You land in a new city.
You need coffee.
But not just any coffee.
The good stuff.

Where do you start?
How do you find that perfect cup, that smooth, complex, beautifully balanced shot of espresso? That pourover so delicate it makes you rethink your own existence?

Because let’s be honest
Every cup is unique.
Every coffee shop is unique.

Some are serving actual magic.
Some are burning beans like it’s a crime scene.

So, how do you find the real ones?

Most people type “coffee shop” into Google Maps and call it a day.

But you?
You’re smarter than that.

Try:

“Specialty coffee” or “fourth wave coffee.” This filters out the gas station lattes.
Look for 4.2+ star reviews – but don’t just trust the rating. Read the reviews. Are they talking about the beans? The brew methods? The roasters?

And if you want next-level intel?
Check Instagram.

Because coffee people?
They talk.
And they love showing off their finds.

Search #specialtycoffee[CityName] and #fourthwavecoffee[CityName]
Because where there’s a good coffee shop, there’s always someone flexing about it online.

You walk in.
You take a breath.

Now, look around.
Because the gear tells you everything.

If you see:
A La Marzocco, Slayer, or Synesso – That’s high-end espresso territory.
Mahlkönig or Mazzer grinders – Precision in every shot.
Pour-over stations with V60, Chemex, or Kalita Wave – Real magic.
If they have single-origin beans, multiple brew methods, and light-to-dark roasts?
That’s a good sign.

If the only thing they serve is dark, bitter espresso drowning in syrup?
Keep walking.

Every great coffee shop starts with great beans.

So look for roasters.

Google “specialty coffee roaster near me.”
Check coffee directories like Sprudge.
If there’s a roaster in town, chances are they have a cafe or they’re supplying the best spots.

No roaster?
No problem.
The best coffee shops still bring in beans from the greats.

Tim Wendelboe, Square Mile, Sey, Onyx Coffee Lab, Coffee Collective.

See what beans shops are serving.

A great coffee shop knows their beans.

So ask:

“Where are your beans from?” (They should know the farm or region, not just “Colombia.”) “What’s the flavor profile?” (You want “notes of blueberry and jasmine,” not “uhh, it’s good?”) “Who roasts your beans?” (If they name a specialty roaster, you’re golden.)
If they can’t answer?
They don’t care.

And if they don’t care?
Neither should you.

Some places look nice.
Smell nice.
Have all the right vibes.

And yet…
The coffee?
Trash.

How do you know?
Watch for this:

Pre-ground coffee sitting out.
Flavored syrups everywhere.
Everything tastes burnt. That’s not bold, that’s burnt.
If you take one sip and feel like you just licked an ashtray?
Abort.

Ask locals.
Ask baristas at another café.
Ask the servers at a high-end restaurant.
Because people who love coffee?
They know where to find it.

And once you find one good café?
Ask them where they go.
Because the people making the best coffee in town?
They know exactly where to get it.

Mind-melting coffee is out there.
Everywhere.

You just have to know where to look.

So start with search.
Check the gear.
Find the roaster.
Ask the right questions.
And trust the people who drink coffee like their life depends on it.

Because once you know what to look for
You’ll never settle for bad coffee again.