After waking up, people usually boil water to prepare their morning must-have: coffee. Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world because of the “lift” it gives people every time they drink a cup of it.

Coffee has been considered a savior for those sleepless nights and an all-nighter workload. It’s good on warm days when you need a pick-me-up, and even at night when you need to warm up on a cold day.

Thanks to caffeine, coffee produces a transformative experience for its consumers in the same way that travel can. Coffee has health benefits that you may or may not even know about—making us love it even more.

Do you love coffee so much that you are willing to travel to find the best coffee in the world? If you love coffee and travel, then read on to find out the must-visit travel destinations to discover your perfect cup of coffee.

1. The first Starbucks in Pike Place Market, Seattle, USA

Photo courtesy of Dom J via Pexels

Starbucks may be the most popular cafe in the world, thanks to its coffee variations. It first opened in Seattle on March 31, 1971. Starbucks’ first location was at 2000 Western Avenue from 1971 to 1976 and was later moved to 1912 Pike Place. Go on a coffee origin trip by paying a visit to the first Starbucks in Seattle. Take the opportunity to order your favorite Starbucks coffee drink in venti size while soaking all the rich history inside the famed and original coffee shop.

2. Coffee Lab, São Paolo, Brazil

Brazil tops the list of coffee-producing countries. If you’re paying a visit to São Paulo for your search for the best quality coffee in the world, don’t forget to swing by Brazil’s most awarded roastery, Coffee Lab.

Founded by the first barista champion of Brazil, Isabela Raposieras, this cafe is also a coffee school specializing in specialty coffee. After choosing beans and brewing methods for your perfect cup of coffee, their barista will show you how to make your drink. One of their must-try drinks is Shakerato (Php113.00), an espresso over sparkling water with lemony notes.

3. Café Central, Vienna, Austria

Photo courtesy of Burst via Pexels

The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recently named the Vienna Coffee House on their list of the ‘National Agency for the Intangible Cultural Heritage.’ If you want to taste the best coffee in the world and be in a place rich in history, then head over to Cafe Central. Be patient as you wait in line, as people queue to get a cup of coffee.

Since its opening in 1876, it has become a famous coffee and meeting place of renowned figures such as Sigmund Freud and Vladimir Lenin. People of all ages have loved it. You can opt to order the Wiener Melange (Php393.00), a unique Viennese style coffee made of extended espresso infused with hot water and frothed milk. You can order other coffee specialties such as coffee mixed with liqueur topped with whipped cream. Do not forget to pair coffee with their fresh pastries.

4. St. Ali, Melbourne, Australia

Some would say that it is in Australia, where one can find the best tasting coffee in the world. Whether this claim is valid or not, it must be admitted that Australians love coffee, and they have one of the advanced coffee cultures in the world. If you ever happen to be in The Land Down-Under, why not visit St. Ali in Melbourne, Australia? It's a well-known industrial-style cafe in the country. Their quality beans come from Colombia and Costa Rica. If you want to experience an adventure in your palate, avail of the Coffee Adventure (Php701.09); so you can try six of the best coffees in their menu.

5. Kronotrop, Istanbul, Turkey

Photo courtesy of Elias Shariff Falla Mardini via Pixabay

The history of Istanbul’s coffee culture can trace back to the Ottoman Empire. At first, coffee has been considered a standard beverage for the ruling classes. However, it soon became a part of the lives of every people as traders opened a coffee house. Soon after, it spread throughout the city, inhabiting social and cultural spaces. Known as one of the first specialty coffee bars and roasteries in Turkey, Kronotrop opened in 2012. To make sure that they produce the best quality coffee in the world, Kronotrop meticulously selects their limited and locally roasted coffee beans from specials farms in the world and roasts these beans in small batches. When you visit this cafe, you can order their delicious Turkish coffee for Php88.00.

6. Shin Coffee, Vietnam

Next to Brazil, Vietnam is the second biggest coffee exporter in the world. Coffee was introduced in this country by the French in 1857. They are known producers of robusta, which has a strong taste and higher acidity. They are also famous for the Vietnamese specialty coffee, and the best place to get a cup yourself is at Shin Coffee. The cafe’s founder studied in Japan and took home with him Japanese art. That is why its interiors reflect Japanese culture. They also have different varieties of coffee blends you can try. Have you ever heard of egg coffee (Php211.22)? Shin Coffee is known for this drink, so head over there for your next coffee vacation.

7. One Fifteenth (1/15) Coffee, Jakarta, Indonesia

Photo courtesy of Danielle MacInnes via Unsplash

Dody Samsura, the winner of the 2013 Indonesia Barista Championship, founded this coffee shop. Its name derives Its name was derived from the fact that “1:15 is a well-known coffee-to-water ratio that yields an ideal cup”, as mentioned on their website. This café is famous for its uncommon and unusual coffee blends. Their signature coffee, Rock Jave Lime—or more popularly known as Rojali (Php131.13)—is a must-try by any coffee lover. It is made of 12-hour pressed coffee mixed with soda and lime juice. Indeed, not your average coffee fix.

8. Honolulu Coffee Experience Center, Hawaii

Hawaii is known for its Kona coffee because of its bold flavors and pleasing aroma. If you love to have a taste of the best Kona coffee, head over to the Honolulu Coffee Experience Center. Here you can also learn the history of coffee and go on a tour for Php1,720.00. This includes hand brew demonstrations and coffee tasting.

If you’ve fallen in love with their coffee, you can even buy some beans; so that you can brew your own at home or at the office. After visiting this place for your coffee adventure, head out to the nearby beach to relax even more while drinking Original Kona Frost (Php375.00).

9. Coffee Bloom, Boracay

Photo courtesy of Oleksandr Pidvalnyi via Pexels

Speaking of coffee and beaches, there are a lot of cafes in the Philippines located at the beachfront. An example is Coffee Bloom, one of the few coffee shops on the island that sells hand-drip coffee. Its location is the perfect place to enjoy your coffee while feasting your eyes on the beauty of the beach and its sunset and combatting the cold air. If you want to drink something cold, you can try their Iced Americano with cinnamon powder for Php100.00. It is a good, refreshing drink after a long day, as you walk back to one of Boracay’s best hotels to stay at Alta Vista de Boracay.

10. Cafe de Lipa, Batangas

Speaking of coffee in the Philippines, Batangas is famous for its kapeng barako. If you want to taste the best brew of kapeng barako, go to Cafe de Lipa and order Barako Joe (Php100.00) either hot or iced and get that strong kick of coffee you want. If you want to explore their other ice-blended coffee flavors, order their Celleto selection with flavors such as white chocolate, dark mocha, strawberries, and creme, to name a few. Don’t forget to buy coffee gift packages before you leave so that you can share some with your family and friends back home.

11. Bana’s Cafe, Sagada, Mt. Province

Photo courtesy of Saif Selim via Pexels

Sagada is not only a place where people with broken hearts go. It is also the place where coffee lovers visit as Sagada coffee won an international award in Paris in 2017.Poop of wild civet cats in Sagada who have eaten coffee berries is collected and sent at Bana’s Cafe to make the famous Civet coffee (Php 200.00). The price might seem a bit steep for this coffee cup, but every cent is worth it for coffee lovers. This coffee blend, despite having a strong aroma, has a subtle taste with a hint of sweetness and silky smoothness in every sip.

12. Blugré Coffee, Davao City

Photo courtesy of Jim Teo via Unsplash

Arabica coffee beans are abundant in Davao City, as they need to be cultivated in high altitude areas such as Mt. Apo. In Blugré Coffee, they do not only serve the best cup of coffee in the world, but they also push it to the next level with the creation of their signature drink: Durian Coffeeccino (Php185.00 tall; Php205.00 grande). If you’re not a fan of durian, you can still try their Cafe Latte made of 100% Arabica beans. The good news is you do not need to travel all the way to Davao to try Blugré Coffee. Its Alabang Branch is now open at Festival Supermall.

The best days cannot be complete without coffee. In fact, some people love drinking coffee so much that they think they cannot live a single day without it. Exaggerated as it may sound, there are reasons why we love coffee. Above it all, we love coffee just because it makes us productive, alert, and happy.

Finding the Perfect Cup: Travel Destinations for Coffee Lovers