Treat Your Taste Buds to Something Better
Tired of going to Starbucks to order the same drink you have every day? Whether you've grown bored with what you're accustomed to or just want to try something new, there are plenty of coffee shops elsewhere you can treat your taste buds to. From Costa Coffee to La Colombe, here are 20 places to get your cup of Joe instead of Starbucks.
1. Costa Coffee
Perhaps one of the most recognized coffee chains in the United Kingdom, Costa Coffee bears a striking resemblance to Starbucks. They were even founded in the same year—1971. Born in London out of two brothers' love for exceptional coffee, you're missing out if you don't give the menu a try.
2. Onyx Coffee Lab
Ranked as the second-best coffee shop in the world, there's a reason why Onyx Coffee Lab is a popular haunt despite its sparse locations in northern Arkansas. Come for the delicious, lip-smacking roast, but for the curious, stay for the cool tech, artwork, and concepts each shop has to offer. Ready for happy hour? There's a mezcal bar at the HQ, too.
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3. Lavazza
Lavazza was founded in 1875 in Italy by Luigi Lavazza, and originally started business out of a small grocery store in Torino. Family-owned for four generations and counting, perhaps what makes this franchise so recognized is its coffee beans, which are sourced from all over the world.
4. Toby’s Estate Coffee Roasters
If there's one thing that goes undisputed, it's that Australia makes some of the best coffee in the world. Café culture is booming here—with iconic coffee shops to try at every bend—and yet Toby's Estate reigns number one not just in the country, but in the world. Its Chippendale flagship location is where you should take a sip, but there are numerous locations scattered throughout the continent and beyond.
5. Dutch Bros Coffee
Okay, we'll admit that Dutch Bros Coffee is technically more dessert than coffee, but if you have an insatiable sweet tooth, take a pit stop here. Sparkling sodas, cotton candy shakes, and blended lemonades with popping boba might make for a crazy menu, but we're definitely not complaining.
6. The Human Bean
The Human Bean might sound like a eerie name, but don't be alarmed—it's run by a husband-and-wife duo who started the business as a drive-thru in 1998. A surprise you'll find in every cup of coffee is the chain's signature: a chocolate-covered espresso bean, placed right on top.
7. Apartment Coffee
If you're wondering which coffee shop holds the number one spot in Asia and sixth in the world, you'll find the team behind the counter at Apartment Coffee in Singapore. Its iconic location on Selegie Road is defined by stark white walls accented with spots of green, giving the space an airy, minimalistic vibe. Just be careful not to spill your order.
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8. Artifact Coffee
Perhaps what makes Artifact Coffee such a standout isn't just its coffee—it's the community. Sit back and sip on your favorite brew, take your pick of breakfast sandwiches, then swing by back after nightfall for a glass of wine and a chance to connect with local artists.
9. Coffee Beanery
Started up by a husband-and-wife team and still family-owned, Coffee Beanery is known best for its flavored roasts. So, if you've ever wanted to try banana nut bread, apricot cake, or blueberry cobbler in coffee form, there's no better place to sate your curiosity than here.
10. La Colombe
French for "dove" which symbolizes peace, La Colombe opened up in 1994 and has grown ever since, expanding to more than two dozen locations across the US. Whether you're looking for single-origin roasts or a ready-made draft latte, this chain has you covered.
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11. Peet's Coffee
Founded in 1966, you're more likely to be bringing a bag of Peet's Coffee home than be stopping by their coffeebar, but with over 200 locations across the US, you're welcome to sit in for a fresh brew any time. You can also opt for iced tea if that's more up your speed.
12. GOTA Coffee Experts
Topping the ranks in Europe and named the third-best coffee shop in the world, GOTA is Vienna's best-kept secret. Only, it's not a secret, but more so a treasured, much-beloved gem that you can't get anywhere else. Curious how the team makes your brew so well? Join a workshop to learn tips and tricks right from the experts.
13. Proud Mary Coffee
Started by husband-and-wife duo in 2009 in Melbourne, Australia, Proud Mary Coffee has a name that's actually quite fitting: it's ranked top four in the world. Thankfully, if you live in Oregon or Texas, you won't have to fly out to try a taste of its acclaimed brew; aside from it's flagship location, there's also one in Portland and in Austin.
14. Publik Coffee
Dutch for "community," this coffee shop isn't just a gathering place, but it's a green space as well. With a roastery that's entirely powered by the sun—65 solar panels, to be exact—Publik Coffee is making waves both in the coffee and sustainability scene.
15. Blue Bottle Coffee
Californians will know that their coffee culture is no joke, and they have plenty of iconic cafés to prove it. Blue Bottle is just one of many on the list of beloved gems, and if you're looking for high-quality single-origin beans, this is it.
16. Beantowne Coffee House
We'll be honest: Hampstead, New Hampshire, might not be the place you'd immediately think of for good coffee, but Beantowne has tipped the scale. Whether you're craving a latte, smoothie, or a breakfast wrap to go with your pick, you're bound to come back for seconds.
17. Stumptown Coffee Roasters
If you're wondering why one of Stumptown's most popular blends is called Hair Bender, it's because the coffee shop opened up in 1999 in an abandoned hair salon. Equal parts sweet and tangy—thanks to the blend's mix of citrus, dark chocolate, and raisins—Hair Bender might reign as the absolute must-try, but you won't be disappointed with any of the other choices on offer.
18. Tim Wendelboe
Tim Wendelboe is a bit of a coffee expert and barista superstar—and by a bit, we mean a lot. Opening up his own roastery and espresso bar in Norway's capital city in 2007 was a natural move after hitting so many achievements, so if it's the perfect cup you're looking for, Tim's got your back.
19. Prevail Coffee
An artisanal coffee shop with four locations across Alabama and Georgia, Prevail ranks number 2 in all of America—and for good reason. Here, ethically sourced beans makes for bold, unforgettable flavors in every cup, allowing Prevail to live up to its goal of being authentically—and uniquely—southern.
20. Tropicalia Coffee
Tropical coffee? Yup—it's a thing. And nowhere else is it more perfect to try than at Tropicalia Coffee, Colombia's prized gem. Even if you've popped in for a quick lunch with a friend, you're probably going to end up staying far past noon, sipping on all their specialty roasts.
