Finding Sydney’s Best Coffee

By Ben Stephens.

Coffee. The word can mean a manner of all things. Dates, mates, catch ups, hang overs, lifesavers or really late nights; coffee can be the answer to many of life’s questions and the solution to many of the universe’s problems. The humble coffee bean was first recorded in human history sometime in the 10^th century near Yemen. Thankfully, the coffee scene has evolved somewhat over the years and it is this evolution that now sees some damn fine brews being served up smack bang in the caffeine-addicted heart of Sydney’s CBD. Grab a cup, settle in and take the next five minutes to anxiously read about seven brew houses in Sydney that are doing rather well.

Palomino Espresso

The team of golden coats and white manes at Palomino Espresso will not disappoint on the coffee front… then again the food here is also top notch. From a light breakfast menu to a solid muffin exhibition, the Palominos will be sure to supply you with everything you need to start your morning off on the right hoof. You can find them tucked away on York Street, near Wynyard. The morning rush can be hectic, but it is worth the wait.

Gumption by Coffee Alchemy

Power walk into The Strand Arcade and make way for the line snaking out of the doorway from which the aroma of roasted coffee beans from far off kingdoms is emerging. Here you will find the team from Coffee Alchemy in Marrickville making their brews in a CBD local. Gumption know their coffee. They are pretty much the geeks of coffee, from the bean to the machine. They do take-home bags of the magic stone fruit, so you can open that bag in your kitchen and have that same sensory escape you had when you walked by the first time.

Jet

After 20 years of service in the southern end of the Queen Victoria Building, Jet is still one of the best places to grab a coffee, catch up with an out of town friend and chat about your latest misadventure while tucking into a solid brew and a menu to match. The service is pretty bang-on, attentive yet minimal. The coffee isn’t overly fancy, but it’s everything you need to get you through a busy day.

Parlour Lane Roasters

Parlour Lane is located on the ground floor of QT Sydney. Using Allpress Espresso beans, the coffee is rich and smooth. The concise breakfast menu has all the favourites, like a bold Bircher Muesli, an instagram-able avocado smash and a ham and cheese croissant that will have you popping in at lunch for round two. The sassy service from the personalities behind the machine will have you smirking before your first sip.

Workshop Espresso

Just a little bigger than a hole in the wall, the crew at Workshop on George Street will have your order turned around in a cracking pace. Throw a sneaky slice of banana bread in your order and let the delicious banana/coffee daze wash over you. If you are feeling like something a little sweeter, try their cronuts, they’re outstanding. Again the line can be off putting at times, but if you have the time, it’s totally worth it.

Mecca

Ahh Mecca. This is the original shop, now the brand has expanded to Circular Quay, Ultimo and Alexandria. As for the coffee, it’s just ace – it wouldn’t be on the list if it weren’t. The service is what keeps me going back, the team in there are friendly and are pretty consistent with their banter. The menu is on the small side, but keeping it simple works well.

7-Eleven

A friend once said ‘7-Eleven coffee is a .9 of the product but .3 of the price’. I guess he’s right, if it’s before 6am on any given day and none of the above mentioned stores are yet open, 7-Eleven coffee will do. It’s a simple coffee, made 100% by machine. The beans keep their origin a secret and the milk is either full cream or skim of an unknown brand. At the ripe price of $1 for a small or $2 for a large, you get what you pay for. Fast, non-intrusive service with a smile (sometimes).

There are obviously plenty more, but that gives you a few to check out in the Sydney CBD. After all this in depth research, keep an eye out for the follow up to this article – ‘Sydney’s Best Bacon and Eggs Rolls’.

Stay jittery.