Top 5 Coffee Houses in Melbourne for 2025

Melbourne’s reputation as one of the world’s great coffee cities is well-earned — with espresso culture running deep through its laneways, laneway-cafés and iconic neighbourhood roasters. In 2025, a handful of coffee houses stand out as defining the city’s vibrant scene, drawing locals and visitors alike for perfectly pulled shots, innovative brews, and unforgettable café experiences. (Melbourne was recently ranked among the world’s best cities for coffee, a recognition of its diverse and high-quality offerings).Time Out Worldwide

Here’s our wrap-up of the top 5 coffee houses in Melbourne this year, each representing a distinct flavour of the city’s caffeine culture.

1. Higher Ground – Crowning Melbourne’s Coffee Culture

Where: Melbourne CBD
Why It’s Top: Frequently cited as Melbourne’s best café in 2025, Higher Ground blends architectural flair with coffee precision and an all-day menu to match. Housed in a striking former power station, this sprawling venue delivers an elevated café experience that spans from excellent espresso and filter brews to creative brunch and lunch offerings. Its social buzz and consistent acclaim across local guides make it a premier first stop for newcomers and coffee aficionados alike.

Higher Ground’s popularity — both for ambience and quality service — reflects Melbourne’s ongoing dedication to espresso artistry and hospitality that feels at once relaxed and world-class.

2. Proud Mary – A World-Class Specialty Roaster

Where: Collingwood
Why It’s Top: Proud Mary has long been a cornerstone of Melbourne’s specialty coffee movement, and in 2025 it continues to shine — including landing global recognition as one of the world’s best cafés on the World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops list. Its dedication to single-origin beans, meticulous brewing and diverse coffee presentations draws both die-hard coffee fans and curious newcomers.

From V60 and Aeropress to cold brew flights, Proud Mary’s offerings showcase the depth of flavour possible when top-quality beans meet expert technique. The Collingwood café’s industrial charm and neighbourly feel keep locals returning — whether for a daily espresso, weekend brunch or a guided coffee education.

3. Patricia Coffee Brewers – Espresso Perfection in the CBD

Where: Little Bourke Street, CBD
Why It’s Top: For many coffee lovers, Patricia Coffee Brewers epitomises Melbourne’s espresso culture — minimalist by design and maximalist in flavour. A favourite among locals and visitors alike, Patricia specialises in short, sharp espresso experiences: no seating, no fuss — just expertly pulled shots from high-grade beans and an expert barista team.

Its reputation for consistently excellent espresso — often cited as some of the best in the city — and its central location make it an essential stop for anyone exploring Melbourne by foot or caffeine compass.

4. Seven Seeds – Carlton’s Roasting Innovators

Where: Carlton
Why It’s Top: Seven Seeds is a Melbourne coffee institution, built by veteran baristas and espresso innovators whose influence on the local scene reaches far beyond a single cup. Known for its creative roasts, experimental brewing and expert knowledge, this café-roastery frequently introduces new single origins and pours that push flavour boundaries.

Visitors to Seven Seeds can expect both deep technical expertise and a welcoming space to savour a wide range of brews — from rich espresso and textured flat whites to thoughtfully prepared filter coffee. Its commitment to exploration and quality keeps it on the shortlists of both critics and cafe-hopping locals.

5. Coffee Supreme – Abbotsford’s Coffee Powerhouse

Where: Abbotsford
Why It’s Top: Anchoring Melbourne’s coffee scene from the inner-north, Coffee Supreme blends exceptional roasting with relaxed café culture. Its Abbotsford site serves as both a roastery and café, with a wide variety of espresso and filter options that highlight the company’s commitment to clean, considered flavours and expert processing.

With beans and blends that have earned attention beyond Victoria — and a loyal local following — Coffee Supreme is a standout example of how Melbourne’s café culture thrives both on tradition and innovation.

Melbourne’s Caffeine Culture: A Rich Tapestry

These five coffee houses are just the tip of a rich coffee iceberg beneath Melbourne’s laneway-lined streets and leafy suburbs. Across Collingwood, Carlton, Fitzroy and the CBD, countless cafés draw on the city’s long espresso tradition — shaped by European migration and decades of local refinement — to delight patrons with every cup.

From cutting-edge specialty roasters to classic espresso bars, Melbourne’s café scene continues to evolve while honouring a deep, coffee-first ethos that attracts both global recognition and relentless local pride. Whether you’re an espresso purist, filter fan or latte lover, this city offers a rich, world-class café journey.