Best Coffee in Sydney CBD: Top Cafes for a Coffee Break
Sydney is a coffee lover's dream. Not sure where to start? Here's where to find the best coffee in Sydney's CBD.
Whatβs a morning without coffee? In a city of coffee snobs (guilty!), we have sky-high standards for our brews β and our baristas work their magic behind shiny espresso machines to meet them every single day.
Whether you live in the CBD, commute there for work, or spend your weekends shopping up a storm, every Sydneysider needs a go-to coffee stop. From Circular Quay to Hyde Park and Haymarket, there are plenty of places for latte lovers and flat-white fans to choose from. These are our favourite cafes serving up the best coffee in Sydney CBDβ¦
Tessuto, Sydney CBD
Tucked inside the heritage-listed Porter House on Castlereagh Street, Tessuto is where classic Italian style meets sleek, inner-city energy. The coffee here is top-tier β smooth, strong and served in ultra-aesthetic surrounds β but itβs their tiramisu latte thatβs turning heads (and filling feeds).
A decadent twist on your daily brew, it layers espresso, mascarpone-infused milk, and a dusting of cocoa for that perfect dessert-meets-coffee moment. Whether youβre popping in between meetings or sitting down to savour, Tessuto offers a little slice of dolce vita in the heart of the CBD.
32-34 York Street, Sydney
Tobyβs Estate Chippendale
Itβd be remiss off us not to kick off this list with Tobyβs Estate in Chippendale which was voted The Worldβs Best Coffee shop at the inaugural The Worldβs 100 Best Coffee Shops Gala held at CoffeeFest Madrid in early 2025.
The award is part of a new global recognition system where coffee shops around the world were judged on set criteria, including quality, barista experience, customer service, innovation, ambience, sustainability, food and pastry qualityβand of course, consistency. Youβre guaranteed a world-class brew here.
32-36 City Road, Chippendale
ASLAN Coffee Roasters
ASLAN Coffee Roasters in The Rocks offers a truly unique coffee experience rooted in a deep passion for Indonesian coffee. Since 2009, they have been roasting their beans with care, and a cup of coffee here captures the bold and interesting flavours of the Indonesian Archipelago.
Their commitment to quality is evident in every cup, with beans roasted to perfection and served after resting for optimal flavour. Paired with friendly service and a tasty menu (the matcha brownie is not to be missed), Aslan is a cosy place to park up with a coffee in hand and watch the world go by.
25 Nurses Walk, The Rocks
Devon Cafe Barangaroo
Devonβs motto is simple: they give extra love to every cup of coffee. This buzzing spot in Barangaroo serves its own house blend of coffee, roasted with its signature extra love. While itβs a fine dining restaurant, it fuses casual cafe culture with its delicious coffee. Pop in for a quick takeaway or linger longer and enjoy a tasty lunch from their fresh and inventive menu. Our top pick would be their truffle egg sanga.
19/200 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo
Black & White Espresso
Black & White Espresso is a hole-in-the-wall cafe in The Strand, offering a charming escape in a heritage-listed building with grab-and-go deli-style sandwiches, bagels, and exceptional coffee. Perfect for busy shoppers or professionals, sip on a soul-warming latte with Single O beans.
They also source baked goods from the cityβs best bakeries (like Butterboy and Brickfields), and they stay open right up until the afternoon, meaning you wonβt ever have to worry about not being able to grab that late-arvo cup.
Ground Floor, The Strand Arcade
Knightβs Coffee
With a slogan like βsublime every time,β you know youβre in good hands at Knightβs Coffee in Haymarket. Located in the Devonshire Tunnel, the team here has served mouthwatering espresso and filter coffee to busy city workers for more than a decade. In 2023, they started roasting their own beans and created their rich and delicious Seasonal Espresso Blend (which you can also purchase online!).
Devonshire Tunnel, Shop 5/827β839 George Street, Haymarket
Tobyβs Estate
Tobyβs Estateβs flagship cafe on Pitt Street is a haven for coffee lovers, known for its expertly crafted brews. Serving up their premium blend, which is sourced from beans directly from dedicated farmers, ensures every cup reflects their commitment to quality.
With a focus on sustainability and innovation, Tobyβs Estate delivers rich, complex flavours that satisfy even the most discerning palates. Whether youβre grabbing a quick coffee or catching up with friends. (they have a selection of pastries and easy lunch options), the welcoming atmosphere and passion for coffee will not disappoint.
Westfield Sydney, Shop 3015b/188 Pitt St, Sydney
Skittle Lane
King Streetβs Skittle Lane boasts two shiny La Marzocco coffee machines that pump out the cafeβs house blend: a full-bodied, balanced espresso with notes of cocoa and vanilla. For the filter fiends, thereβs a pour-over bar showcasing a selection of single origins.
King Street and Circiular Quay
Cabrito Coffee Traders
Down a laneway in Circular Quay, Cabrito Coffee Traders is a hole-in-the-wall cafe serving up flawless cups of coffee. It roasts its own silky-smooth, rich blend in-house (called Milk Man), and offers single-origin beans from guest roasters. It doesnβt matter what blend you order; you can expect it to be full-bodied and delicious. If youβre peckish, nab a table in the industrial-chic space.
10-14 Bulletin Place, Sydney
Pablo & Rustyβs
Originally just a blend for coffee-loving brothers-in-law, Paul and Russell (aka Pablo and Rusty), the brand quickly outgrew its Porter Street roots and expanded, opening cafes and roasteries. With a mission to use business as a force for good, Pablo & Rustyβs is in a prime position on Castlereagh Street.
The specialty roaster brews hundreds of coffees every day, including the Trailblazer Blend, a bright, fragrant blend used for espressos and black coffees. If your taste buds sway towards milky delights, fear not, Pablo & Rustyβs got that covered, too.
161 Castlereagh Street, Sydney
Gumption by Alchemy
In the heart of Strand Arcade, Gumption is an award-winning roaster, and it shows in the quality of coffee as well as the many brewing methods on offer. When itβs your turn to order, ask for an espresso. Velvety-smooth with a thick crema on top, itβs incredible.
The Strand Arcade, Shop 11, 412-414 George Street, Sydney
The Q on Harris
The Q on Harris roasts only the best beans personally sourced from Indonesia. Theyβre huge on traceability so theyβll be able to tell you exactly where your beans have come from. Swing by for a quick brew or pop into the cosy brick-lined cafe decked out with fairy lights and greenery.
597 Harris Street, Ultimo
Outta Coffee
A true hole in the wall (but with seating!), Outta Coffee is sleek and simple in both their aesthetic and offering. They specialise in showcasing microroasters the world over, so youβre always assured of a touch of education with each cup. Details are on point down to the sugar and they also make a mean matcha!
17 Valentine Street, Haymarket
Edition Coffee Roasters
Nestled in Sydney CBD, Edition stands as the go-to for those who appreciate the nuanced world of coffee. Renowned for steering clear of blends, Edition Coffee Roasters is all about the diverse tales told by single-origin beans.
World Square, Darling Square, Mid City, Wynard
Kingswood Coffee
Tucked down one of Sydney Placeβs fun alleyways, youβll find Kingswood Coffee. Youβll know youβre in the right place when you catch the well-deserved line snaking out the front. But not to worry. These guys know what theyβre doing, so theyβll have your morning brew in your hands in no time. Theyβve got a filter and cold drip if thatβs your thing, and they also make a top-tier hot choccy and chai if youβre steering clear of caffeine.
World Square, Australia Square, Circular Quat
Loved our edit of where to find the best coffee in Sydney CBD? If you find yourself in the Inner City and are looking for some more inspo, make sure to read our wrap-up of the best things to do in Sydney. From sightseeing and bar hopping to nature-loving and dining, there is so much to experience and explore.