The McDonald's coffeehouse brand that began in Melbourne, Australia, in 1993 was McCafé.
McCafé was developed to give McDonald's a more specialized coffee identity while remaining connected to its restaurant network. The first McCafé opened in Melbourne, where it operated as a café-style extension of a McDonald's restaurant. Its branding used the Mc prefix but presented a different atmosphere from the traditional fast-food counter.
The concept spread beyond Australia and became an international branded format. In many markets, McCafé counters offer espresso-based drinks, brewed coffee, pastries, and other café products. Exact menus and store designs vary by country.
McCafé is not the name of McDonald's original coffee line. It refers to a branded café concept and product range. The launch is also separate from later premium-coffee campaigns, which promoted upgraded coffee without necessarily creating a distinct McCafé space.