Get out a sheet of paper and write down all your set expenses: rent/mortgage, car payments, cable/streaming bill, cell phone, insurance, school payments, etc. Tally them up.

Then write down all your discretionary spending. This is what you spend on food, movie nights, drinks, shopping, that daily coffee from Starbucks, your daily midday snack, and other similar things. If you don’t know what you spend money on, go track your expenses for a two-week period, see what you spend, and come back.

Add that all up. What did you get? Probably a large sum of money.

And I bet there will be many expenses you didn’t realize were there. Financial experts call these “phantom expenses” — we never know they are there because the expenses are so small. People bleed money without realizing it. A dollar here and a dollar there…it adds up. Even a daily bottle of water or candy bar can make a substantial difference over the course of a year.

What does this have to do with travel?

Well, one of the main reasons why we think we can’t travel the world is money. “I can’t afford it,” people say to me, “I have too many expenses.”

Most of us certainly have expenses we can’t cut (though remember when you travel the world long-term, many of those expenses disappear), but if we cut our phantom expenses, reduce our set costs, and find other ways to save we can build our travel fund much more quickly.

Cutting your daily expenses, being more frugal, and downgrading to a simpler way of living will allow you to save money for your trip around the world without having to find extra sources of income. Of course, the lower your income, the longer it will take to save enough to travel. But longer does not mean never. A little bit every day adds up to a lot over a long period of time.

Here are some simple and creative ways to cut your expenses, make money, and get on the road sooner:

1. Track your spending

As mentioned in the introduction, most people don’t have a budget so the first thing you need to do to save money is to know where you’re spending it. In an age where you tap an app and a car arrives, it’s easy to not think about how much we spend. You can use a spreadsheet or one of these websites. You’ll probably be surprised at where your money goes once you start paying attention. Start tracking your expenses — and keep doing so — so you can keep cutting out the low-hanging fruit and find where you’re spending money.
 

2. Set up a separate bank account

Financial experts have long recommended this for a variety of things. When you set up a separate bank account and have money automatically deposited into that account each pay cycle, you don’t have the urge to spend it. “Out of sight, out of mind”, right?

This works for travel. No matter how much you put away there, putting that money in a separate bank account means it’s away from your spending and you won’t overspend. Think of this like a piggy bank. Don’t raid it. It’s your travel fund. Let it sit there and grow.

Just make sure that the account is a high-yield online savings account. I’ve done this since the time when I was preparing to go away on my first trip and I netted hundreds of dollars in extra money thanks to interest (and a bit more while I was traveling too as the money was sitting there while it was being spent down). Interest rates are very high these days and you can earn around 4% on your savings account! Take advantage of that! Here are the current best rates:

Not from the US? Check out these websites for information:

3. Get a new credit card

A travel credit card can give you free money, free rooms, and free flights. After accruing miles and rewards points with your card on everyday purchases, you can redeem them for free travel on your trip. Travel credit cards are a big weapon in a budget traveler’s arsenal. You’ll even earn huge sign-up bonuses when you get a new card.

For more credit card suggestions, check out this list of the best travel credit cards.

And, for more information on travel credit cards in general, here is my comprehensive guide on how to pick a good travel credit card.
 

4. Cut the coffee

Love your Starbucks? Well, Starbucks loves your money. Coffee is the little thing that quietly drains your bank account without you ever noticing. That daily coffee can cost you $90 per month ($3 for a regular coffee, more if you want some fancy Frappuccino). At $1,080 per year, that’s a lot of money.

So, what’s more important: your daily cup of Joe or spending more time on the beaches of Thailand or exploring the jungles of Borneo? Give up the coffee, or switch from the cappuccino to a standard brew. Move to tea, or brew your own cup. Folger’s might not taste as delicious as a venti triple mocha latte with whipped cream, but it’s a lot cheaper (and, let’s be honest, healthier).

Sure, giving up your cup of coffee seems like a “duh” thing. And, yes, there is utility in the time saved from buying one. Under normal circumstances, this would be “small thinking” financial advice that isn’t worth the time or effort.

But, right now, you have a travel goal to reach and every penny counts.
 

5. Learn to cook

Dinner out is usually someone’s biggest discretionary expense—and it’s also one of the easiest to eliminate. Instead of buying $20 lunches and $30 dinners, brown-bag it to work and cook dinner at night. When I saved for my first trip, I was spending $70 per week on groceries. I cooked once for dinner and ate the leftovers the next day for lunch. Sure, cooking can be intimidating since not all of us are Julia Child in the kitchen. However, I found cooking to be an invaluable skill, not only because it saved me money before my trip but because it’s also one of the easiest ways to cut down expenses when you travel.

The more I cooked, the more I loved cooking. And the more I saved. (I also got a lot healthier because I knew what was in my meals, which was an added bonus.)

Of course, grocery prices have gone up since the mid-2000s and you’re likely spending a lot more than $70 on groceries (I currently spend around $125 per week). But cooking is still cheaper than eating out or getting your food delivered via an app.

Here are some sites to check out to get the ball rolling:

6. Lose the car

Between insurance, repairs, loan payments, and filling your tank with gas, cars are crazy expensive to own. Get rid of your car if you can. Learn to love the bus, take the subway, bike, or walk. It may take longer to get to work using public transportation, but you can use that time to plan your trip, read, write, or do other productive tasks.

I understand that this tip may not be feasible for everyone, especially those in smaller towns that don’t have an extensive public transportation system, but an alternative is to sell your car and buy a cheaper used one, which you will only need until you leave for your trip. Buying a throwaway car will allow you to pocket the money from your more expensive car and put it toward your travels.

Additionally, with the proliferation of Uber, Lyft, and other ride-sharing services, it’s never been easier, even in small towns, to find transportation. Do the math on it but it may be cheaper to get Lyfts around town than to own a car. (Plus, if you need a car for long distances, you can easily rent one.)
 

7. Save on Gas

Gas adds up! Luckily, there are plenty of ways to save on gas! First, use the app GasBuddy to find cheap gas near you. Second, sign up for all the major gas station loyalty programs. By default, they save you around 5 cents per gallon.

Shell’s Fuel Rewards is the best because you attach it to a dining program leading to savings up to 50 cents a gallon. Moreover, use GasBuddy’s credit card, which can be tied to any gas station loyalty program for an additional savings of 25 cents per gallon. Most supermarkets also have loyalty programs that offer gas savings.

If you sign up for Costco, they have huge savings on gas, too.
 

8. Cut your streaming

Cutting the cord was supposed to save us money, but with so many subscription services out there, it feels to me that we are paying more than we did with regular cable. I mean, how many streaming services do we really need!?

Rather than subscribe to all of them at once, try rotating which ones you are using. I watch everything I want to watch over the course of a few months on one service, cancel it, sign up for a new service, and repeat. By doing this, you are never paying for more than one service at a time while still being able to binge watch what you want.
 

9. Sign up for travel newsletters

No one likes to clutter up their inbox, but by signing up for mailing lists from airlines and travel companies, you’ll be able to get updates about all the last-minute sales or special deals happening. I would have missed out on a round-trip ticket to Japan for $700 USD (normally $1,500) if it wasn’t for the American Airlines mailing list.

Additionally, consider signing up for a website like Going.com. They hunt down deals and send them directly to your inbox — for free! They also offer a premium service that offers more (and better) deals but at the very least join their free newsletter. Chances are you’ll find some awesome deals!
 

10. Replace your light bulbs

Electricity costs money and, since every penny counts, using energy-efficient light bulbs will cut down on your utility bills. Moreover, due to energy efficiency initiatives in certain states, many electric companies will give you a rebate if you buy LED bulbs. Be sure to check out which rebates your local energy company offers no matter where you live in the world. Going green can save you green! Check your local government or utility company’s website for information.

For US readers, check out EnergyStar or the DSIRE database. For Canadian readers, check out this page run by the government. For everyone else, check your local government or utility company’s website for information!
 

11. Buy second-hand

Why pay full price when you can pay half? Use websites like Amazon (discounted books and electronics), wholesale websites, Facebook Marketplace, and Craigslist. Towns big and small usually have thrift stores like Goodwill where you can pick up clothing and odds and ends.

Sure, you don’t want to buy everything used, but you can definitely buy most things used! (Plus, it’s good for the environment since you’re giving stuff an added use life rather than having it end up in a landfill!)
 

12. Cut coupons

The Entertainment Book, grocery coupons, Groupon, and loyalty cards all reduce the price you pay at the register. Clipping coupons might make you feel like an 80-year-old grandmother, but the goal here is to be frugal and save money, and coupons definitely help with that.

Many grocery stores also offer electronic coupons based on your shopping habits. Sign up at your local grocery store for their loyalty program and you can lower your weekly grocery bill with discounts either sent via email or added directly to your loyalty card.

Also, use Rakuten, which is an app and web browser extension that gives you cash back on purchases that range from 1–20%. You can also get American Express Membership Rewards points instead of cash back if you want. I use this service for all my shopping, including all my hotel bookings since many travel companies are on the service. You can also tie a specific credit card to your Rakuten account and get cash back in physical stores, too. They offer many deals and I always check this website before making any purchase.

When you combine Rakuten with coupon codes you find on the web, you have a very powerful combo to save money.
 

13. Sell your stuff

Before I started long-term travel, I looked around my apartment and saw just a lot of stuff I had no need for anymore: TVs, couches, tables, stereo equipment. Instead of keeping it in storage (which costs money), I decided to just get rid of everything. I sold it all and used the money to travel. After all, I’m not going to need my couch while eating pasta in Rome! Sites like Craigslist, Amazon, and Gumtree are excellent places to sell your unneeded consumer goods.

Personally, I love the app OfferUp. It’s easy to use and people are less flaky than on Craigslist (and they don’t try to haggle you down as much). Definitely check it out.

If you’ve got a ton of stuff, consider having a yard sale. That’s the fastest way to clear out your house and make a few bucks in the process.

As you downsize your life, sell your clothes and extra stuff for cash. Sites like The Real Real, Poshmark, and Facebook Marketplace all provide an opportunity to get rid of your unwanted stuff and make some decent money.
 

14. Stop drinking alcohol

Alcohol is expensive. Cutting down the amount you drink is going to have a big impact on your budget. While this might not apply to everyone, those of you who are carefree might go out with your friends on the weekend. Drink before you go out to the bar or simply don’t drink at all. Cutting down the amount of alcohol you consume is considered low-hanging fruit — an easy way to save money.
 

15. Stop snacking

A snack here and there not only adds calories to your waistline but also empties your wallet — another example of phantom expenses. We don’t think much of them because they cost so little, but they add up over time and eat into our savings. Eat fuller meals during lunch and dinner and avoid snacks.

If you do want to snack, bring snacks from home and plan your snacks in advance. That way, you can buy cheaper (and healthier snacks) and avoid buying chips, chocolate bars, and other expensive junk.
 

The rise of the gig economy has made it easier to earn extra money on the side. TaskRabbit lets you do tasks that people don’t have time for—from cleaning to moving, doing research, or helping with errands. Websites like Fiverr and Upwork allow you to be people’s assistants, editors, designers, or a host of other professional roles, while Yoodlize allows you to rent out your unused stuff for money. These sites can provide an easy way to earn money on the side. Be sure to check them out as a way to earn extra money for your upcoming trip.

Additionally, you can become an Uber or Lyft driver, teach a skill on the side, or rent out a room on Airbnb. In the age of the “side hustle,” there are lots of ways to utilize your proven skills for extra cash. Get creative!

Here is a full list of sharing economy websites you can use to earn some extra cash on the site.
 

17. Buy a reusable water bottle

Single-use water bottles are not only harmful to the environment, they are also harmful to your wallet. One or two water bottles a day at $1 USD per bottle will add up to at least $30 USD a month. That’s $360 USD a year! You can spend a week in France with that much money!

Instead of plastic, buy a reusable water bottle and fill it with tap water. You’ll want one for your trip anyway, so buy one now and get in the habit of using it. I like Lifestraw as it also has a water filter.

The most important thing you can do though is to track your expenses as everyone’s situation is different. For me, the biggest “Wow! I can’t believe I’m spending money on this” were Lyft and e-scooters. Hundreds of dollars a month were being wasted on those two things with me realizing it.

Track your spending so you can keep cutting what is discretionary spending. The more you do that, the more you’ll save money, the quicker you’ll be able to get on the road!
 

How to Travel the World on $75 a Day

My New York Times best-selling book to travel will teach you how to master the art of travel so that you’ll get off save money, always find deals, and have a deeper travel experience. It’s your A to Z planning guide that the BBC called the “bible for budget travelers.”

Click here to learn more and start reading it today!

As a soft evening rain began to coat the cobblestone streets of Budapest’s Buda Castle District, my husband and I ducked excitedly into Korona Kávéház, a family-run confectionery and cafe, with dessert on the mind. The sweet we were after had been carefully considered and selected for me long before we set foot in the Pearl of the Danube. We came for a slice of Hungary’s 2024 Cake of the Year.

Beaming with pride, our server brought to the table a towering piece of Mákvirág (Poppy Flower) cake. Created by Alfréd Kovács, owner and pastry chef of the Édes Vonal confectionery in Vác, the cake is sweet yet delicately tart and fruit-forward. It consists of alternating layers of spongy almond-flour poppy seed, crunchy black sesame, and black currant, and it’s topped with dense white chocolate icing. We would have voted for it twice.

Kovács shared what an honor this achievement was, especially considering his pastry shop had opened only five months prior to winning the competition. “The immediate surge in demand after winning was overwhelming. We worked day and night to serve all of our customers, but it was worth it,” the chef told Travel + Leisure. “This competition was a great opportunity to revive and refresh old, traditional flavors. My cake is not too sweet or overly heavy, as poppy seed cakes in Hungarian cuisine can be.”

The nation’s reverence for cake is deeply ingrained in its history and culture, with classics like Esterházy torte, characterized by its intricate spider-web icing, and the six-layer, chocolate cream-filled Stefánia cake, named after a princess, dating back to the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Established in 2007, Hungary’s Cake of the Year competition is overseen by the Hungarian Confectioners’ Association, with the winner announced every year on St. Stephen’s Day. On Aug. 20, the national holiday, also known as Foundation Day, commemorates the foundation of the Hungarian state, and the Cake of the Year is considered a birthday cake for the country.

“Over the years, Hungary’s cake has become an integral part of the Aug. 20th celebrations,” said László Selmeczi, the managing director of the association. “The winning cake is unveiled each year at a press conference held in the Hunter’s Hall of the Hungarian Parliament as part of the official state celebrations.”

One of these celebrations includes the Street of Hungarian Flavors, which honors Hungary’s proud cultural history of gastronomy. During the event, 30,000 to 40,000 slices of the newly crowned Cake of the Year are sold over the course of two days. Leading up to the national holiday, many pastry shops also prepare cakes from previous year’s competitions.

When asked about some of his favorite and most memorable cakes over the years, Selmeczi shared the 2016 Cake of the Year—Őrség Zöld Aranya (Green Gold of Őrség)—has remained popular, and is still widely available in most pastry shops. “It’s also my personal favorite because of its use of pumpkin seed oil in the sponge cake and the glazing, which pairs beautifully with raspberries and white chocolate.”

The competition offers pastry chefs the opportunity to further the heritage of Hungarian desserts, while contributing their own creations to that illustrious history. A new school of chefs like Kovács is committed to reinventing the classics of Hungarian pastry past, taking a more health-conscious, experimental approach. There’s even a sugar-free division from which a separate winner is selected. In 2024, that winner was Zöld Málna (Green Raspberry), a fruity, floral beauty made with pistachio, raspberry jelly, and rosewater, and decorated with dried rose petals.

Regardless of your taste preferences, Hungary’s storied pastry- and cake-making tradition has a bright future. Chefs entering the 2025 competition will celebrate the 140th anniversary of Hungary’s famed Dobos—a layered, sponge cake with chocolate buttercream and a caramel topping—that has been a staple of Hungarian desserts since József C. Dobos introduced it at the Budapest National General Exhibition in 1885. This year’s competition requires chefs to use the key ingredients characteristic of the cake, along with other suggested ingredients such as spices, native fruits, pálinka (a traditional Hungarian fruit brandy), or wines made from grape varieties indigenous to the Carpathian Basin.

Bookmark Aug. 20, 2025 on your calendar and prepare to celebrate one of the world’s sweetest traditions.

Finding the best travel deals is a matter of timing.

A lot of people think travel is just expensive, but in reality, there are incredible deals happening all the time. They often don’t last too long, and you have to act quickly. That can sometimes be a problem when a deal requires jumping on a plane tomorrow (how many people can do that?).

Fortunately, most deals are for months in the future, giving you ample time to plan your schedule.

Often I will book a flight and then figure out my plans.

Since you can usually cancel a flight within 24 hours without incurring a fee, I lock in the deal and then figure out if I can make it work. Sometimes I can (like the $1,200 USD business-class flight from LA to Stockholm round-trip); sometimes I can’t (like the $400 USD New Zealand flights I had to cancel).

I am always looking out for deals.

Today, I want to tell you where I go for travel deals, tips, and expert advice. After all, these resources focus solely on this one aspect of travel, so why not use them? I can’t know everything, so I rely on specialists. If travel were a hospital, I would be your general practitioner.

Here’s a quick look at the top companies I use and suggest:

Quick Overview: Best Travel Deals

For a full breakdown of each company and what they are best for, click on the links below to jump to that section:

Where to Find the Best Flight Deals

When it comes to finding flight deals, I use these four websites for last-minute deals. There are always finding new (and tempting) last minute flights — often for a fraction of what you would pay otherwise.

My go-to website for cheap flight deals is Going.com. Formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights, this is an awesome resource for finding flight deals from the US. They offer free flight alerts, and with a premium membership you get access to even more deals as soon as they find them. (New users can get 20% off Premium with the code NOMADICMATT20.)

Three other great websites to use are:

• The Flight Deal – This is a great resource for finding cheap flights from the USA. If you’re based in the States, start your research here!
• Secret Flying – This cheap flight website finds “error fares” (when airlines make pricing mistakes) to and from destinations all around the globe.
• Holiday Pirates – No matter where you’re based this is a great cheap flight website so be sure to always check here for more deals.

If you’re simply looking to book a flight, check out the search engines below. It’s important to remember that there is no one best online booking website. All the search engine websites have blind spots so it’s important to search a few different places before you book your flight.

Generally, the BEST booking sites are the following:

• Skyscanner – I always start my searches with Skyscanner. It’s a very intuitive platform that searches booking websites and airlines all around the world to ensure that no deal is missed. If you’re not 100% sure where you want to go (or when) then start your search with Skyscanner.
• Google Flights – A good all-around flight search website to include in your cheap flight arsenal.

Where to Find the Best Points & Miles News

When it comes to finding the latest in airline and frequent flier news, I turn to these sites. They give me the latest on the changes in the industry and loyalty programs, and any points and miles news that might be important:

• View from the Wing – This is where I go for airline and frequent flier news.
• The Points Guy – A great resource for credit card and points & miles news and information.
• One Mile at a Time – This is a great website for credit card, in-flight experiences, and frequent flier news.

For Australia and New Zealand, visit Points Hack.

For Canada, use Prince of Travel.

For the UK, Head for Points.

As a very, very, very avid traveler (and while I have my own special tricks and tips), when you’re overseas a lot, it’s hard to stay up to date on your own so I use these three sites to keep me in the loop.

READ MORE:

Where to Find the Best Cruise Deals

In my mind, there is only one cruise deal website worth following: CruiseSheet. This site consistently has some of the lowest rates out there, and its interface is beautiful.

If I don’t find anything on CruiseSheet or want to double-check a price, I go to the second-best website, vacationstogo.com.
 

Where to Find the Best Transportation Deals

If you’re looking for budget transportation, these are the websites you’ll want to check. Cheap buses, trains, and rideshare apps can help keep your transportation costs low, giving you more time on the road. Here are my favorites:

• FlixBus – A budget-friendly bus company routes all across Europe and parts of the USA.
• Trainline – Offers a variety of discounted train passes for both individual countries as well as entire regions of Europe, including passes for the entire continent.
• Rome2Rio – A helpful resource for finding and comparing budget transportation options.
• BlaBlaCar – A rideshare app that pairs travelers with local drivers who are looking to pick up passengers for a small fee.
• RVShare – A sharing economy platform for renting RVs and camper vans directly from locals.
• Turo – A car rental app that enables you to rent cars for short periods of time from locals.
• Japan Rail Pass – A budget-friendly train pass exclusively for Japan. Comes in 7, 14, and 21-day passes.
• Discover Cars – A comprehensive rental car aggregator for destinations all around the globe. I always find the best car rental deals here.

READ MORE:

Where to Find the Best Accommodation Deals

From hotels to hostels to camping, there are tons of great websites out there to help you find deals and save money. Here are my suggestions to help you get started:

• Booking.com – This is the best website for finding hotels no matter where you are in the world. I usually start my search for hotel rooms here.
• Campspace – This app connects you with locals renting out plots of land, RVs, cabins, and camper vans ranging from rustic to glamping.
• Trusted Housesitters – Helps travelers connect with locals looking for house and pet sitters. Great for slow travelers/long-term travelers.
• HomeExchange – A network that facilitates swapping homes with another person or family. They have over 200,000 members with houses in 155 countries, making it an amazing platform for finding house swaps around the globe.
• Hostelworld – They are hands-down the best resource for finding budget-friendly hostels around the world. I use them every time I travel and you should too!
• HostelPass – This card gives you up to 20% off hostels throughout Europe. It’s a great way to save money and it’s constantly adding new hostels too. I’ve always wanted something like this and so I’m glad it finally exists. Use the code NOMADICMATT to get 25% off too!

READ MORE:

Where to Find the Best Tour Deals

For tours and excursions, I keep an eye on the following companies by subscribing to their emails:

• The Nomadic Network (TNN) – I created this global community for travel lovers in 2019. While I no longer run it (they’re now run by Lisa, a long-time TNN community member), they’re great group tours for people who want to travel — not simply vacation!
• Intrepid Travel – This is my favorite small-group tour company. They hire local guides and are great for both solo travelers and couples/groups.
• Walks – Walks operates small group tours with local guides in some of the best cities around the world.
• Devour Food Tours – My go-to food tour company, with tours all around Europe and the US.
• EatWith – Allows you to eat home cooked meals with local cooks. Everyone sets their own price (so prices can vary wildly depending on the cook) but this is a great way to do something different, pick a local’s brain, and make a new friend.
• Get Your Guide – A huge activity aggregator where you can find and book all kinds of activities, from cooking classes to walking tours to multi-day local excursions.
• Worldpackers – Worldpackers organizes group tours centered around volunteer experiences. It’s a great way to meet like-minded travelers while giving back to local communities.

READ MORE:

Where I Find the Best Travel Insurance Deals

I never travel anywhere without travel insurance. After dealing with injuries and emergencies abroad (and knowing plenty of other travelers who have been injured or robbed on the road) I always make sure I have comprehensive medical and travel insurance before I leave home. Here are my recommended companies for finding the best travel insurance:

• SafetyWing – This is my go-to travel insurance company. They offer affordable monthly plans with a deductible. Great for digital nomads and frugal travelers!
• Insure My Trip – If you’re over 70 and looking for insurance, this is the best place to find it!
• Medjet – Medjet is a good option for people who are going to be far from home and want added evacuation coverage. It’s great for solo travelers and super affordable.
• World Nomads – The first company I ever got travel insurance with, World Nomads is best for adventurous travelers. They cover a lot of adventure activities that other companies don’t, and now even offer annual travel insurance.

READ MORE:

While I think my site is amazing for your on-the-ground tips, tricks, and advice needs, for when you need travel deals to get you to where you want to go, use the companies above. They’re what I use, and they’ve never steered me wrong! They’ll save you the most money!

The line snaked down the sidewalk behind a velour rope as if it belonged to a nightclub. But it was noon on a sunny Tuesday afternoon in Sydney, and these patrons were seeking an entirely different buzz.

The eager anticipation was for a hot spot that’s steaming all day. Toby’s Estate Coffee Roasters in the artsy Chippendale suburb might look like an unassuming neighborhood cafe—but it’s just been named the world’s best coffee shop.

Fighting off thousands of rivals, Toby’s Estate scored top marks in categories from coffee flavor, baristas, and innovation to food quality, sustainability, and ambience, before being crowned champion by a panel of bean counters at the inaugural World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops gala in Madrid last month.

Inside the bright, sun-drenched cafe, it was immediately apparent this place was different. Unlike most coffee shops, the baristas here worked among the customers, like an Apple Genius Bar, while overhead dentist-style mirrors showcased their intricate handiwork. Behind an enormous glass wall, the daily grind in the on-site roastery was visible, too, as apron-clad workers readied, aimed, and fired their precious beans. The whole place had a whiff of Willy Wonka about it: joyful, upbeat, inventive and, well, caffeinated.

And then there were the drinks. Toby’s Estate rotates specialist and experimental beans from around the world, sparking wide-eyed delight among java junkies when each monthly menu drops. Asking to be “surprised,” I was handed an aromatic Panamanian Altieri coffee in one of Toby’s signature goblets, and was blown away by the full flavor and craft beer-like hoppiness of the brew.

Grabbing my steaming drink in both hands, I headed across the bustling cafe to a spare seat by the window, overlooking luscious Victoria Park and the sandstone turrets of the University of Sydney beyond. Here, I started chatting to one of the regulars, local artist and studio owner Melissa Tan-Lu.

“I’ve been coming here for eight years, and I’ve never seen this place so buzzing,” said Tan-Lu. “Sydneysiders are serious about their coffee, and now they’ve all discovered how good this place is. I’m proud of these guys for winning the award, but I’m also sad our secret is out because we all have to queue now.”

The Sydney coffee scene is celebrated for its cool vibes and the competitiveness of its baristas, locked in an eternal struggle with Melbourne, the self-proclaimed “Coffee Capital of Australia.” This award should go some way to righting that balance.

It’s a rivalry that Jody Leslie, the general manager of Toby’s Estate, was keen to play down, as any true winner would.

“This is a win for Australian coffee as a whole, not just for us or Sydney,” said Leslie, as we chatted in the state-of-the-art tasting lab above the cafe. “Australians are passionate about their coffee and we’re equally passionate about serving them the best product. That’s why we’re constantly scouring the globe for new and interesting beans.”

Some of those beans are more interesting than others, particularly when it comes to infusion and fermentation at source. Toby’s Estate has a network of global talent scouts that would put many professional sports teams to shame, unearthing potential from as far afield as El Salvador, Guatemala, Kenya, and Brazil. The fruits of those labors adorn the cafe’s rotating menu, which has seen everything from strawberry and coconut espressos to butterscotch pudding and crème brûlée lattes.

“Each time we taste a new bean, it has to score at least 80 out of 100 on the SCA (Specialty Coffee Association) scale, and then we look at the best ways to serve it,” said Leslie. “We’re always tasting for the same four criteria: acidity, mouth feel, flavor, and finish.”

It’s a process that’s served the business well since it began with a wantaway lawyer (the eponymous Toby) roasting beans in his mother’s garage nearly 30 years ago. It has now expanded to a small network of shops, although it was the Chippendale flagship itself that won the award.

Since that announcement, a lot has changed. Now, Leslie said, there’s always a line when the doors open at 7: 30 a.m., and there are even plans to open a Manhattan outpost later this year. But despite the current hype, there’s one reliable constant here in Harbor City.

“We’re way busier in the mornings now, but everything still goes quiet, like clockwork, at 3 p.m.,” said Leslie. “There’s just something in the Australian psyche that switches then; that’s when everybody starts thinking about beer instead.”