Why Sydney tops the world coffee rankings — and a Korean barista's smile at Toby's

The baristas of Sydney and its surrounding areas in New South Wales, Australia, are largely descendants of immigrants from across the globe, with Europeans making up a significant share.

In pursuit of the finest cup of humanity's most beloved beverage, they have shared the strengths of their respective coffee cultures and worked to refine and diversify the European coffee varieties that first took root here.

Building on the espresso tradition brought by Italian and other European immigrants after World War II, Sydney has developed its own distinctive coffee styles — among them the long black, short black and flat white — cementing its place as one of the world's great coffee cities. The city recently claimed the top spot at an international competition and has consistently ranked among the global elite.

Australian coffee culture has long distinguished between types of black coffee according to roast level, strength and aroma. The "short black" is essentially an espresso, while the "long black" is a standard black coffee — stronger than what is commonly called an Americano.

The "flat white" is the most intense of all, widely regarded as the ultimate coffee experience. Korean travelers have described it as "so deep in flavor it almost upsets your stomach."

Toby's: Sydney's irresistible coffee landmark

On Chippendale Street — a 10-to-15-minute drive from The Rocks, home to the Opera House — sits Toby's Estate Coffee Roasters, a cafe that has become a near-mandatory stop for international visitors.

In February 2025, at the inaugural "World's 100 Best Coffee Shops" awards ceremony held in Madrid, Spain, Toby's was named the best cafe in the world.

Its flagship coffees are the Broadway latte and the Wollongong black coffee, each further divided by roast level, strength and aroma. The menu is also segmented by which additives best complement the beans, and some offerings carry the coffee cultures of the immigrant baristas' home countries — among them Arslan and Campos.

Toby's flat white comes in its most concentrated form: the "piccolo," named after the highest-pitched instrument in the orchestra, itself inspired by birdsong. At the other end of the spectrum sits the "babyccino," a mild, caffeine-free option gentle enough for children.

World-class specialty coffee can be savored here at surprisingly reasonable prices. Guests watch their order being prepared up close, receive an explanation of the coffee, and can pair it with a light brunch or a fuller meal.

Korean barista Taylor Yang — known in Korea as Yang Seon-jeong — works at Toby's and warmly welcomes guests who have traveled from her home country.

Toby's places great value on connecting with its customers. By breaking down the barrier between visitor and barista and weaving in a broader appreciation of coffee's cultural history, it has become an experiential destination in its own right.

Opus Coffee Brewers in Wollongong

Broadway — one of Toby's coffee brands — takes its name from a cultural venue about 100 meters from the cafe. The Broadway clock tower, topped with an unusual dome reminiscent of the Kremlin, has become a favorite photo spot for visitors who stop in for a cup at Toby's.

Wollongong, another of Toby's coffee brands, takes its name from a city south of Sydney with a devoted community of coffee lovers. The third-largest city in New South Wales, Wollongong is both an industrial hub and a resort destination — a place where steelworkers reach for a cup on their break and travelers sip coffee with a view of the sea. When Toby's named the brand, it drew on Wollongong's spirit of harmony between labor and leisure.

About two hours south of Sydney by car, Wollongong is home to Opus Coffee Brewers, a cafe with a modest exterior that brims with the warm conversation of locals.

In a compact space with only a handful of tables, guests sit close together and savor the coffee that steelworkers once made famous, carried on a sea breeze.

The flat white — once described by a Korean visitor on an empty stomach as "I'm going to get gastroenteritis from this" — pairs well with the cafe's classic Anglo-style brunch, making Opus a place where even the most skeptical drinkers rediscover the appeal of a strong black coffee.

The Grounds of Alexandria

Destination NSW, the state's tourism authority, recommended several additional cafes worth visiting in Sydney.

About 4 kilometers south of Toby's on Hunter Street, The Grounds of Alexandria is a well-known coffee and brunch destination with a strong social media following.

A sprawling complex that blends a garden, a bakery and a roasting space, it is recognized as one of the most Instagram-tagged cafes in the world.

Popular with travelers for its brunch, desserts, coffee and photogenic setting, The Grounds of Alexandria opens at 7:30 a.m. Ingredients tend to sell out early, and closing time runs on the earlier side — 4 p.m. on weekdays and 4:30 p.m. on weekends.

The Boathouse Shelly Beach

Manly lives up to its name in one respect: the beach draws powerful waves that semi-professional surfers love. Beyond that, the suburb is surprisingly delicate and feminine in character, dotted with charming, intimate and atmospheric spots. One of them is The Boathouse Shelly Beach cafe.

The coffee here is matched only by the ocean view. The cafe sits at the entrance to the North Head peninsula on the southern side of Manly's main beach, within Sydney Harbour National Park.

Many visitors arrive having already watched the bold surf at Manly Beach; here, the waves soften and the sea takes on a gentler, more tranquil character.

A waterfront cafe and restaurant directly in front of Shelly Beach, it is an ideal spot to enjoy brunch or a drink while soaking up the sunshine and the sea breeze.

Fresh Australian cuisine, seafood dishes and an unobstructed view to the horizon all add to the sense of unhurried travel, according to Destination NSW.

Cafe Sydney and La Renaissance

Cafe Sydney sits in The Rocks district, flanked by the Four Seasons Hotel Sydney, Herald Square and Circular Quay — one of the busiest corners of the city. The cafe offers coffee alongside sweeping views of Sydney Harbour.

A rooftop cafe and restaurant at the heart of Circular Quay, it features open-air seating with an expansive harbor view, where guests can enjoy coffee and a light meal while taking in the city skyline.

La Renaissance is also in The Rocks, but on Argyle Street near the observatory. A classic French cafe, it pairs authentic French pastries and a relaxed garden setting with Australian-style coffee.

The aroma of coffee mingles with the warm scent of freshly baked French pastries and bread. A wide selection of desserts rounds out the menu. Guests sit beneath the shade of garden trees, watch the street life pass by and enjoy a coffee break in the heart of one of the world's most beautiful harbors.

Australia's reputation as a culinary destination — in coffee, wine and East-West fusion cuisine alike — owes much to the collective wisdom of immigrants from Britain, Italy, Korea, China, the United States, France, Germany, Japan, India, Vietnam, Turkey, Malaysia, Fiji, Micronesia and beyond, all of whom have brought their own expertise and helped build a culture of diverse, refined taste.