The best coffee in the Sydney CBD
The search is over, citydwellers and peaky commuters: we’ve got your daily grind right here.
20Steel Bar and Grill You’ll see the queue first, but don’t be put off – they know what they are doing here and your coffee will be out in no time. They also love their regulars and will know your name after just a few visits. Snack attack: Loaded sandwiches. Open on weekends? No. Shop 2, Ground Lvl, 60 Carrington St, Wynyard 2000.
19Workshop Espresso Before George Street became a jungle of construction, Workshop outside the Galeries was one of the busiest coffee shops in the city. While the queues no longer reach ridiculous lengths, they still do a decent coffee, using their own Workshop blend from Toby’s Estate. Snack attack: Muffins. Open on weekends? Yes (Sat). 500 George St, Sydney 2000.
18Palomino Espresso A minute’s walk from the top of Wynyard Station is Palomino Espresso, who have been extracting coffees on this block for more than five years. They’re using beans from Morgan Coffee Roasters and there’s usually plenty of tables. Snack attack: Paleo bacon and egg tart. Open on weekends? No. Shop 1/61 York St, Wynyard 2000.
17Benchmark Espresso Just opposite the QVB is this inconspicuous café. It’s nothing fancy, but their beans are from Double Roasters, which means their coffee is big on flavour. It’s one of the cheaper coffees in the city at $3.30 for a regular. Snack attack: The bacon and egg roll is just $7.50 and has loads of bacon and two eggs. Open on weekends? No. 119- 123 York St, Sydney 2000.
16Joe and the Juice This ultra-glossy coffee and juice joint is the ultimate city pit stop. There’s Wi-Fi, a meeting room and lots of power points. As for the joe, there’s colour-coded sizes, in black or white with one or two shots. Snack attack: Rebuild smoothie: avo, banana, plant protein and chocolate almond milk. Open on weekends? Yes. 139 Pitt St, Wynyard 2000.
15Kingswood Coffee This welcoming coffee window in World Square is a little bit faux vintage. You can’t drink in, but you can drink nearby. Snack attack: Three-cheese toastie with gruyère, cheddar and buffalo mozzarella. Open on weekends? Yes. World Square, Haymarket 2000.
14Parlour Lane Roasters These guys dish out snappy espresso with Italian warmth. They’re using All Press beans, and the hidden hotel entrance means there’s rarely a wait. Snack attack: The bacon and egg roll is $9.50 with a regular coffee. Open on weekends? Yes. QT Sydney, 49 Market St, Sydney 2000.
13Bel and Brio Not content with being just a café, this one-stop shop also has a bar, a dining offshoot, a wine shop and marketplace. Service is friendly and fast and they get their beans from Will and Co. They have Wi-Fi. Snack attack: Acai bowl with shaved coconut and yoghurt. Open on weekends? Yes. 300 Barangaroo Ave, Barangaroo 2000.
12The Precinct At the foot of the Barangaroo Towers, slick interiors and fast-paced service are the name of the game. They do soy and almond milk for no extra cost; use their own beans; and four working baristas means you get in and out fast. They also have Wi-Fi. Snack attack: Avo on toast. Open on weekends? No. 300 Barangaroo Ave, Barangaroo 2000.
11Pablo and Rusty’s This place is a well oiled machine – even with a queue almost out the door we’re still served with a smile and walk away with our coffee in minutes. Said coffee is serious black gold, and uses the P&R house blend. Snack attack: Get a toastie – golden brown and extra cheesy. Open on weekends? Yes (Sat). 161 Castlereagh St, Sydney 2000.
10Central Roasters Hidden in a laneway that runs alongside the Metro Theatre, Central Roasters roast their own beans. Snack attack: Scrambled egg wrap – only $9.50 with a regular coffee. Open on weekends? No. Central St, Haymarket 2000.
9Romolo These guys do a roaring breakfast trade using Gypsy Espresso beans. Snack attack: Chocolate roasted granola with coconut yoghurt and cocoa nibs. Open on weekends? Yes. The Strand Arcade, 412-414 George St, Sydney 2000.
8The Cross Eatery They are using Mecca beans, resulting in a cuppa that’s robust in flavour and a fraction smaller than your regular takeaway latte. Snack attack: Brickfields breakfast rolls. Open on weekends? No. 155 Clarence St, Wynyard 2000.
7Edition Coffee Roasters Circular Quay You won’t find the Japanese-Nordic fusion snacks they have at their Darlinghurst café but their house blend from India complements the creaminess in the white coffees. Snack attack: No snacks, sorry. Open on weekends? Yes. 200 George St, Circular Quay 2000.
6Zeitgeist Cuisine Zeitgeist specialise in alternative mylks, like almond, coconut and macadamia. Snack attack: Avo on toast, topped with coriander and crushed hazelnuts. Open on weekends? No. 153 Clarence St, Sydney 2000.
5Gumption The eggshell-blue shop is rarely sans queue, ’cos the coffee is excellent. It’s also all you’ll find here, apart from gifts for coffee nerds. Snack attack: No snacks, sorry. Open on weekends? Yes. The Strand Arcade, 412-414 George St, Sydney 2000.
4Marlowe’s Way This café by day and bar by night is peddling two kinds of black gold: they also sell funk and soul records. Snack attack: Young Henrys braised beef brisket panini. Open on weekends? No. Tank Stream Way, Wynyard 2000.
3Single O The little CBD sister of the Surry Hills roaster has been doing ripper coffees since opening just north of Town Hall in early 2015. Snack attack: The NLT (next level toasties). Open on weekends? No. 89 York St, Sydney 2000.
2Cabrito Coffee Traders The Milk Man house blend is super smooth and rich; take a bag home for just $12.50. Snack attack: Luxe Bakery muffins. Open on weekends? No. 10- 14 Bulletin Pl, Circular Quay 2000.