, roasted in-house. The small space is welcoming, and the vibe is more neighbourhood hangout than pretentious café. Their coffee tastes a bit different, especially the long blacks, made with lungo-style extraction. Alongside the coffee, you will enjoy a wide array of light bites, from regular croissants to more adventurous choices like pandan-spiked kaya (coconut jam) squiggled on toast, char siu pork tarts and pasties filled with mushroom rendang. Coffee is also still incorporated in some menus, such as espresso banana bread and tiramisu cookies.
7. Wide Open Road
With its industrial-chic vibes and cosy booths in a refreshing coffee space, Wide Open Road has earned its stripes among Melbourne’s coffee elite. Their house blends are complex yet approachable, and their filter offerings change often, giving regulars something new to try. Their flagship blend originates from Brazil, Colombia, Ethiopia and Kenya. You’ll find that milk complements it very well. And if you think coffee is all they focus on, try some of their dishes and you’ll see how food is far from an afterthought. Their bacon sandwich alone is worth the visit, with other highlights like cherry banana bread and harissa-whitebean puree on toast just as worth mentioning.
8. Stagger Lee’s
From the team behind Proud Mary, Stagger Lee’s brings that same attention to detail in their coffee, with a bit more grit. Located on Brunswick Street, it’s the kind of place you come for the coffee but end up staying for the laid-back Fitzroy vibes and killer brunch options. For nearly a decade, they have delighted both locals and visitors with top-quality service, using locally sourced ingredients to experiment with dishes that ignite the appetite. Every sip and bite showcases their commitment to coffee and food with attitude.
9. Dukes Coffee Roasters
If sustainability and transparency matter to you, Dukes is your spot. This beautifully designed city café serves up ethically sourced coffee in a serene setting, proving that good coffee can also do good for the planet. Taking pride in sourcing from individual farms or small cooperatives, Dukes Coffee Roasters implement regenerative organic farming, and all their coffee is carefully roasted in Melbourne using 100% organic Arabica coffee beans.
10. Wood & Co
Located in a hidden corner of the CBD, Wood & Co is all about the coffee. Enjoy their consistently excellent espresso and pour-over served in a cosy, stripped-back space that makes you appreciate the craft. The passion that drives Wood and Co has always been about connecting customers with premium coffee sourced from the best producers around the world. At the same time, they strive to improve the livelihood of everyone involved in the process of creating their enjoyable coffee.
Final Sip
From hidden laneway gems to world-renowned roasteries, Melbourne’s coffee culture continues to set the bar. In need of a quick takeaway or hoping to get leisurely coffee education? These 10 spots showcase what makes Melbourne the coffee capital of Australia, and maybe even the world.
Which coffee spot will you try first? Or better yet—why not make a whole coffee tour of it?