Inside Australian Coffee Culture: Most Popular Orders It's no secret that Australians love their coffee. Knowing what people want will help you stay ahead of the competition. To help you run the best cafe you can, we've compiled a roundup of the most popular coffee orders. Australian coffee culture is one of the country’s great pastimes. According to the research organisation, McCrindle, 75% of Australians consume at least one cup a day, and one in four say they simply can’t get through the day without it. With so much love for a daily brew, making sure your cafe delivers on the drinks people want is essential for success. For cafes, staying on top of the most popular coffee orders is vital. Knowing what your customers want - and delivering it consistently - is one of the easiest ways to build loyalty and keep people coming back. The Most Popular Coffee Orders in Australia When it comes to the most popular orders in Australia, the classics still win. Older industry reports (Square, 2019) showed the breakdown as: Latte: 27% Flat White: 25% Cappuccino: 20% Long Black: 8% Espresso: 6% While those numbers are a few years old, more recent surveys confirm that latte, flat white and cappuccino are still the most popular coffee orders in Australia. What’s shifting is how people drink them. McCrindle research highlights: 65% of Australians make their own coffee at home during the week. 41% of Gen Z now prefer iced coffee over hot coffee. 68% of Australians won’t pay more than $6 for an iced latte. So while the big three remain the cafe essentials, iced coffee is fast becoming one of the most popular coffee drinks among younger customers. Flat white vs latte vs cappuccino Flat white, cafe latte and cappuccino might all be espresso with milk - but the differences matter. Here’s how they compare: Flat White: A smaller cup with less milk, giving more espresso flavour. Topped with a thin layer of velvety microfoam. Cafe Latte: A larger serve, usually in a glass, with more milk and just a light layer of foam. Smooth and creamy. Cappuccino: Similar milk to espresso ratio as a latte, but with much more foam. The thicker froth gives a lighter body, often finished with chocolate powder. Flat white is often described as the signature Australian order, while lattes are seen as smoother and milkier, and cappuccinos offer the most texture. Most popular milk alternatives While Australians tend to favour coffees with milk, it’s not that simple. The choice of milk has become just as important as the coffee itself.Statistics show that non-dairy alternatives are no longer niche - it’s an everyday expectation in most cafes. Making sure that your cafe provides these should be on your list of priorities. The most popular milk alternatives in Australia are: Almond Milk – the long-time favourite. Soy Milk – still widely used. Oat Milk - the fastest-growing option, especially with younger drinkers. Coconut Milk – a smaller but steady choice. McCrindle’s research points to an ongoing rise in plant-based options, with younger consumers in particular driving the demand. Oat milk has seen the biggest growth in recent years, and is quickly catching up to almond and soy. What this means for your cafe The most popular coffee orders may evolve, but some things never change - Australians love their coffee and they want it done well. Focus on getting your flat whites, lattes and cappuccinos spot on - they’re still the big three. Keep long blacks and espressos sharp and consistent for customers who want their coffee bold. Be ready for iced coffee orders, especially with Gen Z and younger Millennials. Stock the right milk alternatives - almond, soy and oat are must-haves. By keeping your menu aligned with what Australians are actually ordering, and by paying attention to shifts in taste, you’ll put your cafe in the best position to succeed.
