In the 17th century, coffee beans began to be traded worldwide and coffee became a popular morning beverage. Coffeehouses appeared first in Europe and later in the American colonies. Patrons gathered to drink coffee, exchange news, conduct business or simply socialize.
As demand grew, coffee was planted in many regions around the globe. By the late 18th century, coffee had become one of the world’s most profitable crops, and today it is the most widely traded commodity after oil.
Global coffee consumption continues to rise as countries traditionally known for tea—such as China, Japan and Taiwan—increase their coffee intake. This surge has driven research into caffeine’s effects, inspired new brewing techniques and coffee creations, and fostered a shared appreciation for the bitter, aromatic brew across cultures.
But how much does a cup of coffee cost in different cities? UBS surveyed locals in 25 international cities to determine the average price of a cup in a typical coffee shop. Prices vary with local cost of living, cultural habits and other factors, and the list below presents city averages ordered from lowest to highest. Individual cafés may charge significantly more or less than the averages shown.
Lisbon, Portugal
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Price of a cup of coffee: $0.74
Coffee talk: Lower living costs in Portugal are reflected in Lisbon’s coffee prices, making it an ideal complement to the city’s famous custard tarts.
Local knowledge: With a mild Mediterranean climate and seaside setting, Lisbon’s outdoor cafés and taverns are central to local life. The historic port city spans seven hills, featuring whitewashed houses, red-tiled roofs and narrow cobbled streets.
Milan, Italy
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Price of a cup of coffee: $1.33
Coffee talk: Milan’s specialty coffee scene is expanding, blending the city’s deep espresso traditions with modern craft approaches.
Local knowledge: Renowned for fashion and design, Milan is also a commercial and tech hub, home to thriving start-ups and varied cultural offerings.
Istanbul, Turkey
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Price of a cup of coffee: $1.41
Coffee talk: Ottoman courts popularized roasted coffee beans and employed skilled brewers; Istanbul’s historic coffeehouses were cultural centers for reading, games and conversation.
Local knowledge: A crossroads of civilizations, Istanbul blends Byzantine, Roman and Ottoman heritage—famed for Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, bazaars and baths.
Toronto, Canada
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Price of a cup of coffee: $2.23
Coffee talk: Although coffee shops are widespread, many Canadians still prefer brewed coffee at home.
Local knowledge: Toronto is a diverse, livable city and a financial and tech center. Its neighborhoods, markets and green spaces contribute to a vibrant urban life.
Mexico City, Mexico
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Price of a cup of coffee: $2.58
Coffee talk: Historically, Mexico exported many of its highest-quality beans. As local demand grows, more cafés are serving domestic beans to residents.
Local knowledge: Mexico City is rich in history from the Aztec era to colonial times, boasting an outstanding museum scene and renowned culinary culture.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Price of a cup of coffee: $2.82
Coffee talk: The Dutch appreciation for gezellig—or cozy conviviality—pairs perfectly with sipping coffee in Amsterdam’s intimate cafés.
Local knowledge: Amsterdam’s canals, 17th-century houses and rich museum scene make it a walkable cultural hotspot with a lively creative and tech community.
Los Angeles, USA
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Price of a cup of coffee: $2.87
Coffee talk: The Los Angeles Coffee Festival celebrates the city’s vibrant coffee scene with tastings, workshops and barista demonstrations.
Local knowledge: As the U.S. film and television center, Los Angeles offers beaches, diverse dining, museums and major theme parks, along with year-round sunshine.
New York City, USA
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Price of a cup of coffee: $3.12
Coffee talk: New York’s round-the-clock culture and high density of coffee outlets have long made it a major center for coffee consumption.
Local knowledge: A global hub for finance, fashion and theater, New York offers unmatched shopping, museums and a diverse food scene.
Auckland, New Zealand
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Price of a cup of coffee: $3.13
Coffee talk: In Auckland, coffee drinks often contain a single espresso shot, while in Wellington similar orders may include two shots.
Local knowledge: Built around two harbors and an extinct volcano, Auckland is known for its outdoor lifestyle, beaches and cultural diversity.
Sydney, Australia
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Price of a cup of coffee: $3.17
Coffee talk: Australia popularized the flat white and long black; in Sydney, many people take time to linger over their coffee rather than drink it quickly.
Local knowledge: Famous for its Opera House and Harbour Bridge, Sydney’s beaches and mild climate support a lively outdoor café culture.
Tokyo, Japan
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Price of a cup of coffee: $3.47
Coffee talk: Though famous for tea ceremonies, Japan is a major coffee importer and Tokyo hosts a thriving specialty coffee scene.
Local knowledge: Tokyo blends neon-lit modernity with historic shrines, Imperial sites and seasonal cherry blossoms, offering extensive shopping and nightlife.
Dublin, Ireland
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Price of a cup of coffee: $3.59
Coffee talk: While Dublin historically favored stout, coffee is now a daily habit for about a third of residents.
Local knowledge: Dublin is known for castles, historic houses, Trinity College’s library and a lively music and cultural scene.
Taipei, Taiwan
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Price of a cup of coffee: $3.72
Coffee talk: Taiwan grows coffee, but locally produced beans are often exported because of their value; many Taipei cafés instead use imported beans.
Local knowledge: Taipei mixes modern skyscrapers with temples and night markets, and a strong street-food culture that influences daily life and dining habits.
Munich, Germany
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Price of a cup of coffee: $3.75
Coffee talk: Influenced by Italian coffee culture, Munich is also home to historic roasters like Dallmayr, with a long coffee tradition.
Local knowledge: Famous for Oktoberfest and historic beer halls, Munich also offers Gothic architecture and a celebrated Christmas market tradition.
London, United Kingdom
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Price of a cup of coffee: $3.88
Coffee talk: Coffee arrived in England in the mid-17th century and London’s coffeehouses soon became gathering places for thinkers—earning the nickname “Penny Universities.”
Local knowledge: London’s long history includes landmarks such as Big Ben, the Tower of London and Buckingham Palace, alongside world-class museums and theater.
Oslo, Norway
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Price of a cup of coffee: $3.88
Coffee talk: Ninety percent of Norwegians drink coffee, and Oslo is frequently praised as one of the best cities for coffee lovers.
Local knowledge: Oslo combines green urban spaces, fjord views and a vibrant arts scene, reflecting modern Scandinavian design and culture.
Miami, USA
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Price of a cup of coffee: $3.93
Coffee talk: In Little Havana, try a Café Cubano—an intense espresso sweetened with sugar common across Miami’s Cuban-influenced neighborhoods.
Local knowledge: Miami is known for beaches, boating, Latin culture and a lively arts and dining scene anchored by a busy cruise port.
Athens, Greece
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Price of a cup of coffee: $3.98
Coffee talk: Greek coffee is a local variation of Turkish coffee introduced during Ottoman rule; the thick grounds left in the cup are sometimes used for fortune-telling.
Local knowledge: Athens blends ancient monuments like the Acropolis with modern urban life, preserving archaeological sites and vibrant neighborhoods.
Paris, France
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Price of a cup of coffee: $4.13
Coffee talk: Coffee became fashionable in Paris in the 17th and 18th centuries, where cafés became centers for writers and intellectuals.
Local knowledge: Paris is home to global landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and many celebrated gardens, museums and historic neighborhoods.
Moscow, Russia
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Price of a cup of coffee: $4.31
Coffee talk: Russia’s coffee culture shifted dramatically after the 1990s as espresso-based drinks became popular; consumption has increased significantly since 2000.
Local knowledge: Moscow hosts iconic sites like Red Square, the Kremlin and the Bolshoi Theatre, combining rich history with contemporary urban life.
Vienna, Austria
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Price of a cup of coffee: $4.35
Coffee talk: Vienna’s coffeehouse culture dates back to the 17th century, when beans and coffee traditions were introduced after Ottoman forces retreated.
Local knowledge: Vienna is celebrated for Baroque architecture, musical and intellectual history, and consistently ranks highly for quality of life.
Shanghai, China
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Price of a cup of coffee: $4.60
Coffee talk: Traditionally a tea-drinking society, young urbanites in Shanghai are rapidly building a modern coffee culture and supporting specialty cafés.
Local knowledge: Shanghai is a major financial center with a mix of skyscrapers, historic riverfront districts and classical gardens, offering a dynamic urban experience.
Zurich, Switzerland
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Price of a cup of coffee: $4.98
Coffee talk: Zurich has a strong specialty coffee scene and a culture of daily coffee consumption, with skilled baristas and coffee champions operating in the city.
Local knowledge: Situated on Lake Zurich, the city combines a bustling financial center with scenic terraces, churches and high-quality urban life.
Copenhagen, Denmark
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Price of a cup of coffee: $6.24
Coffee talk: Danes are among the world’s most devoted coffee drinkers despite higher local prices, supporting vibrant cafés across Copenhagen.
Local knowledge: Copenhagen is known for its pedestrian-friendly historic districts, colorful waterfront homes and deep cycling culture.
Doha, Qatar
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Price of a cup of coffee: $6.40
Coffee talk: Doha ranks among the world’s wealthiest cities by GDP per capita, which is reflected in the relatively high price of a cup of coffee—making it the most expensive city on this list.
Local knowledge: Qatar’s capital blends ultramodern malls and cultural attractions with traditional markets and desert sports like falconry and camel racing, reflecting its oil-driven wealth and rapid development.