October 1 is International Coffee Day, but we’re so passionate about coffee that we’re celebrating all week long. Follow us on social media and Connect to get your caffeine fix.
In many cities around the globe, you can get a decent cup of coffee just about anywhere that sells it—well, a passable cup, anyway. And sometimes, that’s all you need, just caffeine in a cup. But other times, there’s time to linger in an aesthetically-pleasing space and fully appreciate the nuances of a special coffee bean, and that’s what we’re focusing on today.
So, here’s where your fellow Local Guides go when they’re craving a better than average coffee shop experience.
1. Dreamy Camera Cafe (Yangpyeong, South Korea)
Drawing in coffee and photography enthusiasts alike, this coffee shop is delightfully shaped like a camera. Sip a cup of coffee while browsing the mini camera museum on the first floor and photography collection on the second floor—you can even submit your own work!
Local Guides say:
“As a camera lover this place is pretty awesome. The designing that went into this place is very nice. It literally looks like a huge camera from afar. The owners are very friendly and very helpful. It is a drive from Seoul but well worth the trip…” -Local Guide Irfan Ali
2. Kaffeine (London, U.K.)
Inspired by coffee culture in Australia and New Zealand, this popular shop was one of the original third-wave coffee shops in London and is known for their coffee tasting flight, which includes a shot of espresso, a single-shot cappuccino, and cascara (a sort of tea made from the fruit of coffee) palate cleanser.
Local Guides say:
“Consistently rated as one of the best coffee shops in London, and truly it deserves to be competing for this title. The coffee flight just for the uniqueness (and the instagram worthy pic) is definitely worth trying once and beyond that any coffee you choose will be hard to beat anywhere else…” -Local Guide Brian Mulvihill
3. The Coffee Academics (Hong Kong, China)
This laboratory-like spot has coffee down to a science with its own beans roasted in-house and multiple ways to use said ground beans from a traditional espresso machine to Chemex to siphon.
Local Guides say:
“Some of the best coffee you can find in Hong Kong. Lots of unique specialty coffees, be sure to try them out! Not cheap but well worth it.” -Local Guide Julian Rittmayer
4. Truth Coffee (Cape Town, South Africa)
Patrons flock to this steampunk-inspired spot for the ambiance as much as the house-roasted coffee. Sips some of the area’s best coffee among machinery, metal pipes, and magnificent antiques.
Local Guides say:
“We LOVED it here. Great atmosphere, great staff, fabulous coffee and breakfast. Great recommendations from staff as far as coffee goes, even got some to take home! The guys were a hoot, fun loving and energetic. Place was a little crowded but for good reason, it’s a fun place!” -Local Guide Jamie Epperson
5. Filosofi Kopi Melawai (Jakarta, Indonesia)
This popular cafe was inspired by the film Filosofi Kopi (Coffee Philosophy), which is about two friends who run a coffee shop. The real-life shop was founded by two of the film’s actors and the director.
Local Guides say:
“Knew this place since their first film, actually i can feel that this coffee shop really has a good ambience as a coffee shop. This place maybe not easy to find for some people because this coffee shop placed inside Blok M square area, so you need to go inside first.” -Local Guide Febri Fristian
6. Tim Wendelboe (Oslo, Norway)
Stark and sleek, this Scandinavian spot serves up truly excellent brews from coffee mastermind Tim Wendelboe and the onsite micro-roastery.
Local Guides say:
“This is absolutely the most phenomenal coffee I have ever had. Everything was very precise and carefully prepared. The baristas were very friendly and knowledgeable. Many people ordered ice cappuccino when I came here and it was simply the best cappuccino I have ever had. This is a must place to visit when you visit Oslo.” -Local Guide Alvin Jonathan
What’s the most unique coffee shop you’ve ever been to? Tell us in the comments below!
