The best places to get a coffee in Crows Nest

Crows Nest village on Sunday morning is the preserve of dog walkers and op-shoppers, lycra-clad runners and those who ran a little hard at the beers the night previous. They share one thing in common: the urgent need for a decent cup of coffee. 

Whether you're seeking out the coffee experience of old — fostered by the espresso machines brought over by Italian and Greek immigrants — or the new wave of cafes, offering beans from around the globe and experimental brewing techniques, Crows Nest has something for you. 

Only Coffee

Often packed on weekends, and easily recognisable by its bright blue signage, Only Coffee regularly rotates the beans, which are sourced from around the world, to introduce customers to new flavours. 

See our profile on the cafe here.

Beans: Varied 

Where: 118 Willoughby Road

Xenos Cafe and Restaurant

Since opening as a milk bar in 1969, Xenos Cafe and Restaurant has become a Crows Nest institution, known for no-nonsense coffee: strong, Italian blend, porcelain espresso cups. 

Breakfast specialties include chorizo and eggs on pide, and lambs fry and bacon on sourdough. 

Beans: Vittoria

Where: 7 Burlington Street

Brewmance

Brewmance, co-owned by industry veterans Hoky and Davide, opened in 2022, and recently branched out with a shop in Lane Cove. This cafe sells various new-age beverages such as yuzu drip coffee, mont blanc and earl grey matcha. 

Beans: Will & Co

Where: 56 Willoughby Rd

Hue Coffee

The latest entrant is Hue Coffee, which took over the spot once occupied by Cafe Ticino. It now looks much more like an Aesop store than an old school espresso bar. 

Behind the minimalist shop front, this cafe roasts its own beans and prepares baked goods daily. 

Beans: Hue Coffee

Where: 2 Clarke Street

Cafe 107

A small cafe on the corner of Alexander and Holtermann Street, run by owner Anthony for over 20 years. 

Beans: Campos 

Where: 107 Alexander Street

Minimal Coffee

Minimal Coffee is another new addition to the Crows Nest coffee scene, running a tiny store front along Clarke Street and offering its signature burnt basque cheesecake. 

Check out our profile of Minimal Coffee here.

Beans: Ona 

Where: 6 Clarke Street

Bean Drinking

Looking out over Ernest Place, Bean Drinking opened in 2005 and serves classic espresso coffee as well as batch brew, pour over and cold-brews. Signature dish: French toast with the lot. 

Beans: Roastworks, Seven Miles

Where: 13 Ernest Place