Coffee is more than a morning ritual — it’s a window into culture, connection, and daily life around the world. As the second most consumed beverage on the planet, it’s no surprise that nearly every country has its own special way to brew, serve, and sip this beloved drink.
But the best coffee experiences aren’t just about the beans. They’re about the setting — a cobblestone café in Italy, a breezy veranda in Jamaica, or a cozy fika break in Sweden. It’s the lifestyle and rhythm of the place that make that first sip unforgettable.
Here are six destinations where coffee culture truly shines — and how to enjoy it like a local.
Vietnam
In Vietnam, coffee isn’t just a drink — it’s an all-day ritual. Locals gather at street-side cafés from sunrise to sunset, often sipping the famous cà phê sữa đá (iced coffee with condensed milk) or the delightfully rich egg coffee of Hanoi. You might even come across a “salt coffee,” a layered concoction that’s both salty and sweet in the most delicate way.
Try this: Order an egg coffee — yolks whipped with condensed milk until light and foamy, then folded into strong coffee. It’s like dessert and caffeine in one cup.
🇮🇹 Italy
Coffee in Italy is an art form — and a fast one. Italians drink espresso standing at the bar, savoring a quick, intense shot before heading on their way. If you sit down, expect to pay a little more for the luxury of the seat. And don’t even think about ordering a cappuccino after breakfast — it’s simply not done!
Try this: Caffè Leccese (from Puglia) — espresso poured over ice and shaken with almond syrup. Perfect for a warm Italian afternoon.
🇯🇲 Jamaica
If you’re a coffee lover, Jamaica’s Blue Mountain beans are the stuff of legend — smooth, sweet, and slightly floral. They’re also among the most expensive in the world, thanks to the island’s steep terrain and limited exports. But when you taste it fresh, you’ll understand why it’s worth every penny.
Try this: Keep it simple — a French Press or pour-over will let those delicate notes shine.
🇦🇺 Australia
Down under, coffee culture is a way of life. Sydney and Melbourne have a friendly rivalry over who does it best, but honestly — everyone wins. Independent cafés are everywhere, and the famous flat white (steamed milk over espresso, with less milk than a latte) is practically a national treasure.
Try this: A flat white, of course — ideally at a local café where the barista knows your name by day three.
🇸🇪 Sweden
In Sweden, coffee time has a name: fika. More than just a break, it’s a cherished tradition of slowing down, connecting, and enjoying something sweet alongside your coffee. Workplaces even schedule 1–2 fika breaks into the day — because life’s too short not to pause for good coffee and conversation.
Try this: Stop into a café for a cup and a kanelbulle (cinnamon roll) or kladdkaka (sticky chocolate cake). Don’t forget to bring a treat if you’re visiting a friend — it’s part of the joy of fika.
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
Costa Rica takes its coffee seriously — so seriously that growing anything other than 100% Arabica beans is actually against the law! Their focus on quality and environmental preservation makes for some of the world’s most flavorful and sustainable coffee.
Try this: Enjoy it the traditional café chorreado way — a simple pour-over using a cotton cloth filter on a wooden stand. It’s a beautiful, slow ritual that feels as pure as the coffee itself.
Whether you’re sipping espresso in Rome, sampling sweet egg coffee in Hanoi, or taking a fika pause in Stockholm, coffee can be one of the simplest — and richest — ways to experience a destination. So next time you travel, seek out the local coffee culture. You might just discover that a great cup of coffee says more about a place than any guidebook ever could.