Global Coffee Culture: Best Countries for Coffee Lovers
Coffee is far more than a morning pick-me-up — it’s a ritual, a social glue, a symbol of identity, and in many parts of the world, an art form. From the slow, ceremonial brewing of Ethiopian buna to the lightning-fast espresso shots of Rome, every corner of the globe has its own unique take on how coffee should be made, served, and savoured.
Whether you’re a flat white fanatic, a fan of bold filter brews, or curious about ingredients like cardamom, condensed milk or even eggs in your cup, exploring the world through its coffee cultures offers a delicious way to dive into local life. And it’s not just about the drink — it’s where you drink it, who you drink it with, and what it says about the place you’re in.
In this guide, we’ll travel across continents to discover some of the best countries for coffee lovers. Expect traditional recipes, modern roasteries, time-honoured customs, and a few unexpected gems that prove coffee is a global language — with hundreds of dialects.
Ethiopia
What to Try
Buna (Ethiopian coffee) — a strong, dark roast traditionally brewed in a jebena (clay pot) and often flavoured with spices like cardamom or cloves. Served black and accompanied by sugar or salt (yes, salt!), it’s the centrepiece of Ethiopia’s elaborate coffee ceremony.
Where to Experience It
Head to Addis Ababa, where cafés balance tradition and modernity. Try Tomoca Coffee, one of the country’s oldest roasters, or better yet, join a local family-led coffee ceremony in a neighbourhood home or rural village — especially in the Sidamo or Yirgacheffe regions, where Ethiopia’s most famous beans are grown.
Local Culture and Rituals
Coffee isn’t just consumed in Ethiopia — it’s honoured. The Ethiopian coffee ceremony can last hours and is often performed three times a day. Green beans are roasted in front of guests, ground by hand, brewed over coals, and served in three rounds: abol, tona, and baraka (the last said to bring blessings). It’s a deeply social, often spiritual experience — one where time slows, stories flow, and connection matters more than caffeine.
Ethiopian coffee ceremony.
Italy
What to Try
Espresso is the heart of Italian coffee culture — short, sharp, and strong. But don’t miss other icons like macchiato, caffè corretto (spiked with grappa or sambuca), or the beloved morning cappuccino — just don’t order one after 11am unless you’re ready for raised eyebrows.
Where to Experience It
Rome and Milan might be the commercial hubs, but Naples is often hailed as the soul of Italian coffee. Try a standing bar like Caffè Gambrinus for an authentic experience, or duck into any local bar (the Italian term for café) where coffee is a daily ritual. No fuss, no laptops — just locals sipping quickly at the counter.
Local Culture and Rituals
Coffee in Italy is fast, no-nonsense, and deeply tied to daily rhythm. It’s not a sit-down affair — most Italians stand at the bar, toss back their espresso, and go. Milk-based drinks are considered breakfast-only, and the concept of to-go coffee is still relatively foreign. Timing, terminology, and attitude matter — and mastering them is a rite of passage for any coffee-loving traveller.
Espresso.
Vietnam
What to Try
The must-try is cà phê sữa đá — strong drip-filtered coffee over ice with sweetened condensed milk. But Vietnam’s coffee creativity doesn’t stop there: try egg coffee (cà phê trứng), a rich, frothy blend of egg yolk and coffee that’s almost dessert-like, or even coconut coffee in Hanoi and Hoi An.
Where to Experience It
Hanoi is the undisputed home of Vietnamese egg coffee — try Café Giang, where it was invented in the 1940s. In Ho Chi Minh City, alleyway cafés and street vendors serve excellent cà phê sữa đá on low plastic stools. For a deep dive, head to Buôn Ma Thuột in the Central Highlands, Vietnam’s coffee capital and home to sprawling plantations.
Local Culture and Rituals
Coffee in Vietnam is slow and social. Locals often sit for hours, watching scooters pass or chatting with friends. The coffee itself is intensely strong, thanks to robusta beans, and traditionally brewed using a phin filter that drips slowly into the glass. It’s as much about the process as the taste — relaxed, unhurried, and rooted in Vietnamese street life.
Coffee shop in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Turkey
What to Try
Türk kahvesi (Turkish coffee) is a finely ground, unfiltered brew made in a long-handled cezve pot, simmered slowly over heat and served in small cups. It’s thick, strong, and often sweetened as it brews — no stirring once it’s poured. Don’t be surprised by the grounds at the bottom — they’re part of the experience.
Where to Experience It
Istanbul is the place to begin. Head to Mandabatmaz, a tiny institution near Istiklal Street famous for its rich foam, or enjoy a cup with a view at a rooftop café in Sultanahmet. Traditional coffee houses still thrive in neighbourhoods like Balat and Kadıköy, offering an authentic, local vibe away from the tourist trail.
Local Culture and Rituals
Turkish coffee is more than a drink — it’s a conversation. Traditionally served with a glass of water and a sweet (like Turkish delight), it’s often part of celebrations, fortune-telling, or even marriage proposals. Reading the coffee grounds left in the cup is a cherished custom, with interpretations passed from one generation to the next. In 2013, UNESCO recognised Turkish coffee as an Intangible Cultural Heritage — proof of its deep cultural value.
Turkish coffee.
Colombia
What to Try
While much of Colombia’s best coffee is exported, locals enjoy tinto — a small, black, and often sweetened coffee served from thermoses on street corners. It’s simple and affordable, but increasingly, high-quality specialty brews are becoming part of everyday life, especially in urban cafés.
Where to Experience It
To see coffee at its source, head to the Zona Cafetera (Coffee Triangle) — particularly Salento, Manizales, and Filandia. Tour family-run farms, sample beans fresh from the roaster, and learn about the growing, harvesting, and drying process firsthand. In Bogotá or Medellín, third-wave coffee shops like Catación Pública or Pergamino Café highlight single-origin beans and innovative brewing.
Local Culture and Rituals
Colombians drink coffee throughout the day — often as a social gesture more than a caffeine fix. Coffee farms here are small, family-run, and often sit on stunning Andean hillsides. While global demand has pushed toward export-quality beans, local pride in coffee is rising, and domestic appreciation for more refined roasting and brewing styles is reshaping the scene.
The Coffee Triange, Colombia.
Japan
What to Try
Japan’s coffee culture blends precision, artistry, and aesthetic. Try a pour-over at a kissaten (traditional coffeehouse), a siphon brew for theatrical flair, or a simple canned coffee from a vending machine for a uniquely Japanese twist. Cold brews and flash-chilled iced coffee are also popular in summer.
Where to Experience It
Tokyo is home to everything from kissaten with retro Showa-era vibes to minimalist third-wave cafés like Koffee Mameya and Onibus Coffee. Kyoto’s slower pace suits its refined coffee scene, while smaller cities like Fukuoka are rising stars. For a unique encounter, try a coffee served by a kimono-clad barista at % Arabica in Higashiyama.
Local Culture and Rituals
Though a tea-drinking nation historically, Japan embraced coffee in the early 20th century and turned it into an art form. Attention to detail — from grind size to water temperature — is paramount. Traditional kissaten serve strong brews with toast and boiled eggs in a nostalgic setting, while modern cafés obsess over terroir and design. Even vending machine coffee is surprisingly good — a reflection of Japan’s dedication to quality at every level.
Tokyo coffee window.
Sweden
What to Try
The Swedes drink filter coffee — lots of it, and often light-roasted and smooth. The star, however, is the tradition of fika — a daily ritual of coffee and sweet pastries like kanelbullar (cinnamon buns), shared slowly with friends, colleagues or solo with a good book.
Where to Experience It
Stockholm is packed with cosy cafés perfect for fika. Try Vete-Katten, a historic bakery café, or settle into a snug corner in Södermalm for a more hipster take. Even small towns and countryside villages maintain strong fika traditions, and the vibe is always warm, slow, and welcoming.
Local Culture and Rituals
Swedes consume more coffee per capita than almost any nation on earth — but it’s not just quantity, it’s quality of time. Fika isn’t about caffeine — it’s about slowing down, reconnecting, and creating pause in the day. Offices schedule fika breaks, homes bake in preparation for it, and it’s considered poor form to rush through. The coffee is always freshly brewed, and the setting always matters.
Fika.
Morocco
What to Try
Morocco is better known for mint tea, but nous-nous is the country’s beloved coffee — half espresso, half steamed milk, often sweetened and served in a small glass. You’ll also find spiced coffee in some regions, with blends including cardamom, black pepper, cinnamon, or clove.
Where to Experience It
In Marrakesh, grab a nous-nous at a shaded café in the Medina or on a rooftop overlooking Jemaa el-Fnaa. In Fes or Tangier, you’ll find locals gathering in open-air coffeehouses, chatting over slow sips. Café Clock in Fes blends modern café culture with Moroccan tradition in an artistic setting.
Local Culture and Rituals
Coffee in Morocco is deeply social — it’s a chance to sit, talk, and watch the world go by. Men gather for hours in cafés, often with a single cup, observing street life or discussing politics. It’s more about presence than speed, and the glass serving style reflects a blend of French, Spanish, and Arab influences that define modern Moroccan café culture.
Marrakesh coffee shop.
Indonesia
What to Try
Kopi Tubruk is the traditional brew — unfiltered, strong, and sugary — while Kopi Luwak (civet coffee) remains one of the world’s most controversial and expensive varieties. In Bali, Kopi Bali is often roasted with rice or corn for a smoky depth.
Where to Experience It
Head to Yogyakarta or Sumatra for authentic kopi tubruk in street-side warungs, or try a tasting at a Balinese coffee plantation where volcanic soil adds distinct character to each cup. In Jakarta, trendy cafés are reviving local beans with modern flair.
Local Culture and Rituals
Coffee in Indonesia is both daily ritual and deep heritage — often brewed directly in the cup, thick with grounds, and shared in social settings that range from roadside stalls to serene garden cafés. Regional differences are vast, with beans like Toraja, Gayo, and Bajawa each offering unique taste profiles.
Coffee in Bali.
Coffee is more than a drink — it’s a passport into the heart of a place. Whether it’s served in a tiny glass in a Moroccan café, poured ceremonially in an Ethiopian village, or pulled with precision in a Tokyo roastery, each cup tells a story about culture, history, and the way people live.
By seeking out local brews, learning the etiquette, and slowing down long enough to savour each sip, you’re not just fuelling your travels — you’re enriching them. So next time you’re abroad, skip the international chain and follow the locals. The best coffee experiences aren’t always the fanciest — they’re the ones that make you feel part of the world.
