While there will ALWAYS be a coffee rivalry between Sydney and Melbourne, us Sydneysiders know we hold our own. And that we have some of the best baristas and coffee in Australia! We’ve spent a lot of time finding the top coffee shops in Sydney (many cups have been drunk in the name of research!) and put together this handy list.

It’s perfect for any weekend spent café-hopping. Whether you want an early morning cup or a late afternoon one, there are cafés on every corner of the city with skilled baristas at the ready. Here are our top 10 cafes in Sydney from the tourist-full alleys of The Rocks to Surry Hills and through the busy streets of the CBD.

Edition Coffee Roasters

Now in Darling Square, only a short stroll from Darling Harbour. From its origins in Darlinghurst, Edition Coffee Roasters was one of the new wave of cafes in Sydney, combining a brilliant brew with a delectable Scandi-Japanese fusion breakfast menu. The Darlinghurst location is no longer open, and they’ve moved to the Darling Square dining area in Haymarket. Old Japanese farmhouses served as inspiration for the interior’s modern, charcoal-black decor. Come here for jiggly soufflé pancakes, bento boxes, katsu burgers, and Nordic open sandwiches (smorrebrod). The coffee here is unrivalled. But if you’re not in the mood for coffee, you can also choose from chai, Japanese tea, or Chinese Chung Feng jasmine tea. The restaurant’s culinary menu includes Scandinavian-style open sandwiches, Japanese burgers but the Japanese scuffle pancake with salted caramel mousse is our fave!

Address: Edition Coffee Roasters, 60 Darling Dr, Haymarket NSW 2000

Industry Beans

In 2019, Melbourne-based Industry Beans opened a location on York Street in the heart of the CBD. A “concept cafe,” it is modern and minimalist on the interior but nonetheless warm and welcoming. The culinary menu combines coffee in a creative way—imagine coffee caviar on top of fruit sashimi and a Wagyu burger with coffee rub. Innovative methods for brewing coffee have always been a priority at Industry Beans. These innovators, who started their chain of cafes in Melbourne more than ten years ago, were the first to introduce the revolutionary under-the-counter espresso machine into Australia. Starting with their signature espresso blend, the “Fitzroy Street” mix, with new single origins for espresso and filter introduced every two weeks, you can choose from a variety of speciality coffees. If you’re looking for the best café and coffee spot in Sydney, this is a great place to start! Oh, and don’t forget to download their official app, sign up, and order your coffee in advance to avoid the line while earning points.

Address: Industry Beans, Shop 2/40 York St, Sydney NSW 2000

Single O Surry hills

A Sydney classic, Surry Hills’ well-known Single O is all about coffee, passion, and expression. Single O, formerly Single Origin Roasters, opened in 2003 as one of the forerunners of the third wave coffee movement in Sydney. Feeling peckish? The food menu features specialities like Single O Bae Roll and Lemon and Pepperberry Chicken Toastie. This cosy brunch location offers a lot of seating both inside and outside, as well as informal streetside sitting. However, with their unique “brew-on-tap,” this is also the ideal location to go if you are in a grab-and-go kind of mood.

Address: Single O in Surry Hills, 60-64 Reservoir St, Surry Hills NSW 2010

Paramount Coffee Project

Paramount Coffee Project is housed in one of Surry Hills’ most stunning structures; the spectacular Art Deco Paramount House building which includes a boutique hotel, a subterranean movie theatre, a chic rooftop fitness centre, and one of the most stunning co-working spaces you’ll ever see. It won’t take you long to understand why this location is one of Sydney’s most popular cafés. Although there are other options available besides coffee, preserving the integrity of the little bean is the top concern. The best regional and worldwide roasters are honoured here, and new beans and roasters from throughout the globe are frequently featured. With its roomy atmosphere, indoor and outdoor seating, and refreshing menu, PCP is a top choice for weekend brunch crawlers. But get in early as it can get very busy. 

Address: Paramount Coffee Project, 80 Commonwealth St, Surry Hills NSW 2010

The Fine Food Store

The Fine Food Store, which is situated at the intersection of Kendall Lane and Mill Lane in the Rocks, serves what is perhaps the best coffee in all of Sydney. Customers have been enjoying their single origin home brewed coffee for over a decade. The Fine Food Store take pleasure in offering the greatest coffee in Sydney CBD and have a variety of changing seasonal blends, including the “Sweet lady” and Melbourne’s own Sensory Lab roast. In addition to coffee, a wide variety of speciality teas are available, including the Red Mystic from China, the Green Genmaicha from Japan, and breakfast items from India and Sri Lanka. The all-day menu at this restaurant offers burgers, chicken sandwiches, lamb quesadillas, and wraps.

Address: The Fine Food Store, The Rocks Centre, Cnr Mill Lane &, Kendall Ln, The Rocks NSW 2000

The Goodsline

Stylish oak booths with upholstered seats, a marble bar, and coffee from Jack Hanna, the co-founder and roaster of The Grounds of Alexandria? Sounds like a recipe for success. It makes sense that Jack Hanna, a would be at the top of our list of the best Sydney cafés because we’d say that he changed Sydney’s coffee culture. In 2021, Jack—who also happens to be the world latte champion—relaunched The Goodsline after going through numerous lockdowns. If you’re after a bite to go with your brew, think traditional french toast with espresso Marscapone, caramelised walnuts, and orange curd; mushrooms chermoula; and cauliflower toastie with three cheeses and whole-grain mustard. The brunch menu is brasserie-style and was created to satisfy both early risers and brunch connoisseurs alike.

Address: The Goodsline, 19A Harris St, Pyrmont NSW 2009

Ona Coffee

Sasa Sestic, the founder of Ona and the high priest of Canberra’s coffee culture, is well-known among dedicated coffee drinkers. From the baristas’ weekend master workshops to the packaging of discarded coffee grinds for compost, Ona Sydney strives for perfection at every stage of the coffee-making process. It’s the place to go for exotic, unusual coffee beans.  Ona takes pride in promoting Australian speciality coffee roasting and is a must-visit for coffee connoisseurs. A straightforward, communal design invites interaction with other coffee lovers—you might even meet your coffee soul mate!

Address: Ona Coffee, 140 Marrickville Rd, Marrickville NSW 2204

Cuckoo Callay

With neon pink, velvet drapes, and sparkling white marble, Cuckoo Callay, which takes its name from a Lewis Carroll nonsense poem, hits all the appropriate kitsch notes. But unlike some other Instagram-friendly places that scarifice taste for likes, the food here is outstanding! The Okonomiyaki Waffle and Kaya French toast are our personal faves. You can expect a unique fusion of delicious food and top-notch coffee. Everyone’s favourite, welcoming neighbourhood cafe, Cuckoo Callay, is situated on the busy Crown Street in the centre of Surry Hills. Meet your match, bring your canine companions, and take in all the flavour and fun of Cuckoo Callay. It’s also a great spot for people watching on a Saturday morning.

Address: Cuckoo Callay, 413-415 Crown St, Surry Hills NSW 2010

Concrete Jungle Café

The Concrete Jungle Café, located in the heart of Chippendale, is the new destination for those who appreciate both interior design and plants. It checks almost all the requirements for a fantastic dining experience: amazing food, amazing coffee and amazing design. This coffee shop serves the highly unusual “Calibrate White” mix from Gabriel Coffee which is creamy smooth and delicious. The coconut turmeric latte is also fantastic. And if you fancy a bit to go with your coffee. with fruits, granola, and blue spirulina in it, the highly Instagrammable Blue Majik Smoothie is unquestionably one of the most delicious and healthy bowls you’ll try. The ricotta hotcakes with berries, mascarpone, and edible flowers are another great option. 

Address: Concrete Jungle Cafe, 15 Kensington St, Chippendale NSW 2008

Pina Potts Point

It is unusual for a Sydney café to get Nigella Lawson's plaudits, but if it had to be one, we would have bet it was pina Potts Point. As a result of chef Big Sam Young's keen eye, this spot has become a favourite café for many in Sydney. However, Pina is a wonderful venue in its own right with one of Sydney's best avo toasts and a plethora of must-try specialities like XO tofu scramble with labneh and shallot kimchi.

In theory, Pina serves as the backup location for its sibling restaurant Room Ten, which is immediately next door. We only have one piece of advice: get there early. This place has some of the longest lines. Smooth, rich Mecca coffee and expertly constructed sandwiches are what first piqued the interests of many. Their scrambled eggs are flawless, their chicken sandwich is a work of beauty, and their vegetable-based salads are creamy with avocado and crunchy with almonds. It is worth the wait because of the flavorful, ample quantities, and alleyway charm.

Address: Pina Potts Point, 4/29 Orwell St, Potts Point NSW 2011

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