Here's a throwback to our Shanghai days. Unmarked and located in the heart of the French Concession on Fumin Rd 富民路, this cozy coffee shop quickly became a local favourite when it opened its doors back in 2020. The interior is a beautiful mix of materials - corrugated aluminum panels, concrete, tile and glass - a little brutalist with a soft touch. The quiet, lush terrace adds to the charm, seamlessly blending with the surroundings. At only 20 sqm, it's a cozy spot that often spills over onto the tree-lined street, further fuelling the community feel of this place. The coffee selection is a mix of local and international beans expertly brewed by their passionate team of baristas.
1 Fumin Road1 Fumin Road
Coffee, baked goods, and natural wine - name me a better trifecta. While this is a bakery first and foremost, we love everything they're about. Committed to champion local suppliers who embrace sustainable practices and honor the planet, they offer the most delicious sourdough bread crafted from ancient wheat varieties, nostalgic sweets, specialty coffee by local roaster Slowmov, and natural organic wines from local winegrowers. We especially love their little coffee window off the street, perfect for a quick grab & go.
Carrer de Milà i Fontanals, 9, GràciaCarrer de Milà i Fontanals, 9, Gràcia
This spot on South Bridge Road has a clean, minimal decor in monochrome hues. Picture a slick coffee bar and some unique geometric furniture. Coffee's the main event here, from espresso based drinks to pour-over brews with unique flavours served up in a series of locally handcrafted mugs. Plus, they've teamed up with Yeast Side bakery for some seriously tasty treats to pair with their coffee. It's the perfect spot for a midday caffeine fix and a chill breather.
214A South Bridge Rd214A South Bridge Rd
More than just a coffee shop, El Noa Noa is one of our favourite neighbourhood spots and concept bookstores in Gràcia. It's a cozy space where coffee meets culture. They serve specialty coffee from Nomad beans (yum!), as well as delicious pastries, and also have a really interesting collection of magazines, books, and illustrations with a focus on LGBTI and feminism.
C/ de Torrijos, 22, GràciaC/ de Torrijos, 22, Gràcia
News & Coffee is a refreshing twist on the classic newsstand, blending indie magazines with delicious coffee to create a nostalgic city experience. Originating in the streets of Barcelona, this concept has expanded to multiple locations in Spain and London. Found in cozy corners off bustling streets or off to the side of squares, these small coffee spots offer a pause button to escape for a moment and enjoy expertly crafted coffee while soaking in the city vibes. More than just a place to grab a read and a brew, News & Coffee fosters a sense of community, providing a platform for smaller publications to shine on a larger stage. It's a celebration of local culture and connection in the heart of the city.
Plaça De La Vila De Gracia 14Plaça De La Vila De Gracia 14
Ozone Coffee has a few locations and has been serving great coffee in London Fields since 2019. They offer a wide range of options, from rare special editions to seasonal favourites, and of course classic blends. They're committed to sustainability, working directly with responsible coffee producers and holding a B Corp Certification. If you're in East London and looking for quality coffee and sustainable eats, make sure to come here!
Emma St, London FieldsEmma St, London Fields
Very, very hidden away down an alley inside an old courtyard on the border of New and Old Town, Super Tramp is Prague's best concealed café. As you step into the courtyard, you're greeted by a scene straight out of a post-modern film. The atmosphere is shabby chic and wonderfully eclectic, with vinyl discs spinning on a record player and greenery sprouting from unexpected places. Serving great coffee and treats – the canele is a popular favourite.
Opatovická 160, 110 00 Nové MěstoOpatovická 160, 110 00 Nové Město
Coffee and Riot is this cool spot tucked away in the backstreets of Nové Město (New Town). It's housed in a tall, old building, taking up two snug rooms on the ground floor. Think of it as your classic Central European café/bar, but with a twist – they're all about that specialty coffee.
Opatovická 159/17, 110 00 Nové MěstoOpatovická 159/17, 110 00 Nové Město
Voo Deli is a part of VooStore, arguably one of the *coolest* multi-brand fashion boutiques. Serving freshly brewed coffee alongside a curated selection of natural wines, organic food and hand-picked goods from around the world, this is the place to go if you like your coffee with a strong dose of fashion. Nestled inside a quiet courtyard, its one of our favourite places in the city to sip on coffee and people watch to admire all the great outfits.
Oranienstraße 24Oranienstraße 24
Silo, located in Friedrichshain near Boxhagener Platz, has been a staple in Berlin for over a decade, serving locals with top-notch brunches and coffee. They partner with Fjord, a local specialty coffee roastery in Berlin, known for sourcing the finest and rarest specialty grade coffees globally, with a strong commitment to ethical practices. Additionally, Silo offers a selection of third-wave coffee beans for purchase, so you can bring the experience home. If you're into brunch and great coffee, you'll love it here.
Gabriel-Max-Straße 4Gabriel-Max-Straße 4
Five Elephant has its bases covered: they're a roastery, bakery, and café with a few spots around Berlin. Their focus is quality, only sourcing the best coffees globally while being eco-conscious and considerate of the communities they work with. Their coffee selection is elite, whether you're into filter or espresso. Whenever we're nearby, we can't resist grabbing a seat outside, taking in the scene while enjoying one of their perfectly made flat whites. Their Kreuzberg location is especially great for that, with street-side seating perfect for people-watching.
Reichenberger Str. 101Reichenberger Str. 101
SO Coffee Roasters is a small specialty coffee roastery based in Porto. The cafe is in a beautifully narrow building full of Scandinavian minimalism and it's got a second floor ideal for getting work done or catching up with friends. What sets it apart is its small and passionate team, who prioritize the guest experience, making it stand out from the more commercial coffee shops.
R. de Sá de Noronha 119R. de Sá de Noronha 119
SEY is a contemporary micro roastery and café based in Bushwick. The space is industrial, in what seems to be a garage conversion, but features lots of greenery and three beautiful large skylights that provide lots of warmth. You may recognize their iconic coffee packaging, a sleek white box with colourful inserts sharing all the coffee details. It's a bit of a treck from Manhatten, but that kind of makes us like this place even more. It definitely has a neighbourhood vibe to it, attracting a mix of local residents, creatives, and coffee tourists. When it's nice out, the garage door opens up and the cafe spills onto the side walk where you'll also find lots of beautiful doggos chilling as their owners enjoy their coffee.
18 Grattan St, Brooklyn18 Grattan St, Brooklyn
Born out of Brooklyn, Drip Coffee Makers' motto is “slow down and have a coffee”. On the trips we've stayed around SOHO, we've been happy to do just that in their One Hudson Square location. With both an espresso machine and a pour-over bar, the selection of coffee is plentiful. Black and White Roasters beans seems to be served on the regular, but as a multi-roaster shop, you can expect six to eight different roasters on the shelves and for pour-over. We were introduced to Brandywine Coffee Roasters there and picked up two bags that were really unique and enjoyed very much.
75 Varick St. (located inside One Hudson Square)75 Varick St. (located inside One Hudson Square)
This may be the only coffee spot on our list with a Michelin Bib Gourmand. Must be because aside from great coffee, the food is to die for, so make sure you also go there hungry (s/o to chicken shawarma). Seriously, we're not often willing to line up for food or drink, but we'll happily stick it out for Yellow. Yes, they have all the classics, but they offer an extensive list of middle eastern inspired coffee creations that are truly unique and delicious. We love the coconut cardamon iced latte on a hot day.
1524 Wisconsin Ave NW1524 Wisconsin Ave NW
There are many chain coffee shops in the city, so it's refreshing to find an independent one that incorporates a curated collection of street style and coffee in one space. It serves a full menu of craft coffee, espresso and tea beverages and collaborates with other Black-owned businesses in the area for their sourcing. We love coming here to check out the latest sneaker drops while sipping on a coffee. The staff is also super friendly and fun to chat with.
1239 First St SE1239 First St SE
This coffee shop looks like it was generated by Midjourney AI in the best way. As far as interiors go, this coffee shop is definitely one of the more unique yet aesthetically pleasing. The coffees are fantastic and they stock beans from some of our favourite international roasters like DAK and The Barn. They have a few other locations, each with their own completely unique and impactful appearance.
R. das Pedras Negras 7R. das Pedras Negras 7
Great coffee with an unbeatable atmosphere, especially if you like modern architecture and minimalist design. The seating area upstairs is lined with publications related to coffee and also offers a nice quiet area to work. The coffee is fantastic - they have their own roastery, preparing many seasonal batches, and sell internationally. The coffee shop serves all your usual espresso based drinks, but we also really love their nitro!
C/ d'Ausiàs Marc, 151, L'EixampleC/ d'Ausiàs Marc, 151, L'Eixample
Without a doubt one of our favourite coffee shops in New York. The neighbourhood vibe is strong and the contemporary aesthetic is complimented by lots of natural light and a lovely street view making it the perfect spot to sit and enjoy a coffee. We were most impressed by the wide selection of high quality beans from some of our favourite roasters around the world. The menu covers all the classic espresso options as well as made to order filter with a rotation of daily beans. Big must when in the city!
841 Classon Ave, Brooklyn841 Classon Ave, Brooklyn
Tucked away in a more quiet residential street, Carrot is the perfect place to wander off to for great coffee and impeccable design. The two-story building is a concrete design lover's dream, balanced with a peaceful zen inspired interior courtyard. The coffee drinks are fantastic and they offer several unique specials on their menu.
42/1 , 42/2 42/3 Ratchamanka Rd Soi 742/1 , 42/2 42/3 Ratchamanka Rd Soi 7
A Keen House, is more than the typical coffee shop experience. Beyond serving seasonal and single-origin coffee and delicious handmade pastries, it doubles as a cultural hub, hosting art exhibitions and workshops on the second floor. Rotating premium coffee beans seasonally, they keep a fresh and diverse menu at all times. One of the most beautiful coffee shops we've been to, this is a standout destination for coffee lovers and art lovers alike.
4 Soi Sukjai Sukhumvit 404 Soi Sukjai Sukhumvit 40
LAP (Life Among People) is firmly rooted in three things: 1. great coffee - locally roasted 2. culture - art, design, and colour that fuels our curiosity and creativity 3. Kietz - neighbourhood and community vibe. There are two locations, but we really love this one, smack in the middle of a vibrant pocket in mitte. Bonus points for 10/10 branding.
Rosenthaler Str. 62Rosenthaler Str. 62
One of our favourite coffee shops in the city that somehow seems to fly under the radar. Aside from making top notch specialty coffee, they also offer fantastic matcha drinks. Their custom pottery cups are also a really nice subtle touch of branding we noticed and appreciate. If you’re around the Lachine Canal or the Atwater Market, this should be top of the list to try. We tend to alternate between flat whites and matcha drinks here.
2604 Saint-Patrick St2604 Saint-Patrick St
Ferlucci is a beloved Montreal gem nestled in a heritage neighborhood. Ferlucci is unique and cozy, striking a unique blend of Italian and Montreal traditions. The café's vintage decor, with shelves of VHS tapes and classic movie screenings, really brings on the warmth and nostalgia. With a passion for espresso, Ferlucci serves up delightful coffee, pastries, and paninis.
432 Rue de Castelnau East432 Rue de Castelnau East
September offers a selection of top-notch brews from Anchored Coffee in Nova Scotia. The space fills with natural light and has an inviting outdoor seating space in the warmer months. Serving third-wave coffee classics, we love a simple flat white here. It can get extremely busy, especially on weekends, so try to aim for off-peak times to secure a coveted seat!
2471 Notre-Dame St W2471 Notre-Dame St W
Nestled in Old Montreal, Crew Collective & Café occupies the main floor of the former Royal Bank of Canada building. If we're honest, the ambiance is more impressive than the coffee here - BUT we love that they offer co-working spaces where members gain access to a private section behind the counter. This fusion of historic charm and modern functionality makes Crew Collective & Café a haven for professionals in need of a daily coffee fix and seeking an inspiring workspace in the heart of Montreal's old port.
360 Rue Saint-Jacques360 Rue Saint-Jacques
Pastel Rita opened in 2018 in Montreal's vibrant Mile-End district. This charming café reminds us of a Wes Anderson set with its bold design and spacious, luminous interior. Housing both Pastel Rita café and Merci à Vous Tattoo parlour, it offers a unique experience where people can indulge in Zab beans coffee, delicious bites, or a glass of wine, while thinking about a potential tattoo. A perfect place to catch up with friends or enjoy a sunny afternoon.
5761 St Laurent Blvd5761 St Laurent Blvd
Inspired by a vision of enriching Quebec's coffee scene, Zab launched in 2016. This Montreal roaster is passionate and not afraid to experiment to develop coffees with unique and surprising flavours. Unsurprisingly, you'll find their beans sold at various locations around the city and, of course, at their partner coffee shop Paquebot with multiple locations. Their distinctive logo—a blend of their brand name with a skull and leaves—captures their essence: bold, innovative, and unforgettable. They offer several coffee workshops too!
6201 Saint Denis St6201 Saint Denis St
Coffee Circle has a dedication to fairness and respect throughout the value chain. They source directly from growers, ensuring high prices for high-quality beans. Upholding moral standards, they prioritize environmental, societal, and economic goals, embodying transparency and integrity in every interaction. As a certified Benefit Corporation (B-Corp since 2016), Coffee Circle continually strives for improvement, making coffee better for people worldwide, one cup at a time. This is one of our favourite places to stock up on day to day quality beans.
Rosa-Luxemburg-Straße 19Rosa-Luxemburg-Straße 19
Founded in 2010, Röststätte Berlin stands as one of Berlin's pioneering specialty coffee roasteries. Situated alongside an impressive Victoria Arduino espresso machine showroom, it hosts its own Barista Academy, offering expert courses. With a commitment to a sustainable value chain, they nurture long-term partnerships, ensuring benefits from coffee farmer to end consumer. Their award-winning roastery meticulously crafts specialty coffee blends, homemade cakes, and an array of beverages. The cold brew is STRONG and we love their seasonal specials - especially the yuzu tonic!
Ackerstraße 173 Berlin, GermanyAckerstraße 173 Berlin, Germany
Drop-dead gorgeous roastery in a converted warehouse in Kreuzberg. This is the European headquarter, but there are several other locations around the city. It is a special place that is both a roastery and a café. Bonanza focuses primarily on Speciality Coffee, offering only the highest quality beans roasted for both espresso and alternative brewing methods. They also have an Asia headquarter & partner in Seoul, South Korea.
Adalbertstraße 70, 10999 Berlin, GermanyAdalbertstraße 70, 10999 Berlin, Germany