Melbourne Coffee Trip

Last year, 2024, I got to visit Melbourne for a conference, and I was super excited about two things: 1) the conference itself, since my friends and I had spent almost a year working on the research, and 2) Melbourne’s awesome coffee culture. Well, I was so ready to explore all the coffee shops!

I stayed in the Melbourne Central, which made me feel so lucky because there were great coffee shops just a few steps away from my hotel. As a seasonal coffee traveler, I usually prepare a list of coffee shops for my trips, though I often make some adjustments along the way. Here are some of the coffee shops I managed to visit during my trip in Melbourne.

Little Rogue was the first coffee shop I visited. Right after arriving in Melbourne, I dropped my bag at the hotel and headed straight there while my friend was still battling jet lag. It was a Saturday morning, and the café was already packed with locals and tourists (like me). The coffee was great, and the baristas were super friendly. The place itself is small but cozy and homey. I loved it! I had a flat white here.

Little Rogue at 12 Drewery Ln

Brother Baba Budan was my second stop. The café was super packed when I arrived, both inside and outside, so I ended up ordering a takeaway. It made me realize that Melbourne’s coffee culture is on a whole different level, even compared to London. What really caught my attention was the art installation in the café, it was beautifully curated. Regarding the coffee, their house blend was quite strong, perfect for a quick caffeine kick.

Brother Baba Budan at 359 Little Bourke St

Dukes Coffee Roaster, I visited this café in the afternoon after a city stroll with my friend. It was almost closing time, but the place was still crowded. The coffee was quite strong, but I loved it. Luckily, we managed to get a seat inside and enjoy another flat white. I really loved the café’s ambiance, small, warm, and beautifully dominated by timber.

Dukes Coffee Roaster at 247 Flinders Ln

Brick Lane, I visited this café twice. The first time was on a rainy Sunday morning with my friend, but the café was full, so we decided to order takeaway. The next day, I went back right after my morning walk. The coffee was so awesome that it brought me back for a second visit. The café itself is quite spacious, though it gets really packed on the weekends.

Brick Lane at 33 Guildford Ln

Patricia Coffee Brewers, I got some recommendations from my friend for this coffee shop, so it was definitely on my list. Their coffee is amazing, and I absolutely loved it. The café is small and efficient, which reminded me of John Mills Himself in Brisbane. Most people ordered takeaway, but my friend and I decided to enjoy it there.

Patricia Coffee Brewers at Rear of, 493-495 Little Bourke St,

St Ali & The Queen was my stop on the last day in Melbourne, while I was waiting for Queen Victoria Market to open. The place is quite spacious, and I got my morning coffee there. It’s definitely recommended if you’re visiting the QVM.

Cup of Flat White at St Ali & The Queen, 1 Dhanga Djeembana Walk

Market Lane Coffee, This was my last coffee stop during my Melbourne trip, also located in Queen Victoria Market. It’s a small café, but the coffee is great. I ordered a takeaway and even bought some beans to take home.

Market Lane Coffee at 83-85 Victoria St

Overall, my coffee trip in Melbourne was such a great experience. The city has such a chill vibe, and the coffee culture really lives up to the hype. I really loved hopping around the coffee shops. Also, the trams made getting around so easy, and I loved it. For me, Melbourne truly has its own charm, and I can’t wait to come back for more coffee pilgrimages.

Adiós!

London Coffee Trip: Islington

One of the best things about London is its coffee culture, with coffee shops spread across the city. It is so easy to get your caffeine fix and grab your morning coffee. If I talk about London coffee shops, I think there will be a really long list for sure. So, I’m gonna divide this topic into several part based on its borough, though most of my coffee journey happened on the north side of River Thames.

Islington is the first borough of this London Coffee Trip series, because I used to live here. Just few kilometers away from my campus in Bloomsbury, this borough is a really good place to live with its vibrant atmosphere. Also, there are many coffee shops here and there. When working with my dissertation, I spent most of my time in those coffee shops (besides the library of course). So here are some of my coffee shops recommendation in Islington

Southpaw Coffee, this small coffee shop is located at Roman Way, just few minutes walk from my flat in Caledonian Rd. Really popular with the locals, this little coffee shop serve one of the best flat white in London. They also had some great selection of pastries and cakes. I always had my coffee to go for my morning caffeine fix. Definitely would recommend it!

Southpaw Coffee

Vagabond N7, one of my favorite coffee shop to find inspiration. Located in Holloway Rd and just a few steps away from Highbury & Islington station, this coffee shop always really crowded. They serve great coffee, really smooth seriously. Got some various cakes as well, my favorite is the ginger cake. Their place got kind of rustic ambience, and though it is not that spacious it is quite cozy. This is quite random, but I just really love their espresso machine.

Vagabond N7

Coffee House 607, I remember this local coffee shop as a small and homie coffee house. The baristas are really friendly. It is located at Holloway Rd. I got a really good flat white and little chit chat with the barista. They also serve baps with various kind of filling, which I didn’t try, but it looks really good.

Coffee House 607

Look Mum No Hands!, I knew this coffee shop from my brother who is a cyclist. He told me that there’s a cycle café bar in London. Located at Old Street, this coffee shop really popular with the cyclist. Got really amazing atmosphere and spacious as well. It is one of the best café for work I guess. Sadly, I just found out that they closed this coffee shop in February this year.

Look Mum No Hands!

Redemption Roasters – Angel, they actually got several coffee shops across London. But the one that located at Islington High-Street is their largest coffee shop. This coffee shop is one of my favorite places to work for my dissertation. They got quite spacious café but always crowded whether in the morning or afternoon. I really love their flat white.

Redemption Roasters

Saint Espresso – Angel, they serve one of the strongest coffee in London. They got several coffee shops across the city. Somehow, location wise, I got my two favorite, the Angel one because it’s quite near to my flat and Hackney one because it’s really close to the UCL east campus. The Angel branch is a small coffee shop, located at Pentonville Rd. One of the best choice if you need a strong caffeine kick

Saint Espresso

So, these are my favorite coffee shops in Islington, London. Of course beside these local coffee house and local coffee chains, there are also large coffee chains. I think later I would also write about those coffee chains. Well, if you visit London you should check these coffee shops out and order a cup of flat white. Adios for now.

Bali Coffee Trip

It’s been raining all week long in Jakarta. This morning, I already wore my boots when the rain started to pour then I canceled my plan for a coffee tour today and chose to stay at home. Well, I thought I just should brew some coffee myself and enjoy this rainy day at home.

So today, I want to write about another coffee trip. No, not the London one yet. I think I’m gonna write that city into several parts. So many coffee shops to visit in one go. Today, I want to write about Bali Coffee Trip (well, you can see it clearly on the title). So, Bali, it is just one and a half hour away from Jakarta. A must visit city when you guys visit Indonesia.

A Bustling Jimbaran Beach

About two weeks ago, my family and I had a trip together in Bali. It was our first full team family trip after the pandemic and errr my study. We stayed at a lovely villa in Seminyak, one of my favorite area in Bali. A bustling area with here and there coffee shop. We stayed there for four days but I only got one day for my coffee pilgrimage, because it’s a family trip, we should had quality time together. Well, in this case, family first then coffee second. Because I stayed in Seminyak area, here it is my coffee shop trip around Seminyak, Bali

Revolver Espresso, this is no doubt, my favorite. It is a must visit coffee shop in Bali. Each time I visit Bali, I always visit this coffee shop. The best coffee shop in the island I guess. Located in a small alley at Jl. Kayu Aya, it is quite hidden from the main street but easily found when you got the right alley. Every time I visit this coffee shop, it is always packed either in the morning or afternoon. Their espresso based is just the best, as usual I ordered a flat white, and it just really smooth. Their cold brew is also great for a take away.

A Cup of Flat White at Revolver Espresso

Pison Coffee, well actually they also got their branch in Jakarta. I got a really strong flat white on my last visit. Love it, really great for a morning caffeine kick. This coffee shop also my parent’s favorite. This coffee shop located strategically at the corner of Petitenget Street, it is so easy to find. Really good for having brunch after a morning beach walk.

Pison Coffee

Expat Roasters, the truth is I just found out about this coffee shop. But I’ll visit it again for sure when visiting Bali. Coffee is great, the café itself is so compact which reminds me of Five Elephant in Mitte, Berlin. Got a small talk with the barista, though they don’t have any branch in Jakarta, their beans are used in several coffee shop in Jakarta. Their flat white is just so smooth, I order a medium roast for my cup. I also bought some beans from them.

Expat Roasters

Actually there are so many coffee shops in Bali, not only Seminyak area, I also got a favorite coffee shop in Kuta, a small coffee shop called The Bared Bottle. While in Gianyar, there are some coffee plantation which you can visit like Bali Pulina for a coffee tasting. I visited the plantation few years ago with my Mom and Dad. Maybe, I’ll write it later. Well, I think that’s all for today. I just finish my second cup of coffee and it is still raining outside. Cheers.

Prague Coffee Trip

I visited Prague last month, in the middle of my dissertation work, to refresh my mind. The city is just so beautiful, and I just can’t get enough of Karlův most or Charles Bridge. Of course, the whole city itself is full of architectural gems from Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque. As a Civil Engineer, I’m really happy spending my days there. Well, not only a beautiful city, but Prague also offers many local coffee shops. That’s exactly another reason why I visited this city. 

Charles Bridge

Ema Espresso Bar, this espresso bar is located in the heart of Prague, close to the main station, Praha hlavní nádraží. It is always packed with people queueing for their coffee. Their coffee is amazing. I had an espresso macchiato, it is strong for sure, but I love it.

Ema Espresso Bar

La Bohème Café, this café has beautifully decorated interior. I went there for brunch and my second caffeine intake that day. Their staff is really friendly. I had a smooth flat white there.

La Boheme Cafe

Kavarna Misto, this coffee shop has a modern minimalist design with wooden interiors, which I love it. As this was my third stop that day, the coffee shop was really crowded when I arrived at around 11 am. However, I managed to get my table outside and enjoy their coffee. I had a great Bolivian pour-over coffee there.

Kavarna Misto

I spent three days and two nights in Prague. I wish that I could explore more coffee shops. However, I should be really mindful of my caffeine intake so I can still enjoy coffee in the future. Hence, these coffee shops are really recommended when you visit Prague. Cheers.