Quite possibly our favorite day of the year...International Coffee Day is here!
Updated October 23, 2014
We've spent countless hours searching for and drinking the best coffees around the world. In fact, we've been late to meetings, risked missing trains and planes, and even followed GPS up a narrowing path through a pedestrian only alley (then had to reverse all the way back down) for a good coffee. So this time around, in honor of International Coffee Day, we decided to compile the best of the best. We've covered four continents of great coffee - Asia, Australia, Europe and North America - so we hope you too can enjoy a fantastic coffee wherever you are or wherever you are traveling.
ASIA
Little Nap Coffee Stand, Tokyo
5-65-4 Yoyogi Shibuya-Ku, 03-3466-0074, www.littlenap.jp
On a quiet side street in a residential area of Shibuya, a tiny, friendly coffee shop is making perfect lattes. From the closest subway stop, you'll walk by parks and see kids playing in the community center yard before you come across the small but well-designed Little Nap Coffee Stand and enjoy a single origin drip or espresso made with their own roasted beans.
40 Hands Coffee, Singapore
Blk 78 Yong Siak Street, #01-12, Tiong Bahru Estate, www.40handscoffee.com
The name 40 Hands comes from the notion that it takes 40 hands to produce a cup of coffee, from seed to cup. This cafe and casual restaurant, as well as ODP (Open Door Policy) across the street run by the same team, serves a fantastic latte with absolutely the best consistency of milk we've tasted. We can't say enough about the incredible coffee (and latte art) at 40 Hands Coffee.
The name 40 Hands comes from the notion that it takes 40 hands to produce a cup of coffee, from seed to cup. This cafe and casual restaurant, as well as ODP (Open Door Policy) across the street run by the same team, serves a fantastic latte with absolutely the best consistency of milk we've tasted. We can't say enough about the incredible coffee (and latte art) at 40 Hands Coffee.
AUSTRALIA
Brother Baba Budan, Melbourne
358 Little Bourke Street, +61 (03) 9606 0449, www.brotherbababudan.com.au
This tiny, wonderful haven of perfect espresso has been called "the best coffee in town" (by We Know Melbourne) and that's quite an honor in the foodie capital of Australia. We completely agree with the accolade, especially since we are subscribers of their Seven Seeds coffee bean delivery service. Not to miss.
This tiny, wonderful haven of perfect espresso has been called "the best coffee in town" (by We Know Melbourne) and that's quite an honor in the foodie capital of Australia. We completely agree with the accolade, especially since we are subscribers of their Seven Seeds coffee bean delivery service. Not to miss.
Pablo & Rusty's, Sydney
161 Castlereagh Street, +61 (02) 9283 9543, ww.pabloandrustys.com.au
161 Castlereagh Street, +61 (02) 9283 9543, ww.pabloandrustys.com.au
We could not be any more excited that a fantastic roaster and coffee maker has come to Sydney CBD in a big way. Check out their beautiful cafe and have a fantastic coffee while you're there.
Pilgrim Coffee, Hobart
Pilgrim Coffee, 48 Argyle Street, Hobart +61 (03) 6234 1999, coffeework@live.com.au
Fantastic Sensory Lab coffee and gorgeous breakfast dishes are what Pilgrim Coffee is all about. The "porridge" -- that was actually warm tapioca made with coconut milk -- was the prettiest I've ever seen.
EUROPE
Princi, London
135 Wardour Street, +44 020 7478 8888, http://www.princi.co.uk/
Most importantly, the coffee is excellent, but if you are looking for a good pastry to go along with it, this is the place for you. Finding a great coffee place in London took ages, but by George, we think we've done it.
135 Wardour Street, +44 020 7478 8888, http://www.princi.co.uk/
Most importantly, the coffee is excellent, but if you are looking for a good pastry to go along with it, this is the place for you. Finding a great coffee place in London took ages, but by George, we think we've done it.
Cappuccino, Mallorca
San Miguel, 53, Palma, 971 719 764, http://www.grupocappuccino.com/
Coffee aside (for just a second, don’t worry) the atmosphere at Cappuccino near the cathedral of Palma – an open terrace at the foot of a huge church right in the middle of the shopping district – is hard to beat. The perfect place to people watch with a cappuccino italiano and an ensaimada, a giant, but light, powdered sugar covered doughnut.
NORTH AMERICA
Victrola, Seattle
411 15th Avenue E (and other locations), www.victrolacoffee.com
Seattle takes its coffee seriously and has landed on the top of our lists more than once. Victrola is the latest and greatest in the land of serious coffee drinkers. It's dark, strong coffee, not for the faint of heart, but always a perfect latte.
411 15th Avenue E (and other locations), www.victrolacoffee.com
Seattle takes its coffee seriously and has landed on the top of our lists more than once. Victrola is the latest and greatest in the land of serious coffee drinkers. It's dark, strong coffee, not for the faint of heart, but always a perfect latte.
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| Photo courtesy of Victrola Coffee |
Intelligentsia, Chicago
Monadnock Building, 53 West Jackson Blvd., www.intelligentsiacoffee.com
Known for top-tier baristas and a strong commitment to creating the perfect shot, Intelligentsia brings a serious approach to making excellent coffee. Behind the scenes, Intelligentsia works directly with producers too ensure that only the best beans make it into your cup of coffee. The baristas also seem to know how to be hip and still be nice to customers while pulling a consistently beautiful shot. Try the Black Cat beans, a sweeter but balanced blend made specifically for espresso.
Monadnock Building, 53 West Jackson Blvd., www.intelligentsiacoffee.com
Known for top-tier baristas and a strong commitment to creating the perfect shot, Intelligentsia brings a serious approach to making excellent coffee. Behind the scenes, Intelligentsia works directly with producers too ensure that only the best beans make it into your cup of coffee. The baristas also seem to know how to be hip and still be nice to customers while pulling a consistently beautiful shot. Try the Black Cat beans, a sweeter but balanced blend made specifically for espresso.
Stumptown, Portland
4525 SE Division Street, +1 (503) 230-7702, www.stumptowncoffee.com
One of the pioneers of the coffee revolution (at least in Portland), Stumptown has stood out with their own roasted beans and bottled cold brew in a city that is very serious about coffee. If you aren't going to be near Portland any time soon, you can still find their beans across the country in cafes that know a good coffee.
One of the pioneers of the coffee revolution (at least in Portland), Stumptown has stood out with their own roasted beans and bottled cold brew in a city that is very serious about coffee. If you aren't going to be near Portland any time soon, you can still find their beans across the country in cafes that know a good coffee.
Joe The Art of Coffee, New York
141 Waverly Place (and other locations), +1 (212) 924-6750, www.joetheartofcoffee.com
Joe’s is one, if not the best, example of a serious coffee shop with talented baristas that serve every latte with a perfectly designed leaf or heart in the expertly steamed milk. If you like your cuppa joe (pun intended) as much as we do, the pictures on their website will make your mouth water. Seriously.
Blue Bottle, San Francisco
Mint Plaza, 66 Mint Street, San Francisco (and other locations), +1 (510) 653-3394, info@bluebottlecoffee.net
Blue Bottle is where I want to go every morning for a double latte and breakfast. And I always end up walking out with a bag of anise cookies, some granola, another latte...
Blue Bottle is where I want to go every morning for a double latte and breakfast. And I always end up walking out with a bag of anise cookies, some granola, another latte...
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| Photo courtesy of Blue Bottle Coffee |
Habit Coffee, Victoria, British Columbia
Two locations: Chinatown, 552 Pandora Avenue, +1 (250) 294-1127
Atrium, 808 Yates Street, (250) 590-5953, http://habitcoffee.com/
On our last visit to Victoria, the search was on for the best espresso in town. And after many tries, we landed on Habit Coffee. Great coffee, cool vibe. And we love their seed to cup approach (they care about every step in the process) to making the best coffee possible.
Two locations: Chinatown, 552 Pandora Avenue, +1 (250) 294-1127
Atrium, 808 Yates Street, (250) 590-5953, http://habitcoffee.com/
On our last visit to Victoria, the search was on for the best espresso in town. And after many tries, we landed on Habit Coffee. Great coffee, cool vibe. And we love their seed to cup approach (they care about every step in the process) to making the best coffee possible.
We've heard lots of great suggestions from our readers over the years and are truly trying to get to them all. Here are a few we can't wait to check out:
- Proud Mary, Melbourne, Australia
- Rockwood Bakery, Spokane, WA, USA
- Niche & Co., Gold Coast, Australia
- Black Sheep Coffee, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
What's on your not-to-miss coffee list? Share your favorites and we'll add them to our list!
Cheers,
30-something Travel
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| Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olsen |
wow, how interesting. I am not a coffee drinker, but I love the smell of it brewing. Especially when I'm up in the mountains! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
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Jann
We've only been to Pilgrim of all of these fabulous options and couldn't recommend it enough - loved it!
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