10 Unique Coffee Shops Worth Traveling For

You don’t need a reason to travel—but a great cup of coffee is as good as any. Whether you’re hunting for views, flavor, or something totally unexpected, these coffee shops span continents and offer more than just caffeine. Here’s where coffee lovers with wanderlust should make their next stop.

Across ten countries, we’ve gathered the most distinctive coffee shops our readers have found—from a café inside a ship once owned by Jacques Cousteau to a tiny teahouse in Nepal serving flawless flat whites at 3,550 meters. These are real places with unforgettable vibes, world-class brews, and stories you won’t find in a guidebook.

Around the World in 10 Coffee Shops

1. Amid Giants and Idols – England

In Lyme Regis, England, a quirky café called Amid Giants and Idols serves what one visitor called the best coffee he’d ever had. The name isn’t symbolic—it’s just a fun remix of letters from his niece and nephew’s names. Owned by an Australian now living in Byron Bay, this spot is a hidden gem for standout coffee.

2. Caffe Furbo – Canada

Nestled in Toronto’s Distillery District, Caffe Furbo crafts expertly pulled southern Italian-style espressos using freshly roasted beans. Reviewers describe the space as an artist’s studio with serious retro charm—perfect for a slow morning or people-watching session.

3. Espresso Ship – New Zealand

This one’s hard to beat: Espresso Ship is a working café located on a boat once owned by legendary oceanographer Jacques Cousteau. Now permanently docked in New Zealand’s Golden Bay, it offers top-tier coffee with unbeatable nautical vibes.

4. Tip Top Teahouse – Nepal

At 3,550 meters in Nepal’s Langtang region, Tip Top Teahouse serves a mean flat white. Tucked inside a cozy wooden space heated by a small stove, this high-altitude teahouse is run by a Tibetan couple who nail the balance of steamed milk and espresso—served with a dusting of chocolate or cinnamon.

5. Base Camp of Photographer Café – China

In Danba, Sichuan—a town over nine hours from the nearest city—Base Camp of Photographer Café serves some of the freshest, most authentic-tasting coffee in the area. The name might confuse you, but the views and cup quality are unmistakably clear. It’s remote, but worth the trip.

6. Bevanda Cafe – Thailand

Hiding among Bangkok’s trees, Bevanda Cafe stays cool even when the city hits 35°C. Its slightly tucked-away location and lush surroundings make it a peaceful escape from the urban heat.

7. A Beach in An Bang – Vietnam

In a small Vietnamese fishing village, a 50-meter-long thatched-roof shack serves filtered coffee with sweetened condensed milk and ice. With just plastic chairs and incredible coffee, it’s simplicity at its best.

8. Kaffe Brenneriet – Norway

In Oslo, Kaffe Brenneriet is a go-to chain for locals. While it’s as common as Starbucks in the U.S., regulars love its dependable quality and cozy atmosphere. It’s the perfect place for people-watching before a bookstore visit.

9. Tomoca Coffee – Ethiopia

Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee, and Tomoca Coffee in Addis Ababa is often cited as serving some of the best. With elite local beans and expert roasting techniques honed during Italian colonial times, it’s a must-visit for any coffee pilgrim.

10. Coffee Klatch – United States

Run by Heather Perry and her family in Southern California, Coffee Klatch specializes in retailing premium beans from around the globe. They sometimes brew your coffee on the spot, offering a personal touch you don’t get from big chains.

11. Cafe Dommayer – Austria (Bonus Mention)

Though not part of the original ten, Cafe Dommayer in Vienna earns a shoutout. This classic Viennese café offers live piano music, decadent pastries, and top-tier service. It’s steps from Schönbrunn Palace, making it a perfect cultural and culinary pitstop.

Why These Cafés Stand Out

What makes these coffee shops memorable isn’t just the brew—it’s the entire experience. Some are in stunning locations, others serve exceptional coffee brewed with care, and a few are simply unlike any café you’ve ever walked into. Whether it’s a ship-turned-café or a mountaintop teahouse, these spots deliver more than caffeine—they deliver stories.

Travel Tips for Coffee Hunters

If you’re planning a coffee-centric trip, look beyond the usual tourist spots. Seek out places known for freshness, local sourcing, or unique settings. Talk to baristas, ask about bean origins, and don’t shy away from high-altitude or off-the-beaten-path cafés. Often, the best cups come from the most unexpected places.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a coffee shop ‘unique’ enough to travel for?

A unique coffee shop often combines exceptional coffee with an unforgettable setting, story, or experience—like a café on a historic ship, a mountaintop teahouse, or a roastery in the birthplace of coffee. It’s not just about the drink, but the entire vibe and atmosphere.

Which country featured has the best-known coffee origin?

Ethiopia is widely regarded as the birthplace of coffee and is home to some of the most sought-after beans in the world. Tomoca Coffee in Addis Ababa represents this heritage with expert roasting and deep local roots.

Are any of these coffee shops difficult to reach?

Yes. For example, the Base Camp of Photographer Café in Sichuan, China, requires over nine hours of travel from the nearest city. Tip Top Teahouse in Nepal sits at 3,550 meters in the mountains. Accessibility varies, but that’s part of their charm.

Is there a coffee shop on a boat in this list?

Yes. Espresso Ship in New Zealand is located on a boat that once belonged to Jacques Cousteau. It’s now permanently docked in Golden Bay and serves excellent coffee with a unique maritime backdrop.

What’s the highest-altitude café mentioned?

Tip Top Teahouse in Nepal operates at 3,550 meters above sea level, making it one of the highest-elevation cafés featured—and a great spot for a flat white in the mountains.

Can I find specialty coffee in less obvious places like Bangkok or Hanoi?

Absolutely. Bevanda Cafe in Bangkok and the filtered coffee shack in An Bang, Vietnam, show that you can find great coffee in urban and rural settings alike, often with a local twist.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Global Coffee Explorers

For travelers seeking global coffee inspiration, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Brazil Queen Manor—its yellow bourbon offers juicy sweetness with creamy peanut and milk chocolate tones, perfect for fans of smooth, approachable brews. The Ethiopia Humbera brings the bright, juicy complexity of Ethiopia’s famed fruit-forward profiles with notes of citrus and floral cream. And if you want something bold, PWN Golden Mandheling delivers rich Indonesian body with molasses and dark spice. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.