Key Takeaways:
- Sydney’s Toby’s Estate Coffee Roasters ranked #1 coffee shop in the world.
- Onyx Coffee Lab (USA) and Gota Coffee Experts (Austria) secured second and third place.
- The ranking considered coffee quality, customer service, and sustainability.
- Sydney’s victory reignites its friendly coffee rivalry with Melbourne.
- Toby’s Estate to host a free coffee day on February 27 to celebrate.
Sydney’s Toby’s Estate Takes the Crown
Sydney has officially been named home to the best coffee shop in the world, according to the “World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops“ ranking.
Toby’s Estate Coffee Roasters, based in Sydney, claimed the #1 spot, surpassing well-known coffee hubs worldwide—including its long-time Australian rival, Melbourne.
The top five coffee shops for 2025 are:
Toby’s Estate Coffee Roasters (Sydney, Australia)
Onyx Coffee Lab (Arkansas, USA)
Gota Coffee Experts (Vienna, Austria)
Proud Mary Coffee (Melbourne, Australia)
Tim Wendelboe (Oslo, Norway)
The top 10 also included cafés from Singapore, France, Malaysia, and Colombia.
How the World’s Best Coffee Shops Were Ranked
Cafés worldwide were judged based on:
Coffee quality – flavor, sourcing, and brewing techniques
Customer experience – service, atmosphere, and hospitality
Sustainability practices – ethical sourcing and eco-conscious operations
Public opinion – feedback from coffee lovers worldwide
Expert evaluation – assessments by industry professionals
Jody Leslie, General Manager of Toby’s Estate, shared her excitement with CNN Travel:
“We’ve been in the coffee game a long time, and we know what we do is amazing. To be recognized like this is just incredible.”
What Makes Toby’s Estate Stand Out?
The award-winning flagship store is located in Chippendale, Sydney, but Toby’s Estate has expanded across Australia, Singapore, Indonesia, and the Middle East.
Brew Bar Experience – Customers can watch their coffee being brewed right in front of them.
Daily Fresh Roasting – An on-site roastery ensures top-quality beans.
Rich Legacy – The brand was founded in 1997 by Toby Smith, who started roasting coffee from his mother’s garage in Woolloomooloo, Sydney.
Since the announcement, sales have surged, attracting more visitors eager to try the world’s best coffee. To celebrate, Toby’s Estate will host a free coffee day on February 27.
International Reactions & Top-Ranked Cafés Speak Out
The recognition was widely celebrated across the global coffee community.
Onyx Coffee Lab (Arkansas, USA), which ranked second, expressed gratitude on Instagram:
“We are honored to share this award with cafés around the world who wake up every morning to serve the best coffee and hospitality.”
Gota Coffee Experts (Vienna, Austria), ranked third, also shared excitement:
“This journey has been fueled by passion, precision, and the incredible support of our coffee-loving community.”
Sydney vs. Melbourne: A Coffee Rivalry Rekindled
Australia’s café culture is renowned worldwide, with its flat whites and avocado toast inspiring cafés across major global cities. However, a long-standing rivalry exists between Sydney and Melbourne over who brews the best coffee.
Melbourne: The Traditional Coffee Capital
Melbourne’s coffee scene dates back to post-World War II, when Italian immigrants introduced espresso culture.
It has long been considered Australia’s coffee capital—until now.
Sydney: The Rising Coffee Powerhouse
Sydney’s café culture has rapidly gained global recognition.
In 2024, Food & Wine magazine ranked Sydney #3 among the world’s top coffee cities, while Melbourne came in at #10.
Even Melbourne’s Proud Mary Coffee, ranked #4 on this year’s list, couldn’t surpass Sydney’s Toby’s Estate.
This isn’t the first time Melbourne’s coffee reputation has taken a hit. In 2023, Australian travel site Wotif.com awarded “Best Flat White” to The Cupping Room (Canberra), despite calling Melbourne the “unofficial coffee capital of the world.”
The Real Winner? Australian Coffee
While the Sydney vs. Melbourne debate continues, one thing is clear—Australia reigns supreme in the coffee world.
As Jody Leslie from Toby’s Estate puts it:
“I think our win is a win for the country. Australian coffee is the best in the world—it’s not just about Sydney or Melbourne. We want to be strong as a country, and that helps everyone.”
So, whether you’re in Sydney, Melbourne, or anywhere in Australia, one thing’s for sure: you’re never far from a world-class cup of coffee.
Final Thoughts
Sydney’s Toby’s Estate Coffee Roasters taking the #1 spot on the global list marks a huge win for Australia’s coffee culture. With top-tier competition from the USA, Europe, and Asia, the recognition proves that Australian cafés set the gold standard for coffee worldwide.
So, if you’re a coffee lover, Sydney might just be your next travel destination. ✈️☕
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