The World’s Top Countries and Cities for Coffee Lovers

They say that life begins after coffee. On many mornings, I’d have to agree.

While you can’t buy happiness, you can buy coffee. And coffee is happiness in a cup. Quotes from historical figures and literary legends prove that:

• “I’d rather take coffee than compliments just now.” – Louisa May Alcott
• “I have measured out my life with coffee spoons.” – T.S. Eliot
• “Coffee is a beverage that puts one to sleep when not drank.” – Alphonse Allais

At Frayed Passport, we talk a lot about traveling. Different people have different preferences for destinations, depending on their hobbies, language skills, life perspective and more. We put together this article specifically for people who have a passion for coffee (and/or addiction to coffee).

After all, if you’re a coffee lover and enjoy traveling, it makes sense to combine the two passions and visit a country or city known for great coffee. Here, we’ll cover the world’s top destinations for coffee lovers, highlighting great countries and cities for enjoying your favorite brew.

Grab a cup of joe and start reading.

Top Country Destinations for Coffee Lovers

Certain countries are known for their coffee production, as they have a climate and landscape perfectly suited to coffee farming. Visiting a coffee-producing powerhouse offers you direct access to freshly roasted coffee. For instance, Brazil and Vietnam combine to produce nearly 55% of the world’s coffee, according to Visual Capitalist data.

Additionally, some countries, such as Costa Rica, may not produce as much coffee as larger countries like Indonesia, but their coffee is known for its very high quality. You should consider these destinations as well.

Below, we list the best 5 countries for coffee lovers to visit.

Costa Rica

Known for sweet, shade-grown beans, Costa Rica’s mountainous Central Valley, which spans from San Jose to Monteverde, is home to some of the best coffee plantations in the world. Coffee producers adhere to high standards for quality and sustainability, and you can taste the difference as soon as you take a shot of espresso, sip a cold brew, and more.

3 Ideas to Enjoy Coffee in Costa Rica

• Take a tour of the Cafe Britt Plantation, which is just 8 miles north of San Jose.
• See how coffee goes from seed to cup by volunteering at a coffee farm with Maximo Nivel.
• Enjoy pura vida vibes at Santa Rita Cafe in Tamarindo, Guanacaste.

More Helpful Info for Costa Rica

Read the Frayed Passport guide: Visiting Costa Rica on a Budget.

Colombia

Chances are you have bought Colombian coffee plenty of times at the store. Colombian coffee comes from the central region, an area featuring beautiful mountain ranges and fertile valleys that are known as the “Coffee Axis”. Even if you don’t make it there, you can enjoy the country’s delicious coffee in Colombia’s main cities, Medellín, Bogotá, and Cali, all of which boast an incredible coffee scene.

3 Ideas to Enjoy Coffee in Colombia

• Take a tour of the Colombian Coffee Region with Uncover Colombia.
• Visit some of Bogotá’s best coffee shops, such as Amor Perfecto and Cafe 18.
• Enjoy your favorite beverage at Cafe Alaska in Medellín, one of the country’s most historic establishments.

More Helpful Info for Colombia

Read the Frayed Passport guide: Biking in Bogotá.

Kenya

Kenya produces exceptional coffee, robust in flavor and low in bitterness. Grown at an average elevation of 6,000 feet, Kenyan coffee has a fruity, spicy flavor that you just can’t find elsewhere. Kenya is very proud of its coffee industry, and diving into the coffee culture is a must if you’re visiting. You can enjoy local coffee at a cafe in Nairobi and even take a tour of a coffee or tea farm.

3 Ideas to Enjoy Coffee in Kenya

• Tour the Fairview Estate, which is situated in the heart of the Kenyan highlands.
• Visit one of Nairobi’s best coffee shops, such as Point Zero Coffee and Gibson’s Coffee House.
• Purchase coffee at Karunguru Coffee Estate, a third-generation boutique coffee farm that produces single-origin Arabica coffee.

More Helpful Info for Kenya

Read why Nairobi is a great destination for digital nomads and geoarbitrage.

Vietnam

Vietnamese coffee is popular across the world. Using medium- or dark-roast beans, the drink is made by pouring hot water through the grounds into a cup of condensed milk. The result is a rich, sweet and powerful brew that you’ll love. In addition to making great coffee recipes, Vietnam is the second-biggest producer and exporter of beans in the world. Without a doubt, this Southeast Asian nation is a must-stop destination for coffee lovers. Cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have bustling coffee scenes, and you’ll enjoy stopping for a cup each day you’re there.

3 Ideas to Enjoy Coffee in Vietnam

• Stop at some of Hanoi’s top-ranked coffee shops, such as La Capo Cafe and Cafe Minh.
• Visit some of Ho Chi Minh City’s popular coffee cafes, such as Café Cheo Leo and 96B.
• Tour the K’Ho Coffee Farm in the Central Highlands, which is a cooperative of families growing high-quality arabica coffee.

More Helpful Info for Vietnam

Read about Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Brazil

Thanks to climates and landscapes ideal for growing coffee, Brazil is the giant of the coffee industry, producing over one-third of the world’s coffee. With 14 major coffee-producing regions, including São Paulo, Espírito Santo, and Bahia, Brazil’s coffee is amazingly diverse, with flavors for every preference. You can enjoy all sorts of coffee in Brazil’s cosmopolitan cities and even go on tours of coffee farms throughout the country, from the northwest state of Rondônia to the coastal areas around Rio de Janeiro.

3 Ideas to Enjoy Coffee in Brazil

• Explore Brazil’s coffee valley on a tour near Rio de Janeiro.
• Stop at some of São Paulo’s specialty cafes, such as OCabral Café and Coffee Lab.
• Tour the Coffee Museum in Santos, which is near the city of São Paulo and highlights the history and importance of coffee in Brazil.

More Helpful Info for Brazil

Read about how to get Brazil’s digital nomad visa.

Top City Destinations for Coffee Lovers

Certain cities, such as Paris, are famous for their cafe culture and high-quality coffee. Whether you like to visit a coffee shop to converse with friends, read a book, or do some work, you’ll definitely find numerous spots you like in the world’s top cities for coffee.

Below, we list the best 5 cities for coffee lovers to visit. This is by no means a complete list, but it does highlight a diverse mix of cities from around the globe.

Portland, Oregon (USA)

Finding good coffee in Portland is as easy as walking down the street. From exceptional nitro cold brews and Japanese iced coffee to tasty espressos and pour-over brews, Portland has high-quality drinks of all sorts. Many of the standout cafes roast their own beans, and you can taste it at first sip. They’re also doing exciting things with these beans, like making cinnamon-chocolate coffee salt and coffee mocktails. It’s a city where your wildest coffee dreams come true.

3 Ideas to Enjoy Coffee in Portland

• Enjoy a morning or afternoon at Electrica Coffee. Located in Northwest Portland, this cafe combines Mexican coffee and Japanese tea to make specialties such as miso caramel latte.
• Relax at Keeper Coffee, a place for “hot coffee, fresh pastries, cozy hangs.”
• Take a coffee and donut tour with Lost Plate Food Tours, and hit up the best shops for coffee and treats in one day!

More Helpful Info for Portland

Stop in Portland when you ride the Amtrak from Seattle to Los Angeles.

Vienna (Austria)

UNESCO recognizes coffee house culture on the Intangible Cultural Heritage list because it forms such an integral component of culture in the city. As UNESCO notes, Viennese coffee houses are known for marble-topped tables, Thonet chairs, upholstered sofas, and being a place where time and space are consumed (and coffee is just the bill). If you ever visit Vienna, immersing yourself in the cafe culture there is simply a must. The city is full of charming cafes that call you to relax and enjoy for as long as you’d like.

3 Ideas to Enjoy Coffee in Vienna

• Visit Cafe Central, a favorite spot of Sigmund Freud’s. Located in the city center, the menu features a selection of traditional coffee specialties, Viennese specialties and sweet treats.
• Taste the Original Sacher-Torte (chocolate cake) at Cafe Sacher, along with your Melange (mix of frothed milk and steamed coffee).
• Sign up for one of TripAdvisor’s recommended Vienna food and coffee tours.

More Helpful Info for Vienna

Read about traditional coffees in Vienna so you know the lingo.

Lima (Peru)

Lima enjoys a reputation as one of the world’s top food destinations. Its coffee reputation is catching up quickly, as the Andean microclimates have enabled Peru to produce superior coffee blends and flavors you simply can’t find elsewhere. The city now has a blossoming specialty and third-wave coffee scene that you just have to explore while there.

3 Ideas to Enjoy Coffee in Lima

• Soak in the atmosphere at Movement Surf + Cafe, a relaxing spot in Miraflores. The cappuccino, cold brew and pour-over coffee are all top notch.
• Buy some beans to go and try the best local Peruvian espresso at Cafe Tasting Room in Miraflores.
• Head to The Coffee Road in San Isidro for the ambience and freshly roasted local coffee.

More Helpful Info for Lima

Read this guide for a 3-day visit to Peru.

Melbourne (Australia)

Melbourne has an obsession with coffee. As historians and travel guides note, Italians brought espresso and cafe culture to the city post-World War 2, and by the mid-20th century, coffee shops had become the hangout for artists, musicians, bohemians and free-thinkers. Today, the city is renowned as one of the globe’s best for having an excellent cup of coffee.

3 Ideas to Enjoy Coffee in Melbourne

• Check out one of Melbourne’s top-rated coffee shops, such as Seven Seeds Coffee Roasters, Industry Beans and Market Lane Coffee.
• Go on a Melbourne Coffee Lovers Walking Tour and learn about the city as you visit four hand-picked coffee houses.
• Try iced coffee from a beer tap at Aunty Peg’s, a welcoming place where you get a one-on-one barista.

More Helpful Info for Melbourne

Learn about work and travel opportunities in Australia.

Cape Town (South Africa)

Food and Wine Magazine named Cape Town as one of the world’s top 10 cities for coffee. Capetonians and visitors alike have a spoil of choices in this coffee-lovers paradise. Thanks to the climate in Kwazulu-Natal for growing coffee, South African-produced options now feature on many menus. The Mother City offers an incredible diversity of coffee experiences, from vibrant roasteries to cozy shops, to get your caffeine fix. You can even grab a cup to go for a walk along the beach.

3 Ideas to Enjoy Coffee in Cape Town

• Head to Truth Coffee Roasting on Buitenkant Street and try some of the delectable in-house blends (and buy some beans for the road).
• Visit Rosetta Roastery on Bree Street for a delicious pour-over or espresso.
• Sign up for the Cape Town Coffee Experience and dive into the heart of the city’s dynamic coffee culture.

More Helpful Info for Cape Town

Check out Cape Town’s inspiring cityscape.

Visit One of the Top Destinations for Coffee Lovers Today!

We hope this article made you want to at least have a cup of good coffee. We also hope you’re inspired to explore your passion for coffee as you travel. The countries and cities listed in this article are all great destinations for coffee lovers, but it’s by no means a complete list. There are plenty of other countries and cities around the globe with great coffee to offer.

Where’s the best coffee you’ve ever had? Do you have any other destinations to add to this list? Join the community and start the conversation.

About the Author

Nick Callos has always had a passion for reading, writing, and discovering the new and unknown. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Nick holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English from Boston College. He currently splits his time between his hometown, Chengdu, China, and the open road. A full-time travel writer, Nick hopes his work can inspire others to explore the world more deeply and enjoy the digital nomad lifestyle.

Featured image by Jonas Dücker on Unsplash