Here’s where to get the best coffee in Sydney

If coffee is non-negotiable to your daily existence, then you’ll want to read on for the best beans in Sydney.

Coffee lovers understand the first question when one arrives in a new town is where to find the good stuff. Before a lack of caffeine impairs your judgement and panic sets in, get your eyes on this list. We’ve done a combover of Sydney and extracted the best places to get your nectar of the early morning gods. Deep breaths, it’s all going to be OK.

From Surry Hills to Marrickville, here’s where to get the best coffee in Sydney.

1. Single O

Sample Coffee — This much-loved cafe is invested in sourcing the best beans.

It’s all about single origins here, and yep, there are no surprises there given the name. Single O is deeply invested in sourcing the best beans that pass their litmus test of superior flavour, sustainability and ethical farming practices, so what goes in the cup is feelgood for more reasons than one. Their Surry Hills location is the OG O, but you can also find them in Carriageworks, Eveleigh and, surprisingly, three locations in Japan.

Address: 60-65 Reservoir Street, Surry Hills; 245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh

Opening hours: 7am-3.30pm Monday to Friday; 8am to 3pm weekends

2. Normcore Coffee

Ask Google and it will tell you Normcore is the number one coffee place in Sydney. But the accolades come from more than desktop reviews with the Aussie-owned and made coffee company stacking up plenty of industry awards. Roasting both single origin beans and blends, Normcore’s stated mission to make ‘Damn Good Coffee’ borders on the obsessive, which is music to the ears of the bean nerds among us. Find them in the city and also Ashfield.

Address: 209 Castlereagh Street, Sydney; 14 Brown Street, Ashfield
Opening hours: Sydney CBD 7am-4pm weekdays. Ashfield 6am-4pm weekdays; 7am-3pm weekends.

3. Rising Sun

Rising Sun Workshop — Rising Sun is known for its quality ramen and coffee.

Perhaps not the most obvious location for excellent coffee given that Newtown’s beloved Rising Sun is better known for motorbike tinkering and ramen slurping. But don’t be fooled by the leather, grease and deep bowls of tonkatsu broth, the brews here wander into the realm of perfection and plenty of time is given to ensuring good cups.

Address: 1C Whateley Street, Newtown

Opening hours: 10am-3pm daily.

4. Edition Coffee Roasters

There are no blends at Edition , instead, the focus is squarely on unadulterated single origin beans roasted and extracted with precision. A seasonally rotating menu keeps the flavour fresh and intriguing in the cup. Now with four loctions in the city, you’re never too far from your daily edition.
Address: 60 Darling Drive, Haymarket
Opening hours: check website for hours of different locations

5. Sample Coffee

Roasting their responsibly sourced beans to highlight the nuances of flavour, Sample exists for the joyful ritual that accompanies your daily cup (or three) of coffee. Their ethos is a rounded approach that looks to both fairness for producers and fun for consumers. Swing into their St Peters or Surry Hills outposts and relish the moment.

Address: 1.03, 75 Mary Street, St Peters; Shop 1A Devonshire Street, Surry Hills

Opening hours: St Peters 7am-2pm weekdays; 8am-2pm Saturday. Surry Hills 7am-3pm Monday to Friday

6. Paramount Coffee Project

Rotating through local and international coffee roasters and with one of their founders being Russell Beard of Rueben Hills, you can expect high-quality, consciously selected brews at PCP. For more than a decade the formula of good coffee and a chic space has kept coffee lovers going out of their way to get their fix, so much so, that there are now two Paramounts Coffee Projects caffeinating the good people of Los Angeles.

Address: 80 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills

Opening hours: 7am–4pm Monday to Sunday

7. Primary Coffee

Inside the brick facade Primary Coffee’s minimalist interior holds space for an uninterrupted appreciation of the bean. Roasting their beans and bagging them for take-home enjoyment, this petite shopfront has become so popular it now sprawls out onto the footpath. They also have a strong merch game, so keep an eye on Instagram for drops.

Address: Shop 1/ 9 Ward Avenue, Potts Point

Opening hours: 6am-2pm Tuesday to Sunday; 6am-12pm Monday

8. Coffee Alchemy

A lifelong obsession with flavour has led those behind Coffee Alchemy to create award-winning brews with pizazz. Go for bold with Goodness Galileo, extra bold with a cup of Hairy Chest or the Paracelsus Punch, all of which are bestsellers and produced by way of established relationships with producers. Coffee Alchemy is the HQ and roastery, but you can also grab a cup from Gumption in The Strand and Micro in Barangaroo.

Address: 2/87 Sydenham Road, Marrickville

Opening hours: 7am-2pm Monday to Friday; 8am-3pm Saturday; 9am-1pm Sunday

9. Regiment

Regiment coffee — Regiment is popular with both office workers and visitors.

Specialty coffee sits alongside delicious cafe fare in this humming CBD spot . On the pour is brew from Melbourne roasters Veneziano and whether you opt for filter or single origin, it’s going to be a cup to savour.

Address: 333 George Street, Sydney

Opening hours: 7am-4pm weekdays

10. Black Market Roasters

Learn how to make beautiful coffee art with their Latte Art course.

A pandemic start-up, this Marrickville one-stop coffee shop and training facility is a place to sip and learn. Enjoy a tasting experience or go further with barista training for either professional accreditation or just to flex skills at home. Want to know how to get those pretty swirls on your cappuccino? Learn it here with their Latte Art course. You can also just enjoy the mastery of others and stop in for a coffee and lunch at either the Marrickville HQ or Newtown spot.

Address: 24 Cadogan Street, Marrickville; 86 Enmore Road, Newtown

Opening hours: Marrickville HQ 6am-2pm Monday to Friday; 7am-2pm Saturday. Newtown 9am-5pm Monday to Friday; 9am-7pm Saturday.

11. Reuben Hills

Surry Hills is alive with the burr of bean grinders and you’ll find some of the best grinds at this halfway-up-the-hill cafe. Reuben Hills takes a stand for coffee producers by ensuring fair prices for farmers. If you’ve ever wondered why your single-shot soy flat white costs so much these days, these guys give the answer by way of their transparent pricing. Check it out on their website and you’ll soon find your $6 coffee is much easier to swallow. Of course, that liquid gold is also deliciously nuanced and if you love to nerd out of flavour profiles, you can certainly lean into that here.

Address: 61 Albion Street, Surry Hills

Opening hours: 7am–3.30pm Monday to Friday; 7.30am–3.30pm weekends

12. Barrel One Coffee Roasters

With five locations across Sydney, Barrel One is a clear stand-out in the specialty coffee world. Not least because its bright and playful red-hued branding feels more like it’s peddling an alcoholic beverage than a daily cuppa. It’s not just good looks, though, Barrel One has been ethically sourcing and carefully roasting beans since 2012, so there’s pedigree in each sip. Try their sparkling lemon cold brew and grab a tin of their instant coffee for your next camping trip.

Address: Various

Opening hours: check website for hours of different locations

13. Padre Coffee

The Sydney outpost of renowned Melbourne roasters, Padre Coffee is serving the people of Paddington their daily grinds in a bright and bustling Five Ways concept store. It’s more than a grab-and-go joint, here you’ll also find retail coffee and homebrew equipment as well as coffee training and classes. And with Padre’s long-established responsible business model and mission to support and encourage a love for coffee, you know the beans here are the biz.

Address: 241A–241B Glenmore Road, Paddington

Opening hours: 7am-2pm Monday to Friday; 7am-3pm weekends

14. Skittle Lane

Since 2015, Skittle Lane has been brewing up good coffee and good design with warm hospitality. They’ve since spread from the CBD to the northern and eastern beaches with outposts in Manly and Bondi, while their Brookvale roastery keeps up with the demand and is soon to welcome drop-ins for a cuppa and a little retail therapy. If you can’t make it in-store, add a subscription to cart to be delivered to your door.

Address: 40 King Street, Sydney; 6a Loftus Lane, Circular Quay; 83/87 Pittwater Road, Manly; 121 Curlewis Street, Bondi; 2/8 Orchard Road, Brookvale

Opening hours: check website for hours of different locations

15. Only Coffee Project

Pared-back perfection happens at this stainless-steel coffee bar that doesn’t cater to tea drinkers or a roll-call of alternate milks. Stocking some beautiful beans and filter favourites, get along for that very serious cup of joe.

Address: 2/118 Willoughby Road, Crows Nest

Opening hours: 6.30am-3pm daily

Discover the best cafes in Paddington.

Discover the magic of a Sydney staycation in summer at The Fullerton Hotel Sydney.

Sydney City is magical in summer. Warm summer evenings beg to be spent sipping cool cocktails at one of many al fresco and rooftop bars. Ferries and buses are ready to transport travellers to the best nearby beaches for salty days on the sand. National parks and rainforests are waiting to be explored. And the city’s events calendar is packed, from live music to cultural attractions. All elements that call for a Sydney staycation.

Discover where to eat, stay and play for the perfect local getaway.

Where to stay

The Fullerton Hotel Sydney

Amid the bustle of the perfect Sydney staycation, one needs a place to escape to and recharge. Enter, The Fullerton Hotel Sydney . The hotel is an icon in its own right – nestled inside the 151-year-old building that was originally Sydney’s General Post Office, its heritage-listed sandstone walls and Victorian renaissance grandeur have been carefully preserved – providing a rare chance to sleep within Sydney’s history.

Despite its fascinating history, the hotel isn’t short on modern, luxurious comforts. Rooms and suites are available in both the modern high-rise with gorgeous views over the clock tower and lively city below, or inside the historical post office building itself.

the Fullerton Hotel Sydney Heritage Long Suite bathroom — Heritage rooms maintain their old-world style.

Either way, guests can enjoy sophisticated touches, including a deluxe bed and pillow menu, Harman Kardon Bluetooth speakers, a digital concierge, a Vittoria coffee machine and amenities from the Balmain bathroom collection.

The team at this five-star hotel provides excellence and a quality experience for all their guests, while amenities like a gym help with a well-rounded stay. For a peaceful moment with sweeping city views, enter The Fullerton Club Lounge on level 28. This private haven for dining and relaxation is available to any guests staying on the hotel’s club floors and suites.

Add to this a central location in the CBD’s Martin Place, with easy access to Sydney’s top attractions, and convenience meets style.

Where to drink & dine

1. The Bar

the Fullerton Hotel afternoon tea at the bar — Indulge in the Fullerton Signature Afternoon Tea.

Inside The Fullerton Hotel Sydney’s lobby, The Bar does more than sling a few delicious cocktails (although it certainly does that well). Its brown leather chairs and glass ceiling create the perfect, almost al fresco, setting for the Fullerton Signature Afternoon Tea .

Served daily from 12 to 4 pm, the afternoon tea is a nod to the cherished social occasion it once was during the Victorian Renaissance era. People like to dress up for this afternoon tea, and if you’re lucky, a pianist often sits down at the on-site grand piano, just adding to the elegance.

The afternoon tea is served high tea style, offering reimagined British flavours of the Victorian Renaissance era with a unique blend of Australia’s culinary heritage. A sweet layer offers delights like a Malted Milk Envelope (a milk mousse layered between two biscuits), Bakewell Pudding (a super tasty egg-based pudding), and Apple Charlotte.

On the savoury layer, expect finger sandwiches with fillings like cucumber, egg and smoked salmon. While classic pinwheels and stuffed eggs almost make the menu. And, of course, all finished off with traditional scones served with cream and mixed berry jam.

Can’t fit in a whole afternoon tea? Be sure to at least order a slice of the 32-layered chocolate cake, a decadent mix of dark chocolate crémeux, fresh whipped cream, and Valrhona Azélia chocolate sauce. ⁣

2. The Place

the Fullerton Hotel the place dining — Dine in the stunning GPO atrium.

On level one of The Fullerton Hotel Sydney lives The Place – the hotel’s restaurant, in an atrium overlooking the former GPO. Here, dine on Modern Australian cuisine – think fresh, local seafood and a Riverina steak sandwich – along with a touch of Singaporean signature dishes, like Thai-style green curry or chicken satay. All in the shadow of the GPO clock tower, enjoying the GPO atrium’s natural light.

3. Local gelato

Couple enjoying ice-creams at First Fleet Park, The Rocks — Enjoy ice cream in the sunshine. (Image: Destination NSW)

What is summer without ice cream and/or gelato? Luckily, there are plenty of options just a short walk from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, whether you’re craving a midday pick-me-up or an after-sun treat.

What to do/see

1. GPO Heritage Tour

the Fullerton Hotel Sydney lobby — Be awed by the building’s history.

Want to know more about the building you’re staying in? The Fullerton Hotel Sydney offers a complimentary 90-minute GPO Heritage Tour. Follow a knowledgeable tour guide to discover the stories, tales and legends of the former Sydney General Post Office building.

From the iconic clock tower (completed in 1891) to the black-and-white tiled staircase at 1 Martin Place, which was once the main entrance to the GPO and today serves as a prominent feature of the building to the 24 stone faces (mascarons) on the Martin Place side of the building. Part of the 1880s-era facade (designed by architect James Barnet), each represents different states, countries and continents.

2. Circular Quay

aerial of circular quay sydney — Catch a ferry from Circular Quay. (Image: Destination NSW)

An easy walk or light rail ride away from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, lies the bustling Circular Quay. Here, you can sit for a drink and nibbles at the Opera Bar, or head into the iconic house itself for a show. It’s also a major ferry port, becoming your gateway to Sydney’s beaches, Luna Park and even Sydney Zoo.

3. Royal Botanic Gardens

view of circular quay from Sydney's Royal Botanic Garden — Wander through Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden. (Image: Destination NSW)

Just beyond Circular Quay, discover Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden. Wander through this 30-hectare, heritage-listed, botanical garden – exploring its differing sections, from Australian native botanicals to garden beds of vibrant flowers to towering groves of international trees.

It’s also the perfect place for a picnic, so pick up supplies before you come and enjoy a spot on the grassy meadow looking out into the harbour.

4. Theatre Royal

Just a one-minute walk from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, take in a show at Theatre Royal. Built in 1976, the theatre has been offering a broad range of entertainment since the 1990s. Expect a show roster that ranges from the classics (like Cats) to the modern) like Pretty Woman: The Musical).

Start planning a summer stay in Sydney worth remembering at fullertonhotels.com/fullerton-hotel-sydney.