As one of the world's three major beverages, coffee was first discovered and cultivated by the Ethiopians. It was later introduced to the Arab region through trade, and then gradually spread to the world, starting from Europe. Today, coffee has become an integral part of our lives, an indispensable "soulmate" for many working professionals. Without coffee, it's almost impossible to know where to begin the day. Coffee has also transcended its status as a beverage, becoming an extreme form of popular culture and a sought-after lifestyle.
So, which city has the best coffee? Ethiopia? Or Europe? There are many articles ranking coffee cities, and regardless of the ranking criteria, there will always be controversy. This is because everyone's experience of coffee and a city is different. Therefore, don't treat coffee city rankings as the standard; instead, use them as a reference point for coffee drinking and travel destinations, which will make the experience more enjoyable. For those who love to travel and enjoy coffee, stepping out of their hotel, seeking out unique local coffee shops, and sampling their popular coffees and food is an essential part of the experience.
The coffee cities I'm sharing today are not listed in any particular order; each has its own unique local characteristics, and every one of them is, in my mind, a fantastic place to enjoy great coffee.

Addis Ababa (Ethiopia)

The first city I recommend is undoubtedly Ethiopia, the birthplace of coffee. Without a doubt, Ethiopian coffee is the most worthwhile to try. Ethiopia is a coffee-producing country with a strong agrarian tradition. Coffee farms are actually quite few, as almost every household owns its own coffee trees, and most are not cultivated but grow naturally, exuding a strong sense of pristine nature. Arabica coffee, a favorite in coffee advertisements, originated here.
Traditional Ethiopian coffee is hand-roasted (on a flat iron pan) and brewed in a clay pot, preserving the original flavor of the coffee beans. The aroma is naturally exuberant, often with layers of floral, citrus, and berry notes, making it a typical example of "coffee that tastes like tea and juice at the same time." You can find Ethiopian coffee in almost every restaurant and coffee shop in Addis Ababa. Those interested can also experience the most traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony, "Bunna Ceremony."
Recommended coffee shops such as Tomoca, Mokarara (often called Harar Coffee shop by locals), Alem Bunna, Kaldi’s Coffee, and Yeshi Buna will definitely give you the most authentic Ethiopian coffee experience.

Marrakech (Morocco)

Morocco is far from Europe and the Americas, and not exactly the world's best coffee destination. However, its unique and surprisingly delicious Nous Nous and Qahwa Ma’atra still attract a large number of coffee lovers.
A recommended option is to try a cup of Nous Nous at Café de France in Marrakech—a coffee known only to locals. Common coffee drinks like cappuccinos and espresso are not popular in Morocco. If you order a cappuccino in a traditional Moroccan café, what you’ll actually get is a dressed-up version of nous nous, simply served in a fancier cup. Nous Nous means Half Half in English, as it is made with half milk and half espresso, and is much stronger than other Moroccan coffees. If you visit Morocco, be sure to try it; just avoid the Nous Nous made with instant coffee.
Moroccan spiced coffee (Qahwa Ma’atra) is another variation of Arabic coffee, with a less intense flavor. It's not served in coffee shops, but can be bought at local grocery stores or made at home. I recommend visiting a Moroccan home, if possible. It's made with freshly ground coffee and spices. Moroccans use different spices according to their own taste, usually black pepper, ginger, cinnamon, fennel, etc., and it's often served with mint tea.

Havana (Cuba)

While many may not know much about Cuba, its coffee is undoubtedly a familiar name. Havana, the capital, was once named one of the "World's Top Ten Coffee Cities" by the BBC. Cubita is Cuba's most representative official coffee brand, also known as Amber Coffee. Based on bean size and flavor, it's graded in several levels (a common nine-level system). Only the most authentic Cubita is allowed to carry the name “Crystal Mountain Coffee,” and it also happens to be the coffee officially served by the Cuban Embassy.
A must-try in Cuba is café cubano, a full-bodied, sweetened coffee that allows the sweetness to fully infuse, creating a rich, creamy foam with a smooth, sweet, and not cloying flavor. Strolling through Havana's old town, sitting quietly in cafes like Café El Escorial and Café de las Infusiones, and savoring traditional Cuban coffee—what a delightful and relaxing experience!

Melbourne (Australia)

Most people don’t really take Melbourne’s reputation as a “coffee city” seriously, but the truth is that coffee runs deep in Melbourne’s cultural bloodstream — the city has a long, rich coffee history woven into everyday life. In Melbourne daily life, greetings often begin with "Let's grab a coffee!" and end with "Let's grab a coffee sometime." Locally, baristas are as important as pastry chefs and chefs. World Barista Champion Pete Licata once said, "In Melbourne, you'll find it hard to find a bad cup of coffee." Walking down the street, you'll find a coffee shop every few dozen meters.
Visitors to Melbourne really shouldn’t miss joining a coffee-culture walking tour, it has a very distinctive regional character. Seven Seeds, Axil Coffee Roasters, Dead Man Espresso, Proud Mary, and Acoffee are among the most recommended coffee shops by locals. A Flat White is highly recommended, it's richer than a latte, with a thinner milk foam, and is a representative Melbourne coffee style. Local favorites like Magic and Seven Seeds' single-origin hand-drip coffee are also worth trying.

Taipei (Taiwan, China)

The BBC has repeatedly mentioned that Taipei is one of the world's best coffee cities. Taiwan's rich coffee culture and numerous independent coffee shops are the main reasons why it has been repeatedly listed as one of the best coffee cities by various media outlets. High-quality coffee beans, fresh roasting, and slow brewing are highlights of Taipei's coffee shops. These independent coffee shops not only compete on quality but also on creativity; it's not uncommon to find a surprising or even unfamiliar drink. Taipei currently has over 2,000 coffee shops, a popular spot for young people to spend time. Each coffee shop has a different theme. For example, there's a Barbie-themed coffee shop in the suburbs of Taipei with a fresh and charming pink hue.
Paper St. Coffee Company, Fika Fika Café, and Melange Café are all very distinctive coffee shops. You can try their Nordic roast hand-drip coffee and Yemeni Mocha Matari. Also, try the 1910 cold drink series, which has a unique strawberry aroma.

San Francisco (San Francisco, California, USA)

As one of the world's "coffee kingdoms," the United States boasts a free and easygoing coffee culture. San Francisco, as one of the birthplaces of specialty coffee in the US, deserves the title of "best coffee city" both domestically and globally. San Francisco ranks among the top cities in the US in terms of the number of coffee shops per capita, with many renowned establishments such as Blue Bottle, Four Barrel, Caffe Trieste (operating since the 1950s), Ritual Coffee Roasters, and Sextant Coffee Roasters. Highly recommended are New Orleans Iced Coffee, Fog Lifter Latte, and Single Origin Espresso. Don't miss it if you're traveling to San Francisco!
Speaking of the US, Honolulu, Hawaii, is also a very famous coffee city. Honolulu ranks third in the US in terms of the number of coffee shops per capita, and Hawaii is the only state in the US where coffee can be commercially grown. The well-known Kona coffee is grown on the Big Island of Hawaii, benefiting from the rich mineral content of the volcanic soil produced by volcanic eruptions, making Kona coffee world-famous.

Rome (Italy)

When it comes to the best coffee cities, Rome is always on the list. Romans have defined many globally renowned coffee terms, such as Cappuccino, latte, and macchiato, all of which are Italian. For Romans, cafés are almost like temples — and they drink several cups of espresso every single day. In Italy, almost everyone has a cup of coffee in hand, whether at a table, an office desk, or even on the street. There’s a fun bit of trivia: Romans don’t drink cappuccino in the afternoon. In their view, milk-heavy coffee is only meant for breakfast — and it should be enjoyed before the meal.
Romans adhere to traditional coffee-making methods and are reluctant to rely too heavily on modern technology, so their signature coffee, espresso, is definitely one of the drinks you can't miss when visiting Rome. Macchiato and Granita di Caffè are also worth trying. You can go to the most famous Sant’Eustachio Il Caffè in Rome, or to Caffè Greco, a very historic coffee shop.

Reykjavik (Iceland)

While Reykjavik doesn't have its own native coffee-growing region, it boasts one of the highest per capita coffee consumption rates in the world. The people here have an almost fanatical love for coffee, and the coffee culture leans towards purity. Icelandic coffee making emphasizes taste and value, and combined with Iceland's uniquely pure water, the hand-drip coffee here is exceptional. If you're visiting Iceland to see the Northern Lights, you absolutely must try it.
Kaffitár is highly recommended; it's one of Iceland's largest coffee chains, and many of Iceland's champion baristas come from here. The shop has a wide variety of coffee equipment, and you can order any coffee, whether it's an espresso or a single-origin hand-drip, the quality is excellent. There's also KaffismiðjaÍslands, a small shop that specializes in on-site roasting.

Vienna (Austria)

Vienna likes to label itself the fashionable "Coffee Capital of the World," and UNESCO has listed its coffeehouses as an important part of the city's heritage. In Vienna, drinking coffee is a symbol of elegance, so the coffee shops are exquisitely decorated; any one of them could be considered part of the city's image.
Vienna has many legendary old coffeehouses. It is said that "filter coffee" was invented near Imperial City in 1683; Café Central is considered one of the most beautiful coffeehouses in the world; Aida, a chain coffeehouse with about 30 branches, is a pilgrimage site for coffee lovers. If you want to experience authentic Viennese coffee, you can order a Wiener Melange—made with fresh milk foam and steamed coffee, the most classic Viennese blend.

Vancouver (Canada)

Walking through Vancouver, besides the comfortable natural and cultural environment, you'll feel an overwhelming wave of coffee culture. Vancouver is a city teeming with coffee shops, micro-roasters, coffee evangelists, and coffee competition champions. Independent, unique coffee shops love to showcase their handcrafted equipment and brewing methods to coffee enthusiasts, such as siphon brewing and pour-over coffee.
I recommend Revolver Coffee, whose signature dish is single-origin pour-over coffee. They source their beans from different regions around the world, and their menu changes monthly, allowing you to sample a variety of flavors. 49th Parallel Coffee Roasters also offers excellent cold brew coffee with a subtle fruity aroma, perfect for summer.
Coffee is a subjective matter; everyone's taste and preferences are different. However, if you truly love coffee, you'll definitely want to try coffees from different origins, brewing methods, blends, and cultures. Perhaps you can even taste the unique flavor of a particular city through its coffee.