The array of espresso machines lined up here show that this cafe means business. The League of Honest Coffee sources their rotating coffee blends ethically and responsibly from fair-trade sources. Beyond their heavenly cuppas, the small slick cafe also offers cakes and sandwiches.

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Looking for the ultimate flavour of Melbourne coffee? Brother Baba Budan offers just that. Named after the merchant Baba Budan who famously smuggled seven coffee seeds out of Yemen, this speciality coffee house broke away from the traditional Italian coffee roasting style in Melbourne to explore its own best brewing practices. This certainly shows in their brews—and queues!   

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This micro-roaster/ coffee house is located just a stone’s throw away from the University of Melbourne in the Carlton district of Melbourne City. An expansion of Brother Baba Budan, Seven Seeds Coffee Roasters serves up coffees with seasonal beans. The must-try coffees at Seven Seeds Coffee Roasters are the Seven Seeds Espresso Blend and the Golden Gate Blend.

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Incredibly knowledgeable and experienced staff are on hand at Dukes Coffee Roasters to whip up the best cup of Melbourne-roasted coffee for you. The tuckaway cafe located at jaunty Flinders Lane deploys innovative roasting practices with the “Loring Smart Roasters”—one of the industry’s most technically advanced roasters. 

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One of the pioneers of great coffee in Melbourne, St. Ali Coffee Roasters emphasizes quality coffee beans and adopts unique brewing methods to bring out the best in a cuppa. Housed in a warehouse, it exudes an industrial feel with a heavy dose of contemporary hipsterish warmth. And it also serves a scrumptious breakfast menu.

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The first thing you would notice about ACoffee is how pretty and bright the cafe is. Predominantly white in design, this boutique coffee roaster truly shines in how it sources for the best coffee beans and roasts them in small batches to amplify the beans' distinctive characteristics and origins.  

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Offering multiple brewing methods, the Sensory Lab Speciality Coffee is run by a group of dedicated coffee professionals who live on making the best coffee for visitors by roasting, packing and selling their own blends daily. And yes, you’ll certainly be in for a caffeinated experience that engages all your five senses!

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If you like to be presented with a variety of coffees to choose from, Bonnie is the place to be. It runs a seasonal rotation of 10 single-origin coffees—five are from Sumatra, Indonesia, while the rest hail from all over the world. Feel bamboozled by the barrage of blends? Don’t worry, the baristas are more than happy to give recommendations. Otherwise, the House Blend is a great pick—a full-bodied, four-bean blend, roasted to medium-black. 

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Much like its friendly rival city Melbourne, Sydney’s coffee culture is very much influenced by its Italian immigrants. In recent years, there is a shift towards embracing experimental new ways of roasting to spice things up. 

Here in Sydney, independent cafes carve their own niche and make their mark, leaving no room for coffee franchises to set foot in the city. And yes, Sydneysiders certainly love their oft globally inspired cuppas.

Here are the top cafes to visit when you are having a staycation in Sydney.

Enjoy a cold brew or espresso of the week at Single O—a neat little cafe which prides itself in ethically sourced and environmentally sound beans, products and produce. They even operate their roast works from solar power. Yes, your coffee is powered by the energy from the Sun! 

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This award-winning stylish coffee house caters to those who take their coffee seriously. Sample Coffee in St Peters features an original 1957 roaster, and customers can choose between their single origins or custom espresso blend. 

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Mixing the best of tradition and contemporary coffee culture, Brewtown Coffee Roasters offers one of Sydney’s most aromatic coffee in a relaxed and contemporary industrial setting. While you are here, do try their creative pastries with your coffee—a divine combination of caffeine with calories. And if you are truly mad about their coffees, consider buying their signature house blends to brew in the comfort of your home. 

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Savour sips of seasonal coffee blends from Guatemala, Rwanda, Colombia, Kenya and Ethiopia by experienced baristas at the Artificer Specialty Coffee Bar & Roastery. The beans procured are scientifically chosen based on the correlation between roasting and brewing—apparently the best way to bring out the bean’s unique qualities. Even a simple cup of espresso comes with plenty of thought (and technology).

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Serving quality coffee since 2012, Reuben Hills is a boutique micro-roastery that travels around the world to bring its customers the best coffee. This industrial-chic cafe also serves up South American food such as fried chicken and baked eggs. 

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According to research by Nespresso, Western Australia came out top for their interest in coffee in a snapshot study of 1,000 Australians from all states. And in Perth, it is evident in the number of independent cafes dotted around. 

While the Western Australian capital city may not have the long Italian or Grecian heritage of Melbourne or Sydney, it is certainly building its own reputation as the coffee capital of the west.

In Perth for a staycation? Here is a list of the best Perth cafes to pop by.

Housed in 19th Century State Buildings with a contemporary design, Telegram Coffee is owned by a seasoned barista with over 20 years of coffee roasting and brewing experience. All coffees are roasted by Telegram itself, and those who are lactose intolerant can enjoy a delicious cup of Cappuccino with oat milk. 

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At Eillo, you do not just sip great coffee, but get to shop a large selection of homeware. There are also a number of sweet treats to go with your coffee here. And if your caffeine addiction is anywhere as intense as ours, consider getting the ‘bloody big’ size—it is guaranteed to satisfy your outsized coffee needs.

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Get your morning perk-me-up at the Fez Cafe, considered one of the favourites by Perth’s most discerning coffee drinkers. Coffees with double shots of espresso are the norm here. While you are here, grab a bite from their food menu comprising sweet and savoury delights like fried eggs, beef burgers, Turkish flatbread, and more. 

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Contesting for Perth’s favourite coffee spot is Bossman, offering freshly brewed Twinpeaks coffee (a small craft roastery in Perth) that is second to none. Hidden in an arcade in Mount Lawley, it is one of the area’s best kept cafe secrets. According to fans, their filter coffee is one of the best in Perth. And if you are feeling peckish, consider tucking into their delicious portuguese egg tarts. 

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Looking for something more upmarket? Head over to Grouch & Co, where you can find the best beans, the best equipment, and the most talented baristas in the industry. The cafe has no patience for anything mass-produced; everything is roasted in small batches and carefully curated. 

What makes this cafe even more remarkable is its commitment to sustainability. Grouch focuses on minimising its carbon footprint and environmental impact on the environment. All roasting chaff are composed or used in its gardens, and their coffee bags are recycled into waste bags. 

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What makes Gesha Coffee Co in Fremantle stand out beyond its aromatic coffee is the gigantic vintage roasting equipment on display—an exciting sight for all coffee lovers to behold. The speciality coffee bean roastery is dedicated to bringing an exceptional roasted coffee experience to coffee lovers in Perth. The best way to enjoy a cup of coffee is to sit in its alfresco seating area, and soak in the lovely views of the serene Fremantle neighbourhood—absolute bliss! 

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While its artisan coffee may be a delight, cold brew coffee is what truly shines at Chu Bakery—especially on scorching hot Perth days. Beyond its refreshing cold brews, Chu scores extra points with its delectable selection of tasty food options, especially pastries. The must-try here is the signature Chu Puff—a choux pastry topped with jelly in the middle. Pair this pastry with a hot or cold-brewed coffee for a match made in heaven. 

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