McCafé was McDonald’s first restaurant concept devoted primarily to coffee and café-style drinks.
McDonald’s launched McCafé in Melbourne, Australia, in 1993. The concept provided espresso-based drinks and a café atmosphere within or alongside McDonald’s restaurants. It gave the company a way to compete more directly in markets where coffeehouses were important social and beverage destinations.
McCafé is sometimes confused with ordinary McDonald’s coffee service. Regular restaurants had sold coffee for decades, but McCafé represented a distinct branded café concept with specialized drinks, equipment, and presentation. The name combined “Mc,” a long-standing McDonald’s naming element, with “café.”
After its Australian beginning, McCafé expanded internationally and became a prominent part of McDonald’s beverage branding. Its growth also reflected a wider shift in fast-food branding toward premium coffee, customized drinks, and café-style experiences.