Introduction
Before I start rambling about how many Kenny Powers style emulations there are in Australia, let’s talk about how Australians are genuinely passionate about coffee. But not just any coffee…we’re talking specialty coffee. If you’re unfamiliar with the term, specialty coffee, it’s also known as the third wave of the coffee industry; for more info, check out our blog post about the differences between commercial and specialty coffee.
This guide is strictly no-frills and is meant for coffee lovers who aren’t afraid to go back to the basics. It’s for those who dare to ditch their usual venti, chocolate hazelnut Frappuccino with extra caramel in favor of a simple flat white, long black, cortado/piccolo, double ristretto, “magic”, or black filter coffee. If you’re unfamiliar with these terms, don’t worry: I’ll define them later in this post.
Best Melbourne Coffee Shops at a Glance
Code Black
Neighborhood: Downtown Melbourne / Central Business District (aka CBD)
Location we visited: 360 Collins Street (first floor lobby of a commercial office building)
Address: Foyer/360 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Good For: Grab-n-go, quick and casual chat
Growers Espresso (Eureka Coffee)
Neighborhood: North Fitzroy
Address: 332/334 St Georges Rd, Fitzroy North VIC 3068
Good For: Longer visit, chatting with Baristas, family-friendly, grab-n-go
Market Lane Coffee
Neighborhood: Downtown Melbourne / Central Business District (aka CBD)
Location we visited: Queen Victoria Market
Address: 83-85 Victoria St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Good For: Grab-n-go
WARNING:
I’m seriously going to start nerding out on coffee culture and history right now. So, if you’re uninterested in my fascinating, albeit nowhere-close-to-Nobel-Prize-winning thoughts preceding the list, jump to the deets via this button:
What is the history of Melbourne coffee culture?
The rich history of Melbourne coffee culture in Australia has played a significant role in shaping the city’s current food and beverage scene. Coffee first became popular in Melbourne in the early 19th century, specifically the 1830s in the form of coffee houses and “palaces” during The Temperance Movement.
Coffee at the time was being marketed as a way to curb the temptation of vice, specifically alcohol. By abstaining from alcohol and switching to coffee, it was thought of as a way to help citizens improve their quality of life and social standing among peers.
However, it really didn’t take off until the large influx of European and Italian immigrants 100 years later before and after WWII. They brought their traditional coffee-making techniques and opened small espresso bars, which quickly gained popularity among locals over the next 50+ years.
In the late 20th century, Melbourne experienced a revival of specialty coffee culture, with the opening of numerous independent coffee shops and roasters. This sparked a coffee revolution, leading to an increased demand for high-quality, freshly roasted coffee and a wide range of brewing methods.
Today, Melbourne is widely considered one of the world’s top coffee destinations, known for its vibrant coffee culture, innovative coffee-making techniques, and diverse range of specialty coffee shops.
The city is home to numerous award-winning coffee roasters and baristas, and hosts various coffee competitions and events each year, attracting coffee lovers from all over the world.
In fact, The World Coffee Championship’s World Barista Champion award was most recently won in September 2022 by a Melburnian called, Anthony Douglas.
If you can’t find a shop in Melbourne with good coffee, you’d be helpless.
Specialty coffee in Melbourne is a delight to discover and the city claims to be Australia’s coffee capital because it takes its beans seriously, and there are so many cafes spread throughout the entire city.
On the plane from Los Angeles there were a couple local, Melburnian blokes (shoutout to Andy and Kieran) on the plane sitting next to me who were proud to say that Melbourne has the best coffee in Australia.
By the way, they’re some of the friendliest people I’d met in a long time who taught me some Australian slang, and gave me some restaurant and cafe recommendations.
You can’t walk more than 2-3 blocks in the CBD (“Central Business District”, their term instead of “downtown”) without stumbling upon a unique and independently owned espresso bar, cafe, or restaurant that serves great coffee.
Whether it’s a cozy and quaint spot tucked away on the CBD’s outskirts, like Growers Espresso (more below), or a modern establishment on the corner of a posh shopping street, each one strives to provide you with an excellent coffee-drinking experience.
Not only is specialty coffee plentiful, but coffee, in general, is also held to a higher standard of flavor in Melbourne compared specifically to the US.
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