Take a look at Melbourne’s coffee culture as we take you on a tour of the city’s ten best coffee shops!

Known as the “coffee capital” of the Land Down Under, Melbourne prides itself in serving some of the best cups of coffee across the globe. Experience its rich coffee culture with Klook’s official guide to the best Melbourne cafés for you to check out: 

Seven Seeds completely changed the game of coffee in Melbourne when it was established in 2007 by Mark Dundon and Bridget Amor—both known for pioneering the “Third Wave” of coffee culture in Australia in the ‘00s. Famed for its seasonal coffee with beans sourced from around the world, Seven Seeds got its name from the seven seeds smuggled by Baba Budan from Yemen to India, ultimately bringing coffee to the West.

With its industrial-chic aesthetic and popular Seven Seeds Espresso Blend and Golden Gate Blend, Seven Seeds continues its tradition of creating memorable experiences through its delicious coffee.

Mark Dundon, called Australia’s Godfather of Coffee Culture, also took part in the history of another legendary coffee shop in Melbourne, St. ALi, in 2005. After being bought by Salvatore Malatesta in 2008, St. ALi continued its tradition of providing specialty coffee to Melburnians with its expert coffee brewing and in-house roasting. St. ALi takes pride in its direct relationships with coffee farmers—staying true to its statement of “making good coffee, made by good people.”

With world-class barista expert Matt Perger spearheading St. ALi’s Melbourne café, they continue to deliver delicious and sustainable coffee in every cup.

Formerly a bowling alley, Axil Coffee Roasters has become one of Melbourne’s café households over the years. Owned by three-time barista champion David Makin, this café boasts a wide range of single-origin and blended coffees with beans sourced worldwide, directly from coffee growers. 

Axil Coffee Roasters will surely keep you coming back for more with its in-house roasting and quality brewing, on top of its modern rustic interior, completing the cosy café atmosphere.

Established in 2010 by brothers Steven and Trevor Simmons, Industry Beans is a must-visit café in Melbourne as it prides itself as a roaster, café, and coffee authority in Fitzroy. As the winner of the Best Cafe Design in the Eat, Drink, Design 2021, it also considers itself one of the pioneers of utilising coffee beans in various methods such as espresso, Aeropress, pour-over, and cold drip, among others. 

Industry Beans changes its blends every couple of weeks, and their coffee beans partner well with their seasonal brunch, especially their must-try Lemon Myrtle Panna Cotta and the avocado smashed on toast—a classic Australian brekky favourite.

Proud Mary, established in 2009 in a former Collingwood warehouse, serves Melbourne coffee in different methods like espresso, Aeropress, V60, and cold-drip. This hipster-chic cultured house of coffee in Melbourne has its own factory and coffee cellar, Aunty Peg’s, where you can tour its roasters and get your beans and brew gears for your home-brewing.

Proud Mary promises to start your day right with their specialty roasted and brewed coffee and all-day breakfast menu, giving you an exceptional and heartfelt coffee experience.

When they opened in 2011, Patricia Coffee Beans’ menu showcased Melbourne’s coffee favourites: Seven Seeds, Market Lane and Proud Mary, and others. But in 2016, it started brewing and roasting its own. Owners and best mates Bowen Holden and Pip Health named this café after both of their grandmothers’ names—Patricia—as a tribute to these women’s heavy influence on their lives. True to its eponym, this coffee shop fashions a retro interior reminiscent of diners from the past. 

This specialty café, along with its in-house roasting and loyal base of customers, thrives through its very own seasonal espresso blend, The Patricia Blend, giving you a traditional Melbourne-style coffee experience.

With walls decorated with vinyl records and an interior that lets the light beam through, Terror Twilight is the perfect coffee hotspot for music and coffee-lovers. While boasting their cosy and welcoming café atmosphere with a rotation of records playing in the background, Terror Twilight provides you with a wide range of brew options, from healthy ones to more self-indulgent options.

This homey café is ideal for vibing and relaxing with good friends over its specialty coffee and signature blends, especially after a long day’s work.

If you’re into this Melbourne café’s chill vibe, you may want to check out some indoor activities you can enjoy with friends and family in the city—perfect for rainy days!

Fashioning a dystopian yet straightforward interior, Bench Coffee Co. is considered a wonder in coffee and architectural design. This coffee shop in Melbourne is the perfect blend of abundance and simplicity with its artistic structure and specialty coffee beans, famed for their familiar and elegant flavours.  

Roasting coffee since 2009, Market Lane is still considered one of Melbourne’s coffee powerhouses with its high-quality beans and refined approach to the famous drink. Market Lane roasts their beans, sourced sustainably and ethically, in small batches in their in-house roaster to maintain the quality of each set. 

Plus, it provides you with a dedicated section in their cafe to help you get the essentials to bring their original blends to your home for your home-brewing needs.

Get the complete food trip adventure while you’re in Melbourne and try the city’s best mystery picnics!

Monk Bodhi Dharma is one of Melbourne’s trailblazing specialty coffee shops. It’s a plant-based café focused on ethically sourcing coffee beans by maintaining a healthy and direct relationship with its farmers and suppliers. With their unique and focused roasting of coffee beans, Monk Bodhi Dharma continues to be one of the best coffee shops in Melbourne.

Now that you’re well-versed in Melbourne’s world-famous coffee scene, you should consider going on a café culture walking tour in the city to immerse yourself in the coffee capital of the Land Down Under! Discover some hidden café gems in less-frequented areas for a more intimate tour experience.