Flat White Frank's global quest to find the ultimate coffee experience

A British man calling himself Flat White Frank is travelling the world in search of the perfect flat white. His mission has taken him from London to New Zealand, where he has spent the last three weeks sampling coffees in Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch and Queenstown. With nearly 18,000 Instagram followers and 12,000 on TikTok, his straightforward reviews have struck a chord with coffee lovers everywhere.

Frank began his journey in November 2024 after noticing a gap in the UK's coffee news—no one was focusing solely on flat whites. He defines the drink as a double espresso in a six-ounce cup, topped with velvety, textured milk. His top-rated flat white so far came from Nostos in Battersea, London, praised for its 'very boozy, fruity coffee bean with freeze-distilled milk'—a standout in a city he believes struggles to match New Zealand's coffee culture.

In Wellington, a café named Frank's impressed him with an 8-out-of-10 rating for its version of the drink. The owner, also named Frank, even crafted a special flat white using passionfruit-fermented Colombian coffee, which the reviewer called 'insane'. Wellington's reputation as a food-loving capital, especially along Cuba Street, made it a key stop on his tour.

Next, Frank plans to head to Australia, where the debate over the flat white's origins rages on. Melbourne claims the title, and he aims to test whether the city lives up to its reputation.

Frank's reviews have gained traction thanks to their simplicity and focus on a single drink. His followers now await his verdict on Australia's offerings. For now, New Zealand remains a strong contender in his global hunt for the best flat white.