Short answer
A flat white is an espresso drink topped with steamed milk that has a thin layer of fine microfoam, served in a small cup. It is stronger and silkier than a latte and has less froth than a cappuccino.
A flat white is a small espresso drink made with steamed milk that has been textured into a fine, glossy microfoam, then poured so the coffee and milk blend into one smooth layer. It is stronger than a latte, softer than a cappuccino and usually served in a cup of about 160 to 220 millilitres.
What is a flat white?
A flat white is a coffee made from one or two shots of espresso with steamed milk poured over the top, finishing with a thin, even layer of microfoam. The surface is smooth and slightly glossy instead of fluffy, which is where the name “flat” comes from.
The drink is a staple of cafe culture in Australia and New Zealand. It is often described as the coffee that sits between a latte and a cappuccino: more milk than a macchiato, less foam than a cappuccino, and a stronger coffee taste than a milk-heavy latte.
Where does the flat white come from?
The flat white is an Australasian invention, but who made it first is disputed. Cafes in both Sydney and Wellington have been named as the original, usually in the 1980s, and no single account has been confirmed.
What is not in doubt is how far the drink has travelled. It is now on menus across the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and Asia, and in Australia it is one of the most common orders at any cafe counter.
What is in a flat white?
A flat white contains espresso and steamed milk, nothing else. There is no chocolate powder, no flavoured syrup and no foam mountain on top.
- Espresso: one or two shots, depending on the cafe. A double shot is common for a stronger result.
- Milk: cow’s milk by default, steamed until it is hot and has a velvety texture.
- Cup: a small ceramic cup, so the coffee stays concentrated.
The key skill is in the milk. Steaming a flat white means adding only a little air, so the milk becomes dense and silky instead of bubbly. That texture is called microfoam, and it is what makes the drink feel creamy without being heavy.
How big is a flat white?
A flat white is usually served in a cup of roughly 160 to 220 millilitres, although exact sizes differ from cafe to cafe. Cafes that offer a choice of cup sizes normally label the larger one as a “large flat white” with extra milk or a second shot.
| Drink | Typical cup | Milk amount | Foam layer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flat white | Small ceramic cup | Medium | Thin microfoam |
| Latte | Tall glass or large cup | High | Thin to medium |
| Cappuccino | Medium cup | Medium | Thick, airy foam |
| Macchiato | Tiny cup or glass | Very little | A spoonful of foam |
Because the cup is small, the espresso is only lightly diluted, so a flat white tastes more like coffee and less like warm milk.
What is the difference between a flat white and a latte?
A flat white has less milk, thinner foam and a stronger coffee flavour than a latte. A latte is served in a taller glass or larger cup with more steamed milk and a slightly deeper layer of froth.
Put side by side, the two look different. A latte is a taller drink, often with latte art on the surface, and its taste is milder and sweeter. A flat white is shorter and darker in colour, and the first sip is noticeably more coffee-forward. Many cafes pour the same espresso base into both, so the difference comes down to milk volume and texture.
What is the difference between a flat white and a cappuccino?
A cappuccino has a thick layer of airy foam on top, often dusted with chocolate powder, while a flat white has only a thin layer of microfoam and no dusting. The cappuccino therefore feels lighter and fluffier in the mouth.
In Australia a cappuccino is typically served in a medium cup and can be ordered “dry” for extra foam or “wet” for less. A flat white does not usually have those variations, because its appeal is the consistent, silky pour.
How do you order a flat white in Australia?
To order a flat white in Australia, simply say “flat white”, and add the size or milk choice if you want one. Most cafes assume a regular size with dairy milk and a standard single or double shot.
Common ways to adjust the order:
- Milk: ask for oat, soy, almond or lactose-free milk instead of full cream.
- Strength: ask for an extra shot if you want it stronger, or a “weak” version with a single shot.
- Temperature: ask for it “extra hot” or “warm” if you prefer a different serving temperature.
- Size: choose the small or large size if the cafe has both.
Takeaway cups are usually larger than the ceramic cups used for dining in, so a takeaway flat white can taste slightly milkier than the same order drunk in the cafe.
How do you make a flat white at home?
To make a flat white at home you need an espresso shot and milk steamed to a smooth, shiny texture, then poured in one steady stream. A machine with a steam wand makes this easiest, although a stovetop pot and a handheld frother can come close.
A rough method looks like this:
- Brew a double shot of espresso into a small cup.
- Pour about 150 millilitres of cold milk into a jug.
- Steam the milk until the jug is warm to the touch, adding air only for the first few seconds.
- Swirl the jug to blend the foam into the milk.
- Pour in a steady stream, finishing with a small flourish if you like latte art.
Overheating the milk is the most common mistake. Milk that gets too hot loses sweetness and can taste flat in the wrong sense of the word.
Is the flat white on the menu at Algorithm Cafe Marrickville?
Coffee is one of the menu categories on the cafe’s Uber Eats page, which was read on 14 November 2026, but that page showed only the food items, so the individual coffee names were not recorded. The guide therefore cannot confirm that a flat white is listed or what it costs.
Broadsheet describes the Marrickville cafe’s drinks as inspired by Asian cafe culture, with specialty coffee such as a Mecca Moonwalker blend. Spinach reports that oat milk is available. For the current coffee list, check the cafe’s Instagram account or ask at the counter. The menu page of this guide shows the recorded food items, and the hours and location page has opening times. This guide is independent and takes no orders.
Common questions
Is a flat white stronger than a latte?
Usually yes in taste, because a flat white has less milk. Both often use the same espresso base, but the smaller cup means the coffee flavour is less diluted and comes through more clearly.
Where does the flat white come from?
Australia and New Zealand both claim it, and the dispute has never been settled. Most accounts place its rise in the 1980s, and it has since spread to cafes in Britain, the United States and beyond.
How big is a flat white?
Sizes vary by cafe, but a flat white is commonly served in a cup of roughly 160 to 220 millilitres. It is smaller than a typical latte glass and about the size of a small cappuccino.
Can you get a flat white with oat milk?
Most cafes can make a flat white with oat, soy or almond milk. Plant milks texture differently from dairy, so the result is a little less sweet and the microfoam can be slightly looser.
Is a flat white hot or iced?
A flat white is a hot drink by definition, because its character comes from steamed microfoam. Cafes that sell a cold version usually call it an iced latte instead.
Before you go, check the Algorithm Cafe Marrickville guide for the current hours and the menu.
This article is general information from an independent guide, not from Algorithm Cafe Marrickville itself. For the store’s current details see hours and location.