The best cafes for coffee in Sydney in 2026, including specialty coffee, single origin, cold brew, and espresso from the
Dining Desk is a contributing writer covering eat-drink and public affairs for The Sydney Times.
Single Origin Roasters in Surry Hills has been the benchmark for Sydney specialty coffee since 2013. The roastery operates a 2kg Probat roaster and sources directly from farms in Ethiopia, Colombia, and Guatemala. Their single-origin espresso program changes every two weeks and is available at their two cafe locations in Surry Hills and Barangaroo. The flat white made with single-origin beans is the standard measure of quality here.
Marrickville Roastery opened in 2022 in a converted garage in Sydney's Inner West. The roastery produces small batches of single-origin coffee and operates a no-frills cafe with counter service only. The focus is on light-roast filter coffee and espresso with minimal milk intervention. The Ethiopian Yirgacheffe natural process is the standout offering.
Edition Coffee Roasters in Darlinghurst has developed a strong following for its cold brew program. The roastery ages its cold brew in oak barrels for 30 days before bottling. The result is a smoother, less acidic product that has become popular in Sydney's summer months. Edition also produces a range of canned cold brew available at major supermarkets.
Paramount Coffee Project in Redfern operates a hybrid model of roastery and cafe. The roastery sources exclusively from Australian-owned and operated farms in Queensland and New South Wales. The emphasis is on traceability and sustainability. The Single Origin Espresso with milk from a single dairy farm in the Southern Highlands is a signature offering.
Gravity Espresso in the CBD is one of the few remaining purely espresso-focused cafes in the city centre. The cafe has been operating since 2015 and has developed a loyal following among office workers. The espresso is a house blend of Brazilian and Colombian beans roasted by Single Origin Roasters. The flat white is the standard measure of quality here.
Marrickville Roastery in Marrickville is the best cafe for filter coffee in Sydney. The cafe has a range of pour-over options, including V60, Chemex, and Aeropress. The beans are roasted on site and change regularly. The cafe has a no-frills atmosphere and counter service only.
Single Origin Roasters in Surry Hills has a range of pour-over options, including V60, Chemex, and Aeropress. The beans are roasted on site and change every two weeks. The cafe has a relaxed atmosphere and outdoor seating.
Edition Coffee Roasters in Darlinghurst has a range of pour-over options, including V60, Chemex, and Aeropress. The beans are roasted on site and change regularly. The cafe has a modern, design-focused atmosphere.
Edition Coffee Roasters in Darlinghurst is the best cafe for cold brew in Sydney. The roastery ages its cold brew in oak barrels for 30 days before bottling. The result is a smoother, less acidic product that has become popular in Sydney's summer months. The cold brew is available on tap and in cans.
Single Origin Roasters in Surry Hills has a range of cold brew options, including nitro cold brew and canned cold brew. The cold brew is made with single-origin beans and is smooth and refreshing.
Paramount Coffee Project in Redfern has a range of cold brew options, including nitro cold brew and canned cold brew. The cold brew is made with Australian-grown beans and is smooth and refreshing.
Gravity Espresso in the CBD is the best cafe for espresso in Sydney. The cafe has been operating since 2015 and has developed a loyal following among office workers. The espresso is a house blend of Brazilian and Colombian beans roasted by Single Origin Roasters. The flat white is the standard measure of quality here.
Single Origin Roasters in Surry Hills has a range of espresso options, including single-origin espresso and blended espresso. The beans are roasted on site and change every two weeks. The cafe has a relaxed atmosphere and outdoor seating.
Marrickville Roastery in Marrickville has a range of espresso options, including single-origin espresso and blended espresso. The beans are roasted on site and change regularly. The cafe has a no-frills atmosphere and counter service only.
The Reformatory in Redfern is a specialty coffee cafe with a focus on latte art. The baristas are trained in latte art and produce beautiful designs in every cup. The cafe has a range of coffee options, including espresso, latte, cappuccino, and cold brew. The cafe has a modern, design-focused atmosphere.
The Coffee Club in the CBD is a specialty coffee cafe with a focus on latte art. The baristas are trained in latte art and produce beautiful designs in every cup. The cafe has a range of coffee options, including espresso, latte, cappuccino, and cold brew. The cafe has a modern, design-focused atmosphere.
The Roastery in Surry Hills is a specialty coffee cafe with a focus on latte art. The baristas are trained in latte art and produce beautiful designs in every cup. The cafe has a range of coffee options, including espresso, latte, cappuccino, and cold brew. The cafe has a relaxed atmosphere and outdoor seating.
If you are new to Sydney specialty coffee, start with a flat white made with single-origin beans from Single Origin Roasters. The natural process Ethiopian beans produce a fruit-forward espresso that works well with milk. For filter coffee, order the pour-over at Marrickville Roastery. For cold brew, the Edition barrel-aged product is the benchmark. If you prefer espresso without milk, the Paramount Coffee Project single-origin espresso is the most distinctive offering in the city.
More information about coffee in Sydney is available at Single Origin Roasters and Edition Coffee Roasters.
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