Fonzie Abbott Coffee Review | No. 70 on the World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops 2025

 When people talk about the “Michelin Guide” of the coffee world, The World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops always comes up. This annual ranking releases a fresh list every year, and it’s something I personally keep a close eye on. It has also become one of my go-to references whenever I travel to a new country and start mapping out which cafés I have to visit.

Australia, of course, is a paradise for coffee lovers. Beyond Melbourne—the widely recognized “coffee capital of the world”—cities like Brisbane, where I’m currently based, have also become major contenders on the list. So on this trip to Australia, I’ve made it a point to visit several cafés featured in the 2025 World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops ranking. Naturally, that makes the titles a bit simpler this time—haha.

Today’s spotlight is on the café ranked No. 70 in the 2025 list: Fonzie Abbott, located at 40 Fox St, Albion QLD 4010.

Getting around Brisbane is refreshingly easy. Public transportation is well developed—and the best part? A bus ride costs just AUD 0.50, basically the same as taking a bus back home. One thing to keep in mind, though: buses here don’t announce stops and won’t stop at every station automatically. You’ll need to keep an eye on your map and press the bell before your stop to signal the driver. I took Bus 301 directly from the CBD and got off right near the café—super convenient.

Fonzie Abbott’s black, vintage-style storefront is instantly recognizable. The entire building belongs to the café, and I’m a big fan of this bold, industrial aesthetic. Just be sure to check the opening hours—most cafés in Australia close surprisingly early. Sleep in a little too long, and you might miss your coffee altogether. 😄

The moment you push open the door, it feels like stepping into a Western saloon. Inside, the rhythmic beats pulse through the space—thump thump thump—totally my vibe. I couldn’t help but start moving along with the music.

Most of the space is dedicated to seating, divided into indoor and outdoor areas. One thing worth mentioning is that Fonzie Abbott strongly encourages online ordering, both on their website and in-store. Honestly, this feels very familiar to anyone used to scanning QR codes to order. Their online menu even includes photos for every item, which is a thoughtful and well-executed touch.

In the official World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops award description, Fonzie Abbott is introduced like this:

“Fonzie Abbott offers a haven of specialty coffee, delicious food, and a vibrant atmosphere. Tucked away in an edgy, rustic setting, with a welcoming park just across the street, they’ve earned their reputation as the area’s best.”

While the wording may sound a bit understated, I couldn’t agree more. This area is far from the skyscrapers of the city center—it’s deeply rooted in the neighborhood and woven into the everyday lives of Brisbane locals. There’s very little tourist energy here; instead, it’s a go-to brunch spot for nearby residents.

At its core, Fonzie Abbott revolves around two main pillars: coffee and food. There’s a coffee bar (with some craft beer as well), plus a fully equipped kitchen. That said, the ventilation seems… questionable—the entire space was filled with that unmistakable aroma of an American burger kitchen. 😆 I initially thought the second floor was also seating, but when I went upstairs, I discovered it was a barbershop. Somehow, that only amplified the retro vibe.

How could I come to Australia and not order a Piccolo? 😄
As usual, I asked whether I could choose the beans—nope. The Piccolo here is made exclusively with their house blend. The barista pointed me toward the black bag on the shelf.

Curious, I checked the blend myself: a medium roast combining Brazil, Papua New Guinea, and El Salvador, using both natural and washed processes.

A Piccolo is traditionally built on a ristretto base—espresso extracted with less water, resulting in a more concentrated, sweeter shot with lower acidity and bitterness. This is topped with finely textured steamed milk and typically served in a 100 ml glass. The goal is to highlight the espresso while enhancing smoothness and sweetness.

To give you a sense of scale, I even compared the cup to my fist—the opening was just slightly wider than the space between my thumb and index finger. It’s tiny. A true short milk drink, somewhere between pure espresso tasting and a milk-based compromise.

But wow—this one packed a punch.

The aroma was soft and inviting, with notes of caramel cream. The first sip, though? Pure chocolate. A dense, powerful body that hit instantly, yet stayed impressively clean. Drinking it honestly felt like taking a shot of tequila—small, intense, and instantly intoxicating. Coffee buzz, slightly tipsy. Totally exhilarating.

A Journey of Coffee Aromas

Now let’s talk about the food.

I ordered Eggs Benedict, which is always one of my personal café favorites. That said, cafés abroad have a hundred different ways to reinterpret this classic—and this one was no exception. Two perfectly poached eggs served with spinach and sourdough. The key move? Break that runny yolk first. The rich yolk spilling over the spinach and bread—one forkful straight into your mouth—and the texture and flavor are simply incredible.

And don’t waste the hollandaise sauce. I love using the remaining sourdough to “wipe the plate clean.” The chewy bite of the bread paired with the richness of the sauce? Pure bliss.

I also ordered the Turkish eggs, which felt like a refreshing change. If you ever get tired of Eggs Benedict, this is an excellent alternative. It features soft eggs paired with herbed Greek yogurt and chili butter, served alongside toasted bread. The flavor layers are bolder, and the textures shift beautifully between soft and firm, making each bite more playful and satisfying.

Strong recommendation: dip the toast into a mix of runny yolk, yogurt, and chili butter. It’s dangerously good—comforting, rich, and deeply addictive.

If Fonzie Abbott is a reflection of what Brisbane’s coffee scene has to offer, then it absolutely deserves its place on the world stage.