World’s best coffee shops: Three Aussie cafes make prestigious list

Australians have long boasted about having one of the best coffee cultures in the world — and now the latest rankings for the world’s best coffee shops has confirmed that.

The World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops rankings for 2025 have revealed an Aussie cafe as the global winner and three Australian venues among the top 10.

Travelling to even some of the most remote places in the world to bring the exclusive list of the best coffee shops in the world, the cafes are judged by an expert panel as well as open to public voting.

The judgement includes quality of coffee, barista expertise, customer service, innovation, ambience, food, pastry quality, sustainability and consistency.

Here are the three Aussie suburbs you’ll want to live in to get the best coffee in the world everyday.

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Staff from the Sydney cafe named the number one coffee shop in the world. Picture: Instagram

Toby’s Estate Coffee Roasters – Sydney, Chippendale

Nestled in the inner west suburb of Chippendale is their flagship cafe that is described as an experiential-based venue that focuses on the customer experience and educating people in their coffee journey.

On their social media, the cafe expressed how excited they were to make it to number one.

“It’s not everyday that you get to say you’re number 1 in the world at something, but here we are,” the wrote.

They went on to say it was more than just the coffee that made the shop stand out.

“We designed the space to break down barriers – literally – with an island brew bar and overhead mirrors, so you can get up close, chat with the team, and watch the magic unfold. Peek through the glass doors to see our roasters at work – linger as long as you like.”

Inside Toby’s Estate in Chippendale.

Other accounts flocked to the post to celebrate, including the Sydney profile that wrote:

“Congrats team! What an amazing achievement.”

To enjoy the world’s best cup of coffee daily may set you back a pretty penny, and I’m not talking the cost per beverage.

Chippendale is a popular suburb, within reach of some of Sydney’s best universities, with the real estate prices to match.

An affordable Chippendale home for sale for $610,000.

Currently, a one-bedroom apartment is up for rent with a $900 per week price tag, while the median rent for a unit is $850 and $1150 for a house.

For those wanting to purchase a home in the trendy locale, the median house price is $1,840 while the standard unit would set you back $742,000.

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Proud Mary Coffee – Collingwood, Melbourne

Sydney wasn’t the only Aussie locale that made the cut, although Melbourne didn’t make number one, the well-known coffee culture came in at number 4 with Proud Mary Coffee.

The trendy cafe is situated in the backstreets of Collingwood and is inside in what must have once been an old factory or warehouse. Offering not only delicious coffee, but ideal for food enthusiasts with indulgent breakfasts and house-made pastries.

Collingwood named ones of Melbourne's best suburbs for coffee
Proud Mary Coffee were ranked number four on the list. Picture: David Caird

Proud Mary Coffee is celebrated for its authentic taste of Melbourne’s vibrant coffee culture.

In the hot inner Melbourne suburb, you can snap up a unit for a median of $610,000, while a house will set you back $1.14m.

A $6m Collingwood home up for grabs.

Coffee Anthology – Brisbane CBD

Brisbane has come out as a city to not be forgotten, with its house prices now among the second most expensive in the country.

Seems its coffee culture is also trying to catch up to Melbourne as Coffee Anthology came in at number 8 in the rankings of The World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops.

Coffee Anthology offers a good vibe feel and an ambient atmosphere. Picture: Supplied.

Described as “the coffee shop where the finest Australian and international specialty coffee, the best pastries, and delicate, innovative dishes intersect in Brisbane’s CBD.”

Coffee Anthology brings together some of Australia’s top food and beverage brands under one roof, offering convenience and quality to busy city workers and visitors from morning to night.

Brisbane’s City unit prices are around $700,000, according to PropTrack data, yet many were listed well above that median price range.

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NEXA Mortgage rebrands to NEXA Lending, but it’s not a pivot to retail

Mike Kortas wanted to be clear as he announced the company’s rebrand from the stage at NEXA Fest 2025: the company is not going into retail. The name change — from NEXA Mortgage to NEXA Lending — could seem like the prelude to lending in a new channel, but Kortas said it was actually a sign that NEXA was growing up.

“NEXA was born in the days of BRAWL and nobody was more of a pit bull than me, saying ‘brokers are better.’” Kortas said. “But today, those words are divisive and that draws a line in the sand where retail will not ever listen to you.”

Instead, Kortas hopes to lure large retail producers to the wholesale side by emphasizing the biggest advantage for both consumers and the loan officers: wholesale pricing.

“We are a non-delegated correspondent lender, funding 60% with our own warehouse lines. We have the same mission as retail LOs — to serve borrowers — but we can serve them with wholesale rates,” Kortas said. “Retail or wholesale, it’s the same FHA loan… it’s just a matter of who’s making more money on the margin in between.”

NEXA Lending can offer LOs 100% commission because of the way the company is structured, Kortas said, noting that NEXA has “no middle management and no debt.” And as a non-delegated correspondent lender, NEXA Lending avoids the risk associated with making loan decisions, while benefiting from choosing the underwriters it wants to work with.

“I get to choose which underwriting to group to work with because we can take it to someone else and we don’t have to wait TRID days. So I would argue we have more control because we’re not defined by one underwriter,” Kortas said. “We use the same underwriters retail LOs do, but we don’t have to take the risk. The workflow is ours, the funding is ours. We have choice plus price.”

As part of the rebrand, the NEXA Lending logo and other assets will be in black and white, symbolizing the company’s transparency, Kortas said. “Transparency is a key factor in everything I have ever done.”

The future is wholesale, Kortas said, and bringing in more retail LOs to grow the channel means communicating in a different way.

“Stop with divisive conversations — it doesn’t help us anymore. We already got all the people to wholesale that liked that, now we need to get those that don’t like it, the very large producers. This is NEXA growing up a little bit — me included.”

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Revealed: The Aussie suburbs where house prices are falling

First-home buyers could finally catch a break, with new figures revealing dozens of suburbs where property prices are falling – even as the broader market continues to climb.

The surprise “discount suburbs” emerge just as the federal government rolls out its 5 per cent First Home Guarantee scheme, offering the chance for buyers to stack market dips with extra savings.

While national home prices have recorded their ninth consecutive month of growth, adding a significant $54,100 to the median property value according to the REA Group’s latest Home Price Index, a different story is unfolding in nearly a thousand suburbs across Australia.

New data from PropTrack reveals that a staggering 930 suburbs across all states and territories experienced a decline in either house or unit values over the past quarter.

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Even more remarkably, 219 of these saw double-digit percentage drops, presenting a potential golden ticket for first-home buyers.

This is based on suburbs data where at least 30 properties sold over the past 12 months.

This divergence in the market means that while sellers in many areas are enjoying continued growth, savvy buyers could find significant opportunities in these pockets of falling prices.

Where are the biggest discounts?

Victoria’s Cohuna, approximately 274 kilometres north of Melbourne, topped the list for house price reductions.

Properties in this country town are now 42 per cent cheaper than they were three months ago. In real terms, this means a median price drop of $163,800, from $553,800 in June to $390,000 in September.

Queensland also saw substantial shifts, with Ascot, a northeast Brisbane suburb, experiencing a 40.1 per cent drop in house prices since June. The median house price there plummeted by $1,022,500, from $3,572,500 to $2.55 million.

Derelict house auction Enmore

Nearly 1000 suburbs have bucked the national property trend with falling prices, creating rare opportunities for first-home buyers seeking market entry.

Further north, Tara and East Innisfail also recorded significant price reductions of over 30 per cent.

Sydney wasn’t immune to the trend, with several prominent suburbs seeing substantial declines.

Waverley, Blakehurst, Glebe, and Bronte all recorded price drops exceeding 30 per cent over the quarter.

In South Australia, the popular tourist destination of Tumby Bay, located about 45 kilometres north of Port Lincoln, recorded a 26.2 per cent loss in median house values.

This equates to a drop of $126,743, bringing the median from $610,493 down to $483,750. Closer to the capital, Adelaide’s Hectorville saw the biggest quarterly price drop for the SA capital, with house prices down by $221,116 (21.2 per cent), with homes now selling for around $1.043 million.

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Supplied Real Estate Ascot. Picture: realestate.com.au/sold

Ascot in Brisbane experienced a 40.1 per cent drop in house prices since June. Picture: realestate.com.au/sold

Tasmania’s Old Beach, roughly 20km north of Hobart, offered the biggest discount value in the state. Home prices there dropped from $826,540 in June to $715,000 in September, representing a loss of $111,540.

REA Group senior economist Eleanor Creagh sheds light on these localised declines.

“Across the country, a number of suburbs have recorded median sales price declines over the past quarter,” Ms Creagh noted.

“It’s important to note that median sale prices reflect the mix of properties that happened to sell in each suburb (and) unlike the PropTrack Home Price Index, they are not compositionally adjusted, so swings can be exaggerated by a change in the types of homes selling.

“That said, they may provide a read on where momentum may have cooled.”

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REA Group senior economist Eleanor Creagh

Despite these nuances, Ms Creagh believes these figures present genuine opportunities.

“For those looking to purchase, identifying suburbs where medians have eased may present opportunities to buy into locations that were previously out of reach,” she said.

“Many of the suburbs showing median price falls are in regional markets, though several suburbs in outer metro areas are recording quarterly declines.

“A handful of high-end suburbs also feature, this likely reflects thinner transaction volumes at the top end of the market.”

“Cheat sheet” for first-home buyers fuels spring market surge

Property experts and mortgage brokers from Two Red Shoes, Rebecca Jarrett-Dalton and Brett Sutton, predict the spring market will be the most active in recent memory, driven by a potent combination of high buyer demand, robust seller confidence, and the First Home Guarantee Scheme.

Additionally, the existence of “discount suburbs” effectively provides a “cheat sheet” for first-home buyers, offering tangible opportunities to leverage the government’s 5 per cent deposit scheme.

This confluence of factors is expected to fuel a market run that could extend well into and past Christmas, driven by a renewed sense of urgency and changing buyer priorities.

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Supplied Real Estate Glebe, NSW. Picture: realestate.com.au/sold

Prices in the Sydney suburb of Glebe dropped by 30 per cent over the past quarter.. Picture: realestate.com.au/sold

“We’re seeing an unprecedented level of activity, with high auction numbers already a clear indicator of the market’s trajectory,” Mr Sutton said.

“Last week, Sydney saw its second-highest number of auctions for the year. This kind of volume, even before the new First Home Guarantee Scheme changes take effect, signals a powerful market run.”

The new FHGS is expected to unleash a significant number of new buyers, however, Ms Jarrett-Dalton voiced a key concern.

“While inquiries are at an all-time high, the big question is whether we will have enough stock to meet this demand,” she said.

“The market is incredibly hot, and this could lead to a highly competitive environment for buyers, with many homes selling for hundreds of thousands above their reserve.

“With listings not keeping pace with buyer demand, buyers are needing to compromise faster and bid harder.”

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From rooftop garden to workshop: The Brunswick homes buyers will fall for

Steps from Sydney Road, fall for a building that provides the best of what inner-city apartment living has to offer – and its move-in ready 

4 Ballarat Street is  Assemble’s most recently completed and the third designed in collaboration with award-winning architecture firm Fieldwork. 

With studios, one-, two-, and three-bedroom layouts, homes at 4 Ballarat Street offer something for everyone. 

From the terracotta and exposed concrete design elements to the integrated Fisher & Paykel appliances included, each home is designed for less hassle, low maintenance and more living in the city. 

“With considered design details, 4 Ballarat Street is low maintenance living and well placed close to public transport and Sydney Road’s vibrant shopping strip,” says Justine Boland, Head of Sales & Leasing at Assemble 

Sydney Road’s cafés, vintage shops and music venues just around the corner.

Designed for Brunswick 

Positioned steps away from Sydney Road, one of Melbourne’s busiest shopping destinations, 4 Ballarat Street is perfectly placed to take advantage of everything that makes Brunswick so special. 

As a hub for art, live music, food, and more, Brunswick is a vibrant, multicultural suburb home to some of the best venues and restaurants in the city. 

Close to Brunswick Station, tram, and the Upfield Bike Path, 4 Ballarat Street also offers residents seamless connectivity into the CBD and the wider Melbourne area so they can enjoy the city more broadly 

From outside to inside, 4 Ballarat Street has been designed to build on the history and character of the iconic suburb. 

“Connection to place is essential to us,” says Justine. 

“Architects Fieldwork incorporated the heritage-listed brick facade of the 1955 Yakka Overalls warehouse into the design of the building, transposing the red brick into the terracotta colour palette in the interiors.” 

A rooftop outlook over Melbourne’s skyline, made for sunset catch-ups.

As an all-electric building and with open-air walkways that bring natural light and air into each apartment for stable temperatures year-round, 4 Ballarat Street has also achieved an average 7.5 NatHERs rating. 

“Landscaping on the ground level creates a green respite in the middle of Brunswick, allowing residents to enjoy it,” Justine says.

Built for community 

With 4 Ballarat Street’s first residents moving in from January of this year, a fully fledged community has already started forming in the building. 

This community and close connection between neighbours was a key part of the building’s design and amenities. 

“4 Ballarat Street’s shared spaces have helped to foster a thriving community,” says Justine. 

Light-filled open-air walkways keep homes naturally cool year-round.

The spaces include a workshop on the ground floor for building furniture or fixing a bike, as well as lending library for tools, pressure washer and other things that residents don’t use every day. 

The standout, however, is the resident rooftop. 

“Up on the rooftop, residents can catch stunning views over Sydney Road and Melbourne’s CBD skyline and book the multipurpose communal room for movie nights or larger dinner parties with friends,” says Justine. 

“Veggie gardens and a communal clothesline and laundry further create a traditional backyard experience.” 

There are even pet-friendly amenities like a dog run and a dog wash, meaning residents can fully enjoy apartment living without compromising on the things that are important to them. 

Terracotta tones and raw concrete details bring Brunswick’s character inside.

 Ready to call home, save on stamp duty 

With an established community built-in and a world-class neighbourhood on the doorstep, now is the time to visit 4 Ballarat Street and its remaining homes for yourself.. 

There are a range of layouts and sizes available, offering buyers choice in apartments that suit their lifestyle and families. 

Apartments are priced competitively for new builds in the area, creating opportunities to gain a foothold in this treasured inner-city suburb. 

  • Studio apartments from $525,000 
  • 1-bedroom apartments from $620,000 
  • 2-bedroom apartments from $850,000
  • 3-bedroom apartments (with car space) from $1,200,000 

Assemble currently has a stamp duty offer for eligible buyers. 

“We are currently offering a stamp duty saving offer for our remaining apartments, where we’ll cover your stamp duty ,” says Justine 

“Terms and conditions apply, so speak to our team.” 

For first home buyers, this Assemble stamp duty offer combined with the government’s expanded 5% deposit Home Guarantee Scheme presents an ideal time to purchase at 4 Ballarat Street with significant savings. 

With the building complete and residents already moved in, interested buyers can walk through their future homes and experience the apartments and community first-hand.

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Buyers flock to luxe Mediterranean-inspired property developed by a 25 year old

This tri-level home in inner Brisbane has been inspired by an old Mediterranean town that centres around a courtyard and encourages “vertical connection”.

At just 25 years old, Franco Steyn is a notably young property developer, especially impressive given he’s created a five-bedroom, five-bathroom home that aims to mimic a historic Mediterranean City.

The luxury home ‘Novus’ has been designed around a central courtyard. Picture: realestate.com.au

The architectural-designed property at 56 Thomas Street in Auchenflower, a popular riverside suburb in inner west Brisbane, is his first project as a director of Sunstone Property Group, after successfully securing investor funding.

Designed by architect Arno Oosthuizen. Picture: realestate.com.au

Designed by architect Arno Oosthuizen, Mr Steyn’s vision was to create a high-end masterpiece centred around practical family living with a stunning central hub.

“The property surrounds the courtyard. When you open the big timber sliding doors, it’s hard to tell whether you’re inside or outside.”

The tri-level home ‘Novus’ showcases double-height atriums, internal gardens and sleek concrete hallways softened by engineered oak timber floors, spotted gum ceilings and black walnut joinery.

The home sits in Auchenflower, a riverside suburb in inner west Brisbane. Picture: realestate.com.au

The opening foyer leads to an expansive ensuite bedroom, a Caesarstone kitchen with butler’s pantry, and an extensive living and dining area, separated by a dual-sided wood burning fireplace.

These spaces overlook an artificially turfed courtyard, an alfresco terrace with an outdoor kitchen and BeefEaster barbecue, a fully fenced rear garden plus a mineral pool — all enjoying city skyline views.

The sleek kitchen has a large breakfast bar, Caesarstone benchtops and soft-close cupboard storage with a fully equipped butler’s pantry. Picture: realestate.com.au

Upstairs, a living area overlooking the courtyard leads to the master, which reveals a dressing room, balcony and an ensuite featuring a freestanding bath. Three additional bedrooms at the front surround a retreat.

The home is inspired by Mediterranean towns and their city squares. Picture: realestate.com.au

The lower ground level houses a six-car garage with a turntable, a gym/workshop, a wine cellar and a cinema.

Additional features include zoned ducted air-conditioning, ceiling fans, Hikvision security cameras, and provisions for vehicle charging, solar panels and pool heating.

A luxe six-car garage has a turntable, gym/workshop, wine cellar and cinema. Picture: realestate.com.au

Agent Julia Doyle at Place Camp Hill said the design concept was inspired by an urban Mediterranean town, with a central courtyard acting as the city square, the dining hall its focal point, and the kitchen positioned off to the side.

“Franco wanted all the living rooms and bedrooms to overlook the central courtyard, like balconies in historic cities where people would look down, creating a vertical connection,” she said.

“That’s what I love most about this property; the developers haven’t done what every other new developer is doing. It’s a home that aims to promote interaction and connection — redefining family living in a luxurious setting.”

Serene outlooks from the freestanding bath. Picture: realestate.com.au

Despite its high-end spec, Ms Doyle added that the house is also “very unassuming”.

“It’s luxurious but not over the top,” she said.

Mr Steyn admitted his first development project was “challenging”.

“We definitely went over budget. I’ve learned you have to understand development as well as the numbers.”

The home has five bedrooms and a dedicated study nook. Picture: realestate.com.au

Nevertheless, he hopes Novus will be the first of many projects in his property career. He’s already developed another property on the block before it was subdivided, has three more in the pipeline nearby, and is searching for additional sites to build more luxury homes.

Ms Doyle is hopeful she can get him a good price, with the property already attracting plenty of interest.

“We had over 60 groups through on Saturday, which was a great turnout,” she said.

“We’ve also heard from people relocating from overseas, out-of-state buyers, and a healthy mix of locals.”

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