Which city opened the first McCafé, McDonald’s coffeehouse concept?

Melbourne opened the first McCafé, McDonald’s coffeehouse concept.

The first McCafé opened in Melbourne, Australia, in 1993. The concept was designed to give McDonald’s restaurants a more café-like coffee service, reflecting the popularity of espresso drinks and café culture in Australia.

McCafé later expanded to other countries and became a major part of McDonald’s beverage branding. Its menus and store formats varied by market, but the name generally signaled specialty coffee, pastries, and a more dedicated café experience within or beside a McDonald’s restaurant.

The first McCafé was not opened in the United States, even though McDonald’s is an American company. This is a frequent source of confusion when people assume that major McDonald’s concepts began domestically. Melbourne’s 1993 location provided the model for later international expansion.