The verdict is in: Sydney’s Sunday mornings aren’t just about caffeine anymore. Shu Yeung has transformed the city’s coffee culture into a vibrant, educational experience where strangers become collaborators in a shared love of specialty coffee. At first glance, it’s a walking tour—until you realize it’s also a masterclass in storytelling, a bridge between industry jargon and everyday curiosity, and a testament to how coffee can connect people across continents and cultures.
Shu’s journey began in Tokyo, where he mapped over 20 specialty cafés, walking with a cupping spoon in his pocket and a camera slung over his shoulder. The experience left him with a revelation: coffee wasn’t just about the drink—it was about the stories behind it. When he returned to Sydney, he turned his Inner West café, Diggy Doos, into a hub for sharing those stories. Over time, the idea crystallized into Sydney Coffee Tour, a weekly event where he guides small groups through the city’s specialty coffee scene, blending education with exploration.
The tours aren’t just about visiting cafés. They’re about closing the gap between what coffee professionals know and what the average drinker understands. “There’s a gap between what the industry calls ‘basic’ and what people actually know,” Shu says. He’s not here to lecture—he’s here to translate. Whether it’s explaining the difference between a batch brew and an espresso or unraveling the meaning behind an origin card, his goal is to equip participants with the language to engage meaningfully with specialty coffee. “Education became the centerpiece,” he adds. “It’s the most responsible thing to do when people choose to spend their Sunday mornings on my tours.”
What sets these tours apart is their modular, ever-evolving structure. Each week brings a new route, a new theme, and a fresh cast of cafés, all chosen for their commitment to quality and storytelling. Shu’s inflatable globe makes an appearance when discussing the Coffee Belt, a nod to his global perspective. But the real magic lies in the stories. “Knowing Seven Seeds is a café is different when you’ve been told about the seven seeds Baba Budan smuggled out of Mocha,” he explains. Every anecdote serves a purpose: to connect listeners to the roots of coffee, to the people who grow it, and to the culture that surrounds it.
– Storytelling transforms cafés into cultural touchpoints, linking drinkers to the history and people behind their brews.
Key Points: – Education is the tour’s core, bridging specialty coffee jargon with everyday understanding. – Storytelling transforms cafés into cultural touchpoints, linking drinkers to the history and people behind their brews. – Community is central—coffee is a platform for connection, not just consumption.
What’s your favorite way to experience coffee? Share how it connects you to people, places, or stories.
Questions & Answers
What areas of Sydney are covered on the coffee tour?
The tour covers Sydney’s inner-city neighborhoods like Paddington, Newtown, and Surry Hills, known for their vibrant coffee culture and unique cafes.
How long does the coffee tour last?
The tour typically lasts 2–3 hours, allowing time to explore several cafes and learn about Sydney’s coffee scene.
Information sourced from industry reports and news outlets.
