
The Big Banana may be Australia’s most iconic big thing but that’s not the only reason to visit Coffs Harbour these days. The beautiful coastal city has just been crowned the best place for coffee in Australia, outranking regulars like Brisbane, Sydney, and even the self-proclaimed coffee capital, Melbourne (though they all still made the top 10 — just not number one!). The team of coffee experts at Remitly sifted through millions of reviews from towns and cities around Australia, focusing on factors such as the number of coffee shops, average customer ratings, review counts per shop, and the volume of Instagram posts tagged with #coffee in each location. The data was adjusted to account for population size to ensure fair comparison, so the results are pretty impressive.
Best cities for coffee in Australia
NSW’s Coffs Harbour took the top spot with 149 coffee shops and an impressive average of 287 reviews per café. Queensland dominated the follow-up rankings, with the Gold Coast in second, Cairns in third, and the Sunshine Coast following closely in fourth. Shepparton in Victoria rounded out the top five.
Melbourne — long hailed as the coffee capital — was placed a humble sixth, while Sydney trailed at number 10 (which we take some umbrage to, given its status as one of the best coffee cities in the world).
Here are the top 10 spots for coffee in Australia
1. Coffs Harbour, NSW
2. Gold Coast, QLD
3. Cairns, QLD
4. Sunshine Coast, QLD
5. Shepparton, VIC
6. Melbourne, VIC
7. Mildura, VIC
8. Brisbane, QLD
9. Adelaide, SA
10. Sydney, NSW
Wondering where to get the best coffee in Coffs Harbour? These local-favourite spots are highly recommended:
1. Dark Arts Café and Bar — With over 990 reviews on Google Maps and a stellar 4.6-star rating out of five, this popular local gem is a must-visit. Offering dim, gothic interiors, comic book art, and ethically sourced coffee, it’s well worth braving the crowds to enjoy their excellent brew.
📍 Cox Ln, Coffs Harbour NSW 2450
2. Palate and Ply Café and Roastery — Located in the heart of the Coffs Harbour CBD, this funky spot offers more than just good coffee. Expect wholesome, locally sourced food, a welcoming community vibe, friendly baristas, and delicious coffee roasted on-site.
📍 37 Vernon St, Coffs Harbour NSW 2450
3. Artisti Espresso Bar & Roastery — This Specialty Coffee Roaster earned a special mention in the ranking for its freshly roasted, high-quality coffee and convenient location. This is the place for serious coffee drinkers with an impressive range of coffee drinks served on beans roasted in-house and a variety of unique flavours.
📍 Unit 3/11 Craft Cl, Toormina NSW 2452
4. Beachhouse Cafe — This vibrant cafe is perched on the shores of Jetty Beach with lovely views over the Solitary Islands. Here you can caffeinate well with lattes, cappuccinos, mochas, and classic drips and grab a bag of beans for the road. Plus, enjoy breakfast, lunch, and homemade cakes as you take in the sights.
📍 1 Jordan Esplanade, Coffs Harbour NSW 2450
5. Peach & Wolf Bakery — This family-owned artisan bakery is the place to go for sweet and savoury baked goods, all served with a side of friendly local charm. It’s a beloved local community spot and menu favourite items like the cinnamon scrolls and classic croissants go perfectly with a coffee made with Allpress Espresso beans.
📍 The Equinox Building, 29/87 Ocean Parade, Coffs Harbour NSW 2450
6. Going Bananas Cafe — No visit to Coffs Harbour is complete without visiting Going Bananas Cafe. Treat yourself to some indulgent banana pancakes, banana cakes, and refreshing banana smoothies, and don’t forget to grab a barista-made coffee before heading over to The Big Banana Fun Park for a day of endless fun.
📍 Corner Forrester Road &, Boronia Rd, St Marys NSW 2670
7. Ground Earth — This low-key but vibey cafe serves a deftly curated menu of classic brunch and lunch options, plentiful outdoor seating, and very good coffee. With a focus on wholesome and balanced food, Ground Earth has a relaxed yet distinct vibe the perfectly captures the coffee culture on the Coffs Coast.
📍 Shop 1/18 Market St, Woolgoolga NSW 2456
8. Supply Speciality Coffee and Bar — This espresso bar and cafe is located at the Jetty Precinct of Coffs Harbour with industrial-style decor and a curated menu of modern Australian cuisine. The micro-roastery Full Spectrum Coffee on-site is staffed by friendly baristas who can help you choose your drink of choice, this is the perfect spot to spend languid afternoons by the water.
📍 15 Orlando St, Coffs Harbour NSW 2450
Find more places to eat and drink around Coffs Harbour here.