In the 17th century, coffee beans began to be traded globally and coffee became widely popular as a morning drink. Coffee houses sprang up, first in Europe and later the American colonies. Patrons of these coffee houses would meet to drink coffee, exchange news, conduct business or just enjoy conversation.
As coffee grew in popularity, coffee beans were planted widely around the world. By the end of the 18th century, coffee had become one of the world’s most profitable crops, and today, it’s the most widely traded commodity after oil.
Coffee drinking around the world continues to increase as countries that traditionally had strong tea-drinking traditions, such as China, Japan and Taiwan, increase their coffee consumption. This explosion of coffee drinking has led to a great deal of research about the effects of caffeine on the human body, to the development of new brewing techniques, the creation of new coffee drinks and a shared love across cultures of the bitter, black brew.
Or as the National Coffee Association puts it, coffee is now “a culture, an economy, an art, a science and a passion.”
But how much does coffee cost around the world? UBS surveyed locals in different global cities to find “how much a cup of the beverage in a typical coffee shop costs.” Prices, of course, vary based on cost of living in the city and coffee’s cultural cachet in the area, among other things.
The prices in this 25-city list, which are ordered from lowest to highest, are averages. Cities will always have individual outlets where the price is higher or lower.
Lisbon, Portugal
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Price of a cup of coffee: $0.74
Coffee talk: The cost of living is lower here than other European countries, and this is reflected in the cost of a cup of coffee, which is the perfect companion for Lisbon’s famous soft custard tarts.
Local knowledge: With its mild Mediterranean climate and seaside location, Lisbon has a dynamic outdoor lifestyle, centered on taverns, cafes and local seafood dishes. The historic port city, with whitewashed houses, red-tiled roofs and narrow medieval cobblestone streets, is spread across seven hills on Portugal’s coast.
Milan, Italy
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Price of a cup of coffee: $1.33
Coffee talk: According to European Coffee Trip, the specialty coffee scene in the city is on the rise.
Local knowledge: Known for its fashion houses and design showrooms, Milan is also a commercial and industrial center, and home to a flourishing tech and start-up culture.
Istanbul, Turkey
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Price of a cup of coffee: $1.41
Coffee talk: The Ottoman Sultans were the first to drink roasted coffee beans and kept a coffee maker at court, chosen for their skills at brewing coffee and keeping secrets. Coffee houses in Istanbul were once places to read books, play chess and backgammon, and discuss poetry.
Local knowledge: The ancient city of Istanbul was ruled in turn by Greeks, Romans, Venetians and Ottomans, and known as Byzantium and Constantinople. Today, Istanbul is Turkey’s financial and cultural center with Byzantine churches, medieval mosques, palaces, bazaars, markets and Turkish baths, famous for the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque.
Toronto, Canada
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Price of a cup of coffee: $2.23
Coffee talk: Despite the growing number of coffee shops, Canadians, according to Coffee Business Intelligence, still prefer to drink brewed coffee at home.
Local knowledge: Toronto ranks as one of the world’s most livable cities. One reason is Toronto's cultural diversity; residents speak more than 140 different languages. Toronto is a financial and tech start-up center, with markets, museums, art galleries, aquarium, historic buildings and eclectic districts, like the historic Chinatown, giving it a vibrant buzz. The city’s parks, open spaces, beaches and islands help make Toronto a green city.
Mexico City, Mexico
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Price of a cup of coffee: $2.58
Coffee talk: Mexico’s best quality coffee beans have always been exported (often to the U.S.) but as homegrown demand for good quality coffee grows, many cafes are buying these beans for Mexicans to drink.
Local knowledge: Mexico City showcases Mexico’s vast history, stretching back to the Aztec empire. The city’s World Heritage-listed historic center, Zocalo, contains Pre-Columbian ruins, as well as Spanish colonial-era palaces and cathedrals. The city is known for its food, art and culture, with the second-highest number of museums in the world and over 40,000 restaurants.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Price of a cup of coffee: $2.82
Coffee talk: The Netherlands is famous for “gezellig,” the feeling of being cozy, and curling up with a cup of coffee in one of Amsterdam’s small coffee houses is just the ticket.
Local knowledge: Tall, narrow 17th century gabled houses tower above the city’s network of canals in this scenic, walkable city. Packed with art museums, including those dedicated to Rembrandt and Van Gogh, art galleries, historic buildings and vintage shops, Amsterdam is also known for cutting-edge design, and its creative and tech start-up culture.
Los Angeles, USA
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Price of a cup of coffee: $2.87
Coffee talk: The annual Los Angeles Coffee Festival, held in November, offers coffee lovers tastings, workshops, barista demonstrations, coffee cocktails, street food and live music.
Local knowledge: Los Angeles is the center of the film and television industry in the U.S. Los Angeles also has 75 miles of coastline, including world-famous Venice Beach, sunny skies all year, an amazing food and brewing scene, museums and sports, as well as amusement parks such as Disneyland, Universal Studios and Knott’s Berry Farm.
New York City, USA
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Price of a cup of coffee: $3.12
Coffee talk: Known as the city that never sleeps for its 24-hour culture, New York is home to the greatest number of coffee outlets in the country. The city even had a Coffee District in the 18th century, which processed most coffee imported into the U.S.
Local knowledge: Considered the fashion, theatre and financial center of the U.S., New York City also offers shopping, museums, parks and a varied, multicultural eating and food truck scene.
Auckland, New Zealand
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Price of a cup of coffee: $3.13
Coffee talk: In Auckland, coffee drinks will normally have a single espresso shot in them, whereas in Wellington (the capital city), the same drink will likely have two shots.
Local knowledge: Auckland is a city of fire and water, based around two harbors and an extinct volcano. It’s ranked as the third-most livable city in the world and has diverse food, wine, music, art and cultural offerings. With beaches, rugged coastline and holiday islands just outside the city, Auckland is very much an outdoor lifestyle city.
Sydney, Australia
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Price of a cup of coffee: $3.17
Coffee talk: Australia is the home of flat white and long black coffees and few Sydneysiders would start the day without their favorite brew. Unlike quick-drinking Italians, who are credited with introducing the coffee culture in the 1950s, Australians like to linger over coffee, reading the papers or chatting with friends.
Local knowledge: Sydney is blessed with golden beaches, a mild climate and outdoor living, best known for its iconic Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
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