Best Coffee in Sydney CBD: Top Cafes for a Coffee Break

What’s a morning without coffee? In a city of coffee snobs (guilty!), we have sky-high standards for our brews – 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 CBD...

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

Devon's 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 it's 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 city’s best bakeries (like Butterboy and Brickfields), and they stay open right up until the afternoon, meaning you won’t ever have to worry about not being able to grab that late-arvo cup.

Ground Floor, The Strand Arcade 

Knight's Coffee

With a slogan like "sublime every time," you know you're in good hands at Knight's 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 5/827–839 George Street, Haymarket 

Toby's Estate 

Toby's Estate's 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, Toby's Estate delivers rich, complex flavours that satisfy even the most discerning palates. Whether you're 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 Street's Skittle Lane boasts two shiny La Marzocco coffee machines that pump out the cafe’s house blend: a full-bodied, balanced espresso with notes of cocoa and vanilla. For the filter fiends, there's 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 doesn’t matter what blend you order; you can expect it to be full-bodied and delicious. If you’re peckish, nab a table in the industrial-chic space.

10-14 Bulletin Place, Sydney

Pablo & Rusty’s

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 & Rusty's 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 & Rusty's 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 it’s your turn to order, ask for an espresso. Velvety-smooth with a thick crema on top, it’s 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. They're huge on traceability so they'll 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 you're 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 Place's fun alleyways, you'll find Kingswood Coffee. You'll know you're in the right place when you catch the well-deserved line snaking out the front. But not to worry. These guys know what they're doing, so they'll have your morning brew in your hands in no time. They've got a filter and cold drip if that's your thing, and they also make a top-tier hot choccy and chai if you're 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.