Celebrate International Coffee Day at the Best Coffee Shops in the World

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.

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.

Pablo & Rusty's, Sydney 
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.

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.

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. 

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.

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...

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. 

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

As seen on...

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olsen

Best Coffee Shops in the World

On a recent trip home from Singapore, we found ourselves with a canceled flight and eight hours to spend in Tokyo. How did we spend the morning? Tracking down the best coffee shop in town, of course. Some people -- including a few of those that have traveled with us -- might consider this a waste of time. However, in Tokyo, we found ourselves walking through a residential neighborhood, like a local would do each morning, heading to a coffee shop for our morning latte. Once we arrived at what is now one of our favorite coffee shops, we met the owner and chatted with the friendly barista, enjoyed a local pastry and saw a completely different side of the city, all thanks to a coffee.  

Five coffee shops good enough to make a detour for...

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 tiny, well-designed Little Nap Coffee Stand and enjoy a single origin drip or espresso made with their own roasted beans.

Four Barrel Coffee, San Francisco

375 Valencia Street at 15th; 415-252-0800, www.fourbarrelcoffee.com
You might think of the Mission district in San Francisco only for burritos (they invented mission-style burritos after all), but it's also home to one of the best coffees in town. Four Barrel Coffee, complete with plenty of bike parking and an innovative outdoor area created on a sliver of sidewalk, offers plenty of exotic blends and single origin 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 people, 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.

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 cuppa joe. 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, 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 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.

For more great coffee from New York to Sydney, check out our previous posts Top Coffee Shops around the World and Back to the Grind: 5 More Top Coffee Shops around the World.

Just for fun, check out this video for a professional espresso machine so easy to use, it's child's play:
"If five year olds can make espresso..." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnmmEZ-hMa4&feature=colike.

Top Spots for New Year's Eve

2011 is behind us. Resolutions are ahead. But on New Year's Eve, it's just time to have fun.  

Champagne, parties and kissing...what's not to love about NYE. At 30-something Travel, we have a goal to spend New Year's Eve in as many different places as possible. So far, that includes North America (New York, Miami, San Francisco, Whistler B.C.), South America (Venezuela), Europe (London, Paris, Stockholm) and Australia (Sydney). Here is a glimpse of some the great places to celebrate the new year.

Sydney, Australia

Sydney is in one of the first time zones to ring in the new year and the Ozzie's take it seriously. Sydney Harbor festivities involve over one million people culminating in the viewing of the famous show that many consider the best fireworks display in the world. There is a 9PM show for kids and the big midnight fireworks at the Sydney Harbor Bridge. If you are heading to Sydney this year, check out our City Guide - Sydney with lots of ideas for your trip. 

New York, USA

The quintessential American tradition - Times Square for NYE. If you aren't there, you'll be able to catch all the action on TV. The streets in Times Square are blocked off in the afternoon as people begin to flood the area to see the famous ball drop. But once inside the barriers, it is near impossible to sneak out for food, drinks or bathroom breaks during the many hours of waiting. So, do it the 30-something way...a room at the W Times Square, dinner at the Blue Fin restaurant (a multi-course seafood and sushi set menu with champagne) all perfectly timed for the doors to open onto Times Square 15-minutes before midnight. Prime viewing, a fun and exciting setting and only a few steps back to the comfort of your room. This is exactly why we save all those Starwood Points!

Tokyo, Japan
The Japanese literally ring in the new year as temple bells are rung 108 times at midnight. Then, on New Year's Day, the post office delivers New Year’s cards, or Nen-ga-jyo, which bear good wishes for the new year to neighbors and friends. Food is a highlight in Japanese New Year’s celebrations, but it doesn’t happen until houses are cleaned. Similar to Spring Cleaning, Osoji is the act of thoroughly cleaning Japanese households. Then it is time to prepare traditional New Year's meals such as Toshi-koshi soba, which literally translates to "Across the Years Noodles". 

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/theedinburghblog/ /
CC BY 2.0 from http://www.theedinburghblog.co.uk/

Edinburgh, Scotland

One of the biggest New Year’s Eve parties in the world is in Edinburgh, Scotland. Hogmanay festivities include a torchlight procession and fire festival, with thousands of participants carrying torches through the city streets. The burning of a Viking ship kicks off the festivities, then its days of concerts, live entertainment and finally fireworks creating a spectacular finale to this five-day event. The song “Old Lang Syne”, written by a Scot, Robert Burns, is sung on the stroke of midnight when fireworks are launched from Edinburgh's seven hilltops, lighting up the skies above the massive Edinburgh castle. 

Whatever you do this year, we wish you all the best in 2012. Thanks for being a 30-something Travel reader.

Cheers and Happy New Year!

30-something Travel

P.S. From a live opossum to a 100-pound bologna to a drag queen named Sushi, check out some of the strangest NYE traditional ball drops here - http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/wackiest-new-years-eve-ball-drops. Hillarious! Thanks T&L.

Countdown to 2010

While the US is popping champagne, watching the ball drop in Times Square and kissing at midnight, people around the world are preparing for NYE celebrations in their own way...and not necessarily on December 31st. 

At 30-something Travel, we look for any excuse to take a vacation, so we have a goal to spend New Year's Eve in as many different places as possible.  So far, that includes North America (New York, Miami, San Franciso, Whistler B.C.), South America (Venezuela), Europe (London, Paris) and we can soon add Australia to the list as we head to Sydney this year to welcome 2010.  Here are a few of the places we loved or have put on the list for future new year celebrations...

New York, New York
Hundreds of thousands of attendees can't be wrong, but there is more than one way to join in the fun. The streets are cleared in the afternoon as people begin to flood Times Square to see the famous ball drop. But once in, it is near impossible to sneak-out for food, drinks or bathroom breaks during the many hours of waiting. So, we did it the 30-something way...a room at the W Times Square, dinner at their own Blue Fin restaurant (a multi-course set menu with champagne) all perfectly timed for the doors to open onto Times Square 15-minutes before midnight. Prime viewing, a fun and exciting setting and only a few steps back to the comfort of your room. This is exactly what we save all those Starwood Points for! We didn't even have to book years in advance, so before braving the elements, check hotels in the area for options.



Mochima, Venezuela
In 2001 we went to Venezuela for a break from the traditional white Christmas and celebrated New Year's Eve in a remote beach town.  We were welcomed by the family that ran the small hotel where we were staying in Mochima, to a New Year's meal.  Various courses were made in huge quantities and then, at the stroke of midnight, grapes were served for good luck and as it is customary, we all ate twelve, one for each month of the new year. Afterwards, the whole town was in the streets wishing each other Feliz Año Nuevo.

Edinburgh, Scotland

One of the biggest New Year’s Eve parties in the world is in Edinburgh, Scotland. Hogmanay festivities include a torchlight procession and fire festival, with thousands of participants carrying torches through the city streets. The burning of a Viking ship kicks off the festivities, then its days of concerts, live entertainment and finally the fireworks creating a spectacular finale to this five-day event. If you go, you need to know that the song “Old Lang Syne” was written by a Scot, Robert Burns.  It is sung on the stroke of midnight when fireworks are launched from Edinburgh's seven hilltops, lighting up the skies above the massive Edinburgh castle. Official website - http://www.edinburghshogmanay.com/ Post your resolutions on the Hogmanay resolutions wall. (Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/theedinburghblog/ / CC BY 2.0 from http://www.theedinburghblog.co.uk/.)

Hong Kong, China
Chinese New Year is one of the biggest events in the world and Hong Kong is the place we want to be to celebrate. On February 14, 2010, China will mark the beginning of the year of the tiger - it's all based on the lunar calendar, the first new moon in the first month of 2010. Firecrackers, parades and incense are all part of the fun. Before the new year, many people literally "wipe away" the previous year by cleaning their homes and offices. On Lunar New Year's Eve, family members share in an extravagant meal full of dishes that bring good luck - shoe-shaped dumplings, cookies, oranges, and orange-inspired dishes because oranges symbolize good fortune. And the day concludes with fireworks. New Year’s Day is the day for the brightly-colored dragon and lion dance which is believed to ward off evil. If you are closer to London than Hong Kong, plan to visit the huge Chinese New Year celebration in their own Chinatown.

Paris, France

The French consider New Year's Eve a quiet family affair with many people hosting dinner parties or splurging on multi-course meals at restaurants. The one thing they all have in common is the drinking of great French champagne.

A couple of years ago we wandered out after a dinner with friends and found a young crowd at the Trocadero or Eiffel Tower with champagne bottles in hand.  The grand finale was the Eiffel Tower sparkling for 10-minutes (as it does every hour in the evenings) marking the beginning of the new year. 

Japan
The Japanese observe Oshogatsu as part of a week-long celebration. Businesses close to allow families to spend time together and on December 31st at midnight, temple bells are rung 108 times to welcome the new year. On New Year's Day, the post office delivers all New Year’s cards, or Nen-ga-jyo, which bear good wishes for the new year to neighbors and friends. Food is a highlight in Japanese New Year’s celebrations, but it doesn’t happen until houses are cleaned. Similar to Spring Cleaning, Osoji is the act of thoroughly cleaning Japanese households. Then it is time to prepare traditional New Year's meals such as Toshi-koshi soba, which literally translates to "Across the Years Noodles".

Sydney, Australia
This year, we'll ring in the new year in one of the first time zones to enter 2010.  We'll be at Sydney Harbor, with over one million other people, waiting for the fireworks - a 9PM show for the kids and the big midnight show at the Sydney Harbor Bridge - that many consider the best fireworks display in the world. To find the perfect spot, check out this great "vantage points" interactive map to find out where the fireworks will be launched, public transportation options and even where bathrooms can be found: http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/nye/VantagePoints/default.aspx.  But be warned, this year the city is hoping for a sober celebration, and alcohol will be banned in many prime viewing locations.  Details in the recent issue of The Australian newspaper.

Cheers and Happy New Year...wherever you will be this year!
30-something Travel

P.S.  If any 30-something Travelers want to share their NYE 2010 plans, post them here as a comment. We'd love to hear from you :)

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