McCafé was the McDonald’s restaurant format that introduced a coffeehouse-style brand identity in the 1990s.
McDonald’s developed McCafé in Melbourne, Australia, where the first location opened in 1993. The concept added espresso-based drinks and a more café-like atmosphere to the existing McDonald’s business, expanding the brand beyond its traditional association with burgers, fries, and quick meals.
The McCafé name and visual identity later spread to other countries, although the menu, store design, and rollout dates varied by market. In many locations, McCafé became a branded counter or section inside a regular McDonald’s restaurant rather than a completely separate chain.
McCafé is sometimes confused with a single global store format. In practice, McDonald’s adapted the concept locally, so its design and offerings were not identical everywhere.