Food
Have Mug, Will Travel: Top 10 Destinations For Coffee Lovers
Escape the daily grind – and learn a thing or two about your favourite brew – at these delicious destinations for coffee-quaffing travellers
Drinking coffee is a uniquely personal ritual. Some of us start each morning with a cup we carefully prepare ourselves; others love exploring new spots in search of a unique pour. Travelling sometimes disrupts this ritual – we’ve all had our share of burnt hotel coffee – but it can also be an incredible way to expand our knowledge of how coffee is enjoyed around the world, as well as experience the places that cultivate your best brew. From expansive coffee plantations to cities with bustling café culture, these 10 destinations should be on any java-sipping traveller’s list.
Milan, Italy
Italians know how to enjoy life’s pleasures, and coffee is part of la dolce vita: a way to experience each day’s small rituals. Step into a Milanese caffè in the morning, and you’ll spot locals sipping on a cappuccino and eating a pastry. Come back after lunch, and it’s time for an afternoon espresso (remember this: Italians never drink milky coffee after lunch). To discover a true local legend, head to Pasticceria Marchesi, a 200-year-old jewel inside Milan’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. With adorable decor and equally stunning cakes and pastries, this café is a place for slowing down and enjoying the moment. And if you want to discover the modern face of the city’s coffee scene, Orsonero Coffee awaits with great espresso and pour over in a cool, minimalist space.
[Image below courtesy of Pasticceria Marchesi]
Armenia, Colombia
With its stunning landscapes and extraordinary bean production, Colombia’s Cultural Coffee Landscape is part of UNESCO’s World Heritage list, and a dream destination for those who appreciate a strong cup of Colombian java. Cradled by the imposing Andes, the charming city of Armenia is the perfect starting point for exploring the region’s farms, such as Hacienda La Morelia, a family-run finca with tours and a specialty coffee bar. Immerse yourself in the area’s natural beauty by booking a stay at Hacienda Bambusa, a lovely eight-room estate offering plenty of activities both within the property and its surroundings, including bird-watching, zip lining and, of course, coffee tours and tastings.
[Image below courtesy of GiorgioMorara/iStock]
Tokyo, Japan
While coffee houses might be relatively young in Japan (the country’s first coffee shop opened in 1933), sipping coffee in Tokyo means experiencing much of what makes local culture so fascinating: creativity mixed with tradition, sophistication and attention to detail. Check out Glitch Coffee & Roasters for extraordinary coffee served by a knowledgeable staff; for single-origin beans and delightful donuts, head to Coffee Wrights. While scouting convenience stores and vending machines in Japan, you’ll also find plenty of canned coffee options, which became popular after World War II and are now part of the national caffeinated landscape.
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Copenhagen, Denmark
As one of the top consumers of coffee in the world, Denmark has always featured coffee as an essential part of its culture, yet it wasn’t until only a couple of decades ago that specialty coffee shops started to sprout up all over Copenhagen. Among the pioneers was The Coffee Collective, which now has several locations in town and boasts award-winning baristas on its team. At April Coffee Roasters, meanwhile, you can sip a flawlessly prepared espresso in a beautiful space where design is a major part of the experience, and at HipHop, a tiny spot decorated with colourful murals, you can enjoy a flat white while listening to, of course, hip hop tunes.
[Image below courtesy of olli815/iStock]
Buenos Aires, Argentina
In a city beloved for its bohemian soul, coffee shops have long been a meeting point for artists, writers and musicians; in fact, several are considered ‘notable cafés’ because of their cultural relevance. Two of these are London City, where writer Julio Cortázar wrote his first novel, Los Premios, and Café Tortoni, the oldest coffee shop in Buenos Aires, which hosts jazz and tango shows in the basement. For a taste of the city’s modern, specialty coffee offerings, try ÖSS Kaffe, where you’ll be welcomed with warm, personalised service. And for a truly unique treat, Jardín Escondido boutique hotel, owned by Francis Ford Coppola, boasts a vintage Italian espresso machine that the director bought himself and is available for guests to use during their stay.
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Vienna, Austria
Coffee houses in the Austrian capital are the stuff of legend: marble tables, a warm atmosphere, patrons spending hours chatting in good company or reading and enjoying coffee and pastries on their own. In fact, Viennese coffee culture has been part of UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2011. Delve into the city’s rich history at Café Central, a grand space that once welcomed characters like Freud and Trotsky, and head to Café Sacher to sample the legendary Sachertorte, prepared according to the original recipe from 1832. For a sip of Vienna’s current specialty coffee scene, try Balthasar Kaffee Bar, where you can find different coffee preparation methods and sign up for a barista workshop at the Balthasar Lab.
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Puerto Rico
Great coffee in a tropical paradise? Sign us up. Puerto Rico’s mountainous regions are home to historic coffee haciendas, where you can take a trip back in time and learn about the Caribbean island’s thriving bean production in the 1800s, as well as explore its current landscape. Jayuya is home to Hacienda San Pedro, a family-run estate where your explorations of the gorgeous grounds will be followed by a visit to the charming museum and store. In San Lorenzo, just a half-hour drive from San Juan, Hacienda Muñoz offers plantation tours and has an on-site restaurant, coffee shop and bar.
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San Francisco, USA
San Francisco has been a coffee hub since the days of the Gold Rush in the 19th century, when most of the US bean imports came through this harbour city. Today, it’s home to unique coffee shops like Saint Frank, where each excellent cup is the result of the team’s relationships with suppliers in often-overlooked regions like Bolivia. In Haight-Ashbury, you can’t miss a visit to Flywheel Coffee, founded by Aquiles Guerrero who grew up on a coffee farm in Nicaragua and has dedicated his life to sharing his passion for java. For a taste of history, hit Caffé Trieste; according to legend, this was the first espresso bar on the West Coast, and it was a favourite of Francis Ford Coppola and the Beat Generation writers.
Melbourne, Australia
Although coffee had already been part of the Australian beverage landscape for centuries, it was the Greek and Italian immigrants who revolutionised the country’s relationship with the drink, bringing their espresso machines and traditions with them upon arriving after World War II. Coffee houses became gathering places for young creatives, before evolving into independently owned shops where fresh beans and flawless roasting techniques are the main focus. Try Patricia Coffee Brewers for a lovingly prepared cup of joe (try the house blend) and treats from local bakeries. Named after the legend of Omar, who discovered the energising power of coffee, Omar & the Marvellous Coffee Bird focuses on the beauty of simplicity, serving sophisticated blends with a side of history, courtesy of the super well-informed staff.
[Image below courtesy of Omar & the Marvellous Coffee Bird]
Helsinki, Finland
Frequently crowned the world’s top coffee consumers, Finns are so into this ritual that they even have specific names for the times and moments when one may enjoy a cup. Aamukahvi, for example, is morning coffee, while saunakahvi is the coffee you might sip while enjoying another Finnish tradition: the sauna. With a mission to provide coffee-loving Finns with the best possible product, the team at Kaffa Roastery sources sustainably grown beans and pours drinks prepared with several methods, from Aeropress to V60. At Andante, pair your specialty coffee drinks with adorable pastries, including vegan and gluten-free options, in a cosy yet modern space.
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[Image at top courtesy of encrier/iStock]
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