10 Coffee Chains Better Than Starbucks & 10 That Are Much Worse
Time To Broaden Your Horizons (Or Not)
With so many coffee chains, figuring out which ones are worth your time and money can be challenging. After all, getting that caffeine fix is something you don't want to screw up. While Starbucks seems to be where most people get their fix, we're here to tell you there's a whole other world of coffee out there (both good and bad) To help, we’ve compiled a list of 20 coffee chains, starting with those that offer a better experience than Starbucks.
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1. Dutch Bros Coffee
Dutch Bros is a full-blown experience. With its bright blue kiosks and music blasting like a mini party, this Oregon-born chain has been winning hearts (and caffeine addicts) since 1992. Now, with around 1,000 locations, it's all about endless drink customizations and a deep love for the community.
2. Luckin Coffee
Founded in 2017, this tech-driven brand redefined China's coffee culture. It uses app-based ordering and cashless payments to serve millions of drinks daily. By 2023, it had more locations than Starbucks in China, thanks to a business model built for speed and affordability.
3. Stumptown Coffee Roasters
Have you ever had a cup of coffee so good it ruined all the others? That's Stumptown. Since 1999, the Portland-born roaster has been obsessed with ethically sourced, single-origin beans and precision roasting. Their cold brew is a smooth, bold masterpiece that sets the standard for the industry.
4. PJ's Coffee
PJ's Coffee brings bold flavors and warm hospitality straight from New Orleans. Famous for its rich chicory coffee, a French-inspired local favorite, this shop takes small-batch roasting seriously to ensure peak freshness. And if you haven't tried their signature Southern Pecan blend, you're missing out!
5. Peet's Coffee
Long before Starbucks, Peet's set the stage for premium coffee in 1966. Alfred Peet's meticulous approach to bean selection and dark roasting built a cult following that still thrives today. Known for its bold, complex flavors, Peet's takes coffee so seriously that its baristas undergo extensive training to perfect every pour.
6. Caribou Coffee
Sustainability and quality take center stage at Caribou Coffee. Because of its signature log-cabin ambiance and commitment to Rainforest Alliance-certified beans, the chain delivers a warm, inviting coffee experience. Handcrafted espresso drinks and real-chocolate mochas set it apart from the mass-market competition.
Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States on Wikimedia
7. Caffè Nero
Are you in the mood for a true European café experience? Caffè Nero delivers rich, handcrafted espresso and a cozy, Italian-inspired atmosphere. Unlike grab-and-go chains, it encourages customers to linger and savor. The chain has locations worldwide and remains dedicated to quality over convenience.
8. Mixue
Good Coffee doesn't have to have a hefty price tag; ask Mixue. This Chinese chain has taken Southeast Asia by storm, offering wallet-friendly coffee and tea without skimping on flavor. The chain has a best-selling vanilla latte and a menu packed with refreshing options.
9. Blank Street Coffee
This chain flips the script in a world of oversized cafés and never-ending lines. A Brooklyn-born chain, it keeps things simple: streamlined operations and automated espresso machines that crank out high-quality coffee fast. It's all about great coffee without the wait, perfect for the hustle of city life.
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10. Seattle Coffee Works
Seattle may be Starbucks' hometown, but its coffee scene runs deeper. Enter Seattle Coffee Works, a local favorite that takes coffee craftsmanship seriously. With a passion for direct trade and slow-brew methods, this shop invites customers to taste their coffee, not just drink it honestly.
Not every coffee chain can be a winner. While some go above and beyond, others miss the mark. Now, let's look at the coffee spots that fall short of Starbucks.
1. 7-Eleven Coffee
It's quick and cheap, and that's about it. 7-Eleven's self-serve setup means you're at the mercy of whatever's been sitting in the carafe, fresh or not. With no baristas to fine-tune the process, consistency is a gamble, and flavor takes a backseat.
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2. McCafé
McCafé set out to compete with premium coffee chains but landed somewhere between fast and forgettable. Launched in 1993, it prioritizes speed over quality, churning out drinks that lean too watery or just plain uninspired. It's cheap and convenient, but the automated brewing strips away any real depth.
Guilhem Vellut from Paris, France on Wikimedia
3. Tim Hortons
This chain was once the heart and soul of Canadian coffee culture—until it wasn't. After being scooped up by Restaurant Brands International in 2014, cost-cutting took priority, and quality took a nosedive. Bitter brews and artificial-tasting flavorings have left loyal fans wondering what happened.
4. Costa Coffee
Dubbed Europe's answer to Starbucks, it may be everywhere, but personality and quality are more complex to find. It was founded in 1971, and Costa's rapid expansion came at a cost; automated espresso machines replaced barista craftsmanship, leaving every cup tasting a little too robotic.
5. Einstein Bros. Bagels
Bagels? Great. Coffee? Not so much. Einstein Bros. treats coffee like a sidekick, offering basic drip brews and forgettable lattes that lack depth. Because there is minimal barista training, drinks are hit-or-miss, mostly miss. But you're in the right place if you're here for a toasted bagel loaded with schmear.
6. Dunkin'
If you like your coffee sweet and straightforward, Dunkin' delivers. But if you're after rich, complex flavors, look elsewhere. Founded in 1950, Dunkin' built its name on donuts, with coffee playing backup. The syrupy flavor shots and heavy cream disguise the lack of espresso depth.
7. Wawa Coffee
Wawa is a lifesaver on long drives. It is quick and always there when you need a caffeine boost. But let's be honest, the coffee itself? Just fine. It's the kind of coffee you grab on the go, not savor. But when you're on the road at 6 a.m., does that matter?
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8. Biggby Coffee
At Biggby Coffee, creativity comes in syrup pumps and whipped cream, not expertly pulled espresso shots. This Michigan-born chain, founded in 1995, leans hard into dessert-like drinks that blur the line between coffee and candy. These drinks are unsuitable for purists looking for a rich, balanced brew.
9. Gloria Jean's Coffees
There was a time when Gloria Jean's was a shopping mall essential, but those days are slipping away. Initially an Australian brand, it expanded quickly yet failed to keep pace with the rise of specialty coffee. Artificial syrups mask low-quality beans, leaving them miles behind today's top contenders.
10. The Human Bean
Despite the friendly name and drive-thru convenience, The Human Bean often underwhelms with bitter espresso and overly sweet flavorings. Founded in 1998, the chain prioritizes speed, but quality control varies wildly by location. It’s efficient, but it rarely hits the mark for true coffee lovers.
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