If you’re a coffee snob and a traveler, you know how hard it can be to guarantee a good cup of coffee each morning.
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Some destinations simply don’t specialize in coffee, especially in places where tea (or chai) is the dominant choice. Other times, you might be visiting a location known for its great coffee—only to be lured into a basic tourist trap with watered-down drinks.
So, how can you seek out reliably good coffee when you’re visiting a new place? And what signs should you look for that you’re about to order an overpriced and underwhelming cup of joe? Here are the basics of how to find good coffee shops while you’re traveling, from Japan to Argentina to Canada.
A closer look at coffee-drinking around the world
Many Asian destinations prefer tea, usually called chai, over coffee. This includes places like China, India, Sri Lanka, and even places as far west as Turkey. Middle Eastern countries like the UAE tend to offer coffee thanks to the number of international travelers who pass through, although local tastes tilt toward tea.
It’s also worth considering how people drink coffee. Even if a country is known for its love of coffee, you might notice that locals drink smaller amounts. In Brazil, for example, locals tend to drink smaller cups of stronger coffee. The same is true in Italy, where espresso is the dominant order.
Americans tend to drink larger portions of coffee that is more diluted. The Americano is the perfect example—it’s an espresso shot with hot water added on top to emulate the drip coffee served back home. Additionally, we tend to look for coffee drinks that include other flavors, from chocolate to pumpkin spice to vanilla. These Starbucks-style drinks aren’t as easy to find abroad.
Lastly, keep in mind that coffee orders differ by country. A macchiato might be a latte-style espresso drink with plenty of milk… or a shot of espresso with a small dollop of milk. If you stick to a specific coffee order, double-check that you’re getting the right item when you order.
How to find good coffee shops on the road: look for these 6 signs
Sign #1: It’s independent
You can find good coffee at major chains, but the best coffee shops tend to be independently owned. When you start looking up coffee shops at your destination, start off with names you haven’t recognized and logos that look homegrown and hand-designed. Compared to larger chains, independent coffee shops have stronger relationships with fellow independent roasters and producers, letting them hand-pick their preferred blends and keep their favorites in rotation.
Sign #2: You can see information on roasting and origins
One key sign of a great coffee shop is that it offers information on where its coffee beans come from, who roasts their beans, and when they were roasted. Even if you don’t normally care about single-origin coffees or torrefaction roasting, you can trust coffee shops that list out the details of where their coffee comes from and how it’s processed. Think of it like a restaurant providing information on its locally sourced ingredients.
Sign #3: Single-size drinks don’t come in larger portions
Some coffee drinks consist of fixed ratios of milk and coffee, like a cortado and a cappuccino. If you’re looking for a high-quality coffee shop, go for those that offer a single size for select drinks instead of small, medium, and large. It signals that the shop makes drinks according to traditional standards, which is often an indicator of quality control.
Sign #4: The baristas look serious
Working at a coffee shop might not sound like a big deal, but being a barista is a legitimate profession—and some consider it on-par with sommeliers in terms of complexity, education, and skill. Did you know that there are even annual World Coffee Championships events held around the world?
Although there’s no way to judge the experience of a barista based on appearance, you should prioritize coffee shops where baristas look serious. One great indicator is whether they’re greeting customers by name. That means they have regulars who trust them for their morning pick-me-up.
Sign #5: The equipment also looks top-notch
As with information on coffee bean origins and roasting, you don’t need to know about the world’s best espresso machines or grinders. But if you see a series of specialized, shining equipment behind the bar, that’s usually an indicator that the coffee shop is a well-oiled machine.
Sign #6: Cyclists are packed in
Here’s one of the oddest tips on how to find good coffee shops while traveling: If you see a gang of cyclists packed in for a shot of espresso, you’re probably in good hands. That’s because countries that love cycling also appreciate great coffee, including Spain and Italy.
Cyclists who are serious about their hobby tend to also appreciate good coffee. Yes, it’s really a thing. Apparently, pro cyclists will drink up to six espresso shots a day, as the caffeine helps improve performance.